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

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 3:00 P.m. - 5:00 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 2771 446 9013, and then enter the meeting password 1111.

---

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)(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.
  • 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)(i) Legal Advice

2.3.2

Closed under section 90(1)(e) Land and 90(1)(k) Preliminary Negotiations for a Municipal Service

2.3.3

Closed under section 90(1)(i) Legal Advice

2.3.4

Closed under section 90(2)(b) Provincial Negotiations

2.3.5

Closed under section 90(1)(e) Land

2.3.6

Closed under section 90(1)(e) Land

2.3.7

Closed under section 90(2)(b) Provincial 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 June 4, 2025.

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

Letter from the Office of Jeff Kibble re- A Stronger Future Through Partnership

Purpose: To receive the undated letter from the Office of Jeff Kibble, Member of Parliament for Cowichan – Malahat – Langford regarding ‘A Stronger Future Through Partnership’ and inviting an opportunity to meet with Council. 

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the undated letter from Office of Jeff Kibble, Member of Parliament for Cowichan – Malahat – Langford, for information.

4.2.2

Letter from the City of Enderby re- Bill 7–2025: Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act

Purpose: To receive the April 23, 2025 letter from Mayor Huck Galbraith, City of Enderby regarding their Council expressing their concerns about Bill 7–2025: Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the April 23, 2025 letter from Mayor Huck Galbraith, City of Enderby, for information.

4.2.3

City of Campbell River re- invitation to join a collective advocacy movement

Purpose: To receive the June 5, 2025 letter from Mayor Kermit Dahl, City of Campbell River inviting North Cowichan to join a collective advocacy movement aimed at amplifying the voices of resource communities across British Columbia.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the June 5, 2025 letter from Mayor Kermit Dahl, City of Campbell River, for information.

4.2.4

Email from Cidnee Johnson re- honouring those who have passed away from an opioid overdose

Purpose: To receive the June 10, 2025 email from Cidnee Johnson regarding a proposal inspired by a program from Japan for the community to honour those who have passed away from an opioid overdose.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the June 10, 2025 email from Cidnee Johnson, for information. 

4.2.5

Email from Steve Desmone re- proposal for a paved bike park at Cowichan Sportsplex

Purpose: To receive the June 6, 2025 email from Steve Desmone regarding a proposal for a paved bike park at Cowichan Sportsplex.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the June 6, 2025 email from Steve Desmone, 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

Public Input is an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on matters included on the agenda. The maximum number of speakers to be heard during the public input period is limited to five (5), and each speaker is allotted up to a maximum of three (3) minutes to provide their input. Members of the public must register at least 10 minutes and not more than 30 minutes before the meeting using the webform available on North Cowichan’s website. Please visit Addressing Council to access the webform and for instructions on how to participate. Speakers are asked to state their name and residential address when commencing their address to Council, as per Council’s Public Input and Meeting Conduct Policy.

8.

PRESENTATIONS AND PETITIONS

8.1

Presenters

In accordance with Council’s Delegations and Presenters Policy, a presenter [person or organization] is invited to appear before Council and is not subject to the 10-minute speaking limit.

8.1.1

RCMP Quarterly Report [Jan 1 - Mar 31, 2025]

Purpose: Acting Officer in Charge, Ken Beard from North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP to present the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP quarterly report [January – March, 2025].

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council endorse the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP quarterly report [January – March, 2025].

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

Zero Carbon Step Code Implementation

Purpose: To provide Council with an update on North Cowichan’s implementation of the Zero Carbon Step Code, including outcomes, compliance, and industry uptake.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receives the staff report titled “Zero Carbon Step Code Implementation” dated June 18, 2025, for information and reaffirm its commitment to proceed with the implementation of EL-4 as currently planned.

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. 3988, 2025 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adopting Zoning Bylaw Amendment No. 3988, 2025 which received first 3 readings on May 21, 2025, and the 219 covenant has now been registered on title. If adopted this bylaw will permit a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 3118 Drinkwater Road.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3988, 2025.

10.2

Waste Collection Bylaw No. 4012, 2025 and Contamination Management Policy

Purpose: To introduce Waste Collection Bylaw No. 4012, 2025, which replaces the existing Waste Collection Bylaw and incorporates provisions for automated curbside collection of garbage and organics, as well as the Contamination Management Policy, which establishes the procedures and consequences associated with contamination incidents.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. gives first, second and third readings to Waste Collection Bylaw No. 4012, 2025, and,
  2. approves the Contamination Management Policy, as attached to the Director, Operations report dated June 18, 2025.

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

2024 North Cowichan Annual Report

1. The Mayor shall call upon the Corporate Officer to provide a summary of any correspondence received in relation to the annual report.
2. The Mayor shall invite members of the public to provide comments and questions on the annual report.

Purpose: For Council to consider the 2024 Annual Report in an open public meeting and to receive submissions and questions from the public in accordance with section 99 of the Community Charter.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council accepts the 2024 Annual Report.

11.2

Early Consideration - Official Community Plan Amendment 3499 Henry Road

Purpose: To present an application for early consideration of Council to amend the Official Community Plan (OCP) to facilitate a zoning amendment and subsequent bare land strata subdivision of 3499 Henry Road.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council denies application OCP00033 to amend Official Community Plan No. 3900, 2022, to change the land use designation of 3499 Henry Road (PID: 009-885-200) to facilitate rezoning and subsequent bare land strata subdivision.

11.3

OCP Application North of Herd Road – Request for Information

Purpose: To request Council direction regarding a requirement that the applicant provide a financial impact assessment for application OCP00031. The recommendation to deny the application is unchanged from the November 20, 2024, request for early consideration.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council denies application OCP00031 to amend Official Community Plan No. 3900, 2022, to expand the urban containment boundary and change the land use designation to facilitate rezoning for the subject property consisting of PIDs: 005-830-061; 005-649-404; 024-188-404; 024-188-891; 000-961-744; 014-547-368; and 012-019-143.

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

Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society [Adopt-a-Trail program]

Purpose: For Councillor Istace to move the motion that was introduced at the June 4, 2025 regular Council meeting.

“THAT Council direct staff to prepare a report exploring the feasibility of allowing the Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society (CTSS) to manage an "Adopt-a-Trail" program on sanctioned trails within their existing trail maintenance responsibilities in the Municipality of North Cowichan.”

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.

13.1

Letter to the Province regarding the BC Transit strike

Purpose: So that Mayor Douglas can provide notice of the following motion to be considered at the July 16, 2025 Council meeting:

"THAT Council authorizes the Mayor to write a letter to the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit, urging the Province and BC Transit to take a more active role in resolving the BC Transit strike"

14.

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.

15.

ADJOURNMENT

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