Meeting #:
R3/2023
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
CVRD Civic Room, 770 Harmston Ave, Courtenay

We respectfully acknowledge that the land we gather on is on the Unceded
territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.

1.
CALL TO ORDER

 

2.
INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS

 

3.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES

 

4.
DELEGATIONS

 

4.1
Sid Williams Theatre Society

This item has attachments. 
1.Sid Theatre Activity Summary.pdf

Progress report on the Sid Williams Theatre Society season from:


•    Richard Clark, President 
•    Dale Pateman, Treasurer
•    Deb Renz, General Manager

5.
STAFF REPORTS

 

5.1
Corporate Services

 

5.2
Development Services

 

5.3
Engineering Services

 

5.4
Fire Department

 

6.
COUNCIL REPORTS

 

7.
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

 

7.1
Outdoor Court Usage - Councillor Cole-Hamilton

 

WHEREAS the City of Courtenay provides outdoor courts for use by tennis and pickleball players, and


WHEREAS the City wishes to ensure that these courts are allocated to ensure the maximum benefit to residents;


THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to prepare a report assessing current usage, and outlining options which would make optimal use of our outdoor courts.

7.2
Living Wage - Councillor Cole-Hamilton

 

WHEREAS the City of Courtenay, in recognition of the high cost of living and the need for employees to earn a sufficient wage, has adopted a Purchasing Authority Bylaw that, among other factors, favours businesses that pay their employees a living wage for the Comox Valley as identified by the www.livingwageforfamilies.ca website; and,


WHEREAS the City employs seasonal staff and retains contract personnel at an hourly wage which is lower than the living wage (which in 2022 was $20.26/hour);


THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to prepare a report outlining the steps required, and costs involved, in becoming a living wage employer.

7.3
Rise and Report - Councillor Frisch Mandatory Leave of Absence

 

RISE AND REPORT FROM the January 26, 2023 Special In Camera Meeting, Council rises and reports as follows:


THAT the Council receive the notice of mandatory leave from Councillor Frisch dated January 26, 2023 in accordance with Community Charter section 109.2; and,


THAT Council direct staff to advise all boards and committees to which Councillor Frisch is appointed of his mandatory leave and direct all related duties to the appointed alternates; and,


THAT Council direct staff to issue a media release immediately following the termination of the Special In Camera meeting held January 26, 2023, advising the public that Councillor Frisch is on a mandatory leave of absence in accordance with Community Charter Section 109.1 to 109.3, which applies to a Council member who has been charged with an offence under the Criminal Code; that the matter is before the courts; and that Councillor Frisch will remain on leave until such time as the matter is deemed concluded under the same sections; and,


THAT Council rise and report at the next regular Council meeting. 

7.4
Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities (AVICC) Resolutions

 

THAT the following resolutions be forwarded to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) 2023 AGM and Convention for consideration:

  • AVICC Resolution - Moving the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program Forward
  • AVICC Resolution - Vancouver Island Housing Plan – Responding to the Homelessness Crisis
  • AVICC Resolution - Fossil Fuel Corporate Sponsorship of UBCM and AVICC
  • AVICC Resolution - Removal of Racist and Discriminatory Clauses from BC Land Titles

7.4.1
AVICC Resolution - Moving the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program Forward

 

WHEREAS in 2021, 37 local governments from across BC, as well as UBCM, passed resolutions supporting Help Cities Lead, a campaign advocating for the implementation of a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program for residential and commercial buildings; and,


WHEREAS the Province has not met its commitment to move forward with next steps on a PACE program in the RoadMap to 2030 climate strategy, which is a form of financing for energy retrofits designed to help building owners save on energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and has yet to advance the program.


THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that AVICC and UBCM call upon the provincial government to immediately introduce legislation to support a province-wide PACE program for residential and commercial buildings.

7.4.2
AVICC Resolution - Vancouver Island Housing Plan – Responding to the Homelessness Crisis 

 

WHEREAS the historical gap between the supply and demand for social and supportive housing in Vancouver Island communities has been further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic resulting in a homelessness crisis; and, 


WHEREAS in the absence of an overall provincial housing strategy, clear funding guidelines, accessible application processes, and adequate funding, the homelessness crisis continues to increase illness and death amongst our vulnerable homeless population and social disorder throughout Vancouver Island Communities. 


THEREFORE be it resolved that the AVICC and UBCM executive facilitate a meeting between Vancouver Island Mayors and the Premier, the Minister of Housing, and BC Housing officials to demand an immediate action plan to address the homelessness crisis and its impacts on Vancouver Island communities. 

7.4.3
AVICC Resolution - Fossil Fuel Corporate Sponsorship of UBCM and AVICC 

 

WHEREAS the operations of Fossil Fuel producers have a direct impact on, and significantly contribute to the ongoing Climate Crisis; and, 


WHEREAS climate change is creating local effects that are having negative impacts on our infrastructure, buildings, crops, health, and ecosystems increasingly effecting our community’s stability. 


THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that AVICC and UBCM not solicit/accept support or corporate sponsorship from Fossil Fuel producers in acknowledgement of the inherent contradiction between fossil fuel sponsorship of local government associations and the role local governments play responding to and combating climate change.

7.4.4
AVICC Resolution - Removal of Racist and Discriminatory Clauses from BC Land Titles

 

WHEREAS there are documents and covenants attached to parcels of land throughout the province that are rooted in racism and discrimination; and 


WHEREAS the cost to remove racist documents and covenants from land titles is born by the property owners; 


THEREFORE, be it resolved that the AVICC and UBCM request that the Province instruct the Land Titles Office to eliminate any charges to landowners wishing to remove these offensive clauses and restrictions from their titles, and further request the Land Titles Office conduct an audit of land titles and systematically remove racist and discriminatory covenants and documents.

8.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

8.1
Funding request - Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness Society

 

Council received a presentation from Ray Windsor, Dawn to Dawn President, and Lee Everson, Project Manager, with updates on Gukwas sa Wagalus - Rainbow House, a project to provide housing for 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth. The delegation requested:

• A municipal tax exemption for Gukwa̱s sa Wagalus-Rainbow house should a home be purchased in Courtenay,
• A reduction in permitting and development fees for the project,
• The City consider whether it has any property that might be suitable for Gukwa̱s sa Wagalus-Rainbow house, and
• The City support its upcoming fundraising event at the Sid Williams Theatre with a reduction in rental costs or a $2500 donation.

9.
BYLAWS

 

10.
ADJOURNMENT

 
No Item Selected