Meeting #:

R16/2023

Date:

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Time:

4:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Location:

CVRD Civic Room, 770 Harmston Ave, Courtenay

Council Present:

• B. Wells
• W. Cole-Hamilton
• D. Frisch
• D. Hillian
• E. Jolicoeur (electronic)
• M. McCollum
• W. Morin

Staff Present:

• G. Garbutt, City Manager (CAO)
• A. Langenmaier, Director of Financial Services
• K. Macdonald, Fire Chief
• K. O'Connell, Director of Corporate Services
• S. Saunders, Director of Recreation, Culture & Community Services
• M. Wade, Director of Development Services
• J. Chan, Manager of Business Administration
• N. Gothard, Manager of Community and Sustainability Planning
• A. Proton, Manager of Legislative Services
• R. Matthews, Deputy Corporate Officer

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Wells called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm and respectfully acknowledged that the land on which the meeting was conducted is the Unceded territory of the K'ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.

Councillor Cole-Hamilton acknowledged that September 17^th to September 23^rd is the first official National Legion Week. The Courtenay Legion will be hosting numerous public events in honour of National Legion Week designed to educate communities on the work their local Branch does and reinforce the role the Legion plays in supporting Veterans.

Councillor McCollum advised that September 26^th is United Way BC Day, celebrating the community work, initiatives, and programs focused on child and youth mental health, the Better at Home program to support the independence of seniors, and various School’s Out programs in the City of Courtenay.

2.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS

With no late items or objections, Council proceeded with the agenda as presented.

3.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

3.1

Regular Council Minutes - August 30, 2023

• Moved By McCollum
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT Council adopt the August 30, 2023 Regular Council minutes.

  CARRIED

4.

DELEGATIONS

4.1

Welcoming Communities Coalition

Julie Keumbehdjian, Coordinator, Welcoming Communities Coalition, presented information regarding what a welcoming community is, the Coalition’s vision and purpose, its membership requirements, and requested that the City of Courtenay become a member.

4.2

Immigrant Welcome Centre

Shams Alibhai, Executive Director and Thuy Sin, Regional Settlement Manager, Immigrant Welcome Centre, presented information regarding the Immigrant Welcome Centre's services.

5.

STAFF REPORTS

5.1

Development Services

5.1.1

Application for a Non-Farm Use in the Agricultural Land Reserve - 4795, 4825, 4835, 4839, and 4875 Headquarters Road and unaddressed property Lot 3, Section 45, Comox District, Plan 13392 Except Part on Plan EPP81392

• Moved By Hillian
  Seconded By Frisch

  THAT Council direct staff to forward to the Agricultural Land Commission, with a recommendation of support, the application for a non-farm use and associated fill placement application for the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds properties located at 4795, 4825, 4835, 4839, and 4875 Headquarters Road and Lot 3, Section 45, Comox District, Plan 13392 Except Part on Plan EPP81392;

  AND THAT Council request that the ALC consider the following items be addressed:
  
  a. Traffic Impact Assessment

  b. Capacity modelling for infrastructure

  c. Coordination of parks plans, cycling network plan, and infrastructure plans into the proposed master plan

  d. City land use and zoning items be addressed for 4875 Headquarters Road and consolidation of the parcels into one to address impacts of multiple property lines.

  CARRIED

5.2

Recreation, Culture and Community Services

5.2.1

Strategic Cultural Plan Update – What We Heard Report

• Moved By Hillian
  Seconded By Frisch

  THAT the Courtenay Strategic Cultural Plan What We Heard Report be received for information.

  CARRIED

5.3

Financial Services

5.3.1

Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Area Bylaw Update

• Moved By Frisch
  Seconded By Cole-Hamilton

  THAT Council direct staff to proceed with an update to the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Area Bylaw to increase the maximum levy, as requested by the DCBIA;
  
  THAT Council consider first, second and third readings of the “Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Area Bylaw No. 3105, 2023” at the September 27, 2023 Council meeting;
  
  AND THAT Council direct staff to undertake property owner approval for the proposed bylaw using the “Council initiative – subject to petition against” method under s. 213 of the Community Charter.

  CARRIED

5.3.2

Courtenay Fire Protection District Agreement

• Councillor Cole-Hamilton left the meeting at 6:04 pm.

  Moved By Morin
  Seconded By Hillian

  THAT Council direct staff to enter into an agreement with the Courtenay Fire Protection District to provide rural fire protection for a term of up to 5 years.

  CARRIED

  Councillor Cole-Hamilton returned to the meeting at 6:06 pm.

  
  

6.

INTERNAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE

6.1

Strengthening Communities’ Grant Extension

• Moved By Frisch
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT Council receive the “Strengthening Communities’ Grant Extension” briefing note.

  CARRIED

6.2

7.

NOTICE OF MOTION

7.1

K’ómoks First Nation Flag - Councillor Will Cole-Hamilton

WHEREAS the flying of flags is a way of showing acknowledgment and respect in many cultures; and

WHEREAS the City of Courtenay has committed to building a strong and respectful relationship with K’ómoks First Nation;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff engage with K’ómoks First Nation and report back to Council on options for displaying the K’ómoks First Nation flag at Courtenay City Hall.

8.

BYLAWS

8.1

For Adoption

8.1.1

Temporary Borrowing Bylaw No. 3104

• Moved By Frisch
  Seconded By McCollum

  THAT Council adopt "Temporary Borrowing Bylaw No. 3104, 2023".

  CARRIED

9.

COUNCIL REPORTS

9.1

Councillor Cole-Hamilton

Councillor Cole-Hamilton reviewed his attendance at the following event:

• September 13 - FCM Committee of the Whole meeting

9.2

Councillor Frisch

Councillor Frisch reviewed his attendance at the following event and submitted a report of activities:

• September 1 - Eureka Support Society Open House

9.3

Councillor Hillian

Councillor Hillian advised that the Kus-kus-sum project is currently facing an issue regarding recent changes to regulations which led to the discovery of contaminated soil on site. Handling and potential transportation of the contaminated soil is causing significant extra costs and will likely cause a delay to the completion of the project. Representatives of the Kus-kus-sum project met with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy last week and were provided with assistance from a Ministry staff person to work with the Kus-kus-sum representatives to help keep the project moving forward, including the potential for some exemptions and additional funding.

9.4

Councillor Jolicoeur

Councillor Jolicoeur reviewed his attendance at the following events:

• August 31 - International Day of Awareness event at Simms Park
• Comox Valley Substance Use Collaborative meeting

9.5

Councillor McCollum

Councillor McCollum submitted a report of activities, see agenda.

9.6

Councillor Morin

Councillor Morin submitted a report of activities, see agenda.

9.7

Mayor Wells

Mayor Wells reviewed his attendance at the following events:

• September 5 - Comox Valley Search & Rescue Fundraiser ($30,000 raised)
• September 6 - Meeting with MLA Kevin Falcon
• September 6 - Comox Valley Hero Awards
• September 8 - Comox Valley Mayor's Golf Tournament

10.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Wells terminated the meeting at 6:26 pm.

 

CERTIFIED CORRECT

Adopted by Council September 27, 2023