Courtenay Council Meeting Highlights for December 12

December 14, 2022

This update covers highlights from the December 12, 2022 Council meeting. If there’s something from the meeting that you’d like more detail on, the full agendas, video and minutes (when available) of each meeting are posted here: 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.

Councillor Hillian passed on condolences from Courtenay Council to the family of Jim Palmer. Palmer was a long-time environmental advocate and was instrumental in the protection of the Morrison Creek headwaters.

Delegations

  • Wachiay Affordable Housing Project – 1679 McPhee Avenue
    An update of project funding and pre-development work on this upcoming 40-unit building was made by Roger Kishi, Coordinator - Homeless & Housing Programs - Wachiay Friendship Centre; Maris Macdonald, Macdonald Hagarty Architects and Lindsay Monk - M'akola Development Services.

    The project has been named Naut’sa mawt, a Coast Salish term meaning “together as one”. Council was requested to consider waiving Development Cost Charges for this project.

Presentations

  • BC Municipal Safety Association – 2022 Safety Improvement Award
    Courtenay’s Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator and members of the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee gave a presentation on the City’s recent Safety Improvement Award through the BC Municipal Safety Association.

    Highlights included a 65 percent drop in injuries over the last ten years. Staff also shared a general update on the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee and its activities.

Staff Reports

  1. City of Courtenay and LET Investments – 17th Street Parking Lot
  2. City of Courtenay and RCMP – Storage Building and Compound Lease
  3. City of Courtenay and Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce – Renewal with Amendments

  • Benefit Provisions for Elected Officials
    Council approved a city-paid benefit premium package for Elected Officials through the Union of BC Municipalities Group Benefits Plan.

  • Development Variance Permit No 2203 - 2840 Cliffe Avenue
    Council considered but did not approve a Development Variance Permit to vary Sign Bylaw 2760, 2013 to permit an electronic message board sign at 2840 Cliffe Avenue (A & W Restaurant).

  • Development Variance Permit No. 2204 – 1799 Cliffe Avenue
    Council considered but did not approve a Development Variance Permit to vary Sign Bylaw 2760, 2013 to permit an electronic message board sign in a MU2 – Multiple Use Two zone at 1799 Cliffe Avenue (McDonald’s restaurant). 

  • 2023 FireSmart Community Funding and Supports – Grant Application
    Council received a report on the UBCM Community Resiliency Investment grant program and approved applying for 2023 FireSmart Community Funding and Supports, in partnership with the Comox Valley Regional District, Village of Cumberland, and K’ómoks First Nation.

    The goal of the CRI grant funding program is to fund activities that reduce the risk of wildfire, improve a community’s resiliency to the effects of wildfire, and empower communities to participate in wildfire risk reduction and resiliency.

Internal Reports

  • Management Reports: Council received management reports tracking progress on various projects planned or underway from the CAO, Development Services, Engineering Services, Financial Services and Recreation, Culture and Community Services.

  • Strengthening Communities Grant Services Update
    Council received an update on the Strengthening Communities Grant. In 2021 the CVRD was awarded a regional grant of $1.093 Million through the Strengthening Communities’ Services program to better support people experiencing homelessness in the Comox Valley. The City of Courtenay is administering the grant funds on the region’s behalf.

  • Heritage Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes, October 20, 2022
    The minutes detail projects in progress including City Clocks, Annual Report, signage for river and bridge, and Sandwick Manor Development Proposal. Other topics discussed included the Yew Tree at the Sandwick Memorial Cairn, Native Sons Hall (south façade) and an Island Corridor Foundation Article.

Council Resolutions

Unfinished Business

  • Council Appointments (Alternates)
    This item to consider the appointment of alternates to various internal and external committees was deferred to a future Council meeting.

Notice of Motion

  • Councillor McCollum put forward a notice of motion on Arden School Safety Improvements. This motion will be brought forward at a future Council meeting.

Bylaws

For First, Second and Third Reading

  • Property Tax Installment Payment Plan Bylaw No. 3085, 2022
    Council gave first, second, and third reading to an update to the Property Tax Instalment Payment Plan bylaw to be inclusive of all property tax owners.

For Third Reading

  • Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3054, 2022 (1077 Piercy Avenue)
    Council gave third reading to this bylaw. The report provides technical clarifications on matters raised at the November 21, 2022 Public Hearing, and notes that a typographical error on the zoning amendment bylaw has been corrected.

Council Resolutions

Overdose Prevention Services – Councillor Jolicoeur
Council approved this revised motion:

WHEREAS the impact of deaths due to toxic drugs continues to disproportionately impact community members who identify as Indigenous, men aged 19 to 39, and people working in the trades; and,

WHEREAS BC has declared a public health emergency, and the BC Coroner’s Report and the Select Standing Committee of Health’s report on the toxic drug crisis have all highlighted the importance of harm reduction services such as overdose prevention sites; and;

WHEREAS people who use substances live, work, recreate, and use substances across the Comox Valley;

THEREFORE be it resolved that the City of Courtenay request Island Health to immediately and urgently provide a temporary OPS with inhalation services in the Comox Valley.

and; THAT CIty of Courtenay staff continue to work with Island Health on the identification & facilitation of suitable location for both a temporary and permanent OPS with inhalation services.

The meeting adjourned at about 7:00 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, January 11, 2022 and will be available from the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofCourtenayBC/streams