Municipality of North Cowichan
Regular Council
AGENDA
Closed Session: 3:00 p.m.
Open Session: 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 01, 2026, Closed Session: 3:00pm & Open Session: 5:00pm

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 2770 483 5440, 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]

Any matters that must or may be closed to the public in accordance with section 90 of the Community Charter shall appear here. A resolution of Council must be passed during the open portion which states that the remainder of the meeting is to be closed, including the basis under the applicable subsection.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council close the meeting to the public at [time] 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.
  • 90(1)(i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

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)(i) Legal Advice

2.3.2

Closed under section 90(1)(c) Labour

2.3.3

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

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 special and regular meetings held March 18, 2026.

4.1.2

Feedback from Environmental Advisory Committee on Draft Biodiversity Policy Report

Purpose: To seek direction from Council on the feedback received from a meeting of the Environmental Advisory Committee, held on February 26, 2026, regarding the draft Biodiversity Policy Report.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to implement recommendations from the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting of February 26, 2026, as outlined in the April 1, 2026 report from the Senior Environmental Specialist, in the final Biodiversity Protection Policy for adoption by Council and that, after adoption of the report by Council, staff work with the Environmental Advisory Committee to develop an Implementation Plan for the Biodiversity Protection Policy.

4.1.3

Town of View Royal Judicial Review Coalition

Purpose: To provide Council with analysis and recommendation regarding the December 4, 2025, letter from Town of View Royal Mayor Sid Tobias concerning a potential judicial review of provincial legislation.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council takes no further action with regards to the letter dated December 4, 2025, from Town of View Royal Mayor Sid Tobias.

4.1.4

Island Coastal Economic Trust re- Letter of Support for Legislative Modernization

Purpose: To consider providing the Island Coastal Economic Trust with a letter of support to advance legislation to modernize the Island Coastal Economic Trust and to position it for long-term impact through strategic provincial investment.  

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council authorizes the Mayor to provide a letter of support to Island Coastal Economic Trust for inclusion in its advocacy efforts to the Provincial government.

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

Mill Closure Response – Working Group Draft Minutes from March 20, 2026

Purpose: To provide the Mill Closure Response – Working Group draft minutes for receipt for Council’s consideration.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receives the draft minutes of the March 20, 2026 Mill Closure Response – Working Group meeting, for information.

4.2.2

Only Rain Down the Drain – Yellow Fish Catch Basin Marking Initiative

Purpose: To inform Council of North Cowichan’s sponsorship of the “Only Rain Down the Drain” Yellow Fish catch basin marking initiative, a community education pilot led through the Leadership Vancouver Island program and supported by North Cowichan.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receives the report titled “Only Rain Down the Drain – Yellow Fish Catch Basin Marking Initiative” dated April 1, 2026, prepared by Jennifer Aldcroft, Climate Change Specialist, for information.

4.2.3

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia re- Provincial Budget 2027 Consultation

Purpose: To receive the March 23, 2026 email from Legislative Assembly of British Columbia regarding the Provincial Budget 2027 Consultation, for information.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the March 23, 2026 email from Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, for information. 

4.2.4

Village of Pouce Coupe re- UBCM Resolutions

Purpose: To receive the March 13, 2026 email from Duncan Malkinson, Chief Administrative Officer, Village of Pouce Coupe regarding their request for support for their two UBCM resolutions regarding Protection of Fee Simple Property Rights, and Transparency in Indigenous Negotiations.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the March 13, 2026 email from Duncan Malkinson, Chief Administrative Officer, Village of Pouce Coupe, for information.

4.2.5

Karen Brandt, Public Affairs & Partnerships, Mosaic Forest Management re- Council Motion on Log Exports and Fibre Availability

Purpose: To receive the March 23, 2026 letter from Karen Brandt, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Partnerships, Mosaic Forest Management regarding the Council Motion on Log Exports and Fibre Availability, for information.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the March 23, 2026 letter from Karen Brandt, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Partnerships, Mosaic Forest Management, for information.

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

Members of the public shall be provided an opportunity to address Council regarding matters to be considered at the meeting during Public Input. 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

Petitions

A Petition must be submitted one week prior to the meeting in order to be included in the council agenda package. A petitioner shall be limited to 5 minutes to address Council at the meeting where the petition has been included in the agenda package.

8.1.1

Petition regarding Traffic along York Avenue adjacent to Crofton Elementary School

Purpose: To consider an informal petition submitted by Laura Lenzi Loewen, Parents' Advisory Council (PAC), Chair, containing 344 signatures, received on March 26, 2026, requesting that Council consider installing signage and traffic-calming infrastructure along York Avenue, Crofton by Crofton Elementary School.

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.

9.1

Oak and Vine Next Steps

Purpose: To provide Council with information as to next steps for Oak and Vine [#2-6380 Lakes Road].

• Recommendation:
  1. THAT Council rescinds third reading of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4030, 2025.
  2. THAT Council direct staff to schedule a second Public Hearing on May 20, 2026 for Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4030, 2025, and provide statutory notice in accordance with the Local Government Act.

9.2

University Village Local Area Plan (UVLAP)

Purpose: To provide Council with a report regarding the current status of the University Village Local Area Plan (UVLAP) and outlining a potential process for update.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff not to add the University Village Local Area Plan update project to the workplan at this time.

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

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4031, 2026 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adoption of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4031, 2026, which received Ministry of Transportation and Transit approval on March 17, 2026. If adopted, this bylaw would permit a detached second dwelling on the 23 properties affected by the repeal of the Temporary Mobile Home Bylaw in July 2025.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopts Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4031, 2026.

10.2

Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 4064 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adoption of Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 4064, 2026. If adopted, this bylaw will renew the Nanaimo Bylaw Notice Dispute Adjudication Registration Agreement for a five-year term.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopts Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 4064, 2026.

10.3

Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 4066 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adoption of Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 4066, 2026. If adopted, this bylaw will introduce a $2 fee for each paper utility bill issued by North Cowichan.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopts Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 4066, 2026.

10.4

Municipal Fine and Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 4051, 2026

Purpose: To present Municipal Fine and Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 4051, 2026, which proposes to amend Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 3677, 2021, Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 3464, and Fees and Charges No. 3784, 2020, to include fine and fee updates related to the recently amended Fire Protection Bylaw.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council gives first, second and third readings to Municipal Fine and Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 4051, 2026.

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

Hydro Excavating Contract Award

Purpose: To authorize the execution of a three-year agreement to perform hydro excavating services.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council award the three-year contract for hydro excavating services, in the amount of $863,500, to SaveOnSeptic Services Ltd., and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute the contract on behalf of the Municipality of North Cowichan.

11.2

Climate Action and Energy Plan Terms of Reference Update

Purpose: To consider the revised Terms of Reference for the Climate Action and Energy Plan Reserve Fund.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopts the revised Terms of Reference for the Climate Action and Energy Plan Reserve Fund as presented in Attachment 2 of the Climate Change Specialist’s report dated April 1, 2026.

11.3

Municipal and Regional District Tax Renewal Process

Purpose: To provide Council with an overview of the Municipal and Regional District Tax renewal process.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council authorizes the Mayor to write a letter to the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board regarding the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) renewal process, confirming agreement in principle for renewal and rate increase to 3% conditional upon:

  1. Clear reporting that distinguishes administration costs from program expenditures.
  2. Increased funding allocation to the Visitor Information Centres in Chemainus and the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre at the Forest Discovery Centre.
  3. Continued CVRD administration of the MRDT program.
  4. North Cowichan specific performance metrics and annual outcome reporting.
  5. A governance review by spring 2027 that clarifies oversight, funding allocation processes, and reporting expectations for Tourism Cowichan and the Cowichan Housing Association in administering MRDT and Online Accommodation Platform revenues.
  6. Origin-based tracking and public reporting of Online Accommodation Platform MRDT revenues allocated to affordable housing.
  7. [Council to insert additional feedback]

11.4

Disposal of 1996 Superior E-One Aerial apparatus

Purpose: To seek direction regarding the disposal of the surplus 1996 Superior E-One Aerial apparatus in the Fire Department fleet.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to proceed with the sale of 1996 Superior E-One Aerial apparatus to the Pacheedaht First Nation Emergency Services in the amount of $15,000.00

11.5

Election Personnel Remuneration Policy

Purpose: To introduce a new Election Personnel Remuneration Policy that establishes standardized, transparent remuneration rates for election workers appointed to administer local government elections and other voting opportunities conducted by North Cowichan.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approves the “Election Personnel Remuneration Policy” attached to the Manager, Legislative Services report dated April 1, 2026.

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.

13.

QUESTION PERIOD

Members of the public shall be provided an opportunity to ask questions of Council regarding matters discussed at the meeting and shall be allotted up to 30 seconds each to ask their question. Question Period is limited to 15 minutes.

14.

ADJOURNMENT

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