Meeting #:
R6/2025
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
CVRD Civic Room, 770 Harmston Ave, Courtenay
Council Present:
  • B. Wells (Mayor)
  • W. Cole-Hamilton
  • D. Frisch
  • D. Hillian
  • E. Jolicoeur
  • M. McCollum
  • W. Morin
Staff Present:
  • G. Garbutt, City Manager (CAO)
  • A. Langenmaier, Director of Financial Services
  • K. O'Connell, Director of Corporate Services
  • S. Saunders, Director of Recreation, Culture & Community Services (electronic)
  • K. Shaw, Director of Operational Services
  • M. Wade, Director of Development Services
  • M. Brown, Manager of Transportation Services
  • N. Gothard, Manager of Community and Sustainability Planning
  • A. Proton, Manager of Legislative Services (CO)
  • J. Schile, Manager of Development Planning
  • L. Bourgeois, Deputy Corporate Officer

Mayor Wells called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and respectfully acknowledged that the meeting was conducted on the Unceded territory of the K'ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.

Mayor Wells read a statement on behalf of the Mayors from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, urging national leaders to uphold existing trade agreements and highlighting the economic benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The statement noted that North American trade had supported millions of jobs and helped reduce living costs. It also warned that rising tariffs had increased costs for businesses, workers, and consumers, while disrupting supply chains. The Mayors called for policies that promote investment and cross-border trade to protect local economies and jobs.  

  • Moved ByHillian
    Seconded ByMcCollum

    THAT Council add correspondence from Comox Valley Airport Commission as new item 6.3 - Letter from Mike Atkins - Comox Valley Airport Commission requesting a letter of support for the CV Airport BCAAP Grant.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByCole-Hamilton
    Seconded ByFrisch

    THAT Council adopt the March 12, 2025 Regular Council minutes.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByCole-Hamilton
    Seconded ByMorin

    THAT Council receive the draft February 6, 2025 Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) Meeting Minutes for information. 

    CARRIED

Inspector Mercer, Officer in Charge (OIC), accompanied by Staff Sergeant Beauregard, provided a verbal update on the RCMP Town Hall held on March 26, 2025. The purpose of the Town Hall was to gather public input to help inform the City’s annual policing plan. The update included a summary of the RCMP’s Third Quarter Report and recent changes within the detachment, such as new managerial appointments, staffing updates, and the implementation of body-worn cameras.

Attendees were invited to submit anonymous questions via the Slido app and participate in an open mic session, where key topics raised included public safety, police visibility, substance use, minor property crime, and traffic; the primary concerns identified through the event were substance use, mental health, traffic, property crime, and violent crime. Inspector Mercer noted he will return for formal follow-up on Council’s 2025–26 policing priorities. Staff Sergeant Beauregard provided an update on two dog handling positions—one provincially funded and one municipally funded, shared 60/40 between Courtenay and Comox. The provincial role has been filled, while the municipal position remains vacant.

Seth Wright, Senior Manager of Government Relations at BC Transit, provided a presentation to Council.

Dan Casey, Transportation Consultant at Urban Systems, and Mike Zbarsky, Transit and Facilities Manager at the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), were present to answer Council’s questions.

  • Moved ByCole-Hamilton
    Seconded ByHillian

    THAT Council request that BC Transit include improved pedestrian street crossings in the proposed England Avenue transit exchange, consider opportunities for public art, and include consultation with local business in future public engagement and report back to Council on the outcome of that engagement prior to endorsing the proposed improvements to the Comox Valley Regional Transit System’s key exchanges; and

    THAT Council direct staff to seek funding support from the Comox Valley Regional District Transit Service in support of the construction and upgrades to City-owned traffic signal infrastructure, required to support transit queue jump lanes, and consideration of the viability of a washroom facility at the South Courtenay exchange, and a crosswalk across Eighth on the west side of England Avenue.

    CARRIED

Dan Casey, Transportation Consultant at Urban Systems provided a presentation. 

  • Moved ByFrisch
    Seconded ByMcCollum

    THAT Council endorse the preferred cross-section for the 6th Street Corridor; and

    THAT Council provide in principle support for the application to the National Active Transportation Fund for the ultimate build-out of 6th Street including two-way protected cycling facilities, pedestrian and public realm improvements; and

    FURTHER THAT Council direct staff to prepare an application for 2025 B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant fund for the interim cycling improvements on 6th Street.

     

    CARRIED

    Without objection, the meeting recessed at 6:15 p.m. The Council meeting resumed at 6:41 p.m.


  • Moved ByFrisch
    Seconded ByJolicoeur

    THAT Council endorse parking enhancements along 6th Street corridor between Fitzgerald Avenue and Harmston Avenue and direct staff to implement angle parking on the north side of the corridor; and 

    THAT Council direct staff to report back on approaches for developing a Downtown Parking Management Program including enforcement options.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByHillian
    Seconded ByFrisch

    THAT Council direct staff to prepare a letter of support for the Courtenay Airpark Association to endorse their 2025/26 BC Air Access Program (BCAAP) funding application.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByFrisch
    Seconded ByHillian

    THAT Council receive the “Invitation to World Masters Games in Taipei - Taipei Economic & Cultural Office” letter as information.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByFrisch
    Seconded ByMcCollum

    THAT Council support Mayor Wells’ attendance at the World Masters Games in May 2025, in Taipei, Taiwan; and

    THAT the City of Courtenay reimburse related incidental expenses in accordance with the Council Expense Reimbursement Policy.

    CARRIED

    Opposed: Councillor Jolicoeur 


  • Moved ByHillian
    Seconded ByFrisch

    THAT Council direct staff to prepare a letter of support for the Comox Valley Airport to endorse their 2025/26 BC Air Access Program (BCAAP) funding application.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByMcCollum
    Seconded ByFrisch

    THAT Council receive the 2025 Pedestrian, Cycling & Pavement Renewal Program (PCPR) briefing note.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByHillian
    Seconded ByMorin

    THAT Council receive the Cycling Network Plan – 2025 Implementation briefing note.

    CARRIED

WHEREAS the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) represents the interests of member municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction; 

WHEREAS FCM’s Board of Directors is comprised of elected municipal officials from all regions and sizes of communities to form a broad base of support and provide FCM with the united voice required to carry the municipal message to the federal government;

WHEREAS FCM’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in conjunction with the Annual Conference and Trade Show, May 29-June 1 2025, followed by the election of FCM’s Board of Directors; and 

WHEREAS the UBCM-FCM Small Communities Travel fund covers airfare, hotel accommodation and ground transportation expenses related to attending FCM Board and Standing Committee meetings (other than the Annual Conference and Trade Show);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the City of Courtenay endorse Councillor Will Cole-Hamilton to stand for re-election on FCM’s Board of Directors for the period starting in May 2025 and ending June 2027; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City assume all costs associated with Councillor Will Cole-Hamilton attending FCM’s Board of Directors meetings that are not covered by the UBCM-FCM Small Communities travel fund.

9.

 
  • Moved ByJolicoeur
    Seconded ByCole-Hamilton

    THAT Council give first readings to Downtown Courtenay Revitalization Tax Exemption - Amendment Bylaw No. 3175, 2025”; and

    THAT Council direct staff to provide notice of “Downtown Courtenay Revitalization Tax Exemption - Amendment Bylaw No. 3175, 2025” in accordance with Section 227 of the Community Charter.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByHillian
    Seconded ByFrisch

    THAT Council receive the report titled “What We Heard Report - Development Permit Area Amendments for Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing”.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByFrisch
    Seconded ByCole-Hamilton

    THAT Council give first and second readings to “Official Community Plan - Amendment Bylaw No. 3177, 2025 (form & character development permit area, SSMUH)”; and

    THAT Council direct staff to provide notice for a Public Hearing to be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByMorin
    Seconded ByMcCollum

    THAT Council give first and second readings to “Zoning - Amendment Bylaw No. 3176, 2025 (form & character development permit area, SSMUH)”; and

    THAT Council direct staff to provide notice for a Public Hearing to be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByHillian
    Seconded ByFrisch

    THAT Council give first and second readings to “Business Licence - Amendment Bylaw No. 3133, 2025 (short-term rental accommodation)".

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByHillian
    Seconded ByMcCollum

    THAT Council give first and second readings to “Zoning - Amendment Bylaw No. 3134, 2025 (short-term rental accommodation)”; and            

    THAT Council direct staff to provide notice for a Public Hearing to be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByCole-Hamilton
    Seconded ByMcCollum

    THAT Council direct staff to monitor the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Primary Rental Market Vacancy Rate for three consecutive years following the adoption of “Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3134, 2025” (Short-Term Rental Accommodation); and                                  

    THAT following the three-year monitoring period, staff report back to Council with an analysis of the impact of short-term rental regulations on the local rental housing supply.

    CARRIED
  • Moved ByHillian
    Seconded ByCole-Hamilton

    THAT Council give first and second readings to “Municipal Ticket Information - Amendment Bylaw No. 3139, 2025 (short-term rental accommodation)”.

    CARRIED

No report provided.

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No report provided.

No report provided.

Mayor Wells terminated the meeting at 8:38 p.m.

 

CERTIFIED CORRECT

Adopted by Council [MONTH] [DAY], 202X

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