Municipality of North Cowichan
Committee of the Whole
AGENDA

Tuesday, November 09, 2021 at 6:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Electronically

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

This meeting will be conducted by video conference using the Cisco Webex platform. This meeting, though electronic, is open to the public and will be streamed live and archived for viewing on demand at www.northcowichan.ca.

Anyone wishing to participate in the meeting, during the 'Public Input' and 'Question Period' portions of the agenda, may do so electronically by joining the meeting using: 

• a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Please visit northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting for instructions on how you can connect to this meeting.
• a telephone, dial 1.844.426.4405, enter the meeting ID 2452 655 4368, and then press # to join the meeting.

2.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Purpose: To consider any items of business not included in the Agenda, that are of an urgent nature, must be introduced and approved at the time the agenda is adopted. Matters must be taken up in the order that they are listed unless changed at this time.

• Recommendation:

  ​​That the agenda be adopted as amended.

3.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

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

3.1

Minutes from the October 12, 2021 and October 14, 2021 meetings for adoption

• Recommendation:

  THAT the minutes of the meetings held October 12, 2021 and October 14, 2021 be adopted, as circulated.

4.

DELEGATIONS

4.1

Land Prices and Affordability Discussion Facilitated by Professor Patrick Condon

Purpose: To hear from Professor Patrick Condon, who was invited by Council, to discuss land issues related to growth, development and affordability.

5.

PUBLIC INPUT

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. To be added to the speakers list, please:

• click on the ‘raise your hand’ button, if participating by computer, smartphone, or tablet, or
• dial *3 on your phone

6.

BUSINESS

6.1

Consideration of an Economic Development Committee

Purpose: To determine whether there is a desire to establish an Economic Development Committee. 

• Recommendation:

  THAT the following motion:

  THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends that Council not proceed with establishing an Economic Development Committee at this time and that staff refer the draft OCP policies to the Regional Economic Development Officer for comments and input to Council as part of the OCP process.               

  be amended by inserting the following words after the words ‘Regional Economic Development Officer’:

  “Chemainus Chamber of Commerce, Duncan Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Island University, Community Futures Cowichan, Duncan BIA and Chemainus BIA”

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends that Council not proceed with establishing an Economic Development Committee at this time and that staff refer the draft OCP policies to the Regional Economic Development Officer, Chemainus Chamber of Commerce, Duncan Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Island University, Community Futures Cowichan, Duncan BIA and Chemainus BIA for comments and input to Council as part of the OCP process.

6.2

Matraea Centre email regarding Housing Shortage for discussion

Purpose: To discuss the February 25, 2021 email, which was referred to the Committee of the Whole from the March 17, 2021 regular Council meeting for discussion, from The Matraea Centre regarding Cowichan's housing shortage and step-escalation in housing prices.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Committee of the Whole directs the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer to speak to the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Selina Robinson, and ask her to consider applying the vacancy tax here.

6.3

Parks Maintenance Policy

Purpose: To workshop a Parks Maintenance Policy drafted by staff. A staff presentation will be provided at the meeting.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends that Council adopt the Parks Maintenance Policy.  

6.4

Automated Waste Collection Public Engagement Survey Results

Purpose: To review the feedback received on an automated waste collection system survey and provide direction to staff on the next steps for curbside collection in North Cowichan. A presentation by the consultants, ZINC Strategies, will be provided at the meeting.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the meeting be extended to 11:00 p.m.  

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Committee of the Whole direct staff to prepare a report to Council prior to the end of 2021 that outlines the options, costs and timelines for proceeding with an automated truck collection system, including the process for improvements and the schedule for continuing with the existing manual collection system.

6.5

2022 Budget Meeting Schedule Update

Purpose: To consider changes to the 2022 Budget Meeting Schedule, including adding a grant in aid and utility rate review as part of the budget process timeline.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Committee of the Whole endorse the updated 2022 Budget Meeting Schedule contained in the November 9, 2021 report by the Director of Financial Services.

6.6

2022 Council Training Opportunities

Purpose: To consider training opportunities to undertake during 2022 to improve Council meeting effectiveness.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the following motion:

  THAT the Committee of the Whole direct staff to coordinate the following training opportunities and report back to Council with the actual cost and facilitation date based upon the 2022 Council Training Calendar included as Table 3 in the November 9, 2021 report from the Manager of Legislative Services, for:

  • Legislative Framework session facilitated by Young Anderson;
  • Information and Privacy Fundamentals session facilitated by Lisa Zwarn;
  • Indigenous Consultation & Engagement session facilitated by Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.; and,
  • Deconstructing Racism Strategies for Organizational Change lunch and learn video.

  be amended by striking out bullets 1, 2 and 4 from the list.  

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Committee of the Whole direct staff to coordinate the following training opportunities and report back to Council with the actual cost and facilitation date based upon the 2022 Council Training Calendar included as Table 3 in the November 9, 2021 report from the Manager of Legislative Services, for:

  3. Indigenous Consultation & Engagement session facilitated by Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.

7.

NEW BUSINESS

8.

QUESTION PERIOD

Question Period is an opportunity for the public to ask brief questions regarding the business discussed during the meeting. To be added to the speakers list, please:

• click on the ‘raise your hand’ button, if participating by computer, smartphone, or tablet, or
• dial *3 on your phone

9.

CLOSED SESSION

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council close the meeting at 9:36 p.m. to the public on the basis of the following section of the Community Charter:

  • 90(1)(c) Labour relations or other employee relations; and
  • 90(1)(k) Negotiations and related discussions respecting 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 they were held in public.

9.1

Closed minutes from the June 8, 2021 and September 7, 2021 meeting for adoption

9.2

Closed under Section 90(1)(k) negotiations regarding child care service

10.

ADJOURNMENT