Municipality of North Cowichan
Regular Council
AGENDA

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 5:00 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 314 8426, 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. 

2.

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.

2.1

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. 

2.1.1

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 November 6, 2024.

2.1.2

November 12, 2024 Committee of the Whole Recommendations for Endorsement

Purpose: To receive the draft minutes from the November 12, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting and to endorse the November 12, 2024 Committee of the Whole’s Grant-in-Aid recommendations.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive for information the minutes from the Nov 12 Committee of the Whole meeting and THAT Council approve grant-in-aid amounts for 2025 for a total of $204,500 allocated as follows:

  1. B.C. Forest Discovery Centre - BC Forest Museum $25,000
  2. Chemainus & District Chamber of Commerce $30,000
  3. Chemainus Valley Historical Society $8,500
  4. Cowichan Historical Society $5,500
  5. Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce $34,000
  6. Chemainus BIA - Flower Baskets $24,000
  7. Chemainus Theatre Festival Society $20,000
  8. Chemainus Cemetery (St. Michael’s and All Angels Church) $1,000 to offset water and garbage fees
  9. Chemainus Communities in Bloom $7,000
  10. Cowichan Agricultural Society and Farmers' Institute $5,000, to be taken from the Agricultural Reserve Fund
  11. Cowichan – Bring Back the Bluebirds Foundation (BCCF) $2,000
  12. Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society $2,000
  13. Cowichan Valley Youth Services $5,000
  14. Cowichan Women Against Violence $3,000
  15. Fosterkritters Feral Cat Rescue Society $1,000
  16. Chemainus Rotary Club $500
  17. Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society $1,500 to be taken from First Nations Initiatives budget
  18. Cowichan Valley Arts Council $1,000
  19. Duncan Cowichan Festival Society $2,000
  20. Maple Bay Community Association - Canada Day $3,500
  21. Somenos Community Association $10,000
  22. Vimy Community Club (Hall) $3,000
  23. Westholme School Society $5,000
  24. Cowichan Rugby Club $5,000

   

2.2

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. 

2.2.1

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship re- delegate meeting at the 2024 UBCM

Purpose: To receive the October 24, 2024 letter from Lori Hall, Deputy Minister, on behalf of the Honourable Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship regarding the delegate meeting held during the 2024 UBCM.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the October 24, 2024 letter from Lori Hall, Deputy Minister, on behalf of the Honourable Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

2.2.2

Ministry of Forests re- delegate meeting held at the 2024 UBCM

Purpose: To receive the October 29, 2024 letter from Richard Manwaring, Deputy Minister, from the Ministry of Forests following up on the delegate meeting held during the 2024 UBCM.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the October 29, 2024 letter from Richard Manwaring, Deputy Minister, from the Ministry of Forests.

2.2.3

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General re: delegate meeting held at the 2024 UBCM

Purpose: To receive the October 30, 2024 letter from the Honourable Douglas Scott, Deputy Solicitor General following up on the delegate meeting held during the 2024 UBCM.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the October 30, 2024 letter from the Honourable Douglas Scott, Deputy Solicitor General.

2.2.4

Larry Pynn re: council correspondence

Purpose: To receive the November 4, 2024 email from Larry Pynn requesting greater transparency and consistency regarding council correspondence.  

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the November 4, 2024 email from Larry Pynn.

3.

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA

3.1

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.

3.2

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].

4.

MAYOR'S REPORT

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

5.

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.

6.

PRESENTATIONS AND PETITIONS

6.1

Presenters

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

6.1.1

Housing Coalition – Cowichan Vision for Wellness

Purpose: The Housing Coalition to present the Cowichan Vision for Wellness. 

6.1.2

Safer Community Plan – What We Heard Report

Purpose: John Horn, Director, Social Planning and Protective Services, to present the Safer Community Plan – What We Heard report.

6.2

Delegations

Delegations are limited to 10 minutes to address Council unless extended by a vote passed by two-thirds of all Council members present.

6.2.1

Cowichan Carbon Busters

Purpose: Peter Nix of Cowichan Carbon Buster to present to Council a response to a recent staff report to the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) regarding the benefits of expanding the Solar program within the CAEP.

7.

STATUTORY HEARING MATTER

This section includes matters where a person has a statutory right to be heard under provincial legislation.

7.1

Statutory Right to be Heard

Explanation of the hearing process

The Mayor will provide an explanation of the Statutory Hearing process, noting that where a person has a statutory right to be heard, that person shall be provided such an opportunity during the Statutory Hearing.

7.1.1

Temporary Use Permit Amendment Application for 6823/6833 Bell McKinnon Road

The order of business for this statutory hearing shall be conducted as follows:

1. Introductory presentation provided by staff.
2. Applicant provides details of their application.
3. Summary by the Corporate Officer of correspondence received.
4. Comments from persons affected by the permit.
5. Response by staff and the applicant to new information or factual matters raised.

Purpose: To consider an application for an amendment to Temporary Use Permit No. TUP00029 to permit an expansion of the temporary vehicle parking areas at 6823/6833 Bell McKinnon Road.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approves an Amendment to Temporary Use Permit No. TUP00029 to permit an expansion of temporary vehicle parking areas at 6823/6833 Bell McKinnon Road.

8.

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.

8.1

Election and Assent Voting Bylaw No. 3979, 2024 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adoption of Election and Assent Voting Amendment Bylaw No. 3979, which received first three readings November 6, 2024. If adopted this bylaw will amend Election and Assent Voting Bylaw No. 3837 to correct an inaccurate reference.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt Election and Assent Voting Amendment Bylaw No. 3979, 2024.

8.2

Sign Amendment Bylaw No. 3980, 2024 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adoption of Sign Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3980, 2024, which received first three readings November 6, 2024. If adopted this bylaw will amend Sign Bylaw No. 3479 to improve regulations for political sign placement.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt Sign Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3980, 2024.

8.3

Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3971 for first three readings

Purpose: To introduce Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3971, which proposes amendments to Traffic Bylaw No. 2276 to allow the Director of Engineering to:

1. place, erect and remove traffic control devices without Council’s approval; and,
2. close or impose use restrictions on a road under construction for a period longer than 28 consecutive days.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council gives first, second and third readings to Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3971, 2024.

9.

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.

9.1

Gateway Signage

Purpose: To provide Council with information, including budgetary considerations, for new North Cowichan gateway signs and an enhanced street banner program. Jana Zelenski, Principal, Lanarc Consulting will be providing a presentation. 

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the Gateway Sign Study for information and embark on the following phased approach for implementing gateway signs as part of the 2025, 2026, and subsequent budget years:

  1. Work with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on incorporating Sign 3 (gateway overpass sign) as part of the proposed active transportation overpass on Highway 1 near Beverley Street as part of the 2025 capital budget, up to $136,000.
  2. Allocate up to $50,000 in the 2025 capital budget for design and engineering for highway entrances and municipal hall locations.
  3. Allocate up to $245,000 in the 2026 capital budget for the construction of gateway signs at Highway 1 southbound (near Radford Road) and Highway 18 eastbound (near Mina Drive) and at the municipal hall:
  4. Expand the street banner program in the amount of $10,000 for 2025 to include up to 40 new locations that best represent North Cowichan’s communities and main thoroughfares, and $10,000 in subsequent years in order to further expand banner locations and refresh banners as needed.
  5. Develop a minor municipal gateway sign design and install at key border points and/or as markers to village boundaries and incorporate this into the 2027 business planning and budget process, up to $75,000, and additional locations in subsequent years, as funding permits.
  6. Develop a complete North Cowichan wayfinding sign strategy as part of the 2027 business planning and budget process, up to $95,000.

      

9.2

Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association – 2025 Grant-in-Aid

Purpose: To review the 2025 Grant-in-Aid application for the Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve the annual grant-in-aid amount of $45,000 to the Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association for 2025.

9.3

OCP Amendment Application for 12.5 Ha Area North of Herd Road

Purpose: To present for early consideration an application to amend the Official Community Plan (OCP) by expanding the Urban Containment Boundary (UCB) and amending the “Future Growth Area” land use designation to facilitate a 12.5 Ha (31 acre) residential and mixed-use development north of Herd Road in the Bell McKinnon area.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council denies application OCP00031 to amend Official Community Plan Bylaw 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; and 024-188-891.

9.4

Duncan Paving Contract – Recommendation to Award

Purpose: To consider awarding North Cowichan’s paving contract to Duncan Paving for a period of two years with an option to extend for up to two years by mutual agreement.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Corporate Officer to sign a two-year contract between the Municipality of North Cowichan and Duncan Paving, with an option to extend for an additional two years by mutual agreement, to provide paving services.

9.5

Draft Interim Community Amenity Contribution Policy: Public Engagement

Purpose: To provide a recommended program of engagement regarding the draft Interim Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) Policy.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council directs staff to implement public engagement on the draft Interim Community Amenity Contribution Policy as set out in the Planning Manager’s November 20, 2024 report.

9.6

Drinkwater and Ford Road Excess/Extended Service Latecomer

Purpose: To consider three latecomer agreements for excess/extended services related to the construction of the RCMP building at 6430 Drinkwater Road.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council authorize the Mayor to sign latecomer agreements for storm drainage, sanitary sewer, and roadworks included in the attachments to the Director of Subdivision and Environmental Services report dated November 20, 2024.

9.7

Environmental Advisory Committee October 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes and Recommendations report dated November 20, 2024 for information

Purpose: To provide the Environmental Advisory Committee minutes for receipt and the associated recommendations for Council’s consideration.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to:

  1. Authorize up to $50K from the Climate Action and Energy Plan Reserve Fund in the 2025 budget to install solar panels on the Crofton Firehall to provide a demonstration site for solar.
  2. Monitor the performance of the RCMP building’s solar installation as a demonstration site for solar.
  3. Monitor BC Hydro's emerging rate structure to reassess viability, with potential changes including virtual net metering, larger capacity installations, and pricing structures.
  4. Explore opportunities to increase awareness of requirements and streamline the permit process with the building design, construction, and solar-installer community.
  5. Assess property-assessed clean energy programs to understand potential, administration and taxation implications.
  6. Improve North Cowichan’s website content to increase awareness of solar projects and available incentives.
  7. Explore introducing a GIS layer that provides information on solar potential.
  8. Report back annually to the Environmental Advisory Committee on the implementation of the above recommendations.

10.

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.

10.1

North Cowichan’s Housing Needs Projections and Immigration Policy Changes

Purpose: For Mayor Douglas to move the motion that was introduced at the November 7, 2024 regular Council Meeting.

• Recommendation:

  “THAT staff be directed to provide Council with a report that clarifies the different housing needs assessments and analyzes how recent changes to Canada’s immigration policy may impact North Cowichan’s housing requirements, as well as the viability of the development and construction industries to meet housing needs given potential new market dynamics.”

11.

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.

12.

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.

13.

ADJOURNMENT

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