Meeting #:

R18/2025

Date:

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Time:

4:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

Location:

CVRD Civic Room, 770 Harmston Ave, Courtenay

Council Present:

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

Regrets:

• E. Jolicoeur

Staff Present:

• G. Garbutt, City Manager (CAO)
• A. Langenmaier, Director of Financial Services
• P. Maloney, Acting Director of Development Services
• K. O'Connell, Director of Corporate Services
• S. Saunders, Director of Recreation, Culture & Community Services
• K. Shaw, Director of Operational Services
• M. Brown, Manager of Transportation Services
• N. Gothard, Manager of Community and Sustainability Planning
• S. Hainsworth, Manager of Procurement, Risk, & Real Estate
• A. Proton, Manager of Legislative Services
• C. Thompson, Manager of Public Works Services
• J. Bays, Community Development Coordinator
• R. Matthews, Deputy Corporate Officer

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Wells called the meeting to order at 4:02 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.

2.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS

Without any late items or objections, Council proceeded with the agenda as presented.

3.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

3.1

Regular Council Minutes - October 1, 2025

• Moved By Cole-Hamilton
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT Council adopt the October 1, 2025 Regular Council minutes.

  CARRIED

3.2

Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) Minutes - June 5, 2025 (Draft)

• Moved By Frisch
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT Council receive the draft June 5, 2025 Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) Meeting Minutes for information. 

  CARRIED

4.

PRESENTATIONS

4.1

Public Works Association of British Columbia (PWABC) and Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) National Public Works Week - Awards Presentation

Meryl Ditchburn of Public Works Association of British Columbia (PWABC) presented three awards (one Provincial and two National) to Kyle Shaw, Director of Operational Services, for the Operational Services department's 2025 Public Works Week event. This year the event included school tours, student art initiatives, interactive exhibits, equipment demonstrations, and a public open house to highlight the essential services and community contributions of its Operational Services team.

4.2

Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Solid Waste Management Plan: Strategies and Actions

Sarah Willie, Manager of Solid Waste Planning and Policy Development, Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM), presented an update on the Solid Waste Management Plan renewal, highlighting strategies to reduce waste, improve recycling and organics collection, address construction and demolition waste, and expand service access. Public engagement is underway, with feedback accepted until October 16, 2025.

5.

STAFF REPORTS

5.1

Corporate Services

5.1.1

2026 Council Meeting Calendar

• Moved By Hillian
  Seconded By Frisch

  THAT Council approve the 2026 Council Meeting Calendar,

  AND THAT Council direct staff to draft a bylaw to allow the inaugural Council meeting to take place on the first Wednesday in November following a general municipal election.

  CARRIED

5.2

Development Services

5.2.1

Amenity Cost Charges (ACC) Program and Rates

• Moved By Cole-Hamilton
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT Council receive the “Amenity Cost Charge Program and Rates” report; and,

  THAT Council direct staff to return with a report with options for “Institutional” and “Industrial” as ACC categories prior to introduction of an ACC bylaw;

  AND THAT Council direct staff to proceed with a consultation session with stakeholders to inform the ACC program development, prior to consideration of an ACC bylaw.

  CARRIED

5.2.2

Letter of Support for Kus-kus-sum Grant Applications

• Moved By Frisch
  Seconded By Hillian

  THAT Council provide support for Project Watershed to apply to the Green Municipal Fund (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) “Implementation Projects: Adaptation in Action”; and,

  THAT Council provide by means of resolution support for Project Watershed to apply for all applicable grant and fundraising opportunities as may arise that are consistent with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between City of Courtenay, Project Watershed and K’ómoks First Nation.

  CARRIED

5.3

Financial Services

5.3.1

Airpark Association Lease Renewal - Updated

• Moved By Frisch
  Seconded By McCollum

  THAT based on the October 15, 2025 staff report titled “Airpark Association Lease Renewal ”, subsequent to the publication of a notice, Council authorize the renewal lease between the City of Courtenay and the Courtenay Airpark Association for the property having a legal description of:
  
  - PID: 000-892-149, Lot 1, Section 66, Comox District, Plan 14942, except any portion of the bed of the Courtenay River;
  - PID: 000-892-068, Lot A, Sections 66 and 67, Comox District, Plan 14521, except any portion of the bed of the Courtenay River;
  - PID: 004-154-665, Lot 1, Section 68, Comox District, Plan 15512;
  - Licence of Occupation, Crown License No. V933091 (Floatplane Ramp);
  - Lease Area A Plan EPP99020 (Floatplane Dock);
  
  THAT the Director of Financial Services be authorized to execute all documentation relating to the lease;
  
  THAT following the completion of the Local Area Plan for the Courtenay Airpark Precinct, staff be directed to report back to Council with an analysis of any implications for the Airpark Association lease.

  CARRIED

5.3.2

Heritage House Pub Licence of Occupation (LOO) and Airpark Café Renewal Lease

• Moved By Hillian
  Seconded By Frisch

  THAT based on the October 15, 2025 staff report titled “Heritage House Pub LOO and Airpark Café Renewal Lease” Council authorize a Licence of Occupation for an initial term of five years, with the possibility for three additional renewal terms of five years each, subject to approval by the municipal Council of the City for the property having a legal description of PID 025-210-858, ROAD BESIDE LOT 1, PLAN VIP73036, DISTRICT LOT 252, SECTION 14, COMOX LAND DISTRICT, & DL 2028;
  
  AND THAT Council delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer to execute the license of occupation on behalf of the City.

  CARRIED
• Moved By Hillian
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT based on the October 15, 2025 staff report titled “Heritage House Pub LOO and Airpark Café Renewal Lease”, subsequent to the publication of a notice, Council authorize the renewal lease between the City of Courtenay and D’s Place for the property having a legal description of a portion of portion of Lot 1, Plan 15512, Land District 15, Section 68, Comox District with a civic address of 102A-20^th Street, Courtenay, BC;
  
  AND THAT Council delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer to execute the lease on behalf of the City.

  CARRIED

5.4

Recreation, Culture and Community Services

5.4.1

New Lease Agreement – 685 Cliffe Avenue and 645 Cliffe Avenue

• Moved By Hillian
  Seconded By Frisch

  THAT Council approve the development and execution of a new Lease Agreement between the City of Courtenay and the Comox Valley Transition Society for use of the property located at 685 Cliffe Avenue, PID: 006-102-930, lot 3, section 61, plus a portion (approximately 5800 square feet) of the adjacent parking lot located at 645 Cliffe Avenue, PID: 005-101-018, lot 2, section 61, Comox District Plan VIP3817; and,
  
  THAT the term of the Lease Agreement will be two years, commencing on November 1, 2025 and ending on October 31, 2027, with a month to month hold over clause effective November 1, 2027; and,
  
  THAT the Lease Agreement would have the same terms and conditions per the existing Lease Agreement expiring on October 31, 2025, with the exception of the removal of clause 5.2 requiring Community Advisory Committee meetings; and,
  
  THAT Council authorize the Director of Recreation, Culture and Community Services to develop and execute the Lease Agreement between the City of Courtenay and Comox Valley Transition Society to continue to provide temporary shelter and services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

  CARRIED

6.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION:

6.1

2026 Permissive Property Tax Exemptions

• Mayor Wells declared a conflict of interest, stating that he has moorage at the Courtenay Marina, 2400 Cliffe Avenue, and left the meeting at 6:04 p.m.

  Councillor Hillian assumed the Chair as Acting Mayor.

  Moved By McCollum
  Seconded By Frisch

  THAT Council rescind first, second, and third readings of "Tax Exemption 2026, Bylaw No. 3194, 2025".

  CARRIED
• Moved By McCollum
  Seconded By Cole-Hamilton

  THAT Council give first, second, and third readings to "Tax Exemption 2026, Bylaw No. 3194, 2025".

  CARRIED
• Moved By McCollum
  Seconded By Frisch

  THAT Council direct staff to schedule a Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, October 22, at 4:00 p.m. to adopt "Tax Exemption 2026, Bylaw No. 3194, 2025".

  CARRIED

  Councillor Hillian relinquished the Chair, and Mayor Wells returned to the meeting at 6:06 p.m.

  
  
• Moved By Cole-Hamilton
  Seconded By McCollum

  THAT Council adopt "Tax Exemption 2026, Bylaw No. 3195, 2025".

  CARRIED
• Moved By McCollum
  Seconded By Frisch

  THAT Council adopt "Tax Exemption 2026, Bylaw No. 3196, 2025".

  CARRIED
• Moved By Frisch
  Seconded By Cole-Hamilton

  THAT Council adopt "Tax Exemption Churches 2026, Bylaw No. 3197, 2025".

  CARRIED

7.

COUNCIL REPORTS

7.1

Councillor Cole-Hamilton

No report provided.

7.2

Councillor Frisch

Councillor Frisch acknowledged the completion of the demolition of three buildings on Anderton Avenue along the Courtenay River and expressed interest in being able to walk through under the 5th Street Bridge.

7.3

Councillor Hillian

No report provided.

7.4

Councillor McCollum

No report provided.

7.5

Councillor Morin

No report provided.

7.6

Mayor Wells

Mayor Wells reviewed his attendance at the following events:

• Going-away party for Betty Tate, a long-standing volunteer in the Comox Valley

• Taiwan’s 114th National Day celebration in Vancouver

• Diwali celebration

Mayor Wells also acknowledged that during a recent discussion with the organizers of the Spirit Walk, they expressed appreciation for City staff and their support during the event planning and setup process.

8.

IN CAMERA RESOLUTION

• Moved By Frisch
  Seconded By Cole-Hamilton

  THAT Council close the meeting to the public pursuant to the following subsections of the Community Charter:

  90   (1) (a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality;

  (c) labour relations or other employee relations;

  (e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;

  (g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality;

  (i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, and,

  (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public.

  CARRIED

9.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Wells terminated the open portion of the meeting at 6:09 p.m. Following the conclusion of the in camera portion of the meeting, Mayor Wells terminated the meeting at 6:59 p.m.

 

CERTIFIED CORRECT

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