Courtenay Council Meeting highlights for July 16

Here are the highlights from the City Council meeting held on July 16, 2025. Read the full agenda and attachments for more details.

To learn more about Council meetings — including video recordings, meeting schedules, past minutes and upcoming agendas — visit the Council meetings page.

Comox Valley RCMP Quarterly Report

Council received this report for information. From April to June 2025, the Comox Valley RCMP handled fewer calls than the same time last year—about 9 per cent fewer. The most common reasons people called were traffic incidents, checking on someone’s wellbeing, and reports of unwanted people. While many types of calls went down, calls related to breaches (like breaking court orders) went up.

There was a 6 per cent drop in violent crime and a 16 per cent drop in property crime compared to last year. Assaults and harassment were the most common violent crimes, and mischief to property and shoplifting were the top property crimes.

Drug trafficking reports jumped by 243 per cent - not because of an increase in activity, but because police did more enforcement. Traffic offences also rose slightly, especially dangerous driving and prohibited driving cases.

View the RCMP Quarterly report and meeting video

Lake Trail Multi-Use Path – project update

Council directed staff to proceed with construction of Phase 1 of this project in the fall 2025.

Council also directed staff to report back on costs and considerations to add physical barriers, like curbs, to protect the cycling lanes as part of phase 1 of this project.

The path will connect Lake Trail Community School and Arden Elementary School with a 1.2-kilometre gravel trail and new bike lanes. Phase 1 will cover about half of the trail, avoid sensitive habitats, and cost about $825,000—within the current budget.

Extra environmental work and permits are needed for Phase 2 of the project as the area is home to the endangered Morrison Brook Lamprey.

View the Lake Trail multi-use path report and meeting video

 

Braidwood Road infrastructure upgrades and Ryan Road sidewalk update

Council received this briefing note regarding important upgrades to two roads. The Ryan Road project will add a two-metre sidewalk, a protected bike lane, a floating bus stop, and better drainage between Sandwick and Back Roads. This area is busy and has no sidewalk on the north side. The new design will make it safer and more comfortable for people walking, biking, or using the bus.

The Braidwood Road project will completely rebuild the road and replace old water, sewer, and storm pipes, while also adding street improvements.

Both projects will be designed and built together. The total budget for both projects is about $7.2 million.

Council directed staff to proceed with detailed designs for both projects. Council also prioritized the Ryan Road sidewalk project if there is any delay with the Braidwood Road project.

View the Braidwood and Ryan Road report and meeting video

Traffic safety enforcement on Back Road

Council approved a resolution regarding traffic safety in residential neighbourhoods, with a focus on the Back Road connection between Courtenay and Comox.

As the City has limited methods of effective enforcement and limited resources to address traffic safety, Courtenay Council will ask the B.C. government for municipal implementation of photo radar and expanded use of intersection cameras.

If the province will not allow this everywhere right away, Courtenay will ask for a pilot project using photo radar or other new technology on Back Road as soon as possible.

View the traffic safety Council Resolution and meeting video