Courtenay Council Meeting Highlights for April 10

April 17, 2024

This update covers highlights from the April 10, 2024 Council meeting. If there’s something from the meeting that you’d like more detail on, the full agenda, video, and minutes (when available) of each meeting are posted on the City of Courtenay website at www.courtenay.ca/councilmeetings 

Council respectfully acknowledged that the lands on which this meeting was conducted are the Unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation.

Presentation

  • BC Housing Update - Support and Shelter Housing
    Sarah Smith, Director of Regional Development at BC Housing, provided an update on the Braidwood project, a purpose-built housing development project. Ms. Smith outlined the following key points:
  • The next steps include a kickoff meeting with BC Housing's design and development team, scheduled in person for next week to begin working on the schematic design. City staff are invited to participate in a site walk.
  • Rezoning intake will commence in the upcoming months.
  • BC Housing is exploring modular and stick-built construction methods for the buildings to ensure expedited forms of construction.
  • BC Housing is developing a communication strategy and will organize meetings with community members and neighbors to address concerns.
  • The new housing development will cater to both transitional and permanent housing needs, serving all members of the community. It aims to provide affordable rental housing to a diverse range of community members, including young adults and seniors, with built-in support provided within the building.
  • The Braidwood project will be included in the Supported Housing Fund section on the BC Housing website as a resource, and community members are encouraged to direct questions to Community Relations at BC Housing.

Delegation

  • Youth & Ecological Restoration (YER) - Funding Request
    A presentation by Wendy Kotilla, founder and coordinator of Youth & Ecological Restoration (YER). YER has been providing youth services in the Comox Valley through the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development since 2004.

    YER is proposing a project in Millard Nature Park in summer 2024, and is requesting $4,200 for the services of a Registered Professional Biologist.

    Council waived section 13(10) of the Council Procedure Bylaw and considered and approved the funding request of $4200 to conduct a project in Millard Nature Park under the guidance of Registered Professional Biologist Tanis Gower, with the funds allocated from the Council Discretionary section of the Gaming budget.

Staff Reports

  • Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue Request for First Responder Designation and Municipal Land
    Information was provided on the designation of Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue as First Responders and the request to provide property to host a new search and rescue facility in a location that supports efficient response and designed for training, administration, equipment and vehicle storage.

    Council directed staff to send correspondence to federal Ministry of Public Safety supporting the designation of Search and Rescue organizations as First Responders and advise Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue that their request for land will be referred to the Airpark Local Area Plan scheduled for 2025.

  • City Hall Heritage Clock Project Update
    Council supported a location in front of City Hall for the City Hall clock and interpretative signage and approved $9,174 to be moved from the Gaming Reserve to the City Hall Heritage Clock Refurbishment and Installation budget.

  • Development Variance Permit No. 2308 (4883 Island Highway North)
    Council directed staff to issue a variance permit to vary the Sign Bylaw 2760 to approve this application at Courtenay Motorsports.

  • Development Variance Permit No. 2305 (2981 Moray Avenue)
    This application from TELUS is to consider the replacement of an existing tower and variances required. Brian Gregg from Site Path Consulting and TELUS representative Doug Anastos were available to answer questions.

    Council asked to staff to prepare a letter to the applicant stating that the City has been consulted and concurs with the tower location and other details of the application.

  • 1st Street Lift Station Funding Allocation
    The 1st Street Lift Station is at the end of its service life and is operating significantly over capacity. The existing lift station is located inside a concrete block building at 1201 – 1st Street adjacent to the entrance to Puntledge Park.

    Additional funds are required to complete the project by funding construction and providing contingency. Council directed staff to allocate $487,779 from the Sewer Asset Management Reserve to the 1st Street Lift Station Capital project.

  • 6th Street Bridge Grant Approval
    A 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge is included in the Parks & Recreation Master Plan and referenced in the City’s Transportation Master Plan as well as the Downtown Courtenay Playbook. The design and funding as well as the construction of the 6th Street Bridge is a Council strategic priority.

    The current estimated cost of the 6th Street Bridge is $6.59 million. A grant has recently been received through the Infrastructure Canada’s Active Transportation Fund for $2.5 million for this project. $1 million in funding will come from the $7.65 million the City of Courtenay received from the Growing Communities Fund. The City will continue to look for other grant opportunities to support this project. Remaining project costs would be covered through long-term borrowing and reserves.

    Council directed staff to sign the Infrastructure Canada’s Active Transportation Fund grant and proceed with the project. Council also directed staff to increase the 6th Street Bridge project to $6,886,075 and increase the long term borrowing authorized to $2,500,000.

  • Provision of Free Menstrual Products and Gender Equity in City Operated Washrooms
    Council approved making menstrual products free in the eleven (11) identified bathrooms at the Lewis Centre and The LINC Youth Centre. And, the City of Courtenay will join the United Way Period Promise Campaign by signing the Period Promise Policy Agreement, making public their commitment to provide for their staff, clients and or community diverse types of free menstrual products in a stigma free way.

    Council directed staff to proceed with a review of City-operated staff and public washrooms with a gender equity and inclusion lens that would include the following:
  • Inventory of current amenities available in City-operated washrooms (including menstrual product dispensers, disposal units, baby change tables, and needle disposal boxes)
  • Washroom signage review
  • Report back to Council with recommendations to improve gender equity in City-operated washrooms including associated impacts and costs in time for the 2025 Financial Plan


External Reports


Internal Reports

Notice of Motion

New Business

  • Seasonal License Fees for Sidewalk Cafés and Merchant Encroachment 
    Council directed staff to temporarily delay the collection of the seasonal licence fees for Sidewalk Cafés and Merchant Encroachment (Sidewalk) License of Occupation as outlined in the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1673, 1992, until the referenced bylaw has been amended to reflect annual rates.  

Bylaws

For First, Second and Third Reading

For Adoption

 

Council Reports

Members of Council are given the opportunity to describe various meetings and events they have attended. See attachments in the agenda with submitted written reports.

 

The meeting began adjourned at 6:49 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, April 24 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams