Municipality of North Cowichan
Regular Council
AGENDA

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 3:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Municipal Hall - Council Chambers & Electronically

This meeting which is open to the public, will be conducted in-person in Council Chambers and by video conference using the Cisco Webex platform, and will be streamed live and archived for viewing on demand at www.northcowichan.ca. All representations to Council form part of the public record.

 

Members of the public may attend the Municipal Hall [7030 Trans-Canada Highway] in person, or join the meeting electronically to participate during the 'Public Input' and 'Question Period' portions of the agenda. Please visit northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting for instructions on how to connect online or you may dial 1.844.426.4405, enter 1# for English, enter the meeting ID 2774 142 3649, and then enter the meeting password 1111.

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

As soon as there is a quorum present after the time specified for the Council meeting, the Mayor shall call the meeting to order. If there is no quorum of Council present within 15 minutes of the scheduled time for the meeting, the Corporate Officer records the names of the members present and those absent, and adjourns the meeting until the next scheduled meeting.

2.

RESOLUTION TO CLOSE THE MEETING TO THE PUBLIC  [3:00PM - 5:00PM]

A resolution of Council must be passed during the open portion of the meeting stating the basis under the Community Charter in which the public shall be excluded.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council close the meeting to the public at 3:00 p.m. based on the following sections of the Community Charter:

  • 90(1)(c) labour relations or other employee relations;
  • 90(1)(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements,
    which the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to
    harm the interests of the municipality.

  Any matters that must or may be closed to the public in accordance with section 90 of the Community Charter shall appear here.

2.1

Approval of in-camera meeting Agenda

2.2

Adoption of in-camera meeting Minutes

2.3

In-camera meeting Items

2.3.1

Closed under section 90(1)(c) Labour Relations and 90(1)(e) Land Acquisition

2.3.2

Closed under section 90(1)(e) Land Disposition – Road Closure

2.3.3

Closed under section 90(1)(e) Land Disposition – Lease Negotiations

2.4

Rise and report

3.

RECESS UNTIL 5:00PM

4.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

To adopt all recommendations appearing on the Consent Agenda in one motion, without discussion or debate. Included are items that are regular, non-controversial, or routine in nature. Any item may be moved out at the request of any Council member for discussion or debate, before the agenda is approved. Items removed from the Consent Agenda will be placed under New Business, as per Council's Consent Agenda Policy.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve the Consent Agenda and the recommendations contained therein.

4.1

Items for Decision

All recommendations provided under each of the items listed below will be adopted once the Consent Agenda is approved, unless removed and placed under New Business. 

4.1.1

Council Meeting Minutes for Adoption

Purpose: To consider if there were any errors or omissions prior to adopting the minutes of previous meetings of Council.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt the minutes of their regular meeting held October 2, 2024.

4.1.2

October 8, 2024 Committee of the Whole Recommendations for Endorsement

Purpose: To receive the draft minutes from the October 8, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting and to endorse the Committee of the Whole’s recommendations.

• Recommendation #1:

  THAT Council receive for information the minutes from the October 8, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting.

  Recommendation #2:
  THAT Council adopts the Council Policy - Phasing Plan for the Bell McKinnon Local Area Plan.

  Recommendation #3:
  THAT Council adopts the Bell McKinnon Local Area Plan Land Acquisition Community Amenity Contribution Policy.

4.1.3

Request for a Letter of Support from Lookout Housing and Health Society

Purpose: To consider providing Lookout Housing + Health Society a letter in support of their Temporary Use Permit Application for The Village Project.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council authorize the Mayor to provide a letter of support to Lookout Housing + Health Society in support of their Temporary Use Permit Application for The Village Project.

4.1.4

Request for a Letter of Support from Cowichan Valley Regional District for their applications to Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP)

Purpose: To consider providing Cowichan Valley Regional District a letter of support to include with their grant applications to the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program seeking support to implement the Cowichan Tech and Innovation Ecosystem project.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council authorize the Mayor to provide a letter of support to the Cowichan Valley Regional District in support of their Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) funding applications to implement the Cowichan Tech and Innovation Ecosystem project.

4.2

Items for Information

All items listed below will be received for information purposes only once the Consent Agenda is approved, unless removed and placed under New Business where Council may consider taking action. 

4.2.1

Q3 Financial Report (July 1 – September 30, 2024)

Purpose: To provide a financial update on the General, Water and Sewer Funds Statement of Operations and Capital expenditures for the period ending September 30, 2024.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the Third Quarter of 2024 Financial Update dated October 16, 2024, from the Director, Financial Services for information.

4.2.2

Q3 List of Supplier Payments (July 1 – September 30, 2024)

Purpose: To provide a listing of payments to suppliers totalling over $10,000 in the 3^rd Quarter of 2024.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the 3^rd Quarter Payment Listing (July – September 2024) report dated October 16, 2024, from the Director, Financial Services for information.

4.2.3

Michael Goetz, Mayor, City of Merritt re- the Burden of Delinquent Taxes

Purpose:  To receive for information, the September 25, 2024 Letter to Heather Wood, Deputy Minister of Finance from Michael Goetz, Mayor, City of Merritt re- the Burden of Delinquent Taxes. 

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive for information, the September 25, 2024 Letter from Michael Goetz, Mayor, City of Merritt.

4.2.4

Marianne Alto, Mayor, City of Victoria re- An Invitation to the Community Safety and Wellbeing Conference

Purpose:  To receive for information, the September 27, 2024 Email from Marianne Alto, Mayor, City of Victoria re- an Invitation to the Community Safety and Wellbeing Conference. 

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive for information, the September 27, 2024 Email from Marianne Alto, Mayor, City of Victoria.

5.

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA

5.1

Introduction of Late Items

To consider a late item of business not included in the agenda it must be introduced and approved at the time the agenda is adopted, and placed under New Business.

5.2

Changes to Order of Business

Matters must be taken up in the order that they are listed on the agenda unless changed at this time.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the agenda be adopted as circulated [or as amended].

6.

MAYOR'S REPORT

The Mayor may provide an update to Council on recent activities and important announcements. 

7.

PUBLIC INPUT ON AGENDA ITEMS

Public Input is an opportunity for the public to provide their feedback on matters included on the agenda. The maximum number of speakers to be heard during the public input period is limited to five, with a maximum of three minutes allotted to each speaker.  Members of the public attending the meeting in person must register at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting by signing the sheet posted outside of Council Chambers. Members of the public attending electronically must raise their hand once the meeting has been called to order. Please visit northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting for instructions on how to raise your hand. Speakers are asked to state their name and residential address when commencing their address to Council.

8.

PRESENTATIONS AND PETITIONS

8.1

Presenters

A Presenter [person or organization] is invited to appear before Council and is not subject to the 10-minute speaking limit.

8.1.1

North Cowichan Fire Department Quarterly Report

Purpose: Ron French, Fire Chief, to present the Quarterly Report (July – September 2024) from the North Cowichan Fire Department.

9.

UNFINISHED AND POSTPONED BUSINESS

This section includes matters that have been postponed to a certain time or referred to staff, a committee or some other organization or person, and shall be placed under this section when the matter is returned to Council for consideration.

10.

BYLAWS

Bylaws appearing under this section will be listed in order of readings as follows: (a) bylaws for adoption shall appear first, followed by (b) bylaws receiving third reading, then (c) bylaws receiving first and second or first three readings.

10.1

Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 3972, 2024 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adoption of Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 3972, 2024, which received first three readings October 2, 2024. If adopted, this bylaw will exempt certain properties in 2025 and future years from municipal property taxes.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 3972, 2024.

10.2

OCP Amendment Bylaw No. 3976 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3977 for first and second reading

Purpose: To consider amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to facilitate the redevelopment of 9337 Trans-Canada Highway, 3036 Juniper Road, 3037 Henry Road, and 3041 Henry Road for general commercial uses.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. deny file OCP00017 to amend Official Community Plan No. 3900, 2022, to redesignate 3036 Juniper Road, 3037 Henry Road, and 3041 Henry Road from Industrial & Employment to Commercial; and,
  2. deny application ZB000241 to amend Zoning Bylaw No. 2950, 1997, to reclassify 9337 Trans-Canada Highway from I2 to C2 zone, and 3036 Juniper Road, 3037 Henry Road, and 3041 Henry Road from R1 to C2 zone.

11.

REPORTS

This section includes reports from staff requiring a decision of Council and/or staff presentations. Staff reports for information only are placed in the Consent Agenda.

11.1

Q3 Council Strategic Plan Update July 1 – September 30, 2024

Purpose: To provide a quarterly status update on projects identified within the Council Strategic Plan for the period from July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024, in accordance with the Council Strategic Plan Administration Policy.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive for information the Council Strategic Plan 3rd Quarter Update (July 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024).

11.2

Interim Community Amenity Contribution Policy: Future Implications

Purpose: To provide a summary of implications of not proceeding with an Interim Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) Policy.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receives for information the Director of Engineering & Planning Manager’s October 16, 2024 report entitled Interim Community Amenity Contribution Policy: Future Implications.

12.

NEW BUSINESS

This section includes external items that require a decision of Council, items that have been removed from the Consent Agenda, and motions submitted by Council members, where previous notice has been given, for Council consideration.

12.1

Crofton Ferry Terminal

Purpose: For Mayor Douglas to move the motion that was introduced at the October 2, 2024, regular Council meeting.

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the proposed Crofton Ferry Terminal redevelopment plan adopted by BC Ferries proposes to replace the existing terminal and related facilities in situ;

  And whereas the chosen plan fails to include the removal of vehicle storage from Chaplin Street;

  And whereas the existing and proposed terminal does not align with the interests and needs of our community;

  Therefore, be it resolved that Council does not support the continued use of Adelaide Street for vehicle storage as part of the Crofton Ferry Terminal operations;

  And further that Council will only support a plan that responds to community concerns related to reducing the impacts of any terminal operation on community roads and access to community services such as the boat launch and skateboard park;

  And further that Council authorize the Mayor to formally communicate this position to BC Ferries and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI).

13.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

This section includes notices of motions submitted by Members of Council for introduction only, discussion and debate of the motion shall occur at a future meeting. Introductory remarks or clarifying questions are not permitted at this time as per Council’s Notice of Motion Policy.

14.

QUESTION PERIOD

Question Period is an opportunity for the public to ask brief questions regarding the business discussed during the meeting. When invited by the Mayor, members of the public who are attending the meeting in person may step up to the podium to ask their question(s) and members of the public who are attending electronically may raise their hand at this time. Please visit northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting for instructions on how to raise your hand.

15.

ADJOURNMENT

Once all the business is done and over with, the Mayor may declare the meeting adjourned without requiring a resolution of Council.