Municipality of North Cowichan
Regular Council
AGENDA

Wednesday, September 04, 2024 at 3:00 P.m. - 7:00 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 #2772-260-1171, 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 [3:00 - 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)(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.
  • 90(1)(k) - negotiations & related discussions re the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if held in public.
  • 90(2)(b) -  the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a provincial or the federal gov't or both, or between a provincial or the federal gov't or both and a third party.

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)(k) – Municipal Service + Harm

2.3.2

Closed under section 90(1)(k) – Municipal Service + Harm, and 90(2)(b) – Negotiations with the Province

2.3.3

Closed under section 90(1)(e) - Land + Harm

2.4

Rise and report

3.

RECESS UNTIL 5:00 P.M.

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 August 21, 2024.

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

Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

Purpose: To receive for information the draft minutes from the August 20, 2024, Accessibility Advisory Committee.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive for information the draft minutes from the August 20, 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting.

4.2.2

Ministry of Agriculture and Food re- request for Agricultural Land Use Inventory

Purpose: To receive the August 19, 2024 letter from the Honourable Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food, in response to Mayor Douglas’s letter dated July 22, 2024 requesting that an Agricultural Land Use Inventory be conducted in the Cowichan Valley.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive for information, the August 19, 2024 letter from the Honourable Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food.

4.2.3

City of Duncan re- UBCM Resolution – Fail to Appear Charges in Policing Statistics

Purpose:  To receive for information, the August 21, 2024 letter from Mayor Michelle Staples, City of Duncan requesting support for their UBCM Resolution – Fail to Appear Charges in Policing Statistics.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive for information, the August 21, 2024 letter from Mayor Michelle Staples, City of Duncan.

4.2.4

City of Pitt Meadows re- UBCM Resolutions to Reform the Farm Property Tax System

Purpose:  To receive for information, the August 22, 2024 letter from Mayor Nicole MacDonald, City of Pitt Meadows requesting support for their UBCM Resolutions to Reform the Farm Property Tax System.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive for information, the August 22, 2024 letter from Mayor Nicole MacDonald, City of Pitt Meadows.

4.2.5

Heather Young, Under the Oak Farm re- Farm Building Permits

Purpose:  To receive for information, the August 21, 2024 email from Heather Young, Under the Oak Farm requesting discounts on Farm Building Permits.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive for information, the August 21, 2024 email from Heather Young, Under the Oak Farm.

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

8.1.1

Salish Sea Stones Update and Presentation

Purpose: Pete Shepherd, Salish Sea Stones, to present Mayor and Council with Salish Sea Stones as a thank you for the grant in aid provided for their project.

8.2

Delegations

Delegations appear before Council in order to make a presentation, enter a request for action, or bring Council up to date on a project, idea, or concept, or to provide further information on an issue currently before Council for a decision. Delegations are limited to 10 minutes to make their address to Council unless extended by a unanimous vote of all Council members present.

8.2.1

Cowichan Green Community

Purpose: Judy Stafford, Executive Director of Cowichan Green Community to present the Cowichan Green Community’s Annual Report.

9.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

9.1

Cowichan Climate Hub [Delegation from August 21, 2024 regular Council meeting]

Purpose: In accordance with section 7.2 [not act on a request until the next regular meeting] of Council and Committee Procedure Bylaw No. 3945, Councillor Justice has requested that Council consider Cowichan Climate Hub’s request.

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.

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

Chemainus River Actions Update

Purpose: To provide an update on actions related to flooding and erosion in the flood plain of the Chemainus River. A staff presentation will be provided at the meeting.

• Recommendation:

  This report is for Council’s information only.

11.2

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024

Purpose: To consider providing a grant-in-aid for the M’akola Housing Society to assist with the 2024 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events and the September 30, 2024, Every Child Matters Walk.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approves a $3,500 grant-in-aid to the M'akola Housing Society, to be taken from the First Nations Initiatives budget, to support the 2024 Every Child Matters Walk to be held on September 30, 2024.

11.3

Adoption of the Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Strategy

Purpose: To present the Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Strategy prepared by Urban Systems Ltd. for approval by Council. A staff presentation will be provided at the meeting.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. approves the September 2024 Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Strategy prepared by Urban Systems Ltd, as attached to the Climate Change Specialist’s report dated September 4, 2024; and,
  2. directs staff to include recommendations for implementation in the annual business planning process.

11.4

Action Plan for Housing Accelerator Fund – Round 2

Purpose:  To seek Council authorization to apply to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund – Round 2 and to present the draft North Cowichan 2024 Housing Accelerator Action Plan (“Action Plan”) which will be included in the application.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. Approves the North Cowichan Housing Accelerator Action Plan described in the Project Planner’s report dated September 4, 2024, including the seven initiatives generally identified as:
     1. Remove Barriers to Development in the Bell McKinnon Growth Centre
     2. Encourage and Fast-Track Accessory Dwelling Units
     3. Affordable Housing Policy Framework & Incentives
     4. Website Enhancements: Implement E-Permitting & Develop New Guides, Checklists and Templates for Property Owners/Applicants
     5. Zoning Bylaw Review
     6. Streamline Development Permit Requirements for Missing Middle Housing
     7. Reduce Parking Standards for Multi-Unit Housing
  2. Authorizes staff to apply to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund based on the Action Plan included in the September 4, 2024 report.

11.5

Interim Housing Needs Report

Purpose: To provide the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Report for Council’s receipt.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council accepts the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Report dated August 2024 as attached to the Manager, Planning’s September 4, 2024 report.

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

Watershed Plan

Purpose: For Councillor Justice to move the motion that was introduced at the August 21, 2024, regular Council meeting.

"THAT Council:

1. direct staff to provide a report detailing what we know about the recent Somenos Lake fish kill event, listing the ongoing steps that are being taken to improve the water quality of Somenos Lake, and to include suggestions for advocacy that the municipality could take to improve the water quality; and
2. authorize the Mayor to send letters to the Province of BC, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and the Cowichan Watershed Board urging them to take the necessary actions to address the issues that cause the “fish kill” events in Somenos and Quamichan Lakes.”

12.2

Request for Leave

Purpose: To consider a request from Councillor Toporowski for a leave from her duties as a Councillor and from attending Council meetings as she runs for office (MLA for Cowichan Valley) in the 2024 Provincial Election.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council authorize a leave for Councillor Debra Toporowski from her responsibilities as a Councillor, including attendance at Council meetings, beginning September 5, 2024 and ending October 25, 2024.

12.3

Temporary Appointment of Acting Mayor

Purpose: To consider designating a Councillor as Acting Mayor during Councillor Toporowski’s leave of absence. 

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council designate Councillor Istace to serve as Acting Mayor when the Mayor is absent or unable to act, during Councillor Toporowski’s leave of absence, from September 5, 2024 to October 25, 2024.

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.