Meeting #:
R15/2025
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)
  • C. Davidson, Director of Infrastructure & Environmental Engineering
  • A. Langenmaier, Director of Financial Services
  • K. O'Connell, Director of Corporate Services
  • S. Saunders, Director of Recreation, Culture & Community Services
  • A. Pitcher, Manager of Capital Projects
  • A. Proton, Manager of Legislative Services
  • R. Matthews, Deputy Corporate Officer

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 - August 27, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.2025-08-27 Regular Council Meeting Minutes.pdf
  • Moved ByFrisch
    Seconded ByMorin

    THAT Council adopt the August 27, 2025 Regular Council minutes.

    CARRIED

4.
STAFF REPORTS

 

4.1
Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering

 

4.1.1
Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool – Public Engagement

This item has attachments. 
1.Memorial Pool Options Analysis Update.pdf
2.Memorial Outdoor Pool Options Analysis Council Presentation 250828.pdf
  • Moved ByFrisch
    Seconded ByHillian

    THAT Council direct staff to proceed with public engagement in order to receive feedback on the Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool Options Analysis; 

    THAT staff report back to Council at a later date with the findings of the public engagement; 

    AND THAT Council direct staff to request a delegation to the Comox Valley Regional District Recreation Commission to share the Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool - Public Engagement staff report.

    CARRIED

4.2
Financial Services

 

4.2.1
Permissive Tax Exemption Policy Direction

This item has attachments. 
1.Permissive Tax Exemption Policy Options.pdf
2.1 - FIT Consulting Permissive Tax Exemption Review September 2025.pdf
3.2 - City of Courtenay Estimated Permissive Tax Exemption Summary 2024.pdf
4.3 - Permissive Property Tax Exemption Policy 1960.00.01.pdf
  • Moved ByJolicoeur
    Seconded ByHillian

    THAT Council direct staff to report back with options to update Permissive Property Tax Exemption – Policy 1960.00.01 for changes to commence in 2027 in the following areas:

    • Exemption duration considerations
    • Changing regional service into exemption by activity
    • Policy around exemptions for housing, including not for profit housing and shelters
    • Up to 100% exemptions for not for profit Indigenous organizations
    • Additional information on the values that organizations need to represent in order to be eligible
    • Organizations that disparage others are not eligible for permissive tax exemptions
    • Removal of the “other” category
    CARRIED

4.3
Recreation, Culture and Community Services

 

4.3.1
Grant Application to Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) Strategic Priorities Fund - Capacity Building Stream for Recreation Facilities Master Plan

This item has attachments. 
1.Grant Application to UBCM Strategic Priorities Fund - Capacity Building Stream for Recreation Facilities Master Plan.pdf
  • Moved ByHillian
    Seconded ByFrisch

    THAT Council direct staff to submit a grant application for the Recreation Facilities Master Plan to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Strategic Priorities Fund – Capacity Building Stream;

    THAT Council supports the project, and is willing to provide overall grant management, and support any cost overruns; and

    THAT Council include the project budget for the Recreation Facilities Master Plan in the 2026-2030 Financial Plan. 

    CARRIED

5.
EXTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE

 

5.1
Business Licence Fee Concerns: Cannabis Retail - G. Ehrler, Beaufort Botanicals Ltd.

This item has attachments. 
1.2025-09-10 Beaufort Botanicals - Business Licence Fee Concerns_Redacted.pdf
  • Moved ByMcCollum
    Seconded ByCole-Hamilton

    THAT Council direct staff to draft a bylaw to amend the Business Licence Bylaw to remove the business licence fee for "Storefront Cannabis Retailer".

    CARRIED

6.
COUNCIL REPORTS

 

6.1
Councillor Cole-Hamilton

 

No report provided.

6.2
Councillor Frisch

 

No report provided.

6.3
Councillor Hillian

This item has attachments. 
1.Council Member Report - Hillian - August 2025.pdf

Councillor Hillian submitted a report of activities, see agenda.

6.4
Councillor Jolicoeur

 

No report provided.

6.5
Councillor McCollum

 

No report provided.

6.6
Councillor Morin

 

No report provided.

6.7
Mayor Wells

 

No report provided.

7.
IN CAMERA RESOLUTION

 
  • Moved ByFrisch
    Seconded ByCole-Hamilton

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

    90   (1) (g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality; and,

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

    CARRIED

8.
ADJOURNMENT

 

Mayor Wells terminated the open portion of the meeting at 7:06 p.m. Following the conclusion of the in camera portion of the meeting, Mayor Wells terminated the meeting at 7:24 p.m.

 

CERTIFIED CORRECT

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

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