Meeting #:

R4/2023

Date:

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Time:

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

Location:

CVRD Civic Room, 770 Harmston Ave, Courtenay

Council Present:

• B. Wells
• D. Hillian
• E. Jolicoeur
• M. McCollum
• W. Morin

Regrets:

• W. Cole-Hamilton
• D. Frisch (leave per Community Charter s. 109.3)

Staff Present:

• G. Garbutt, City Manager (CAO)
• A. Langenmaier, Director of Financial Services, via audio/video conference
• K. Macdonald, Fire Chief
• R. Roycroft, Acting Director of Development Services
• C. Rushton, Director of Recreation, Culture and Community Services, via audio/video conference
• K. Shaw, Director of Public Works Services
• J. Chan, Manager of Business Administration, via audio/video conference
• A. Proton, Manager of Legislative Services
• C. Dallamore, Legislative Coordinator

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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.

Mayor Wells made a statement on the discovery of unmarked graves in Port Alberni. The confirmation of 67 student deaths, and the discovery of 17 suspected graves at the site of the former Alberni Indian Residential School in the territory of the Tseshaht First Nation is heartbreaking.

Councillor Jolicoeur spoke about Black History Month in February and brought attention to the myriad challenges that have been and are faced by Black citizens. For more information visit bcblackhistory.ca

2.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS

Mayor Wells removed item 10.2, Mayor Wells Leave of Absence, from the agenda. With no objections, Council proceeded with the agenda as amended.

3.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

3.1

Regular Council Minutes - February 8, 2023

• A corrected version of the February 8 Council minutes was presented on table.

  Moved By Jolicoeur
  Seconded By Hillian

  THAT Council adopt the February 8, 2023 Regular Council minutes as amended.

  CARRIED

4.

DELEGATIONS

4.1

Comox Valley Arts

Council received a presentation from Jennifer Casey, Executive Director, and Juliana Bedoya, Community Engagement Director, to provide an update about CVA's work, Fee for Service Agreement (5 year support), programming and plans for 2023.

4.2

Margaret Waterton - Lerwick Forest

Council received a presentation from Margaret Waterton requesting approval and allocation of space in Lerwick Forest to increase knowledge, respect, and understanding of the forest through community involvement and education. The delegate proposed that the guidelines of the City of Courtenay's Urban Forest Strategy be used to accomplish this goal.

5.

PRESENTATIONS

5.1

Comox Valley Emergency Program

Council received a presentation from Kurt Macdonald, City of Courtenay Fire Chief, and CVRD representatives, Howie Siemens, Emergency Program Coordinator, and Russell Dyson, Chief Administrative Officer, regarding the action items from the "Fracture on 5th" regional earthquake exercise held in September 2022. They will be recommending a consolidation of the service to a regional service. At this point the service is contracted to local governments. 

6.

STAFF REPORTS

6.1

Recreation, Culture and Community Services

6.1.1

Pacific Salmon Foundation Licence Agreement - McPhee Meadow Nature Park PIT Installation Request

• Moved By Hillian
  Seconded By Jolicoeur

  THAT Council approve the attached five-year Licence Agreement dated January 1, 2023 between the City and the Pacific Salmon Foundation for the licenced area on property having a legal description of:

  PID: 028-419-910, Lot 1, Plan VIP88574, District Lot 118, Section 61

  CARRIED

6.1.2

Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association Temporary Licence of Occupation

• Moved By McCollum
  Seconded By Hillian

  THAT Council approve the attached temporary licence of occupation agreement between the City and the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association for the licenced area located on property having a civic address of 580 Duncan Avenue, Courtenay, BC and a legal description of:

  PID: 028-799-925 Lot B, Section 61, Comox District Plan EPP15696.

  CARRIED

6.2

Financial Services

6.2.1

Signing Authority Update

• Moved By Hillian
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT Council rescind all previous banking, investment and financial transaction signing authority appointments for Annie Berard, former Manager of Financial Planning, Payroll and Business Performance, and appoint the following individuals and positions of the City as signing authority for the City in regard to all banking, investment and financial transactions:

  • Krista McClintock, Manager of Finance
  • Renata Wyka, Manager of Financial Planning, Payroll and Business Performance
  CARRIED

7.

EXTERNAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE

7.1

CVRD - Regional Social Development Grant Service Feedback

• Moved By Morin
  Seconded By Hillian

  THAT Council direct staff to write a report providing an analysis of the proposed Regional Social Development Grant Service.

  CARRIED

8.

INTERNAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE

8.1

Development Services Management Report

8.2

Financial Services Management Report

8.3

Fire Department Management Report

8.4

Public Works Management Report

• Moved By Hillian
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT Council receive the Development Services Management Report, Financial Services Management Report, Fire Department Management Report and Public Works Management Report.

  CARRIED

8.5

Changes to Privacy Legislation

• Moved By Hillian
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT Council receive the "Privacy Changes to FOIPPA" Briefing Note.

  CARRIED

9.

COUNCIL REPORTS

9.1

Councillor Hillian

Councillor Hillian reviewed his attendance at the following events and submitted a report of activities:

• Feb 14 - Comox Valley Sewage Commission meeting, as the elected Chair for a second term, to update the K’ómoks First Nation Chief and Council, and the Chair of the Comox Valley Regional District and staff about the new conveyance project and its implications. 
• Feb 19 - Celebration of Life in honour of the former Comox mayor Russ Arnott 

9.2

Councillor Jolicoeur

Councillor Jolicoeur reviewed his attendance at the following events:

• Feb 15 to 17 - LGLA Elected Officials Seminar
• Feb 15 - Elected officials webinar hosted by the Union of BC Municipalities, BC RCMP, Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, and the BC Centre for Disease Control on decriminalization. There was discussion around the role of Municipal governments, the risks to health, and what it means for our community. The general consensus between the agencies that this should be addressed from a health care perspective.

9.3

Councillor McCollum

Councillor McCollum reviewed her attendance at the following event:

• Feb 21 - Comox Valley Recreation Commission strategic planning meeting and workshops to reassess goals from the previous term and decide if they are still relevant going forward. The work is meant to inform and guide major capital decisions around ice development, artificial turf development and the recent aquatics study. 

9.4

Councillor Morin

Councillor Morin reviewed her attendance at the following event:

• Feb 21 - World Community Film Festival film screening and panel discussion of "Love in the Time of Fentanyl". The film highlights the resilience and hope of people who struggle with drugs, and the significance of safe injection sites. The panel discussion featured members from our community who work directly with individuals struggling with addiction and mental health.

9.5

Mayor Wells

Mayor Wells reviewed his attendance at the following events:

• Feb - Comox Valley "Coldest Night of the Year" team walk. The main event is scheduled for February 25th.
• Feb - DCBIA meetings to discuss social issues in our community.
• Feb - Meeting with Karen McKinnon, the new managing director for the Comox Valley Community Justice Centre, and Bruce Curtis, the retiring chief administrator, to discuss and facilitate discussions with the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association regarding social issues in our community.
• Feb 14 - Valentines Day ride on the BC Transit "Love Bus" to give out flowers, chocolates and dog biscuits. 
• Feb 19 - Celebration of Life for former Comox mayor Russ Arnott

10.

COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

10.1

Appoint Acting Mayor for March 2023

• Moved By Jolicoeur
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT Council appoint Councillor McCollum as Acting Mayor for the month of March 2023.

  CARRIED

10.2

UBCM Housing Summit

• Moved By McCollum
  Seconded By Morin

  THAT Council authorize Mayor Bob Wells and Councillor Evan Jolicoeur to attend the UBCM Housing Summit, with expenses to be paid by the City.

  CARRIED

11.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Wells terminated the meeting at 5:58 pm.

 

CERTIFIED CORRECT

Adopted by Council March 8, 2023