Here are the highlights from the City Council meeting held on June 24, 2026. Read the full agenda and attachments for more details.
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City of Courtenay 2025 Annual Report
Council reviewed the City of Courtenay 2025 Annual Report, which provides an overview of City projects, services and progress on Council’s strategic priorities over the past year.
Municipalities are required to prepare an annual report each year and make it available to the public before Council considers it. The report helps support transparency and accountability by sharing information about City work, financial statements and plans for the year ahead.
Highlights from 2025 included construction starting on the 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge, the launch of the City’s redesigned website, the first full year of electric curbside collection vehicles, adoption of the City’s first Strategic Cultural Plan and the opening of McPhee Meadows.
The report also includes updates on affordable housing planning, urban forest and pollinator programs, recreation participation, outdoor pool renewal planning, accessibility improvements and community well-being initiatives.
Action: Council approved the City of Courtenay 2025 Annual Report.
Bylaw Services Year End Report 2025
Council received the Bylaw Services Year End Report for 2025, which provides an overview of bylaw activity, service demand, key trends and operational updates.
Bylaw Services continues to use a balanced approach that focuses on education, voluntary compliance and enforcement when needed. The division operates seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. to support community needs and improve service delivery.
In 2025, Bylaw Services received 1,911 calls for service, a 46 per cent increase from 2024. The most common call categories included parking, encampments, animal control, noise complaints and other bylaw matters.
The report also highlights the implementation of the Tempest calls for service system, which supports mobile access, file management and improved reporting. Other updates included the bylaw dispute adjudication system, park signage, community partnerships, water restriction education and progress on the City’s Bylaw Compliance Strategic Plan.
Action: Council received the Bylaw Services Year End Report 2025 briefing note for information.
2027–2028 RCMP Municipal Policing Contract – Approval in Principle
Council reviewed the RCMP’s Municipal Contract Policing Multi-Year Financial Plan for the 2027/2028 contract year.
The Comox Valley RCMP detachment provides policing services for the City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox, the Village of Cumberland and areas of the Comox Valley Regional District. Courtenay currently funds 31.4 RCMP member positions, although the actual number of officers on the ground has been lower in recent years due to vacancies, leaves, transfers and other factors.
Staff recommended increasing Courtenay’s authorized force strength by two positions, from 31.4 to 33.4. This is intended to help bring the actual number of officers closer to the City’s desired service level. The City only pays for RCMP members who are actively providing service.
The approval in principle is part of the annual RCMP budgeting process. Council will have another opportunity to review the contract and funded strength during the 2027 budget process.
Action: Council provided approval in principle for the 2027/2028 Municipal Policing Contract, based on an authorized force strength of 33.4 RCMP members.
Draft Solid Waste Management Plan referral response
Council reviewed the City’s proposed response to the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Draft Solid Waste Management Plan.
The regional plan outlines long-term goals for reducing waste and improving recycling, organics diversion and waste recovery across the service area. City staff support the overall direction of the plan, but recommended asking for more clarity before the final plan is adopted.
The City’s referral response asks for clearer roles and responsibilities between regional and municipal governments, stronger implementation details, timelines, accountability measures and more information about potential financial and staffing impacts for municipalities.
The response also notes that regional tools may be needed where consistent rules are important across the service area, such as multi-residential and commercial waste, construction and demolition materials, organics diversion and depot planning.
Action: Council endorsed the City of Courtenay’s referral response to Comox Strathcona Waste Management to support refinements in the final Solid Waste Management Plan renewal.
Harmston Park Plan Project Update
Council reviewed an update on the Harmston Park Plan and next steps for developing a preferred concept plan and detailed design.
The park planning process has already included community engagement through surveys, focus groups and a pop-up event. Feedback identified interest in accessible and inclusive park features, cultural and community gathering spaces, green and natural areas, youth-focused amenities, play spaces and infrastructure to support events and programming.
Staff recommended moving ahead with the Harmston Park Plan separately from the Downtown Vitalization Local Area Plan, which is expected to continue into its next phase in 2027. The Harmston Park process will still consider the most current draft work from the downtown plan.
Next steps include hiring a consultant, developing a preferred concept plan, holding a public open house, completing a check-in survey and meeting with key interest holders. Staff expect to bring the draft preferred concept plan and What We Heard report back to Council in early 2027.
Action: Council directed staff to proceed with the Harmston Park Plan project ahead of the final Downtown Vitalization Local Area Plan.