 | COMOX VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT BOARD | |
| Tuesday, April 18, 2023 | ||
| Minutes of the meeting of the Comox Valley Regional District Board of Directors held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in the Civic Room of the Comox Valley Regional District offices located at 770 Harmston Avenue, Courtenay, BC commencing at 4:00 pm. | ||
| MINUTES | ||
| Present: | ||
| Chair: | J. Ketler | Village of Cumberland |
| Vice-Chair: | W. Cole-Hamilton | City of Courtenay |
| Directors: | R. Hardy | Lazo North (Area B) |
| D. Arbour | Baynes Sound-Denman/Hornby Islands (Area A) | |
| K. Grant | Town of Comox | |
| E. Grieve | Puntledge/Black Creek (Area C) | |
| D. Hillian | City of Courtenay | |
| M. McCollum | City of Courtenay | |
| W. Morin | City of Courtenay | |
| J. Kerr | Town of Comox | |
| Staff: | J. Warren | Deputy Chief Administrative Officer |
| L. Wiwcharuk | Chief Financial Officer | |
| D. DeMarzo | General Manager of Community Services | |
| J. Martens | General Manager of Corporate Services | |
| M. Rutten | General Manager of Engineering Services | |
| A. Mullaly | General Manager of Planning and Development | |
| L. Dennis | Manager of Legislative Services | |
| RECOGNITION OF TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES: | ||||||
| The Chair acknowledged that the meeting was being held on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation and read the following Call to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action report:
Call to Action 22 - Health: We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients. | ||||||
| IN-CAMERA MEETING: | ||||||
| D. Hillian/E. Grieve: THAT the board adjourn to an in-camera session pursuant to the following sub-section of section 90 of the Community Charter:
90(2)(b) The consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the regional district and the provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party; AND FINALLY THAT the in-camera portion convene immediately following the open portion of the meeting. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| ADOPTION OF MINUTES: | ||||||
| E. Grieve/D. Hillian: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board minutes dated March 21, 2023 be adopted. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS: | ||||||
| COMOX VALLEY CYCLING COALITION | ||||||
| D. Hillian/E. Grieve: THAT the presentation from Mike Keohane, President, Comox Valley Cycling Coalition, regarding an update on activities, projects and high level discussions of active transportation efforts in CVRD, as well as an update on a recent CVRD grant for a mapping project be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| REPORTS: | ||||||
| COMOX VALLEY ACCESSIBILITY FRAMEWORK AND ACCESSIBLE BRITISH COLUMBIA ACT | ||||||
| M. McCollum/K. Grant: THAT the report dated April 12, 2023 regarding a proposed approach to respond to the Accessible British Columbia Act by developing an accessibility framework and working with the community’s accessibility committees be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| J. Warren, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, provided an overview of the report regarding a proposed approach to respond to the Accessible British Columbia Act by developing an accessibility framework and working with the community’s accessibility committees. | ||||||
| Betty Tate and Christopher Bate, Comox Valley Accessibility Committee, were in attendance. | ||||||
| W. Morin/D. Hillian: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board support the development of a Comox Valley Accessibility Framework in partnership with member municipalities and community partners as described in the staff report dated April 12, 2023. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| COMOX VALLEY COMMUNITY-WIDE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY | ||||||
| M. McCollum/E. Grieve: THAT the report dated April 13, 2023 regarding the Comox Valley Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Inventory findings and next steps for climate action planning and improving emissions reporting be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 and 212 | ||||||
| D. Mazarura, Policy and Planning Analyst, presented an overview of the report regarding the Comox Valley Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Inventory findings and next steps for climate action planning and improving emissions reporting. [Item] | ||||||
| Daniel Hegg, Stantec, provided an overview of the Greehouse Gas Emissions Inventory. [Item] | ||||||
| D. Hillian/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT Comox Valley Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory findings, attached as Appendix A and B, as a baseline for tracking regional greenhouse gas emissions and informing community-wide climate mitigation and adaptation actions, be received. | ||||||
| 208 and 212 | Carried | |||||
| M. McCollum/D. Hillian: THAT staff be directed to scope a climate action strategy using data from the Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory to prioritize climate action efforts. | ||||||
| 208 and 212 | Carried | |||||
| D. Arbour/M. McCollum: THAT the Board advocate to the Province of BC for better quality land use data with higher resolution and consistency with respect to the greenhouse gas inventory, which will provide a more accurate depiction of land use change especially for smaller parcels that may not be captured;
AND FURTHER THAT the Board advocate to the Province and Insurance Corporation of BC for better quality transportation data (i.e. community specific breakdown of fuel type and more accurate fuel consumption and vehicle kilometers travelled). | ||||||
| 208 and 212 | Carried | |||||
| ELECTRIC BIKE REBATE PROGRAM | ||||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT the report dated April 12, 2023 regarding an update on development of an electric bike subsidy and micro mobility pilot program be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 and 212 | Carried | |||||
| M. Zbarsky, Manager of Transit and Sustainability, provided an overview of the report regarding an update on development of an electric bike subsidy and micro mobility pilot program. | ||||||
| M. McCollum/K. Grant: THAT the Board defer discussion of development of an electric bike subsidy until after June 30, 2023, pending the anticipated launch of a provincial electric bike incentive program. | ||||||
| 208 and 212 | Carried | |||||
| The meeting recessed at 6:11 pm and resumed at 6:29 pm. | ||||||
| SHIPBREAKING: OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR LOBBYING SENIOR LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT | ||||||
| D. Hillian/K. Grant: THAT the report dated April 11, 2023 regarding options for lobbying senior levels of government regarding shipbreaking activities be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| A.Mulllaly, General Manager of Planning & Development, provided an overview of the report regarding options for lobbying senior levels of government regarding shipbreaking activities. | ||||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT the Chair send correspondence based on the staff report dated April 11, 2023 to the federal Ministry of Environment and Climate Change regarding the regulation of shipbreaking in Baynes Sound and correspondence to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy requesting that consideration be taken to enforce the Provincial Environmental Management Act;
AND FURTHER THAT K’ómoks First Nation be copied on the correspondence. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| GROWING COMMUNITIES GRANT ALLOCATION | ||||||
| K. Grant/M. McCollum: THAT the report dated April 13, 2023 regarding recommendations for allocating the $4.5 million dollar Growing Communities Grant Fund (GCF) be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| PUBLIC HEARING FOR BYLAW NO. 740 AND BYLAW NO. 741 | ||||||
| D. Arbour/D. Hillian: THAT the report dated March 12, 2023 regarding the rescheduling of a public hearing to meet the legislative requirements of public notice for consideration of proposed zoning bylaw amendments Bylaws No. 740 and 741 be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| E. Grieve/D. Arbour: THAT Bylaw No. 740 being “Rural Comox Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 520, 2019, Amendment No. 11” and Bylaw No. 741 being “Rural Comox Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 520, 2019, Amendment No. 12” be forwarded to a rescheduled public hearing;
AND FURTHER THAT the holding of the public hearing be delegated to the Directors from Electoral Areas A, B and C with Director Hardy designated as the Chair and Directors Grieve and Arbour designated as First Vice-Chair and Second Vice-Chair respectively for the public hearing. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| ISLAND CORRIDOR FOUNDATION FINANCIAL COMMITMENT – UPDATE | ||||||
| D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT the report dated April 13, 2023 regarding consideration of the Regional District’s financial commitment to the restoration of the Island Rail Corridor and an update on recent developments and announcements be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| M. McCollum/W. Morin: THAT the board direct staff to come back with a report on options for terminating the contribution agreement with the Island Corridor Foundation and reallocating the $392,000 funds in reserve. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | NAY: K. Grant, E. Grieve, D. Hillian | ||||
| J. Martens, General Manager of Corporate Services, provided an overview of the staff report regarding consideration of the Regional District’s financial commitment to the restoration of the Island Rail Corridor and an update on recent developments and announcements. | ||||||
| K. Grant/D. Arbour: THAT the Board request that representatives from the Island Corridor Foundation, the provincial and federal governments, attend a board meeting to speak regarding the engagement agreement and Island Corridor investment potential;
AND FURTHER THAT the Board invite K’ómoks First Nation to participate. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| K. Grant/D. Arbour: THAT ratification of the Island Rail Corridor Conditional Grant Agreement be deferred to a subsequent board meeting. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| ELECTORAL AREAS SERVICES COMMITTEE - FEBRUARY 13, 2023 | ||||||
| K. Grant/D. Arbour: THAT the proposed 2023–2027 operating financial plan for the Hornby Island Comfort Station service, function 688 be approved.
AND THAT a commitment of $20,000 of the defined portion of Electoral Area A (Denman / Hornby Islands) Community Works Funds be included in the 2023–2027 recommended operating financial plan for the Hornby Island Comfort Station service, function 688, to support the Little Tribune Bay comfort station replacement project on Hornby Island; AND FURTHER THAT the recommended 2023–2027 operating financial plan for the Hornby Island Comfort Station Service, function 688, reflect a reduction in the annual tax requisition from $38,000 to $27,500 in each of the five years of the financial plan. | ||||||
| 207 | Carried | |||||
| ELECTORAL AREAS SERVICES COMMITTEE - APRIL 3, 2023 | ||||||
| K. Grant/E. Grieve: THAT the Electoral Areas Services Committee minutes dated April 3, 2023 be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| ELECTORAL AREAS SERVICE COMMITTEE - APRIL 17, 2023 | ||||||
| K. Grant/E. Grieve: THAT the Planning and Building Application Fee Rebates Policy P62 be updated to remove the incentive building permit application rebate for Step Code construction as compliance with Step 2 (large buildings) and Step 3 (small buildings) is now required by the province. | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS: | ||||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT Bylaw No. 445 being "Black Creek/Oyster Bay Water Local Service Area Bylaw 1993, Amendment No. 15" be adopted. [Item] | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| K. Grant/D. Hillian: THAT Bylaw No. 747 being "“Comox Valley Regional District Information Access & Protection of Privacy Bylaw No. 747, 2023" be adopted. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| NEW BUSINESS: | ||||||
| EQUITABLE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES IN COMOX VALLEY | ||||||
| D. Hillian/K. Grant: THAT the correspondence dated March 23, 2023 from Mayor Wells regarding a resolution adopted by Courtenay Council regarding equitable access to mental health and substance use services in the Comox Valley, and request for CVRD Board support in submitting a shared letter, be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| D. Hillian/K. Grant: THAT the Board support the request by Mayor Wells to submit a regional letter to the Premier, Ministers of Health and Mental Health & Addictions advocating for increased funding to Island Health, local non-profits and private providers for the purpose of filling the gap in mental health and substance use services in the Comox Valley. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| ADJOURN TO IN-CAMERA: | ||||||
| The Board adjourned to its in-camera session at 8:04 pm. | ||||||
| RISE AND REPORT: | ||||||
| The Board rose from its in-camera session at 8:14 pm. | ||||||
| TERMINATION: | ||||||
| M. McCollum/J. Kerr: THAT the meeting terminate. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| Time: 8:14 pm. | ||||||
| Confirmed this _______ day of ______ 20___:
____________________________________ Jesse Ketler Chair | |
| Certified Correct and Recorded By: ____________________________________ Lisa Dennis Manager of Legislative Services |