Courtenay Council Highlights for January 24, 2024

January 29, 2024

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This update covers highlights from the January 24, 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.

Proclamations

Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia on January 29, 2024

On January 29, 2017, a white gunman entered the Islamic Cultural Centre mosque in Quebec City and opened fire on dozens of Muslim worshipers. By the time the shooting had ended, six people had been tragically killed and 19 more were injured: Ibrahima Barry, Madou Tanou Barry, Khaled Blekacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane and Azzedine Soufiane lost their lives that night.

Muslim communities across Canada were, and continue to be, affected by this and other acts of hate, racism, white supremacy and Islamophobia. Many municipalities commemorate the events of January 29 with their Muslim community partners and there is a nation-wide campaign for the federal government to recognize the day nationally.

Delegations

  • Make Back Road Safe
    Delegation by Carolyn Rice, Make Back Road Safe, to present a resident petition endorsed by residents of Back Road and those living near Farquharson Drive. The delegation addressed specific issues and proposed solutions.
  • Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw
    Delegation by Taija McLuckie, Peer Advisor for the Community Action Team, and Angela Fletcher, Facilitator for Homeless Response team, and people with lived and living experiences, to request that Council not proceed with the adoption of Parks and Open Spaces Regulation Bylaw, Bylaw No. 3121 as presented out of concern for impacts to those experiencing homelessness.

Staff Reports

  • Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool - Condition Assessments and Options Analysis
    Based on the January 24, 2024 report “Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool - Condition Assessments and Options Analysis”, Council directed staff to proceed with procurement to start immediate repairs for the Courtenay Memorial Outdoor Pool and directed staff to proceed with procurement for an Options Analysis for the future of the pool at its current location. 

  • BC’s Emergency Management Legislation: Regulations for Local Authorities Discussion Paper Feedback
    Council has instructed staff to forward the collective feedback, formulated by the Comox Valley Emergency Management working group, on the 'Regulations on Local Authorities Discussion Paper' to the Province of British Columbia before the deadline of January 31st. This feedback will take the shape of a joint letter, co-signed by members and partners of the Comox Valley Emergency Management Service, addressed to both the Premier and the Minister of Emergency Management & Climate Readiness requesting a local government emergency management operational working group to collaborate in developing regulations under the Emergency & Disaster Management Act.

 
External Reports and Correspondence

  1. Asking the province to provide grant funding for municipalities and regional districts to plan and create entities that provide and manage non-market housing in their communities.
  2. Requests regarding the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelter system.

Council Resolutions

  • Rise and Report - Officer Appointment
    Ms. Jessica Bagnall, T/Manager of Legislative Services is appointed as the Acting Deputy Corporate Officer until such time as Ms. Adriana Proton, Manager of Legislative Services returns from leave.

  • 2024 RENT Housing Summit Coordination Support - Mayor Wells
    Council will allocate up to $7,500 from the "Other Council Initiatives" budget for the purposes of contracting an event producer to support the coordination, organization and facilitation of a regional housing summit with BC Non Profit Housing Association staff.

Unfinished Business

  • Situation Tables Request
    Council directed staff to prepare a report on the requests from the January 10, 2024 Comox Valley Situation Table delegation regarding funding, the request to include city planners in the biannual meeting of the "System Leaders Group".

Bylaws

For First, Second and Third Readings

  • 2024-2028 Water Fund Financial Plan and Bylaws
    Council approved the 2024-2028 Water Fund Financial Plan as presented for inclusion in the 2024-2028 Five-year plan and gave the following bylaws first, second and third reading:
    -Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3123, 2024 (water)
    -Water Service Frontage Tax Amendment Bylaw No. 3125, 2024
  • 2024-2028 Sewer Fund Financial Plan and Bylaws
    Council approved the 2024-2028 Sewer Fund Financial Plan as presented for inclusion in the 2024-2028 Five-year plan and gave the following bylaws first, second and third reading:
    -Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3122, 2024 (sewer)
    -Water Service Frontage Tax Amendment Bylaw No. 3124, 2024
  • 2024-2028 Solid Waste Financial Plan and Bylaw
    Council approved the 2024-2028 Solid Waste Financial Plan as presented for inclusion in the 2024-2028 Five-year plan and gave the following bylaw first, second and third reading:
    -Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3126, 2024 (solid waste)

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.

In Camera Resolution

THAT Council close the meeting to the public pursuant to the following subsections of the Community Charter:

90 (1) A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:

(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:39 p.m., the next meeting is Wednesday, February 7 and will be available on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/CityofCourtenayBC/streams