CVRDAGENDAMINUTES.COMOXVALLEYRD.CA
     
COMOX VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT BOARD
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Minutes of the meeting of the Comox Valley Regional District Board of Directors held on January 24, 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. KetlerVillage of Cumberland
Vice-Chair:W. Cole-HamiltonCity of Courtenay
Directors:R. HardyLazo North (Area B)
 D. ArbourBaynes Sound-Denman/Hornby Islands (Area A)
 K. GrantTown of Comox
 E. GrievePuntledge/Black Creek (Area C)
 D. HillianCity of Courtenay
 M. McCollumCity of Courtenay
 W. MorinCity of Courtenay
 J. KerrTown of Comox
Staff:R. DysonChief Administrative Officer
 J. WarrenDeputy Chief Administrative Officer
 L. WiwcharukChief Financial Officer
 D. DeMarzoGeneral Manager of Community Services
 J. MartensGeneral Manager of Corporate Services
 M. RuttenGeneral Manager of Engineering Services
 A. MullalyGeneral Manager of Planning and Development
 L. DennisManager 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 17 - Language and Culture:

We call upon all levels of government to enable residential school Survivors and their families to reclaim names changed by the residential school system by waiving administrative costs for a period of five years for the name-change process and the revision of official identity documents, such as birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, health cards, status cards, and social insurance numbers.
 
 
ADOPTION OF MINUTES:
D. Arbour/W. Morin: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board minutes dated January 10, 2023 be adopted. [Item] 
208Carried
 
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES:
BOARD CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY REVIEW AND UPDATE
 
 
D. Arbour/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the verbal update from J. Martens, General Manager of Corporate Services, regarding the proposed amendments to Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board Code of Conduct Policy P78 be received.

Note: The proposed amendment to the policy was approved in principle by the Board at its November 22, 2022 meeting and referred to the Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) Board for comment. The policy was reviewed by the CSWM Board at its January 19, 2023 meeting and no formal comments were received. The staff report dated September 12, 2022 regarding the Board code of conduct policy review is attached for background purposes. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Hillian/D. Arbour: THAT the amendment to CVRD Board Code of Conduct Policy P78 to include a complaints and enforcement process be approved. [Item] 
208Carried
 
SPIKE ROAD LAND ACQUISITION - RISE AND REPORT
 
 
D. Arbour/E. Grieve: THAT the rise and report regarding that following resolution that was passed at the September 20, 2022 CVRD Board in-camera meeting be received:
208
 

"THAT the board rise and report on the acquisition of the property at 1893 Spike Road after the departure of the property’s current occupant."

As the conditions for public release have been met, the resolution is provided together with the staff report dated September 16, 2022. [Item] 
 Carried
 
MARIS ESTATES ECOLOGICAL GIFT DONATION - RISE AND REPORT
 
 
D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT the rise and report regarding that following resolution that was passed at the September 8, 2022 CVRD Board in-camera meeting be received.

"THAT the Comox Valley Regional District accepts two parcels legally described as Lot 3, Sections 25, Township 6, Comox District Plan VIP62463 (PID 023-303-921) and Lot 4, Sections 25 and 26, Township 6, Comox District Plan VIP62463 (PID 023-303-930) as a parkland donation through the Ecological Gifts Program;

AND FURTHER THAT the Chair and Corporate Officer be authorized and directed to sign any transaction documents related to the transfer of the property, including the donation agreement attached to the staff report dated September 2, 2022;

AND FURTHER THAT the Chair and Corporate Officer be authorized and directed to issue a tax receipt to the current owner upon transfer of the property for the fair market value of the property, as assessed by a third-party appraisal and verified by Environment and Climate Change Canada through its Ecological Gifts Program;

AND FINALLY THAT the board rise and report upon completion of the property acquisition."

As the conditions for public release have been met, the resolution is provided together with the redacted staff report dated September 2, 2023.

[Item] 
208Carried
 
PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS:
YOUNG AGRARIANS
 
 
D. Arbour/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the presentation from Sara Dent, Executive Director, and Darcy Smith, regarding the BC Land Matching Program and request for an assessment of financial capacity for the CVRD to help expand the program's reach on Vancouver Island through a North Island Land Matcher role be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
NAUT'SA MAWT-WACHIAY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT
 
 
D. Arbour/M. McCollum: THAT the presentation from Lindsay Monk and Roger Kishi regarding an update on project funding and development work and request for an exemption from development cost charges (DCCs) be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
REPORTS:
DEVELOPMENT COST CHARGES: WACHIAY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT
 
 
M. McCollum/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the report dated January 23, 2023 regarding the ability of the CVRD to waive or pay the Development Cost Charges (DCCs) for the Wachiay Affordable Housing Project located at 1679 McPhee Avenue, Courtenay be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Hillian/K. Grant: THAT the request from the Wachiay Affordable Housing Project delegation of January 24, 2023 for a development cost charge exemption for their project at 1679 McPhee Avenue, Courtenay, be referred to the February 14, 2023 CVRD Board meeting for staff to provide information regarding forwarding a request for development cost charge exemptions to the Sewage Commission and Water Committee.
208Carried
 
BC ASSESSMENT - 2023 ASSESSMENT ROLL
 
 
D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT the presentation from Maurice Primeau, BC Assessment, regarding the 2023 assessment roll be received.
208Carried
 
K. Grant/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the agenda be varied to bring item 13 - Transit Fare Policy Updates - forward on the agenda.
208Carried
 
TRANSIT FARE POLICY UPDATES
 
 
K. Grant/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the report dated January 20, 2023 regarding updates to the fare policies for the Comox Valley Regional Transit System be received. [Item] 
209Carried
 
M. Zbarsky, Manager of Transit and Sustainability, provided an overview of the staff report regarding updates to the fare policies for the Comox Valley Regional Transit System.
 
 
D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT the fare updates recommended by BC Transit to launch a new electronic fare collection system including replacement of the monthly pass with a 30-day pass, and removal of the ticket fare products, as outlined in the staff report, dated January 20, 2023 be approved.
209Carried
 
The meeting recessed at 6:05 pm an resumed at 6:21 pm.
 
 
2023-2027 PROPOSED FINANCIAL PLAN - BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
 
 
Lucy Wiwcharuk, Chief Financial Officer, and Kevin Douville, Manager of Financial Planning, introduced the 2023-2027 financial planning process, and presented information on the overall consolidated budget.
 
 
CORPORATE ENERGY AND EMISSIONS PLAN UPDATE
 
 
D. Arbour/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the report dated January 20, 2023 regarding a status update on the Corporate Energy and Emissions Plan and consideration of an updated version that reflects Board feedback be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Arbour/M. McCollum: THAT the updated Comox Valley Regional District Corporate Energy and Emissions Plan, and reflecting changes associated with Comox Strathcona Waste Management emissions attached to the staff report dated January 20, 2023, be approved;

AND THAT the next emissions update include emissions from BC Transit.
208Carried
 
DRAFT INTERNAL COST OF CARBON POLICY
 
 
D. Arbour/M. McCollum: THAT the report dated January 13, 2023 regarding endorsement of the Internal Cost of Carbon Policy be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Arbour/M. McCollum: THAT the board approve the Internal Cost of Carbon Policy as presented in the staff report dated January 13, 2023;

AND FURTHER THAT the board direct staff to bring forward a bylaw to establish an internal cost of carbon reserve fund; contributions to this fund will result from the annual cost of carbon calculations as included with the annual financial plan.
208Carried
 
ELECTORAL AREAS SERVICES COMMITTEE - DECEMBER 19, 2022
 
 
D. Arbour/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the Electoral Areas Services Committee minutes dated December 19, 2022 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
PUBLIC HEARING - JANUARY 4, 2023
 
 
D. Arbour/E. Grieve: THAT the public hearing minutes dated January 4, 2023 regarding Bylaw No. 733 being "Rural Comox Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 520, 2019, Amendment No. 10" (RZ 1C 22 - 7648 Island Highway - Edge Grain Forest Products Ltd) be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
ELECTORAL AREAS SERVICES COMMITTEE - JANUARY 9, 2023
 
 
E. Grieve/D. Arbour: THAT the Electoral Areas Services Committee minutes dated January 9, 2022 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Arbour/E. Grieve: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board approve Development Variance Permit DV 5B 22 (Anderson) to reduce the side yard setback for an existing accessory building from 7.5 metres to 1.5 metres on property described as Lot 1, District Lot 229, Comox District, Plan 38888,PID 000-015-024 (1729 Ryan Road East);

AND FINALLY THAT the Corporate Legislative Officer be authorized to execute the permit.
208 and 213Carried
 
E. Grieve/D. Arbour: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board endorse the agency referral list as outlined in Appendix A of staff report dated January 6, 2023 and direct staff to start the external agency referral process for Lot 7, Section 28, Township 11, Nelson District, Plan 1931, PID 006-734-626 (von Schilling) as part of a proposed amendment (RZ 1A 22) of Bylaw No. 520, being the “Rural Comox Valley Zoning Bylaw, No. 520, 2019”;

AND FINALLY THAT Comox Valley Regional District staff consult with First Nations in accordance with the referrals management program dated September 25, 2012.
208 and 213Carried
 
D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT the board consider three readings and subsequent adoption of Bylaw No. 738 being “Rural Cumberland Fire Protection Service Establishment Bylaw No. 192, 2011, Amendment No. 4” to amend the boundary of the Rural Cumberland Fire Protection Service Area to include the property located at 2042 Comox Lake Road, as outlined in the staff report dated January 5, 2023;

AND FURTHER THAT the Directors for Electoral Area A and Electoral Area C, being the service participants, consent to the amendment of Bylaw No. 192 being the “Rural Cumberland Fire Protection Service Establishment Bylaw No. 192, 2011” in writing.
209Carried
 
COMOX VALLEY RECREATION COMMISSION - JANUARY, 10, 2023
 
 
D. Hillian/D. Arbour: THAT the Recreation Commission minutes dated January 10, 2023 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
HORNBY ISLAND FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE, FUNCTION 220, 2022-2026 FINANCIAL PLAN BUDGET AMENDMENT
 
 
D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT the report dated January 23, 2023 regarding a budget amendment to the 2022 – 2026 adopted financial plan and capital expenditure program for the Hornby Island Fire Protection Service, function 220, to facilitate the purchase of a new tanker truck be received. [Item] 
207Carried
 
D. Arbour/E. Grieve: THAT the 2022 – 2026 financial plan and capital expenditure program for the Hornby Island Fire Protection service, function 220, be amended by increasing vehicle purchase expenses by $110,000, from $350,000 to $460,000 in the 2023 budget year for the replacement of the 1996 Ford Tanker truck, with additional costs being offset by an increase in the transfers from reserve of $55,000 and an increase in short term debt of $55,000.
207Carried
 
LONG TERM BORROWING SECURITY ISSUE SPRING 2023 - CVRD
 
 
D. Arbour/M. McCollum: THAT the report dated January 23, 2023 regarding a security issue bylaw to allow the CVRD to secure and participate in the spring 2023 long-term debt issue with the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) to fund endorsed capital projects be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Hillian/E. Grieve: THAT Bylaw No. 745 being “Comox Valley Regional District Security Issuing Bylaw No. 745, 2023”, be forwarded to the Comox Valley Regional District Board for first, second and third readings and final adoption.
208Carried
 
COASTAL FLOOD ADAPTATION STRATEGY – PHASE 3 - UNION OF BC MUNICIPALITIES GRANT APPLICATION
 
 
E. Grieve/D. Arbour: THAT the report dated Janaury 20, 2023 regarding support for a grant application to the Union of BC Municipalities’ Community Emergency Preparedness Fund – Disaster Risk Reduction Climate Adaptation funding program in order to undertake Phase 3 of the Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy be received. [Item] 
208 and 213Carried
 
K. Grant/D. Arbour: THAT the Board support the grant application to the Union of BC Municipalities’ Community Emergency Preparedness Fund Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation program to undertake Phase 3 proposed activities of the Comox Valley Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy and provide overall grant management.
208 and 213Carried
 
ORIENTATION - SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT PROCESS
 
 
Jake Martens, General Manager of Corporate Services, presented information regarding the service establishment process. [Item] 
 
 
BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS:
D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT Bylaw No.738 being “Rural Cumberland Fire Protection Service Establishment Bylaw No. 192, 2011, Amendment No. 4” be given first and second readings concurrently. [Item] 
208Carried
 
K. Grant/W. Morin: THAT Bylaw No. 738 being "Rural Cumberland Fire Protection Service Establishment Bylaw No. 192, 2011, Amendment No. 4" be read a third time
208Carried
 
D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT Bylaw No. 733 being "Rural Comox Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 520, 2019, Amendment No. 10" be read a third time. [Item] 
208 and 213Carried
 
D. Hillian/W. Morin: THAT Bylaw No. 739 being "Comox Valley Sewerage Service Regulation, Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 71, 2010, Amendment No. 3" be adopted. [Item] 
209Carried
 
D. Arbour/W. Morin: THAT Bylaw No. 745 being “Comox Valley Regional District Security Issuing Bylaw No. 745, 2023” be given first and second readings concurrently. [Item] 
210Carried
 
M. McCollum/K. Grant: THAT Bylaw No. 745 being "Comox Valley Regional District Security Issuing Bylaw No. 745, 2023" be read a third time.
210Carried
 
M. McCollum/J. Ketler: THAT Bylaw No. 745 being " Comox Valley Regional District Security Issuing Bylaw No. 745, 2023" be adopted.
210CarriedNAY: E. Grieve
 
NOTE: The above bylaw received two-thirds affirmative vote for approval.
 
 
NEW BUSINESS:
REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENT TO VANCOUVER ISLAND AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES CLIMATE LEADERSHIP STEERING COMMITTEE
 
 
D. Hillian/K. Grant: THAT correspondence dated January 20, 2023 from Mayor Staples, VICC-CLP Steering Committee Co-Chair, requesting the apppointment of CVRD representation on the Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Climate Leadership Plan (VICC-CLP) Steering Committee be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
K. Grant/D. Arbour: THAT the Board appoint Director Cole-Hamilton (representative) and Director Ketler (alternate) to the Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Climate Leadership Steering Committee for the 2022-2026 term;

AND FURTHER THAT remuneration and expenses be paid for this appointment in accordance with Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw No. 236 being “Comox Valley Regional District Remuneration and Expenses Bylaw 2012.
208Carried
 
AVICC RESOLUTION - TOWARDS A NEW CONTRIBUTION MODEL TO FINANCE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE CLIMATE TRANSITION
 
 
THAT the correspondence dated January 20, 2023 from Director Arbour regarding the board's consideration of a resolution to be submitted to the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities Convention be received. [Item] 
208
 
E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT the following resolution be supported and submitted to the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities Convention:

WHEREAS significant costs for climate mitigation and adaptation are and increasingly will be shouldered by local governments;

AND WHEREAS local governments are severely limited to property taxes and grants to fund climate-related costs:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities and Union of BC Municipalities ask the Minister of Municipal Affairs and BC Cabinet to establish a new contribution model similar in size and structure to the Canada Community Building Fund in order to accelerate local government climate-related investments.
208Carried
 
ADDENDUM - UPON APPROVAL OF THE BOARD:
E. Grieve/D. Arbour: THAT the addendum be considered.
208Carried
 
AVICC RESOLUTION FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAMS
 
 
D. Hillian/D. Arbour: THAT the report dated January 23, 2023 regarding a draft resolution related to enhanced access to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) recycling programs for forwarding to the 2023 Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) annual convention be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Hillian/D. Arbour: THAT the following requested action be forwarded to the 2023 Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities annual convention for consideration:

WHEREAS reasonable and free consumer access to recycling collection facilities or collection services is the cornerstone of British Columbia’s recycling framework;

AND WHEREAS the 2021 Accessibility Framework within the Stewardship Agencies of British Columbia’s Guidance on Accessibility of Stewardship Programs will not provide for the service levels expected within many remote communities in British Columbia, as Extended Producer Responsibility programs are only provided “where practical” which excludes many island and west coast based communities within the Comox Strathcona Waste Management service area;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities advocate for improved access to recycling for remote communities with tiered and funded solutions based on the remoteness index and developed in collaboration with local governments.
208Carried
 
TERMINATION:
E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT the meeting terminate.
208Carried
 
Time: 8:26 pm.
 
 
 Confirmed this _______ day of ______ 20___:




____________________________________
Jesse Ketler
Chair
 
Certified Correct and Recorded By:




____________________________________
Lisa Dennis
Manager of Legislative Services
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