Courtenay Council Meeting Highlights for May 31

This update covers highlights from the May 31, 2023 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.

Acknowledgements

• June 8, 2023, marks the 31st annual World Ocean Day, which celebrates the ocean's importance in everyday life and highlights the need to protect it.
• On June 21st, 2023, the City commemorates National Indigenous Peoples Day, honouring and respecting the rich traditions and cultural practices of the K’ómoks First Nation.
• June 2023 is designated as Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Awareness Month, aiming to raise awareness about this rare neuromuscular/autoimmune disease.

Introduction of Late Items

• Peer Assisted Care Teams – Councillors Morin and Hillian
  Council waived notice of motion for this item to permit its timely consideration in advance of selections in June. The item was considered a little later in the agenda under Council Resolutions.

Delegations

• Greg Porteous – Burning to Create Biochar
  A presentation to request a conditional exemption to the fire ban and the granting of a burn permit to create biochar.

Staff Reports

• Development Variance Permit No. 2302 – 2300 Ryan Road
  Council approved this application to permit higher ceilings in meeting rooms in new student housing on North Island College property.
  
  
• Revitalization Tax Exemption - 995 England Avenue
  Council approved the City entering into a Revitalization Tax Exemption Agreement with Canadian Community Housing Ltd. The subject property falls within “Area 2” identified in the Downtown Courtenay Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 2937 and is eligible for a 100 percent municipal tax exemption for five years. 
  Council made a further motion to ask staff to bring a report on the use of the revitalization tax exemption and possible improvements to the policy.
  
  

• 2023 Pride Parade Proposal
  Council approved a temporary road closure on 5th Street/5th Street Bridge on Saturday, August 26 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., for use by Queer Culture for a Pride Parade.
  
  
• BC Active Transportation Grant Application - 5th Street Corridor Improvements
  Council directed staff to submit an application to apply for grant funding for the extension of the 5th Street bike lanes from Menzies Avenue to Willemar Avenue through the BC Active Transportation (BCAT) Infrastructure Grants Program.
  
  

• Traffic Calming in the 500 Block of 3rd Street
  Council directed staff to implement additional traffic calming measures on the 500 block of 3rd Street due to concerns raised by residents regarding traffic safety.
  
  
• Downtown Public Washroom – Urbaloo 24 Hour Pilot Update
  Council directed staff to maintain the Urbaloo’s current service hours which align with other City standalone public washroom facilities typically operating daily from dawn to dusk.

Internal Reports

• Heritage Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - January 26, February 23 and March 16
  Council received the Heritage Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes.
  
  
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) Meeting Minutes – September 8, 2022 and January 12, 2023
  Council received the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes.
  
  
• Management Reports 2023
  Council received reports from the City Manager, Corporate Services, Engineering, and Recreation, Culture and Community Services.
  
  
• Strengthening Communities’ Grant Update
  Council received the Strengthening Communities’ Grant update for January to March 2023. The grant is currently supporting a daytime community access hub, rural outreach on Denman and Hornby Islands, a peer-based outreach team, community engagement and anti-stigma activities and training and capacity building activities across municipalities. 

External Reports

• Request for Support: National Indigenous People's Day
  Council approved a $15,000 grant to the K’ómoks First Nation in support of the 2023 National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration to be paid from the City’s Host Gaming Funds account.
  
  
• Appreciation for Recent Efforts to Make the Downtown Area More Friendly and Safe
  Council received correspondence from Dave Koleba, pastor of Central Evangelical Free Church, regarding recent efforts to make the downtown area more friendly and safe for information.

Council Reports

• Members of Council are given the opportunity to describe various meetings and events they have attended.

Council Resolutions

• Acting Mayor Schedule
  Council adopted an Acting Mayor schedule until September 2025.
  
  
• Council Appointments
  Council made the following appointments:
  Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association Board: Mayor Wells
  Alternate: Councillor Cole-Hamilton
  
  Junction Community Advisory Committee: Mayor Wells
  Alternate: Councillor McCollum

 

• Rise and Report from the May 29, 2023 Special In-Camera Council Meeting
  In response to BC Housing’s Super 8 Motel Purchase, Council reported the following motions:
  MOTION 1: Response to BC Housing, Super 8 Motel Purchase
  MOTION 2: Delegation to Victoria to Meet with the Minister Responsible for Housing
  MOTION 3: Rise and Report, and Media Release
  
  

• Peer Assisted Care Teams, Councillors Morin and Hillian
  Council pledged its strong support to have Courtenay selected for implementation of Peer Assisted Care Teams (PACT), and to commit to partnerships with community organizations to develop PACT teams should the City of Courtenay be selected.

Bylaws

For First and Second Reading

• Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 3102, 2023
  Council passed first and second reading on amendments to the Council Procedure Bylaw. This Bylaw outlines the ways in which Council and its committees conduct their business.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, June 14, 2023 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams