start by respectfully acknowledging, um, the land on which we're gathered is the unseated territory
of the Komox First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land. Um, we do have a proclamation today.
Um, and I'll just start by uh stating that I'm very pleased to proclaim August 5th, 2026 as RCMP
Musical Ride Day in the city of Courtney. The RCMP musical ride is one of Canada's most recognized
traditions, showcasing the skill, precision, and professionalism of RCMP riders and horses.
For more than 150 years, the Musical Ride has brought communities together while representing
the values of service, integrity, and excellence. We're honored to welcome the Musical Ride to our
community and recognize the important contribution of RCMP members who serve Canadians every single
day. I encourage residents and visitors alike to take part in the special event which is one week
from today uh next Wednesday, uh at the exhibition grounds. So uh and you can get tickets online
for that. Um uh next uh we're going to make a presentation. Um we uh had been given a um uh
token of appreciation from the Alurnie uh Clayquat Regional District in recognition of the support
provided by um Averly Howie, Kirk McDonald, and the city of Courtney and uh during the Mount
Underwood wildfire that was in August of 2025. And I think this is really again one of those great
uh inspiring moments when communities are really supporting each other in their times of need. And
so with that um uh we'll do a photo with Avery. So where would we like to stand for this said photo?
That sounds fantastic. We have a round of applause. Yes.
Oh, great. We ain't block.
right, thanks everybody uh for uh for that part of it and um we are going to do
uh some late items. Uh so first I have 3.1 delegation request councelor Cole Hamilton.
Yeah, thanks mayor. I'd like to uh ask that we allow Komox uh center queer center Komox
Valley to um speak today as a late request for delegation or ask council to endorse that. Okay,
it's been first and seconded. Any comments? Seeing none,
all those in favor? Any opposed? And motion carries. So that'll come back under
uh uh 7.3 I believe. Oh. Oh, the correspondence is 7.3. Yeah. So, 3.1. Perfect. Um, and
yeah, late motion item. Okay. And so, do we want to do first do the delegation? We should
add it to the agenda if you're going to add it to the agenda. Okay. So um this one's already
Sure. So we have 3.2 the late notice a motion for
Komox First Nation Treaty of Support from Councelor Helian.
Thanks Mayor. I'll move that item 3.2 be added to the agenda. Right. It's been moved and seconded.
Any questions or comments? Seeing none. All those in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Excellent.
And
um and that's going to come back. So I think at this point we'll do our adoption of regular
minutes. All right. Excellent. Any errors or omissions? Seeing none, we'll accept those
unanimously by council. All right. I feel like I'm getting into a rhythm here now. Okay. Uh
and we'll move into delegations. So our first uh delegation is uh uh Daria uh Kavalotski. Pretty
close. Hi. Oh, you could just call me Dasha. Thank you. Dasha. Perfect. Uh the floor is yours. Thank
you so much for um adding me to your agenda today. Um I had a little bit of communication
with the city. Um, so I'm just bringing up the concern that I have around Tintown and parking
and not specifically general parking, which I know is an issue there anyways, but specifically
accessibility parking. Um, I drove around and I think for businesses it's have over a 100 parking
spots and only one of them is accessible at the medical clinic. There are about maybe 35 street
parking spots and none of them are accessible and um very often I see the same vehicles so they're
probably like employees parking on the street parking. There is a roundabout that I think has
been causing some um issues because the roundabout um you're not supposed to park there, but of
course there's a big dance school and there's lots of clients going to the medical clinic. So often
that spot is still filled with cars and and um and people get parking tickets. And my specific issue
why it came up for me is because I can't walk very far, but I also have a neurody divergent child
that I can't just drop off at another part of Tintown and let her go to our dance studio. And um
and literally there's and and the one accessible parking spot at the medical clinic is obviously
for their clients. So for a big um very busy section almost like I would say like it's a mix I
think commercial. There's like a yoga studio, some businesses, a cafe. Um it seems like there weren't
enough accessible parking spots. So when I reached out um I don't recall, I think it's in my emails
um about whether the area meets accessibility requirements. Um, I was told that it was it
did [clears throat] meet the requirements, but I I kind of feel like is it was it
because it was grandfathered in maybe for the old businesses? It just seems like very inaccessible.
So, I wasn't sure what you guys can think about it do, but I was kind of
hoping like I noticed the city of Cumberland um they utilize street parking and provide
lots of accessible spots um around their busy areas. So, I was hoping that maybe
um the council can consider making a few of those street parking spots accessible.
Uh, excellent. Thanks very much. And um and I I should have given a little bit of a preamble
that normally we don't make uh decisions on the day of a delegation. We sort of listen and then
uh it comes back to us to uh give us time to have some uh uh thought into it and and possibly even
a a staff report. Uh but that being said, if if you're uh done speaking, uh I'll pass it over
to Councelor Hill. And there are counselors that have questions, so I'll pass it over to Councelor
Helen. Yeah. Thanks, Mayor. Thanks, Dasha, for bringing this concern forward. Um, coincidentally,
we've just had correspondence from five of the businesses that provide services in Tintown uh
raising concerns about the adequacy of the parking there. And uh I don't know if we've had the
opportunity to respond yet, but um um I think it is something that uh we can query our staff about
and um hopefully come up with some plans. I I I think in general that uh Tintown has uh um become
a victim of its own success. Um you know, for years um it didn't have that problem and now it
does because there's so much happening there and uh it's a bit of a good news story in some ways,
but I appreciate the challenge you're having and hopefully uh we can look into it. Thanks.
Thank you. Thanks, Councelor Helen for that and councelor Cole Hamilton. Yeah, thanks very much
and thanks for bringing this to our attention. One out of 100 seems like a remarkable low ratio and
I can absolutely understand. I can picture what you're talking about the difficulty of not being
able to drop a child who can't be left alone. So, um we don't usually make motions on the evening,
but I I certainly heard councelor Hillian say and certainly I'm taking on board this is something
we want to ask our staff about. There must be ways of improving access. and I just appreciate
you coming directly to us and making this this incredibly clear request and we'll
uh we'll deal with this uh at our next meeting. So anyway, thanks again. Yeah, thanks so much,
Dasha. And just so you know, uh myself and I believe other counselors have actually walked
that specific area. Uh I I've actually walked all the Tintown, but there's definitely those those
businesses uh by by the dance studio, etc. I know um other counselors have also gone down there,
so we can actually see it for ourselves. So, um it is uh uh uh uh top of mind, so to speak,
just so you know, and we'll be looking forward to getting um some information back from staff. Thank
you. Uh and with that, uh you can stay watching uh on the live stream if you would like and we'll
move on to um our second uh delegation, which is the Indigenous Women's Sharing Society request
for funding. And it says that Kim's going to be chatting with us. And there's Kim.
Hello. Thank you very much. Thank you so much for the opportunity to present today,
Mayor Wells and Council members. My name is Kim Hall and I am representing the Indigenous
Women Sharing Society and the Comox Valley Substance Use Strategy Coalition today.
Um, I hope you've all had a chance to at least do a quick view of the Komox Valley substance
use strategy report we submitted for this delegation. Today, I'll just hit the highlights
of our achievements, the key outcomes, and our priorities for 26 and 207. Next slide, please.
So we um respectfully acknowledge that the work of the substance use collaborative occurs on
the traditional territory of the Pentlatch, Eekan, Satzilla and and Salt Luth people,
now collectively known as the Komox First Nation. All those involved in this work
acknowledge the truth about ongoing harms caused by colonization to the health and wellness of
First Nation, Matei and Inuit people and commit to continuing the journey towards reconciliation.
Next slide. So we'd like to thank the peers who collaboratively lead this work and as Dr.
Charmaine Ends shared, the Komox Valley Community Substance Use Strategy has been instrumental in
bringing together community partners to discuss and act upon 21 recommendations from both the
walking together report, walk with me, and the substance use strategy. This work has
been and will be invaluable in providing the community with a solid foundation to move
forward with actions from the recommendations. Next slide. The Indigenous Women Sharing Society
continues to lead the collaboration of uh the coordination of the collaborate
collaborative. Next slide. Since assuming the role as the lead organization in 2024,
IWSS has embedded an indigenous and decolonizing lens across all initiatives, fostering inclusive,
equitable decision-making and expanding regional partnerships. The collaborative balances immediate
lifesaving public health action and long-term foundation work to create system change. Despite
the limited funding, we have had to date achieved significant outcomes. Next slide. And just as a
reminder of the process and how everything is laid out, in phase three of the strategy development,
all of the recommendations from both reports were grouped amongst six collaborative tables and then
one central coordinating table that supports all and ensures tables are implementing anti-stigma,
cultural safety and resilience and well-being into their work, their planning and in execution of
actions. and events. Next slide. And now for the highlights. So with table one initiative focuses
on business engagement, municipal policy change and transportation. The collaborative has bridged
the gap between downtown businesses and substance use strategies. Syringe disposal containers
are now available to businesses via Courtney, addressing significant safety concerns. Ongoing
dialogue has also led to adjusted pharmacy hours to mitigate traffic concerns, demonstrating the
power of collaborative problem solving between service providers and the business community.
The initiative was made possible by the collaborative work of the indigenous women sharing
society's harm reduction program called unbroken chain. Peer-led interventions help coordinate
these actions while extensive relationship building with downtown Courtney businesses
over the past year laid the foundation for this work. Table 2 initiative focuses on safer supply.
Significant strides were made in drugchecking expansion with all services including at the
new safe inh inhalation site now offering testing. Nasal nlloxxone distribution has uh transitioned
from a pilot to a a provincial standard thanks to the indigenous women sharing society's advocacy
and other service providers who participated in a successful um nasal nlloxxone pilot throughout
the province. the central coordinating table that supports all tables and ensures cultural safety,
resiliency and well-being and training for all events. Um, a peer advisory council has been
established. This peer-led model addresses power imbalances and ensures that lived experience is
embedded in all decision-making, action delivery, and coordination. So now people with lived and
living experience support all action tables. Their feedback and contributions have resulted
in momentum and direct outcomes. At the same time, peers are developing leadership skills in
organizing advocacy and facilitating meetings. And in partnership with the Canadian Alcohol
Use Disorder Society, also known as CODs, the collaborative hosted several rethinking drinking
events across the valley. These events address the fact that alcohol remains the most important,
the most harmful substance in the region regarding mortality rates. We reached over a thousand people
at these events alone. The peer advisory committee played a pivotal role in sharing
information and engaging the community. This work was further strengthened by the support of our
member organizations, the First Nation Health Authority and the Sesame Society. This year,
our membership grew with new members, new organizations, and increased participation
from our peer advisory committee on all tables. We are highlighting new participation from KFN
Health with regular engagement from their harm reduction coordinator and regular committed
facilitation support from AVI's positive wellness worker among others. Next slide.
So just to recap, the collaborative has achieve a achieved the safer safer syringe
disposal for businesses, adjusted pharmacy hours through collaboration. We've launched
a monthly newsletter for members, created a resource guide, planning for community
health hub, and growing cross- sector membership and leadership. Next slide.
And now for the 2026 2027 priorities, we're f we're establishing a youthled advisory
table to guide prevention and early intervention initiatives and develop a youth strategy. We're
addressing substance use and social isolation among the region's growing senior population.
We are strengthening indigenous lent advocacy for those accessing hospital and healthcare
facilities. We are ensuring culturally safe and informed care for all actions and initiatives.
Continued and ongoing development of all six tables. We're continued to support ongoing
uh education and awareness events and the implementation and further development of the
Orian package training to promote inclusivity, equity, and anti-racism action development.
We are we continue to work collaboratively to address the evolving toxic drug supply including
the emergence of new substances and develop coordinated community responses. We continue to
work towards a decolonized framework to address substance use and action planning. Next slide.
So to move beyond a reliance on inkind and precarious grants,
the Komox Valley Substance Use Collaborative requires a stable funding model. An estimated
$150,000 annually is needed to support strategic leadership action table facilitation,
peer coordination, and communications. To protect current gains and ensure the strategy's long-term
impact on community health and resilience, the collaborative is seeking a three-year
commitment of $30,000 per year starting in 2026 from the city of Courtney. We are inviting each
municipality and the CBRD to join us in a shared commitment to this lifesaving regional initiative,
ensuring the collaborative has the stable funding needed to continue improving health,
safety, and quality quality of life for all residents of the Comox Valley. Last slide.
So on behalf of the collaborative, we greatly acknowledge the city's continued funding and
partnership, which has been instrumental in enabling the collaborative to achieve its current
milestones. With the city's continued support, it will help strengthen our capacity to deliver these
life-saving initiatives, develop cross- sector partnerships, and advance meaningful systems
um system change across the region. So, I want to thank you for this opportunity to present and
open to any questions. If I can't answer them, I will get back to you um as soon as possible. Thank
you. Excellent. Thank Thanks so much. And uh um I I think the the first thing is just to thank you
for all the great work that you've done on behalf of the community is extremely appreciated. Um,
I I for one and and I believe uh my council is uh quite happy with um uh with the very challenging
work that that you guys are are uh are doing. Um I don't see any Yeah. Uh I was going to say I'll
pass it over to Councelor Fish. Yes. Thanks. U just curious where um like how you would describe
where the money goes, the $150,000 a year. I imagine some of us administrative. um are there
any paid employees and is it going to programming and such? Okay. Um that's a detailed question
which I will hand over to um the Indigenous Women Sharing Society and I will respond with a detailed
response to your question. Thank you. As to where money goes. Yeah. And just in general is fine with
me. I don't need to know where every dollar goes sort of thing. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Um I don't
I don't know all the specifics because I am on contract with IWSS um and I don't know the whole
insight and I would rather relay um a proper answer. So let me get back to you in writing
if that's okay. That's great. Thank you very much. Okay. Great question. Thank you. Yeah.
Thanks councelor F. Maybe as a subsequent uh to to that one um uh when you talk about the 150 and
then you know the request to the city for 30 uh I think it would be good to see where the other
funds are coming from if that's from regional district uh town of Komox village of Cumberland
um CBRD provincial federal you know where where kind of the it gets sort of cobbled together from
because I assume it's from different sources so it is And I can speak a little bit about that. Um the
uh the town of Komox contributes uh village of Cumberland. We did um approach CVRD last
year but they suggested that we try the community foundation and we are going to be writing a grant.
Um they open August 10th. We'll see if that was a that is a fit. We are not always successful with
the grant writing as you can appreciate. It is a long hard struggle and there's a lot of people
lining up for funds as well. So, um yeah, so it's it's a challenge, but we have a lot of grants
out this year. We're hoping that some of them come through. Um but I will give you a detailed
um explanation of where, you know, in that $150,000, how how the money will be spent.
Excellent. Really appreciate that. And um and then just from a sort of logistical standpoint cuz the
request does sort of have some times in there uh with October uh 2026 um and in October there's
this interesting thing that's going to happen uh with elections. So um I would say uh usually
for something like this it would have to go uh often through the budget process. Um, so just to
um let you know that there if it is part of the budget process, uh then that's something that will
come out in the new year. Uh but like I said, uh this is likely going to come back to council and
then uh uh and we'll see what we can do. But it's it's uh we have one meeting in August and then
um a couple of meetings in September. So we're getting close to um the um the end of this term.
So uh but with that um thanks again uh for your presentation today and for all the work
the society does. It's much appreciated. Thank you so much. Okay. And I think I'm prepared for
this. Uh so we have the um uh the late delegation that's going to come today. Uh and I think I see
Jojo back there. Um, so if you'd like to approach the podium and just push the button on there and
I'll turn on the microphone there. And this is a presentation uh or delegation from Queer Center
Comox Valley. So perfect. And there's a button right at the bottom of it. Actually, I might be
able to turn it on from here. Let's see. Okay. Okay. Is this the thing? That is the thing. So
that's the clicker. Okay. Is the technical term, I think. And there's a right arrow that'll go
forward and a left arrow will take back. Yeah, perfect. Thanks. Um, yeah, thank you so much for
your time. I am Cherry Muela. I'm of the Dakta First Nation and my pronouns are he, him. Um,
and this is our presentation. Our mission is to create an accessible, safe, and inclusive space
where queer youth, adults, and allies can come together. We fac facilitate mutual aid, provide
resources, and host educational opportunities and events that strengthen our community, uniting and
empowering individuals across the Komox Valley and beyond. By offering a space for organizing,
learning, and connection, we aim to foster a resilient, supportive queer network. Queer
Center is a registered nonprofit since February 2025. Fully volunteerrun, queer center currently
functions from mult multiple spaces. Fundraising complete and we have an ongoing hunt for queer
community center building. Uh we're looking towards a physical space opening in 2027. Uh
we work in partnership with many other businesses and nonprofits such as CV Pride Society, CBTS,
Weird Church, Catch, CV Arts, Elevate, DCVIA, and many more. As you can see on the screen,
we have um many different core programming that happens consistently such as queer coffee where we
tend to feed brunch to more than two dozen weekly attendees with additional food provided to those
in need. Uh usually provided from the food bank. We uh have volunteers who come and cook at the
foundry. Trans night is on a bi-weekly rotating venue. art socials monthly at the art gallery. Um,
and we have holiday and special event gatherings. Um, we also provide many different uh community
support resources such as a calendar that lists all of the different notable queer inclusive
events across the Komox Valley and beyond. We promote these events uh on our calendar and on
our social media. We provide many different volunteer positions. There's asset lending,
connection, mutual aid. [snorts] Quer center team provides answers to questions like where's the
pride party? How do I connect with the organizers of this event? Is that venue safe for me to
host my event? These are two examples of the posters for our regularly scheduled events. Um,
Queer Coffee is a great one and has been going on for a long time. Uh we often meet new people
through queer coffee and trans night. We we host many free public events such as the pride parade
which happens in August and was hosted by Queer Center starting in 2025. Um we have the pride
parade coming up August 29th uh which we hope to be much bigger and more successful and bring more
people together. We have opportunities for dozens of local businesses and performance performers
and thousands of community attendees. Trans Day of Visibility is March 31st every year. Celebration,
education, connection. Trans Day of Remembrance um is every November um and is a more somber
event to commemorate people who did not make it and celebrate our own survival.
And these are the previous posters for those events. Um, yeah, we have these every year. We
hope to continue doing it. Courtney already benefits greatly from these events. Uh,
we have created a positive reputation of the city of Courtney for being so inclusive um,
and bringing people together in this way. People have chosen to live in Courtney due to the level
of connection that they could make here. We promote tourism. It increases downtown activity
uh and tends to help with supporting small local businesses. We envision that Pride will become
a festival that will draw people in from across the island. Advocacy means increased safety and
understanding from marginalized to us LGBTQIA plus community members. and we have many free
and public community events. The 4-day festival in 2025 brought together members of the queer
community across the valley. Events focused on youth, parents, and the general community.
Dozens of local residents came out to watch the parade and learn about the queer community. Queer
Center volunteers are here because this community is vital for their connection and survival. I can
speak on this quite a bit myself. Um, I have been at risk of homelessness many times in my
life. I am disabled and visibly transgender and that has led it to be very difficult to
find employment. The support that I've received through being able to volunteer with Queer Center
has been life-changing. Members of the queer community face higher barriers to housing, jobs,
and other necessary services. Our volunteers make time to participate despite that. Paying
us to do this work is poverty reduction. We are training young leaders to go and do their
own projects in the community. Um I had notes here. Oh god. [laughter] Um I also wanted to
speak on the the level of leadership skills that have been taught to people especially
younger indigenous people. Um I have watched many people's lives change for the better. Uh,
it's truly admirable. With increased advertising and word of mouth, attendance will continue to
grow and we need to take safety more seriously. Pride parade has thousands of attendees and
requires more formal safety infrastructure. Trans-Pacific events are all the more needed.
While public anti-trans discussion creates fear within the community, 2026 Trans Day of
Visibility was the first publicly posted event in the newspaper. Moving forward from what used to
be word of mouth only events. This is a first for Komox Valley. Public access increases risk. The
Lapu Lapu tragedy in Vancouver last year has made everyone more aware of risks at public events.
Um, and these are the speakers and I would like to invite Rumor to come up here. Thank you, Rumor.
Hello, my name is Rumor Blunt. My pronouns are he, him, and they, them. I was one of the
organizers for a trans day of visibility this year. Um, and I'm here to kind of speak as a
member of youth in the queer community and what being a part of Queer Center has done for me.
Um, Quee Center always aims to give individuals [clears throat] the powers to seek out to create
the community they envision. And so your level of involvement is really up to you. And that
can be anywhere from you're just helping close up an event to you want to plan a whole event
on your own, just like go out there, or you want to plan an event, but you're not too sure how to
do that. And there's lots of people to help you cuz there's a lot of queer elders that have been
around and they they know what grants to write, what grants to apply for. They know the lists and
names of all the publicities that you want to contact so that people know about your event,
how to book a facility, so you have a venue. Um, this year I wanted to be more involved in
my community because I've seen career center do a lot for many people and do a lot for me and I just
wanted more leadership experience before I go off to university. Um, and so I decided that I would
help plan trans day of visibility and I ended up doing a lot more than I thought I would. Um,
I did a lot of I wrote a lot of emails to speakers and the DJs organizing. I helped organize our
speakers and our DJs. I wrote emails to reach out to the people that we wanted for press and
publicity. I even went on the record, the local newspaper to advertise and explain the importance
of trans day of visibility. Um, I helped organize a bit of the catering and I was involved in
helping making decisions around the catering, which I wasn't expecting cuz I'm just 19. Um,
Chris Center really cares about making sure that youth is put in leadership roles when they want
to step up to it. And this is really important and carries on because this applies to real life.
This carries on forever. Whenever you feel your community is missing something, we now have the
skills to bring that forth. We know the process of writing grants, writing letters to our city
council, showing up to meetings like this. Um, and that can apply for anything, not just like pride,
of course, for pride, but for other issues. Um, and it's really huge. I used to be a very timid
person and I've always wanted to be involved in my community and now I I just am involved in my
community and I feel pretty confident leading uh in different areas. Actually being a part
of Queer Center has helped me personally land a full ride scholarship university. uh I wouldn't
have gotten that without career center. I uh had a lot of health struggles in high school,
so I didn't get to do many extracurriculars and I thought time was kind of running out for me. But
uh just being a part of Queer Center helped give me an opportunity to learn leadership and
learn how to be a better member of society and make change that I want to see happen.
and funding this would be huge because people deserve to be compensated for the labor they
do. Um, we're learning this is like a place to learn entry-level skills and to be able to
be compensated for that means that you don't you have more time to put into learning these
skills that eventually later in life leads you into manager positions, event organizing,
and just so many other possibilities. Thank you. Excellent. Thanks so much for for that. Yeah,
Jojo, now the 10 minutes has uh expired, councelor Fr. Yeah. Well, I was thinking the same thing.
It looks like um Jojo's up to speak as well. Maybe we could afford them two more minutes to
to finish off. Yeah. Thank you. Appreciate that. Yeah. Yeah. Um I uh mostly let you speak for me
for the most part and I think they did a fantastic job of that. I'm so proud of both of you. That was
awesome and incredible. Um this is radical. um elevation of young leaders. Um it's also
uh we're much more concerned about safety. A couple of days ago, something um horrible also
happened in Berlin. Um we need funding to go into uh training our volunteers to be able to continue
expanding these absolutely vital events. Um we're requesting $5,000 total in support of vital and
free community events. Um we have two budgets. One is for the Pride Parade and one is for a
trans day of visibility coming up to 5,000 total. Um I'm here for questions. I can also flip back
and forth between these two. Um I'll go through it quickly. Um medical services, we want a paramedic
um on ground for the pride parade. Uh we want organizer on our area. Um we have young uh we
have youth that are planning these events that we are training to go and plan their own later on. Um
and we want to pay them for their work. Um we want to uh hire security guards from our own community.
Um we want uh we need insurance obviously um photo photographer flags and decorations. And then trans
day of visibility which is an annual event. Weird church started in 2020 2021 I believe
um and we've continued we've carried it on um and it's another um people are coming to Komox Valley
uh all across Vancouver Island for these events because we are one of very few places all across
Vancouver Island that is putting on trans-pacific public events um venue rental sound system rental
DJs land acknowledgement MC speakers um again we want to pay people that go up and give their voice
to these sorts of things and catering um these budgets is not all of it uh it does not account
for unpaid volunteer labor. Um again, we're very motivated to do this, but this is just a small
part uh to cover partially what we're doing. I'm here for questions. That was a quick two minutes.
Thanks. Thanks so much. And again, uh a huge thanks for for the presentation today. It was very
heartfelt uh and much much appreciated, I think, by our council. So, so thank you so much for uh
coming to present to us. And I'll pass it over to uh councelor Jiller or sorry, councelor will call
Hamilton. Council Jer doesn't have his hand up. I don't believe so. Um, first of all, thank you so
much all three of you and Luther, I didn't realize the role you had in the trans day of visibility. I
was at the event at the curling center and it was joyful and it was the food was really good and it
was just um it just um gave me an idea of how capable you you guys are in terms of putting on
events. When I see this very carefully itemized list, I can tell that you're putting a lot of
thought into the planning of it. And uh I know that we don't usually make motions on the evening
of a delegation, but the next meeting is after these events. And so at some point I'd be happy
to make a motion to wave that and then uh make a motion to support the uh the work been doing.
But again, thank you and uh thank you for putting on an amazing event back in March. I look forward
to attending in future. Thanks Councelor Cole Hamilton. Appreciate that. And councelor Morren,
great. Thank you, mayor. I just want to say thank you to all of you for speaking. Um, it was quite
emotional for me. I was a youth worker for many years. I often worked with uh uh folks who yeah
just were looking for a a sense of belonging and a a place to fit. And um it sounds like queer cent's
really done that for many people. Um I also did a program around leadership skills for youth. We
often um say where are all the volunteers? Oh, they're all gay-haired. that this shows that
there's a whole there's a whole group of young people who are putting in tons of volunteering
in the community and that's something to to celebrate. Um I [snorts] think and uh yeah, I'm
hoping that if a motion goes forward, we can take a look at that. But I just commend you all for uh
for coming out um at a public event and um being confident up there. It's not easy to do. Um and uh
yeah, thanks for for all you do in the community. Thanks, Councelor MREN and Councelor Jeliker.
Yeah, and just echo my colleagues comments. Um really happy to see the growth of queer culture
and the responsibilities um and place that you're taking in community both to support members of the
queer community but also to support the broader um uh community and understanding uh how to be allies
to the queer community in a a hyperpolarized world. And um similar to councelor Cole Hamilton,
happy to support the request tonight, given the the logistics of our next council meeting, I think
uh you named um uh I think important contexts uh over in Europe, in Berlin, and I think uh we don't
have to look far even in British Columbia to know that um security at um large gatherings is really
crucial. Um, and that is both security guards, but it's also taking care of your volunteers. And I
think Jojo, you've articulated that tonight, the importance and the care that queer culture takes
in um, looking after their own volunteers and organizers. I think that is part of safety as
well. And so I'm happy to to support that motion as well. Thanks for being here, everyone. Thanks,
Councelor Jiller. And back to councelor Cole Hamilton. Yeah, thanks. It fits. Uh I think I
first have to seek the approval of councel to put a motion forward because we don't usually
um Adriana perhaps you can tell me do I second. Okay. Great. Thank you. All right. Should we ask
anyone oppose just to Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. We happy. A vote has to take place. So all those in
favor? Any opposed? And that carries unanimously. Okay. Can I read the resolution? Yeah. Thank you.
Uh so I'd like to uh put forward the council approve a grant in the amount of 5,000 to the
queer center Komox Valley to support a portion of costs associated with the 2026 Pride Parade
and 2026 Trans Day of Visibility events including but not limited to event safety, accessibility,
venue production and programming expenses with funding to be allocated from the gaming funds
council initiatives budget. Okay, it's been moved and seconded. Uh and uh thanks for crafting that
uh for today. That's much appreciated. Uh I think by all of council, are there any further comments
before we take the vote? Seeing none, all those in favor? Any opposed? Uh congratulations. Uh we
did take some some action here today. Again, a great presentation. And maybe I'll give Jojo the
last word. Thank you. I think this is historical. I I truly like um this is incredible. Thank you
so much. You're welcome. And uh again, I think uh you have some great supporters here. Many of
us have attended many of the events that you guys do and I and I for one definitely look forward to
attending many more. So uh uh really appreciate you taking all the time and effort to make sure
that the events that you're doing are done as not just as good as possible, but as safe as possible
as well. Much appreciated. Thank you. Okay. All right. Um uh getting back to all right we
are now on to item 6.1. Oh and we have uh staff Sergeant Troy Lorard to give us a presentation
and I'll pass it over to you. All right. Thank you. So I just wanted to take a short time to
talk about the strategic priorities for 26 and 27. Um after consultation with municipal leaders
uh Komox first nation regional district and other stakeholders we identified and carried forward um
five strategic priorities uh in the upcoming year. So first uh road safety these are no particular
order of course no area of order of uh importance uh road safety crime reduction specifically
prolific offenders uh police vis visibility and um community engagement mental health and community
wellness as well as indigenous relations and reconciliation. So, I'm just going to walk
through each of them as well as their objectives, initiatives, and how we're going to measure
success. So for road safety, the objective is to enhance road safety throughout the Comox Valley
and through initiatives such as increasing traffic enforcement and police contacts,
uh regular vehicle check stops, joint pair driving enforcement with the BC highway patrol located out
of Campbell River and Oceanside and education and enforcement regarding unlawful recreational
vehicles and e-mobility devices, which has become quite the issue. Um, we're going to measure our
successes in these regards with uh at least 120 impaired driving enforcement actions, 480 unlawful
driving enforcement actions as well and documented traffic and safety projects and initiatives
through crime reduction. Uh, so we're going to to um help reduce crime through folks management and
prolific offenders. Some of the key initiatives will be the monthly identification and publication
of priority offenders. This in association with many other um agencies and partners
um specifically the Revoy program uh which is um been very effective over the last year that's been
in existence. Uh curfew and compliance probation compliance checks for um offenders that are in
community regular meetings and ongoing meetings with crown probation parole and other partner
agencies and other community crime prevention presentations. And we're going to measure these
through uh at least 72 offender awareness products, uh offender management enforcement
actions, external partner meetings, and uh community prevention presentations.
Comes time for uh police invisible, community relations, uh visibility and community
relations. Uh we so we are looking to be clear and accountable and transparent while increasing our
police presence. So that will include downtown foot patrols as well as the bike patrols. There
have been some uh challenges of course with that over the preceding year with uh staffing levels.
So we're looking we're trending in the right direction anyhow. Um some incoming bodies and
uh people returning um to full duties um with our seasonal policing that will include enhanced rural
and recreational area patrols and again our participation in community events, ceremonies
and parades. Um, and this again is despite our staffing pressures at the current moment. So,
we're looking to have at least 100 documented downtown business visits, at least 480 rural
recreational patrols, and 64 community engagement activities. Of course, you know, we do that all
the time, but um just add some measures to that with health and community wellness. So,
our objective of course to improve public safety through collaborative mental health responses.
Some of the initiatives are referrals to mental health and wellness services,
ongoing collaboration with the island health and community partners and formalization and
long-term sustainability of the micro program that you guys are familiar
with through various presentations. So we're looking to measure that through at least 240
referrals to support services and engagement uh number of engagements with our partner agencies
and under um priority of indigenous relations and reconciliation looking to strengthen that
relationship with Komox's first nations and indigenous communities. we're doing through
this are ongoing engagement monthly with chief and councils participation in community events
uh youth outreach and education and elder engagement with reconciliation activities.
Again our measure measures will be through attendance of those council meetings and
various uh community participation, youth projects and elders focused initiatives.
So I can report um Idaho council was interested in uh how things have been going in relation to
these. So just starting off in Q1 we are at the end so we run off of the uh fiscal year.
So quarter one um has just ended at uh in June. So road safety there's been very good
uh strong enforcement uh activity. We did add a third uh municipal traffic member. So the addition
of that person to our team has been has been good. Uh we had some joint impaired driving initiatives
with the BC highway patrol and they have spent some time in some problem areas in the community.
I think you're aware of as well back road and some other um some other areas. In the crime reduction
front uh we've had multiple intelligence products developed on priority offenders.
Uh we've also added we've become the hub with community corrections with something called so
you might be familiar with Revoy repeat uh violent offender initiative that's in conjunction with
um crown probation all these other partners well we've introduced another one that's the chronic
property offender initiative so very similar to revoy but just focusing on uh property offenders
and we've had 29 over the last quarter 29 offenders that were arrested or charged for
non-compliance. Those are people that are actually in the community uh where through
our proactive efforts and and just checking uh resulted in 29 additional charges against those
offenders. On the mental [clears throat] health side, um our mobile integrated crisis response has
generated over 90 referrals during the first quarter and we've had extensive stakeholder
engagement with municipalities and island health and other um agencies in regards to that program.
um just trying to solidify and ensure that it's going going to be running forward. In
regards to indigenous reconciliation, uh we have continued representation and participation at the
uh KFM council. uh significant engagement with elders, cultural program and youth initiatives.
And we have a newly unen engaged constable straight off out of depo. And one of his
um projects as part of that program is going to be with some um some youth initiatives.
That is yours. [laughter] There any questions? I answer that very quickly, but yeah. No,
that that's that's fine. Uh thanks very much for the the presentation. uh much appreciated
articulating what those uh suggested um uh priorities are and then going through the
uh the actual um numbers there. I do see a number of uh uh uh hands have gone up and lights have
been put on. So maybe I'll start with uh councelor online and then I'll go to the members of council
in Yeah, thanks mayor and thanks um staff sergeant for being here. Um, I've got a few questions,
but I'll just start with one just into the last slide. Um, really happy that um, you highlighted
that Courtney was selected as uh, a hub for the chronic property offending intervention
initiative. Um, I'm wondering if you can kind of give us a little bit more detail. I think this
is probably the first time um, we've mentioned it in a public meeting at the city of Courtney. Um,
specifically, I'm kind of curious to know how the coordinator I understand that um, there's
meant to be a coordinator uh, that's assigned or added resource to the detachment. Um, and we've
had lots of conversations around the resources required at the detachment to support um, the work
the good work that you do in the community. So, I'm wondering if you can maybe um, speak to uh,
how that is uh, playing out here locally. Thanks. Yeah, in regards to SEO, so it's much along the
line of the REO V Revoy program where it's clearly established that a small number of people commit
a majority of offenses. So, this focusing on those individuals um the an additional resource
is not required for this. there is an additional resource. Um, Komox Valley has become the the hub
sort of for the North Island and the coordinator for SEO is through community corrections. Um,
so we will have a liaison um assigned from our office that we do in in conjunction with our for
um crime an analyst. Um so they'll be working together to identify those offenders
uh strategies and ensure that the uh appropriate reporting and all those things are done when
those offenders are identified and hopefully you know uh arrested and charged and brought before
the courts. So there's not an additional person to our compliment for that program.
Excellent. Uh, thanks for that. And and I think, you know, one of the things about that program
when I was talking to the the minister um when it was first announced is that also dubtales.
I know our our council and many others uh have have lobbied for uh bail reform. Uh and so that
has also come into play. And so those are going to kind of dubtail into each other as far as I
know. Um you'd probably have a better idea, but uh so it looks like there's a few things coming
together all at once. So yeah, that's correct. So there will be as before um community corrections
involved, probation, um crown all involved. So speaking the same language when it comes to
these particular offenders so everybody's aware of what's required and uh to make sure that product
is before the court. Excellent. Uh appreciate that answer and I'll pass it over to councelor
Hillian. Thanks Mayor and um thanks very much uh staff sergeant for uh you and your members service
to the community. Um I'm going to ask you a bit of a philosophical question here. Um incidentally I'm
pleased to see the priorities and uh road safety being uh the first uh people might be surprised to
know that uh it's over many years it's it's the issue that comes up most frequently when people
contact us about concerns. It's about basically traffic safety in their neighborhoods. But um
what's your assessment of how safe our community is? Um, I worked in community corrections for many
years and when I hear people talking about uh it's not safe to go downtown and things like that, I'm
I'm thinking I know a lot of people over many many years who have done some horrible things in this
community [snorts] and um in my view the community is is potentially as safe as it's ever been. Um
you're an experienced police officer. Uh how safe is is the community of Courtney particularly? We
just had a presentation from some young people that are involved in putting in on events and
uh I have a grand uh niece visiting from Germany right now. So obviously the the events in Berlin
were foremost in my thinking. But uh how safe is uh is Courtney in general compared to other places
that you've worked and and uh your assessment of uh our ability to keep people safe at these
types of events and in general? Yes, thank you. nothing like putting me on the spot. But no,
I I would agree with that. You know, Courtney is is a is a very safe community. Um that being said,
you know, always saying that perception of of crime is almost as bad as a crime itself, right?
Because it perpetuates and people [clears throat] um you know, they become alarmed. But I I think
that anybody can walk the streets uh most most time anywhere, day or night, without real fear.
Um, so there's kind of two parts to that question. So, um, yeah, time times have changed, right? Um,
since I began policing 30 years ago in the late 1900s, I'll put it that way just to alarm anybody
in the room. Um yeah, times have changed and we've reached out um since last year uh and and
with people organized conducting events um after the Lapu Lapu tragedy and reached out with sort
of planning documents and um we've done some with with you know Canada Day and the upcoming
nautical days and and various events about how to safely plan and myself and Sergeant Brock Brennan
usually spend a lot of time with organizers making sure that those those things are looked after,
things that maybe over the years that typical organizers wouldn't have thought of doing,
but now it just becomes common place, right? So, we want to make sure all those things are covered
off and and we spend a lot of time ensuring with with through the organizers that maybe
some things they haven't thought of are covered off. And with the change to the sort of bylaws
about special events, that's really helped us get in contact with these organizers and make
sure those things are are in place. And every year I know we reach out with the with the pride
organizers and let them know that um you know we're there for to for safety reasons of course.
Yeah. Thanks very much and and again thanks to union members for your ongoing work. [snorts]
Thanks very much councelor Hillian and councelor Warren. Great. Thank you mayor. Thanks so much
for the presentation. I won't give you a tricky question like councelor Hillian. Um but I was
wondering around this um kind of increased um attention to the prolific offenders and the 29
offenders you mentioned. Um I know you your role can only go so far. So you can make the charges.
Um you can have increased charges. You can be more kind of I don't like the word vigilant but more
vigilant I guess in terms of um addressing these issues but then people do complain. It's kind of
a revolving door. They get charged. People come out. I guess I'm just curious whether um you're
feeling like there's been any positive outcomes for those folks that are you know and often they
are folks who are have a mult you know a multitude of of issues. We certainly have people coming
um and you know sort of the more organized people who are praying on vulnerable etc. But some of
the people committing crimes like that are doing it out of desperation. So, I guess I'm curious,
you can you can do the charges, but what are the outcomes after that you've seen? Yeah, you know,
if you're speaking specifically about the Revoy program, we've seen really good success in it. Um,
maybe that slide was a little bit misleading. It wasn't 29 offenders. We identified 12. It was 29
just additional charges, okay, on offenders over the last quarter, right, that were under current
charge. So that's goes through like if somebody for example is on a curfew, a lot of members will
go at 2 in the morning and knock on the door and make sure that they're home, right? So that might
you making sure people are abiding by conditions that are imposed by the courts. Um so like I I
mentioned that again not telling any secrets here but it's a usually small number of people that dis
disproportionately responsible for offenses and um and that's includes everything from violence
to thefts to nuisances and this these programs um f try to focus those resource those resources
not just ours but crown probation other community agencies on on those offenders. Right. Right. Um
so it means that we've uh reduced the offending by those repeat offenders. Um increasing compliance
with court order conditions um information sharing with crown counsel, probation, parole,
uh social services, and I hopefully to bring up fewer victims. Right? That's that's the whole
goal behind it. And I think it has been working well. there is good engagement from all sides. Um
we said what makes a a wheel strong it's multiple spokes right so we have to bring all those people
together to uh to make sure that the program goes forward but I think we are seeing success with
them. Did I have a followup there? I see nobody else waiting yet. And I guess I am curious about
those more sort of predatory um folks who are, you know, frankly coming and or may already be
here in terms of finding desperate people to do the do the deeds for them. And I mean I I
also have a bit of a background in with working in youth justice as well. Um and yeah, I I would see
vulnerable folks really being kind of prayed on. Has there been any action around kind of tackling,
you know, the the sort of higherups that take advantage and and get people frankly to do their
dirty work and a word? Yes. [laughter] So that that's what we're always looking for and I think
we've had that discussion in council before. We're not if you're talking about saying substance use
um we're not looking for the end user. We're looking for those supplying,
right? Um that that's the endgame to take away that. Um, yeah, and I mean sometimes
those people are are getting people to work off their debts by theft and things like that.
So that's sort of what I was getting at. Okay. Thanks so much. Excellent. Thanks very much, uh,
Councelor Fish. Yeah, thanks Mayor and and thanks for coming in and sharing the the path ahead. Um,
I'm just happy to move the recommendation or it's not really a recommendation. I'll move this
motion that council identify the following top five areas of concern regarding police services
in the city of Kourtney for 2627 as road safety, crime reduction, police visibility and comm uh and
community mental health and um community wellness and indigenous relations and reconciliation.
All right, it's been moved and seconded. Uh councelor Jelker. Yeah, thanks Merritt. I'd
still had some clarifying questions actually. Um, so this is the first time we've seen
um the presented like this where there was um I guess the RCMP coming with the five. Um so I'm
just kind of processing that. Um uh but I do have a question as it relates to cuz I was looking at
uh our community priorities um over the last few years and one of the ones uh that we had included
previously was violent crime specifically drug trafficking violence and relationships and sexual
assaults. And so I guess my first uh clarifying question um for you staff sergeant is how do we
feel we are doing relative to um that previous community priority. Um I think we spent a fair
bit of time talking about um our concerns around violence and relationships and drug trafficking
specifically. So love to hear your uh insights on where you think we've come over the last
uh two years on that file. Yeah. And you know those are always priorities. Um for us
um intimate partner violence um is always at the forefront. We have the dedicated resources
um ensuring that um you know we're taking the proper steps that we're plugging uh victims
into the proper resources working with community partners to um ensure safety um and planning and
um sort of that integrated case and and threat assessment um for you know problem again
offenders. So that's something that never drops off the table from my perspective. Uh intimate
partner violence is is is always in the forefront. It's those um priorities and again this was a very
quick overview of sort of the top priorities a very sort of high level. Um they are we're always
dealing with those. Um second part of the question was for which part uh drug trafficking. Yeah. And
also that's something we have a you know dedicated resources as well that is their their almost their
primary mandate is to identify and and to target um trafficking uh in the in the in the community.
So um I don't have any specific numbers in front of you but uh as been requested by council we will
be reporting on those. I mean, typically it's reported on quarterly, but you're looking for
um and we've heard the request uh quarterly reports on how we're doing. That's why I laid this
um the objectives out to you so you're fully [snorts] aware of what the objectives are and
we'll report back on the key successes uh of those objectives and initiatives. Yeah. Thanks,
Staff Sergeant. My my last question mayor is um in the slide it speaks to key initiatives under
um [snorts] crime reduction uh publication of priority offenders and I think the success
measure that you've identified that goes along with that is offender awareness products. So I
think that's the first time that we've also seen that languaging. Um and so can you break down what
that is? What does that look like? And what does um the publication of priority offenders is that
publication to the public? Um and what what's the utility of that? How does that reduce crime? Yeah,
I mean occasionally there will be publications on it. Uh typically that's more of an in-house
publication. U so all our members partner agencies are aware of who has been identified as one of
these REO we're speaking specifically to Revoy uh a Revoy candidate. Um, so we will let that
offender know that you have been designated as this by the hub, the community, and that's
not just the police, but that is, you know, crown, parole, probation to let them know that, you know,
basically they're under the microscope. Um, you know, could that be an education,
awareness, proactive measure? Sure. But, um, I think the, uh, yeah, the 72 is more.
So, we're going to every month we will have designated offenders and that is going to be
um broadcast out to our membership and as well to the to the hub um about those candidate those
people that are included in the program. Thanks. Excellent. Yeah. Thanks, Council Zeler. And I
think you know one one of the there's a couple things that that have come kind of to to light.
One uh the request came a little bit later than it normally does. This is the first time where um uh
I think in the past there have been um suggested priorities. Uh but this time it came kind a little
bit more canned in the sense that it was for the whole Komox Valley. So it's sort of each council
um adding to it. So, uh, in sort of debriefing with, uh, the officer in charge, Inspector Mercer,
um, you know, getting this a little bit earlier would be great. And then,
uh, having, um, we've been talking for a long time now about having elected officials, RCMP, uh, uh,
meeting. And so all elected officials could come together, Komox First Nation as well. Um and
uh and actually have uh a larger discussion where we can talk about this and other sort of community
art uh policing needs and challenges and topics uh in whether it's a half a day or a full day um once
a year, twice a year, but getting that happening on a much more regular basis so that we're a
little bit ahead of things. And uh and I would concur. I I would say since I've been on council,
um intimate partner violence has definitely always been one of the top uh priorities for council. Um
and uh and so um yeah, so it's really about trying to see what we can do or you know, does it make
sense that five is the is the maximum? Uh when we know the RCMP uh when you pick up the phone,
they answer and they respond. And so, um, I think has been mentioned earlier before, I think our our
community is quite well served. Um, and so on these types of talk topics, there's maybe a bit
of massaging that we have to do kind of going forward to make sure we're we're all kind of,
uh, speaking the same language and and on the same timelines, uh, getting things going. So,
but I think we're Q2 right now and we're giving the priorities for the year. So, we're we're
already a bit behind, I think, this year. Um yeah. Uh with that, we do have a motion based on the
um priorities that were set forward that's been moved and seconded. Uh so all those in favor? Any
opposed? And motion carries. And thanks again for your presentation today. And I would say there's a
lot of information that was quite helpful. So just a bit of a a bit of a thumbs up to say it looks
like every time there's an iteration and things get better. So you can pass that on to whoever
assisted you with it or if it was just you. uh in the basement uh but also pass that on to Inspector
Curver. Inspector Kerver Whoa, where did that come from? Inspector Mercer having a flashback
flashback there of some sort. But uh again, um your comment on getting out into the community uh
has been uh something that I've been observing and have had the opportunity to meet uh with you guys
uh on a variety of topics uh and just really thank you for your service to the community.
All right, with that, uh, have a great evening. You don't have to stay for the rest of the meeting
unless you really want to. Um, and, uh, we'll move on to external reports and correspondence.
And we do have an Idian's way traffic calming, um, letter and councelor Cole Hamilton. Yeah, thanks,
Mayor. I wrote to staff earlier with a a proposal for a resolution on this and I um knocked on doors
in 2018 and 2022 on this stretch of the street and I heard about it from pretty much every person I
spoke to along there. So, this is not new to me at all and having gone through the materials that Mr.
Buukich, pronouncing that correctly, um, forwarded to us. It looks like there's been a back and forth
going on since, um, last December on this. And uh I think it would be good for us to um review
the concerns that were raised and perhaps also um to be doing something in the meantime given
this has been uh ongoing for quite some time, many years depending on how you're counting,
but certainly since December, many months uh since the request was made. So if it's okay, maybe I'll
uh just uh make a motion. And that is uh the council and I pass this on to Miss Proton who
has that. The council directs staff to immediately implement short-term operational safety measures
on Idian's way such as temporary speed reader boards, enhanced enforcement requests,
or rapid rectangular flashing beacons or RFBS uh at the Crown Isle South Trail crosswalk to
mitigate speeding risks and uh the council direct staff to reassess the Idian's Way traffic calming
application taking into account the concerns raised by Mr. Vukich and report back to council.
Hopefully, there's a seconder for that. It's been seconded. Uh I think it was a wholesome motion,
so I don't know that you necessarily need to speak to it or I I do see other questions and
comments. And we'll start with council more. I absolutely support the intent of of the motion. I
just feel like maybe we should get um some kind of uh response back from staff and entertain a motion
um potentially at the next meeting. Um but I absolutely think that there needs to be
some response, but I'm just not sure whether the detail of the motion is appropriate for tonight,
but other people can weigh in. Thanks. Thanks, Councelor Morren and Councelor Hillian. Well,
thanks Mary. Um, so in our council package, we have what looks like a presentation and I wasn't
sure what the intent was. We was the intent that uh we simply look at it or was there some intent
around anyone speaking to it whether staff or uh the residents who sent it in? Thank you. This
originally came in as a delegation request and um due to various logistical reasons um was not added
to the agenda as a delegation, but I understand um that there are people here tonight and I don't
know if they would be prepared to speak to it or if they're just here to answer questions. Right
now it is not scheduled as a delegation. Okay, fair enough. Um yeah, I mean I I'm I'm fine with
the motion that's been proposed. I just think it's important that our staff have an opportunity to uh
respond. There's suggestion in the presentation material that uh people are not happy with the
engagement they've had uh with city staff and and I think it's important that there be an
opportunity for us to hear the staff perspective on that as well. So but um no no quarrel with the
concerns. As I acknowledge to our staff sergeant, it's the number one concern in every neighborhood
in the community, which is why we've uh done what we've done to lower speed limits and bring
in other measures. And so, anything that we can do to help in this area as well. Thanks. Thanks,
Councelor Halen. Mr. Garvin, do you want Yeah, we'll go to councelor Fr and then councelor
Joliker and then Mr. Okay. Yeah, I was just going to ask for maybe staff's thoughts. Obviously, we
have that um process now to for for neighborhoods to come forward and present their traffic issues.
Um and I remember seeing this one on the on the list. And so maybe if staff want to give a just
a quick a recap of what they found. It looks like it maybe didn't um meet the I guess it was the the
mark that we had set for immediate action. But um I don't know if our staff have any more comment on
that. Okay. And maybe I'll pass over to councelor Joler and then let staff speak after that if
that's right. Uh councelor Joler. Yeah, thanks. Uh similar question to councelor FR. How um I would
just add if I can we can also hear from staff. Um I'm happy to support the reassessment process. Um
which I think is a second part of the resolution. Um but I am curious given that we have um a
transportation master plan, the safe and active school program um and other transportation safety
measures in place right now and planned for. I I I do get curious like these speed reader boards
and enhanced enforcement requests like the RRFBs like do we even have enough to go around? Is it
like if we give this direction, is there going to be an operational impact? Like are these already
assigned elsewhere in the community? Like do we have enough to just put out to Idian's way? Um
that's my I guess my question around operational impacts. Otherwise, everything else I'm fine
with. It's just curious if there's if um we're taking something away from another neighborhood
to help way at the moment. Thank thanks for that clarification and I'll pass it to Mr. Garp. Yeah,
thank you. Thank you. the mayor to council. Um I can take it in two parts. The operational response
uh with localized enforcement and we we do have a program to have the speed readers
out and that's been very effective. Uh I did have a chance to connect with staff around the
um flashing uh safety work there and I've been advised that's not a significant issue. Uh and
that can be deployed. It it is a this has been a long-term uh the edge between the rural area and
the municipality has been a long-standing conversation. This Indians way connection
was opened and developed in accordance with transportation plans that were developed many many
many years ago and the it's a vital link. So it's appropriate staff can come back with information
based on what's been raised. Uh that's totally appropriate. Had it been a delegation, I likely
I would assume that would be the the direction from council and unfortunately Mr. Shaw is on
a a well-deserved vacation day today. Although Matt Brown is here able able in his place, but
I I can speak to that. I don't believe it would injure any other initiatives that we have and we
council is aware and has supported the utilization of this type of infrastructure because it's very
effective and uh it's an important uh pedestrian crossing at the edge of our municipal boundary.
All right, thank thanks for that feedback councelor Jaliker. Yeah, so I just want to be
abundantly clear like we have the back to school program starting. Um I and I know that we're using
these these two traffic enforcements. So can we we know for certain we're not going to be lacking for
that program? Matt's going to answer just one second. Mr. Brown, thank you mayor to council
[clears throat] JCore. It's a great question. Um some of these infrastructure pieces that you're
asking for do take at least 6 to 8 weeks to to receive. Uh we do have a current program but um if
directed I could order those and we can implement them in the next two three months if asked.
Okay. Uh thanks that gives us a good sense of that that timeline as well. So much appreciate it. Uh
councelor P. Yeah thanks. Just to clarify the um flashing beacons at the crossing is that a is that
a temporary thing that you would order or is it permanent? Oh you're you so close. Just leave it
on now. Thank you, mayor. Um uh my the response to that is to be a permanent measure be put in
if if we did add it. Yeah. Do you have a actually I think we asked the cost a while back and it was
fairly low number. Yeah. It' be approximately there's two tiers. So if it was just a a rapid
flasher just that the technology temp simply the rapid flasher technology uh or the lumi walk it's
called additional lighting. So that the base level the rapid flasher be about 15,000 this
the let me walk be about 25 right and is there also ICBC or somebody puts money into that as
well or is it just from the city? Oh Mr. Gar yeah in terms of the standard it is the rural edge of
the community and there is no street lighting opposite so we've often had some challenges
with rural areas supportive and not supportive of street lighting. So the appropriate uh engineering
technology based on the standard would be what would be utilized in that area. Um but
it's doable and uh we've deployed it throughout the municipality. Uh and this is a permanent
uh pedestrian connection that's very important inside that neighborhood. So it's not like this is
um emerging that that pedestrian crossing at the edge of the school boundary. Yeah. Well, I'm I'm
not an engineer, but I don't see any harm. in fact a lot of benefit to putting flashers at pedestrian
crossings and I find that they can use them if they need to and obviously if there's nothing
going on they don't have to. So yeah, thanks thanks Councelor Fr and Councelor Hillian. Yeah,
thanks Mayor. I just wanted to add a comment that um in um discussions with residents in other parts
of the city about uh the challenges of enforcing speed limits um we've acknowledged that it's
impossible for the police to be everywhere. Um the uh even down in an area like Puntlage Park where
there's a 30 kilometer speed limit through the park and you have children and families and pets
uh walking over to go swimming and such. We regularly hear reports of people racing through
there. And I've advocated that uh we should in fact be using photo radar enforcement.
we hear from uh people at higher levels that it's not politically popular and it's unlikely
that any government will bring it in again. And to me that that just seems counter u intuitive
because uh we know that that that in fact is an effective way of getting people to slow down if
you can hit them in the pocketbook. So, I would just encourage residents to consider uh getting
in touch with their member of the legislature to uh um encourage the provincial government in that
direction. Uh we're having the opportunity to have some discussions with officials from the ministry
of the solicitor general as we have in the past about uh what they're doing to expand red light
cameras and possibly p piloting such enforcement measures. And uh I think pressure from communities
uh would help. Um I don't know who's out there who's saying that this is not a good idea and
why it's so politically unpopular because uh it's it's the biggest issue for people in their in in
their [clears throat] their neighborhoods uh being able to walk safely on their streets,
cross the roads, and not have to worry about their kids being uh injured by speeders. Thanks. Thanks,
Councelor Hill. Appreciate that. And looking around, I see no further questions or comments.
There is a motion on the table. Uh all those in favor? Any opposed? And motion carries. Um
and so that will get get things happening. So again, thank thanks for uh providing the input
to the the community and uh and to council. And we'll move on to the letter from the honorable
Mr. Christine Bole, uh our housing minister. And um excellent. And uh for those watching online,
if you don't want to read the letter, it's just basically letting us know that
uh we're well on our way to our housing targets that they imposed upon us last year. And
uh and so thanking us for our efforts. Uh and so again, at the end of the day,
uh big thanks to staff and obviously the people who build houses because uh that's they're the
ones that are getting that done. So, um, that's been received unanimously. We move into staff
reports and we have the city manager strategic priorities update and I'll pass that over to Mr.
Garve. Thank you through the mayor council. I'm really happy to bring forward our uh July update
on the strategic priorities. Um the this is uh the uh term of this council is approaching its
conclusion and it is uh a vast amount of work that's happened over the last three uh and uh
half years. Maybe we're a little farther through there. Um in March of 26, we were brought forward
a status update from the last quarter of 25 and we were directed to um reflect new items that are
added, adjust timelines and report back in July and September of 2026. Um, this report is our 26
progress. We're really excited to look at how much is being accomplished. Um, and much of this is
reported in the city's annual report that was uh recently published. Um, I really want to highlight
a few items though. Uh, the completed initiatives uh section. So, the Six Street Bridge construction
of the mo multimmoal link has been completed. We've updated and adopted in the new development
cost charge bylaw. We've adopted our first ever amenity cost charge bylaw and we have adopted
our new and updated official community plan that addresses excuse me the uh legislative direction
from the province. Um our new zoning bylaw has been updated to implement the OCP as well as the
uh smallcale multi-unit uh housing regulations. We are seeing the implications of these um planning
documents every day. We continue to lead the way on housing development and with council support,
developers are continuing to um implement our community plan in accordance with the province's
priorities. Uh so this is something that uh is something to be really proud of. Uh this council
um was committed to uh increasing available development, increasing the variety uh of uh units
in our community to respond to both our emerging demographics and the provincial direction. And
it's something uh I think we should re really be celebrating. Um the mayor referenced our uh first
quarter or sorry our initial housing response and uh when we were identified as a housing targets
community uh it came with praise not concern and uh that continues to be reflected in the
work that's happening. Um we wouldn't be able to do that without entrepreneurs who are uh seeing
great comfort in the development policy as well as council's activities in the uh when the rubber
meets the road which is yes to a reasonzoning. Um I want to also identify a really important change
uh upgrading the fifth and cliff intersection uh to implement that new pedestrian crosswalk and we
saw it uh in action uh on market days and uh so um with lots of ice cream sold on either corner. So
uh and then we have uh implemented a tracking system for our council public inquiries as well as
the east side fireh hall design and construction management. Uh we're very excited that uh the
firewall construction has commenced. Um table um the table attached in attachment one provides a
detailed overview of each section of our strategic priorities. And uh I members of our senior staff
are here to answer any questions that council may have. But I I just want to thank council for their
clear direction and staying on our strategic priorities as well as our staff for following
through. I get the pleasure of reporting back. They do all the heavy lifting. So, um, with that,
we're available for questions. All right. Thanks so much for that overview and I'll look to council
if there's any questions or comments regarding the strategic priorities. And councelor Hillian.
Thanks, Mayor. Um, you know, I I think that the business of the city, which um is certainly being
discussed a lot in our social media feeds these days with an election approaching, is um is a lot
easier to do when you're on the outside looking in than when you're actually there making the
decisions and sorting out the resources that are required. Um I think that the uh the strategic
plan that uh Mr. Garbert's uh presenting on um has [snorts] been largely uh successful in in many
many ways. I did want to comment on one aspect and that's the um u the increased density that
uh that we're seeing partly as a result of um uh provincial legislation but also as a result of
decisions that the larger Komox Valley made when it adopted the regional growth strategy a number
of years ago and determined that um it made more sense to infill and uh and build a more compact
city than to sprawl out into the rural areas. Um many people don't like that because um uh
it involves uh larger buildings in certain parts of the community. It involves a certain change in
the charact characteristic of neighborhoods and it obviously involves more traffic congestion.
Um those are all things that uh are inevitable with a growing community and that um hopefully
some of the traffic control measures that we've implemented will help with as time goes by. But
um um I I don't think we can under uh rate uh the significant progress that um the community
has made in um building uh housing for the people who want to live here and and make this community
a part of their lives. It's always a challenge to try and retain the qualities that brought here in
the first place. Um, but I I I personally want to uh say thank you to our staff for how incredibly
hard they've worked over the last several years to uh um um to realize the achievements in this
strategic plan and I think that uh by and large the community is is better off for that work
that's been done. Thanks. Thank you very much uh councelor Helen for those comments. Much
appreciated. And uh councelor Jeler. Yeah, I councelor Hillian stole my thunder. That's what
I was going to say. I I I just uh have to add that I'm really proud of the work um you know,
in an election year. I think this document really highlights uh to folks the complexity of the work
um and also how um outside influences uh can also delay things. um we had a quite a large ask for
our staff uh or at the beginning of our term and we also had a major shifts proincially and so
you'll see that under the buildings and landscapes section a lot of that work was as a result of the
provincial mandate. So um and I did want to just highlight there's two areas that um aren't colored
in green but I really genuinely feel like maybe we could color it a shade of green. Um and that
is in part because I feel like we're almost there. Uh number 23 under affordable housing,
the homelessness initiatives. This has been a huge priority for council and for staff and
um we had the opportunity to attend the Braidwood uh blessing ceremony last week. Um and we've moved
quite a long way with the winter shelter on the agenda today. I know that we have the
winter shelter strategy upcoming, but I think there's huge pieces in that number alone that
uh have completed uh at least the city's uh role to to initiate things as well as
um some of the work um I think um related to the Courtney and uh district memorial pool as
it's read here is around the needs assessment and the options analysis. I think we we've completed
that work and it was a huge body of work. So, just some comments. I do have two questions, mayor. Um,
I think quite quick. Um, one being the um, uh, bike parking. Um, I think it's the first time
I've noticed this sentence. So, it's action number 20. Um, further direction is required to confirm
scope, timing, and implementation. So, I I don't know if I just missed that in the last updates,
but um I'm wondering if staff can speak to um what they need as direction to um to to initiate that
work or to move that work forward and from whom? Yeah, thank you. Uh thank you for the question.
Um, councelor the uh related to the downtown transit exchange was the request by council
to include bike parking. Uh my recollection of the conversation about that is that it is not a
significant component of that and so we will need to do some more work uh on that. Uh a challenge is
that um the built form downtown uh we have uh over 10 uh bike uh uh parking areas uh ranging from
uh secure uh sorry but we are we do not have any municipal secure storage at this point. So
uh it could potentially require the removal of some parking and some other items like that.
So that'll be uh some dialogue that we would have um potentially through the down downtown
uh local area plan work that's going to be happening. So hopefully that clarifies that.
Does that answer it or did you need further clarification? Yeah. Well,
I guess yeah, thanks mayor. uh because it's identified as partially resourced in that
um that row and so I was kind of curious if we needed to you know and not for today but
I'm happy to speak with my colleagues to see if there's support and bring something
forward around actually resourcing this conversation beyond the DVLAP process. Yeah,
thank you for the clarification counselor. Uh we need to go through the planning process identify
opportunities to undertake that and then see if we need those funds. So that would
be included in a future financial planning. Uh like I said, there was a hope that the
transit transit exchange would include that. Uh that's not part of it. Uh and so we'll work
uh together and we can maybe it depends on the nature of redevelopment of some of the properties
downtown that would be supported for the DAP if there was secure storage that could be component
of that. But look, I'm really looking forward to that conversation. Thank you for the question.
Excellent. I don't see Oh, councelor Fr. Yeah, thanks. Well, maybe just a quick last word if
that's okay. Um, I just quickly looked up what the population growth estimated was in
Courtney in the last four years and it was 2500 people and in that context, you know,
our rents have stabilized in the valley and it's still an amazing place to live. It's
we still function on a transportation level and um and everyone's generally really happy
with the services that are available, parks, recreation, um all our community events. So,
I just want to say thanks for all the hard work that was done and move the recommendation.
Excellent. It's been moved and seconded. uh and and one of the stats that always
uh I find quite interesting when you when you look at so we had those many people uh you know sort of
increase the population but if you actually look at the people who moved to Courtney over the last
5 years it's like 50% of the population which is just baffles my mind uh on one sense and yeah some
of those people might just be moving across the street from Komox to Courtney or Cumberland or
those kinds of things but that's a lot of people coming to the to uh to Courtney uh proper. So
um and again I think we've managed it quite well. So kudos to to staff. Uh Mr. Garbin. Yeah. Thank
you, Mayor. Uh just with the council's direction, I want to let uh council know just like we did at
the end of the last uh strategic planning process, we actually have kind of a summary graphically
intensive document that's going to come out in August. Until you were good with what I
presented today, I couldn't prepare that, but that is all underway. So, it's a good way to wrap it up
especially so then to some of the counselor's comments so the community is really aware of
all the great things that have happened um with their tax dollars. Thanks. Excellent. Uh thanks
again for that and I'll call the question. All those in favor? Any opposed? And motion carries.
All right. Uh fantastic. All right. So, next on the agenda is a temporary winter shelter season
review and I'll pass that back to Mr. Garbbert. Yeah, thank you. Um through the merit council,
um beginning on uh page 73 of the agenda, we have an overview of the uh outcomes from the temporary
winter shelter at um 971 Cumberland Road. Um our colleague uh Isha Matus Gibbs prepared this
uh presentation and uh in our transition uh I just wanted to acknowledge our colleagues with
recreation culture and community services uh and our facilities department as well as
our operational services staff who've helped uh with this transition to provide this much needed
uh response in our community uh given the gap with the uh Braidwood facility. Now that the
Braidwood facility is under construction, we're uh more clear on the uh work that's happening on
the winter shelter. And I just wanted to let uh acknowledge that uh that the uh incoming facility
that's a few probably 18 to 24 months out will um address significant need in the community, but we
will still need temporary winter shelter services in the interim. This report provides an overview
of a number of areas including the statistics um during the operation. Uh highlights um client
outreach activities, our peer program and really important our community integration table. Um the
report is got significant information in there. But what I wanted to highlight for council is that
um we have um with great intent uh and good partnerships with service providers,
we've had excellent outcomes. Uh the we recognize that um hosting uh these types of uses uh are uh
have can have challenges. Um and since the city's become directly involved in this, we've had very
good outcomes and that's for two reasons. one is intentional um approach to approvals, requirements
and operations and the second is having a good partnership. And so uh with um the opening of
971 Cumberland Road, we have a new partner in the Lookout Society who has been very very good
uh both to uh residents, the neighborhood and um community members who utilize that and as well as
uh surrounding businesses, the city itself. Uh we're we're a significant neighbor. Um ultimately,
uh the program has been very successful again because of the attention to details and council
gave authorization to um move from um day uh daytime or dawn to dusk type of accommodation
there. I'm sorry, the reverse evening accommodation to 24-hour operations. And uh that
pilot meant very well. Um just wanted to highlight our recommendation is that um that we receive this
review and update um and uh direct staff to renew the license to occupy to allow 247 use of the
space for sheltering services with a code health and housing society for the 2026 and 27 winter
sheltering season. the council authorizes the city manager to execute the license to occupy and any
ancillary service agreements necessary and that recognizing the positive impact that additional
supports for guests in the community had with the 2526 winter season the city approved funding to
renew the community integration table peer program and shelter outreach programs for 2526 I'm sorry
2627 and direct staff to request financial contributions from the CVRD's HSS function and
the town of Koma works for these programs. Just wanted to clarify that [clears throat] the three
the three programs referenced uh uh are approximately $90,000 and those funds were
supported through uh ask to the region as well as the town of Komach. So uh we intend to proceed
and um given the success of the program and the support provided we anticipate there would be the
same level of support previously although uh we cannot guarantee that. So that's why we're asking
for that direction from council. I had a question uh what the financial program was and it's in
approximately $90,000 with that if we're here for questions. All right. Thanks very much for that.
Uh any questions from council starting with councelor Morren? Yeah, it's more of a comment I
guess. I really appreciated the inclusion of the um the testimonials journeys towards treatment
um the outcomes that came out of uh people who spent time at the at the shelter. And I think just
to emphasize that, you know, this is a temporary situation and to have those kind of outcomes
um from a temporary situation bodess really well when we have a permanent purpose-built shelter and
facility coming up. Um if we can have these kind of outcomes in a temporary situation with uh the
wraparound services that helped get several people to treatment and are having lasting success.
um uh and the you know just the stories that they've shared um folks with brain injuries,
folks who's had serious car accidents and um you know there's so many different circumstances for
people and um just yeah I appreciated that. I I think you know um people want numbers. They
want to know how many people came through, how many people got housed or went into treatment.
Um but those qualitative um that qualitative information is super important. Um those of us
who who worked in in fields where um often it was only qualitative um information. You you didn't
know how successful something was until you saw someone on the street, you know, 10 years later
doing well or 5 years later or whatever. So um I'm just appreciative of that inclusion in the
report. Thank you. Excellent. Thanks so much, uh, Council Warren, and I don't see any further, uh,
questions or comments. Um, so with that, okay, uh, it's been moved and seconded. All those in favor?
Any opposed? And motion carries. Mr. Garvin, thank you. Uh, just for council's reference,
um, uh, as outlined and identified by council Joliker, there's a second component. we've
been retained by the region to bring forward a winter shelter strategy document and we'll
be bringing that back to council in August. Um it's uh again we'll likely bu it builds on the
our experience and we'll make recommendations on coordination and uh as I said paying attention
to the details which has proved very very supportive or very important. So thanks for
that. Thanks. All right. Um, next on the agenda 8.2.1 is liquor license application number 2602,
good neighbor agreements 244 street and uh, Pat is going to miss Molly. Oh, Andrew. Okay, Andrew. It
is through the mayor to council. So, this report is for council to consider a resolution to the
liquor light liquor and cannabis regulation branch or LCRB in response to liquor license application
number 2602. This liquor license is to request a change in liquor service hours from 9:00 a.m. to
2:00 a.m. 7 days a week for Gladstone Brewing Co. located at 244th Street. A quick background. Um,
at the May 13th, 2026 council meeting, council considered a staff report detailing liquor license
application number 2602. At this meeting, council passed a resolution enabling staff to one, request
an extension from the uh, liquor and cannabis regulation branch for their referral response,
and two, for staff to work with the applicant to address outstanding bylaw issues as well as
the finalization of a good neighbor agreement. Um, following this, staff were granted an an extension
to the referral response from the LCRB until July 2nd, 2026. Staff met with the applicant on June
10th, 2026 to work on the good neighbor agreement. No good neighbor agreement was signed by the
applicant following this meeting. Staff brought a report to council on June 24th, 2026, which
recommended against supporting the application due to no good neighbor agreement being signed. At
this June 24th meeting, council opted to postpone the decision on this application as the applicant
could not attend due to p personal conflicts. Um, since the June 24th council meeting, the
following has taken place. Staff have obtained an extension from the LCRB until August 2nd of 2026.
No good neighbor agreement has been signed and staff and the staff report and recommendations
remain the same from the June 24th meeting and one letter was received from a neighbor on July
uh 26. This letter was not in support of the application. Um so the applicant is
attending tonight's council meeting and will be available to answer questions. Thank thank you
for your time and staff will also be available to answer any questions regarding the application.
Excellent. Thanks very much uh for that and I'll look to council if there's any
questions or comments. Councelor Fresh. Yeah. Thanks, Mayor. I was wondering if the applicant
wanted to take a minute to explain um their application for the extension and
uh their thoughts on the process. Okay. Yeah. Uh so yeah, if you guys want have somebody like
to approachate the podium. I don't see any council members not in favor of that. So,
and your microphone's on now. So, uh yeah, feel free. And then we you may get some questions.
Yeah, any questions are fine. Um uh just regarding the good neighbor agreement,
uh I just try to work on it with the city staff. Um some of the terms in it I didn't find to be
relevant to the actual issue, which was uh all of our complaints were noise complaints.
uh they all happened after 10 p.m. and we already have a bylaw mechanism in place with the city
where if amplified music is played after 10 p.m. uh you're in violation of bylaw and subject to a
potential fine. Um, over the course of 12 years of business, we have had, I believe, 10 complaints,
uh, almost all of them from one individual and all after 10 p.m. amplified music. And
uh suppose just with the good neighbor agreement uh the big thing that the main reason I didn't
want to sign it was because it had a clause in there that tied my business license to
complying with the good neighbor agreement um when we already have a mechanism in place
uh through the bylaw system for the noise um and I didn't want my business license tied
uh to a good neighbor agreement if that makes sense to everyone have questions. So that's
why I didn't sign it. I tried to get that clause removed. Uh that didn't happen so I didn't sign
it. I met with the city staff about it. There was a few other things in there that I that
I thought weren't relevant either because uh for the majority of the like for 100% of the
complaints it's all been noise complaints. If we extend our license to, you know, two hours later,
we would still be in violation if we were making noise after that hour. Nothing's really changing
with the way we operate our business except if we have an event, an indoor event or something. Um,
we know we have to shut down the outdoor amplified music at 10. If we don't, we're in violation of
the bylaw, but it doesn't mean patrons have to leave. They can still hang out outside, have,
you know, uh, a good time with their friends. Um, and if we do a show, say we do a show inside
our indoor space and people want to hang out a bit longer and this does happen all the time,
people can still hang out later. What we see right now are uh midnight rolls around, we have to shut
our doors, maybe the place is, you know, we got 40 or 50 people and they end up going to one
of our competitors establishments doing the same thing they'd be doing at Gladstones. Anyways, um,
I don't know. That's kind of why I didn't sign. Well, why I didn't sign it,
but if anyone has questions regarding the application. Okay, thanks for that. Um,
looking to council members, councelor Hillian. Yeah, thanks M. I'm just wondering if uh staff uh
can comment on uh the relationship uh between the good neighbor potential good neighbor agreement
and the business license and and uh um the importance of that particular clause. Um
hang on one second. uh through the chair I'll note uh at the onset you'll see under
enforcement and res remedies under the uh good neighbor agreement it says this good neighbor
agreement is a non-legally binding except for any specific obligations the parties choose as
a framework for mutual commitments. Uh the authority for the municipality to revoke a
business license does not exist in a good neighbor agreement. It exists in the community charter.
at any point in time uh a municipality can revoke a business license for reasonable
grounds. Um so primarily that clause uh as well as most of the other clauses in
the draft good neighbor agreement are simply an acknowledgment that
um there are bylaws and there are consequences of breaking bylaws. And so it's simply an
acknowledgement on the part of the proprietor that uh um that they will abide by those rules.
Okay. So it's really just to make it aware that both parties know that there are rules outside of
this good neighbor agreement rather than the good neighbor agreement itself having any authority
uh or powers within itself. uh through the mayor. Uh that's more or less correct. Uh like I said,
the power to revoke a business license does come from the community charter. So um it is not the
good neighbor agreement that introduces that power to the municipality or or creates a legal ability
for the municipality to do that. That already exists. Okay. Yeah. because I I think from from
my perspective that was one of the questions I had around like, you know, is there a number
of complaints or something that was in the good neighbor agreement, but there really isn't. It's
it's really just working back and forth. Okay. Uh thanks for that clarification. Uh councelor
M. Great. Thank you. This is also um a couple questions for staff, but they should both both
should be quick. Um so bylaw enforcement right now is seven days a week, but probably is finished at
7 or something at night. I guess I'm curious when the complaints come in. I'm assuming they
come in the following day. Is there anyone that's able to clarify that? Hang on one sec. Thank you.
Through the chair. Uh by law enforcement have um informed us that they uh are basing any of their
investigations on complaint. Uh they are not out there at 10 or 10:30 at night and so they base it
on complaint. There have been 12 complaints since September of 2023 of the most recent June 20th
uh 26 uh which was issued a ticket which has been paid. Um and and so it's it's based on complaint
um residents, neighbors, businessmen. Uh it is true that uh one complaintant has made multiple
complaints. Uh the last complaint that we had had a a video that was very very clear that the
music was loud and carrying on after 10 and 10 p.m. But that is by law and not related to the
liquor license extension. And while not legally binding in a good neighbor agreement, it is part
of the conversation to make sure that the noise is stopped or shut down at 1000 p.m. Right. just
took my quick one. Um, so yeah, in the report it says there were six different complaintants. Um,
so that was since 2023. So would that be excuse me when you say that um we heard that the majority
came from one person. Would th would those be more recent or were those six complaintants
spread spread over time or were most of the complaints by one person recently? I guess
I'm just trying to see if if there's been multiple complaintants in the last little while and through
the chair the the the dates run from primarily September 16 2023 uh June 24, July 25, August 25,
September 25, October 25, January 26, um uh March 11th 26, May 27 26, and then June 20th 26.
So, it's it's I'm sure when the weather's good and people are outside and the events are happening,
um that's that's when the music is is playing and where there would be more of the complaints. It's
not on a daily basis and it's not clumped. It's pretty spread out. Yeah. Sorry, I I should be
more clarifying, I guess. So, but recently, I guess I'm wondering about the one complainant.
Have they has that been over time or I guess I'm wondering whether those are those have been
more recent or like have there been multiple complaintants in the in there have recently
through through the chair there have been multiple complaints over the last two years from different
people. Yeah. Okay. Thanks. Thanks for clarifying that councelor Fr. Yeah. Maybe maybe I can help
shed some light on that question because I was kind of wondering if same thing. Do we have six
complainants complaining twice or do we have you know one complainant complaining five times
and the other five complaining? You know what I mean? Through through the chair there is uh one
complaintant who has complained six times. Thank you. Um, and so a followup to the idea of having
this uh clause in the good neighborhood agreement um that it sounds like formalizes the fact that
staff can come anytime to council and ask to revoke someone's business license. Is that is
that a fact? I don't think it was formalized. I think it was acknowledged was the word,
but I'll let Jake uh through the chair. Uh, no, I would not use the word formalized because that
power comes from the community charter. Um, and notwithstanding the language of the agreement,
staff would have to bring forward a report to council. Um, council can only revoke the business
license on reasonable grounds. Um, so staff would have to provide evidence um of of bylaw
infractions or other grounds to revoke a business license. I would also add that the charter lays
out an explicit appeal process where the business owner can come and appeal to council. Um so but
again to be clear none of that is established by the good neighbor agreement. Um that is core to
council's uh powers. Thank you. Well that that is kind of what I understand. I think you put
it best. It acknowledges that that process and those powers do exist. Um and and so to be frank,
it sounds like a sticking point on, you know, like it already exists. Do do we want to say it or do
we not want to say it in the agreement? Um and I I really enjoy having this business downtown. Um
and and I'd like to support businesses like this that create vital talent in our downtown. And so
I would really hope that we could find some way for this business and um and our process
at the city to come together and um not not turn down uh basically turn down this application. So
um I I would actually just appeal to the business that they accept that this is something that we
can already do and um stick it in there, not stick it in there. Um, it doesn't seem
important to me either way, but um, it seems like at this point you could just acknowledge
that we can take away your business license if we find that you're operating outside of
u, you know, uh, reasonable terms. So, um, I' I'd love to not move this recommendation. And it
looks like there's a statement there from Yeah. And and and and I think part of it because we
haven't had this discussion since I've been on council for 12 years of taking away somebody's
license. So that policy and procedure. Yep. councelor or council regardless doing too much
talking today. I just want to stress that these processes pursuant to the charter are legislative
and there is a significant body of work that sets precedent to unpack and go through an
enforcement process. It's very rigorous. Um, in fact, you could probably search through any media
relations around this. When a business license is revoked, it's a serious issue and it is not easily
uh done and nor is it from a local government perspective taken lightly. Um, as is the case
with any enforcement and council's aware of our bylaw enforcement policy, we our very first step
is to try to seek compliance. And my understanding of the engagement on this issue is that we've also
been trying to engage with complaintants. And so in my over 20 years history in local government,
many much of it with by law enforcement um that the munal often facilitates this dialogue
especially in areas where the nature of the use and the uses around have some conflict. So it's
um it's it's a challenge and balancing um the needs of a business as well as preferences or
the experience of adjacent land uses are there. I just want to I want to be clear
that the exercise of this kind of legislative authority to revoke uh is extremely rigorous.
Excellent. Yeah. And and I think just to finish my thought on that policy and procedure that which
our council hasn't gone through to me the most the closest adjacent idea is when we had nuisance
properties and again a large amount of work was done. it came to council. Like there was a lot of
stuff to get to the point of even identifying a nuisance house which the neighbors obviously for
decades have, you know, were aware of. So I do see uh we have some more lights on over on this
side. So I'm going to um Oh, did you would you did you have a followup? Yes. Yes, please. I I
I just wanted to clarify that at no point was the um good neighbor agreement anticipated to tie into
the business license. This application is for an extension of the liquor license from midnight to
2 p 2 2:00 a.m. That's what that's what this is for. The music is a subset. It's the music isn't
directly tied to the liquor license. The music is supposed to stop at 10:00. That is a municipal
bylaw regulation. The liquor license extension from midnight to 2 am is a provincial regulation.
Um, and so I wanted to make sure that we're clear that at no point have we talked about anything to
do with the business license or revoking it. That that that conversation was never on the table. Uh,
and if there was something in there that implied that, then we have no problem removing that. the
the um also the concept of the good neighbor agreement came from the RCMP. It was the RCMP
that recommended the good neighbor agreement. It was not the city and it was not staff. It
was the RCMP. We're following up on that and it was council who said they didn't want to proceed
without the good neighbor agreement which we've tried to accommodate. But I think the important
thing is we need to separate the complaints from the noise to the liquor license extension. They're
they're two separate things. Okay. Um, and and I just because I'm looking under that nine
enforcement remedies uh that that we're kind of focused on here. And the second bullet when I'm
reading it, it says obtaining a business license is contingent upon accepting and signing this
agreement, which makes it sound so that's based on what you just said. That sounds very much you. So,
I'm just just making maybe this wording might need to be massaged based on what I'm hearing. But I'll
I'll let staff digest that for a second. Maybe uh if you Oh, uh or or you can respond now. Oh,
hang on. I've turned on all the mics now. Through the mayor. It's possible it's a typo. That might
me might have meant to say obtaining a liquor license is contingent. Um because the business
already has a business license. Um, so, uh, yeah, it's it's a bit of an anomaly there, but Okay.
And and I know we're doing this in real time, so uh, like I said, I just when I read that and I'm
hearing what I'm hearing, it just, uh, Oh, yeah. Yeah. No, no. I I I I'm I'm on it. Uh, I I will,
if you don't mind just turning the mics off and back on again, just because, and that was my that
was all me. My apologies. You You'll push it again and that way you're back in the queue. Um, thanks
guys. I appreciate that. Uh, and then I'm going to, uh, pass it back over to the applicants. I was
just wondering, uh, how many other liquor licenses in the area are tied to good neighbor agreements?
And, and I think what we're articulating here is, yeah, I I'll let them Oh, just press it
once. Stand by. Otherwise, I'll end up turning on everybody's mics again. Uh, uh, through the chair,
we don't have that information available. uh we know that it is common place in many
municipalities to have good neighbor agreements which would be why the RCMP uh recommended this to
so and and and I think with many of the things that that are done if it's new then sometimes uh
well maybe there's typos and things and stuff so um uh but uh I want to continue the conversation
I'm going to pass it over to councelor Hill yeah mayor I just want to reiterate uh the the point
you made because um that was what I wanted to speak about. It says obtaining a business license
is contingent upon accepting and signing this agreement. That makes no sense. And and so I think
we're hearing an acknowledgement that that's a mistake. Um and um I don't actually see any point
in that line being in there. Um, I think the the the sentence or that particular bullet point could
start with the parties recognize that the success in reaching the objectives of the good neighbor
agreement. Um, that Yeah. Well, I mean it it's um I think it's that clause is just poorly written.
But anyway, um the other point I wanted to make is that the reason we're here tonight is because
uh there's an application to extend the RS and uh council gets a report uh that acknowledges that
there have been, you know, complaints about noise. And so the worry is though if it's open later,
are there going to be more complaints about noise? And and so council recommends a good neighbor
agreement. I I actually was in favor of approving this application going forward to the liquid
control branch at the first instance because at that point it sounded like staff were going to be
able to work out some sort of uh uh satisfactory agreement with the business and uh unfortunately
that hasn't happened. If it's as simple as as removing or changing this word business to liquor
or removing that half of the line, um then my suggestion would be that uh we punt this over to
the next meeting and and give the parties another chance to work it out. Um, you know, I think if
the if the business operators feel that uh uh this is unfair that they're being asked to do this when
other part uh businesses perhaps aren't, well, we don't actually know if we're if we're getting any,
you know, concerns expressed about the operation of other liquor establishments in town. I remember
when the Aces pub went in, we had lots of people in the apartments next door who didn't want it to
be there because they believed that there would be noise and uh it would interfere with their
lifestyle and their enjoyment of their property. Um I'm not aware of whether we've had complaints
uh in that neighborhood or not. Um but um I agree with Councelor Fr. I think the business
that we're talking about here tonight is uh a key part of our downtown. It's uh I never go
by there that it isn't approaching full. Um I'm sometimes there myself. Um, so you know, I mean,
I think in general, council wants to see this business succeed and, uh, continue to offer the
services it does and the enjoyment to the people in our community and and, uh, so, um, you know,
subject to further discussion, I'd be willing to move that, uh, we give another opportunity
for the parties to resolve it. Yeah. Thanks so much for that. And and and I think again,
you know, and this might just be an anomaly that like we look at it and the wording is
potentially just wrong. Um and and the applicant did say that this was the the most glaring issue,
but there might be some other issues as well. So um and again, I don't want to prolong this
conversation necessarily too particularly long, but I do see staff are also willing to speak.
So I'll maybe let staff speak for a second and then um and then go back. Um, normally applicants
aren't part of the ongoing conversation. So, uh, maybe if there's some more statements, so think
about that while staff are responding right now as well. Uh, yeah, through the mayor to council. So,
um, just to be clear, we've we did have a meeting on June 10th with the applicant and based off of,
uh, verbal communication with the applicant at the meeting, we made some minor changes to
the good neighbor agreement. Um, I just want to highlight that since May 13th,
uh, since the first report on May 13th, we haven't had any, uh, the applicant has not supplied us
with a good neighbor agreement with their edits to it. Um, so we're happy to move forward and
the city does want to work with the applicant. We just need to understand the applicant just needs
to understand that they have to um provide their own edits and respond to the city so that we can
create the good neighbor agreement. Um and if that doesn't happen, it makes it really it makes it a
bit more challenging for us to to resolve this and move forward. And um I think some of my previous
reports did outline some of the communications that staff have been trying to uh engage with
the applicant on. Right. No, much appreciate that. Uh, Miss Maloney, did you have a comment as well
or through the chair? I just wanted to say that in our initial conversations that the actual issue of
the business license wasn't raised. There were several other issues that the applicant raised
um that we're not addressing here. So, this is not a take out one line, fix it all. And that's
what I'm feeling. Yeah. Yeah. And and we only have an extension to August the 3. Um, and so
if if we if if if if if council wishes to have a signed agreement before they make a recommendation
to the liquor board, this is not an approval, it's a recommendation to the liquor board. Um,
uh, it's very unlikely we'll have that by August the 3. So, I just want you to be aware that if
it moves forward, we will not have a signed good neighbor agreement. Right. Because August 3rd is
like less than a week away. Yeah. Yeah. So, and and and that's also uh top of mind for me. Um uh
councelor Fr. Yeah, thanks. Mayor, I haven't gone yet. I had my hand. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks. Thanks for
jumping in there. Yeah. Thanks, Mayor. Um yeah, I do have one question and then uh maybe a question
for the proponent and then some comments. Um you know, we we did spend a fair bit of time
and just would like to remind council there was a whole package that went with this application.
We heard clearly from the RCMP, the inspector himself, good things don't happen when you serve
alcohol after midnight. I wouldn't recommend this. If I did, I would say we needed the good neighbor
agreement. We heard that clearly from the people who will be enforcing the issues that occur with
alcohol being served after a certain point. um to staff uh because there is reference to
um other establishments who are serving alcohol in Courtney after midnight. And
I believe I asked this question at one point. I would like just if staff can reclarify that we in
fact don't have any liquor licenses for um the serving of alcohol in Courtney after midnight.
uh through the mayor. Uh that data would have to be obtained from the liquor branch.
Um each license has its own parameters. Uh liquor licenser, liquor licenses are merely referred to
municipalities over long periods of time. So we wouldn't have that information readily available
other than anecdotal knowledge. Yeah, I seem to recall mayor as a followup that I asked maybe at
the first meeting this question and I remember staff had indicated to their knowledge we hadn't
seen anything. I know that in our this term we haven't seen any applications coming for the
serving of alcohol past midnight. Um and we also have our um Komox Valley substance use strategy
work that is ongoing that specifically speaks to the harms related to the sale of alcohol beyond
certain hours. Um, and so the last question I had because the proponents are there, which
I appreciate and apologies for not being able to be there in person. Some of the correspondents we
received was related to the importance of creating an environment for um, entertainment and vitality
in the downtown core. And I guess I'm just trying I'm having a really hard time understanding how
um your thriving business, which I also can appreciate and see on a regular basis,
is doing quite well um and is a really valuable community asset. Um how um the proponent might
uh kind of tie those two things together, serving alcohol after midnight and downtown vitality. So
that's a question for you guys. Yeah. Uh there are establishments in Courtney and in the Komox
Valley that serve alcohol after midnight and have licenses after midnight. I know that for a fact.
And I do know that the patrons at Gladstones that leave when we have to close our doors do
go to these establishments later. I can name three that have them, but I don't know if it's relevant.
Kelly O'Brien's Whistle Stop and Max Pub for starters. Yeah. Um and it's not Yeah. Like I
think our business is doing well and we are you know helping downtown uh have that vitality and
uh but we we do know like I I I hang out at Gladston a lot. Uh I know all my a lot
of my patrons and when uh you know midnight rolls around and it's been like this forever,
they just go to another establishment. It's not like they're choosing to go home after Gladstones.
If they want to continue enjoying their night, they will go to, you know, essentially
my competition. It hinders our business because we try to get entertainment in or groups in and
uh they don't want to come because they don't want they want to stay later. do a comedy show inside
for example. Um you know people like comedy shows like you know they'll be later at night because
of the content but then we got to kick everyone out at midnight while everyone's you know just
starting to to enjoy their evening and they want to well they end up going to our competition and
and I'm pretty sure there are no another neighbor good neighbor agreements in the com and at the
last meeting I was assured that this was the first one ever in our valley so it's a bit unprecedented
we'd be setting a precedent. I didn't like the way it was written. I did bring up all my complaints.
Well, I brought up a lot of my complaints about it. Um, one of them being quarterly reviews. Um,
which I didn't like. I I I brought it up several times to make changes. So, I think might not be
uh characterized accurately, uh, because I did try to reward it with the staff. Um, but the push back
was always this is the agreement. Sign it if you want your liquor license extended. I think it's
mostly a redundant process anyways because the only complaints we've had have been noise. They've
already said noise is a completely separate issue. So I don't really understand why my business needs
a good neighbor agreement when no other business that that I compete with or is in the same
industry requires this. Yeah. And and I think part part of it comes to to the grandfathering it. But,
you know, I I think as as was mentioned, it is something that was recommended to us and,
you know, from people that are actually going to be on the front lines where we're we're not. So, I
think that's where, you know, council uh obviously didn't anticipate probably uh this being as big of
a challenge, but uh uh councelor Fr, I'll let him speak and then councelor Joler, uh your is
your is that a new hand up? I just was uh wanting clarity from the Yeah, just wanting clarity from
the proponent. Um, so you're saying if um you you close your establishment at midnight if you don't
get the liquor license extension? Well, right now our liquor license ends at midnight 7 days a week.
Yep. So last call last call is 15 minutes before and at at midnight we're not allowed to sell on
call and we don't but you're still open. Our patrons just go to other businesses. The liquor
license allows us to if to for patrons to stay 30 minutes after the liquor license ends uh to to to
finish their beverage and and leave, but they're not allowed to order alcohol after midnight.
Okay. Does that answer councelor Jiker or do you have more questions afterwards? I
just see your hands still up. Yeah, I just I don't think I got an answer to the trying to
connect the dots between downtown vitality and serving alcohol after midnight. I'm not sure.
I I I heard the business case for it and I appreciate that as as business owners,
but uh some of the correspondence we received was related to how this could support downtown
vitality. And that piece I'm having a real hard time understanding given what we know happens um
when people are inebriated um late at night. So uh I might be able to address that a little bit. Um,
I recently attended a uh placemaking event put on by the town and we're doing Duncan Avenue
bridges. We're doing a lot of work to bring people downtown. We're trying to make this a cool city.
Uh so if you look at a place like Austin, Texas for example, it's grown uh phenomenally
in the last few years and it has a vibrant art scene and music scene that actually brings in
more money than having the state government of Texas centered in Austin. Then you ask yourself,
would Elon Musk build a mega plant? Would would uh Texas Instruments be there if there wasn't
somewhere cool for these people to go uh after work? And that vibrance is what I'm talking
about. It's not only going to bring new people to town or tourists. It's actually going to give
uh businesses somewhere for their high functioning employees to go to. So it's it's it's a big part
of what drives that economy, which is about a third of the US. So it's it can be significant.
And Gladston has a a very familyfriendly kind of environment there. And we don't have a lot of the
troubles that, you know, a dance club or nightclub would have. We're a we're a little different than
than some. So, all right. Thanks for that. I'll pass it over to councelor first. Yeah. Well,
I I have I have a thought on that actually. Um you know, if I'm going to go out at night at,
you know, 9 or 10:00, it it's a significant factor if I can't get a drink at at a certain point. Um
and I can go to the Waverly up in Cumberland and and get a drink at 12:30 at night. So,
um it it does affect um the vitality of downtown. Um, I can also go to those other places that were
mentioned, you know, the Max Pub, Kelly O'Brien's, which happen to not be downtown. Um, they're
good businesses, too. But, um, to to the the um counselor's question, that's how I think of it.
But what I really wanted to ask was more from the applicant. Is the re is the issue here um that you
feel like your that the good neighbor agreement is going to be tied to your business license
in a way that it isn't already. I I think that's part of it. It's unprecedented. Uh we don't know
what the repercussions are going to be because this hasn't been tested on any business before.
It's it hasn't been used or know is there do do I hear anything saying all new future businesses in
my industry will be required to sign this. It seems to be directed solely at my I'll just be
I'll just be frank. It's it's it sounds to me like um you're more worried about it than it than like
where it sounds like it already exists. It sounds like council can deliberate on your business lace
since anytime it wants anyways. And this good neighborhood if if you can get to the point
where you can acknowledge that a good neighborhood agreement isn't going to change that fact. Uh it
might be a moot point and we might be able to just settle this whole thing and move forward and get
you guys the extension. That's that's how I feel about it. Um and we only have a few days left
before we have to ask for another extension. So, um, I' I'd put the ball in that court right there.
I think I think we just want to move forward and even even tonight. It's it's a lot of time,
but it's good that we all understand how the liquor license works. And yeah, and and again,
you know, the the council coming up with new policy and procedures is basically what we do,
land use, those kinds of things. And and things change over time. And so this um again we're
looking what the best practices are from uh the experts that that we get our input from who who
were here earlier [snorts] tonight um at the RCMP. And so um and you know when we talk to
other municipalities to see how things work and um and it's it's quite interesting uh something
like a good neighbor agreement when it was first brought up finding out how it works in other
communities. The strange thing is it is literally as was described an acknowledgment so that when
people ask us why we did something we can say well we made sure everybody acknowledges kind
of their role in this and their responsibilities it it doesn't create those responsibilities and
and I guess that that I to kind of speak to what councelor first is talking about it doesn't sound
like to me the good neighbor is necessarily creating uh situation, do things. You talked
about a quarterly thing because again, we have two choices here. From what I'm understanding, we got
till August second. So, we got to figure this out today or not. And and so I I think we worked past
the business license thing. It sounds like it's a typo or something. The quarterly report or check.
I couldn't I I wrote it down, but I I wrote it really fast now. I can't read my handwriting.
Yeah, it would be quarterly meetings with the city staff, so four times a year, which can I make one
more comment before that speak to that particular um part of the agreement? Um I remember a few
years back and I don't know if you remember this mayor or councelor Helian, but the curling club
came to council and they wanted their license extended. I believe they can drink till 6:00
in the morning and they can and they can start at 9 in the morning. Um and and so we're not really
trying to vilify um alcohol use at we weren't historically anyways and I'm I'm not at this
table. So that's where I stand on on this and I really hope we can sort this out and move forward.
Uh Mr. Garvet, thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Uh I think political lights are off. I just wanted
to si maybe potentially um suggest or provide an option to council. They could council could
ultimately if you want to move forward with this with a recommendation to the U liquor
control license cannabis licensing branch. Uh you could dictate the terms of the good neighbor
agreement and have support conditional on that agreement. I I I don't want to sound there's a
lot of conversation here about timing etc. So that that that's an approach. Um sounds like
there's edits to be made related to business licensing and that's really if if this is a
council priority which they identified as a good name bear agreement that's a that is a
path forward. So okay appreciate that. Um and just before you speak uh did you guys still want Mr. uh
uh through the chair. I just wanted to uh make a point of clarity. Uh the there the requirement for
quarterly meetings is only for the first year uh and then at least annually to review operations,
noise data if collected, complaints and update this agreement as needed. So it is not quarterly
meetings on an for every year. It is for the first year and then annual meetings. Um just
as a just as a point of uh making sure council's aware of what the agreement says and and sorry
you had said something in there and and maybe Pat Pat will be clarifying this but does um uh if so
let's say there's no complaints. Does that mean the meetings can just like not even happen? Sorry
Mr. mayor at and to council. That's exactly what was expressed on June the 10th is is that if the
meeting is not necessary, if there have been no issues, if the RCMP hasn't been called anything,
if there have been no bylaw issues, then that the meeting is cancelled and and we so when we say
quarterly for the first year, it was only to sort of get things going and then annually after that.
And it didn't have to be a physical meeting. Could have been a Zoom. Could have been a a a phone
call. Could have been any number of ways of doing it, but it was a check-in to just make sure things
were going well. And and RCMP were very clear that if no meeting was necessary, then no meeting would
be held. Okay. Appreciate that clarity. Sorry. Uh you had your hand up. I guess I just wanted to um
say that this is inhibiting us from having events. I mean specifically there were some African events
where they really wanted to go later and I wasn't able to do that and I was really calling on the
African community to do and and other lots of lots of community event. I always trying to throw
community events and and this is unquestionably inhibiting that and we as a business all of you
who live in this community can see that all we do is reinvest into the downtown and reinvest and
reinvest um a and do charitable things. Last year we gave over $45,000 to Yana. We This is a good
business that uses our money for this community. And I also think that these six people, I'm not
sure why they get such a loud voice compared to all the people that are enjoying what we are
doing. It just doesn't seem proportionate and it just doesn't feel fair. So, so there are specific
clauses in the good neighbor agreement that will mitigate or reduce your ability to do business.
Well, the quarterly meetings, how it's worded in there, like nobody else has to do that and
then making amendments based on on like what I don't even know what that means.
It's such an ambiguous agreement and I don't know there wasn't any real examples of these agreements
being used successfully in other cities and it's going to set a huge precedent and right now it's
just Gladston that's getting that's that's on the hook for this curling club being a prime example
not that long ago gets to 6:00 a.m. without anyone saying anything but Gladston asks till 2 a.m.
And then all of a sudden it's it's all based on this good neighbor agreement that uh you know
the like I've read it many times and it just we already have bylaw. The only complaints were noise
complaints and I know they're trying to separate the two but it really our whole meeting was really
about the noise complaints and we already have a mechanism in place for that and we already have
a bylaw system in place for some of these other issues. So what the good neighbor agreement just
seems completely redundant to me. Yeah. And and I guess that that's the challenge is that we're
seeing this uh you know council's direction was this might be a path forward for future things. So
yes, you're the first one. My question though was based on the comment was this this agreement will
mitigate or reduce your ability to do business. And so what I'm hearing is not that it'll reduce
your ability to do business that you're aware of, but you're not sure. There might be some Well,
it's it's the 2 a.m., right? If we don't sign this agreement, we don't get to be open later.
That reduces our business confounding business. It restricts our growth. Okay. So, if you signed it,
you would be able to stay open. But if you don't, then you can't and therefore that's
causing it. Okay. Yeah, that that's clarified. Uh counselor. Yeah. And council occurs online
as well. Yeah. Thanks, Mayor. I think the other important context here um just in response to
councelor Fr's's comment around alcohol, the city has endorsed the substance use strategy, there's
clear policies in there around municipal alcohol policy that our staff uh have on their work plan.
We haven't resourced it yet, but it's on the work plan to do. And in the absence of that,
this is a mitigating measure provided by the experts, the RCMP, um, to mitigate the harms
related to alcohol that the city acknowledges through the substance use strategy. So,
I do want to just bring that larger piece in. And this is one of those unfortunate situations
where we do have competing priorities. we have uh thriving businesses, businesses that want to grow,
and we have um the city taking action to reducing harms related to substance use. So,
I just wanted to add that context because I think it's important um and that we do have these two
things happening at the same time. Thanks. Right. Thanks for that clarity. And councelor F. Yeah.
So, I have a question for staff. Um, this idea of having quarterly meetings in the agreement,
is that necessarily any different than what you would already do if there were complaints? Like,
would you not maybe already have meetings if there were a bunch of complaints about a business? Uh,
through the chair, our bylaw enforcement powers would allow um bylaw enforcement officers to
attend a business and speak with the owner. Um the meetings would just be an opportunity to
do it in maybe a more casual uh I don't want to say casual but uh without dur with Yeah.
without someone showing up randomly at the at the doorstep. So I think it's maybe more of a
more proactive approach um less magisterial. Sure. It it sounds to me like we're really
just acknowledging and making it simple to do the things that the city can already do.
Like if you do have a noise complaint complaint then um instead of like you say bylaw coming in
and um being a bit adversarial you've already got a meeting set up and try
to try and sort things out. Is that the concept or you know saying no? Oh hang on
uh through the mayor. Yes, it it uh it's an opportunity for us to to discuss. I would
also point out um that uh the city uh has a much smaller hammer than the liquor branch and a lot
of these clauses in the good neighbor agreement actually um speak to barkeeping practices that
are expected by the liquor branch. Um the the the wording is very much similar about for example
encouraging patrons to not disturb the neighbors and things like that. So um although they may
have to have a meeting with uh you know the city every uh you know quarterly for the first year
uh the liquor branch can send inspectors into the business at any time um without disclosing
their presence and so on um to look for liquor infractions and the liquor branch can revoke a
license a liquor license immediately almost if they see serious infractions. So, um, we're not
necessarily asking for anything, uh, hours beyond what the, uh, the liquor branch can already do.
Um, and certainly no more extensive one than what the liquor branch can do. Well, thanks for that.
It it does sound like we're merely acknowledging the things we already can do in this neighborhood
agreement. So, um, and and I I also want to point out that we u we have safe ventilation
sites. I'm sure those go very late at night. Um, no, they're closed. Yeah. Um, but we push to have
safe inhalation sites put in and um, yeah, I think I think there's a difference between encouraging
people to use less drugs and alcohol and um, and vilifying it and and saying it's absolutely
prohibited. So, I'll leave it at that there. Thanks. Okay. Yeah. and and and you know casting
back to I think when Matches opened up their outdoor patio um there was similar uh concerns
uh especially around the sound and I think if the idea of a good neighbor agreement had if that had
been recommended to us at that time it like we likely would have done it I I and I I'm correct
I think we may have good neighbor agreements for other things other than liquor things so it's not
like this is just for liquor this is for things that um when we're looking at at our community
and where there's a potential conflict uh to have these good neighbor agreements just though that
it's all articulated and and I look at it like a and and I think council I don't want to speak for
council necessarily totally they can shake their heads if they don't think uh believe or agree
with me but it's really like a comfort letter that just says these are the things that we agree upon
through other mechanisms but we're just putting it in one place so we can easily refer to it uh
Councelor Cole Hamilton, I do apologize. You're you had your light on or um did you want to speak
still? Yeah, I was going to say I was Yeah. Yeah. Thanks very much. I was going to ask um something
along the lines of what councelor Rush was asking about whether the other um portions of the
agreement require something more than is required by um by the province. And um I guess I I haven't
spoken because I my colleagues ablely make the sort of the the point that uh this isn't legally
binding. It doesn't ask any more than would be otherwise asked. It doesn't give the city any
particular powers. Um it uh it uh it's a set of agreements of shared understandings. And I think
that's all we've been trying to achieve here. Um and uh I think it's um I I would maybe ask I think
again I think councelor Fish has been making many of the same points. So it's why I haven't
been speaking is that if one can acknowledge that this doesn't have an a legal impact on you. It's
not legally binding. Um it's a set of common yeah common understandings of how we all want to move
forward. um if we can't reach that that's you know after having advice from the people from the RCMP
um that that would be a good way to move forward and this may be the first time we're doing it and
likely I'm guessing for similar applications it'll be the way we move forward going uh from
now on but uh yeah so I'm guess I believe I'm not probably adding anything new to the comments that
are already been made but just wanted to to share that for now thanks I appreciate that councelor
Cole Hamilton Hamilton and Council Moore. Great. Thanks, Mayor. Um, yeah, I think part of part of
the issue is that um the other businesses I think they do operate after midnight. Is that what I
heard? Yeah. Um, but we haven't necessarily heard from neighbors in those areas or whatever. Um,
but I guess my question is regarding kind of the fairness of the good neighbor agreement. If there
were issues happening at the other establishments and there were RCP complaints, I would assume,
but this is what I'd like clarification on that that someone would come to us and say just like
a nuisance house, which is what happened with the nuisance house. um multiple complaints, multiple
issues, people came um and then we came up with this nuisance bylaw in response to that. Um so
would that be accurate that if there were issues happening in other establishments like we would
we would want to have a good neighbor agreement with those establishments as well, would we not?
uh through the uh mayor. Uh we would it would certainly be beneficial to have good neighbor
agreements with those establishments and the opportunity to do so may actually present itself.
They have to renew uh their liquor licenses. They may seek to change their liquor license as the
applicant has. Um, in terms of enforcement, um, if something were to occur at those,
uh, businesses that was substantial enough, um, the municipality could, um,
go through the rigorous process of of revoking the business license. Um, you know, again,
on reasonable grounds and and that's obviously proving that is dependent on the circumstances,
but yes, it it very much uh can uh happen. You can you could revoke a business license or declare it
a nuisance um depending on the nature of the infraction infraction and the proof available.
Well, I think this is illuminating that, you know, there is a gap like maybe it is something I don't
think it's going to happen this term necessarily, but in terms of um that ability to to monitor
um you know these to um to take a look at all the establishments and whether or not
um there's a way to you know create good neighbor agreements with other establishments. based on on
uh things that are happening. But I guess um yeah, I I I guess I'm yeah, I'm hopeful that if there's
just a couple things that need to be changed that we can do that. I mean, I think that having even,
you know, an an annual check-in, unless there are other issues that come in is reasonable. I
think changing that language around the uh the um liquor/ business license. Um but I I guess I
I do think that we will see more of these and this was a recommendation from the RCMP and I
think that if we had another establishment that was um what that there were issues we we would
be doing we wouldn't be just you know not doing anything. Um, but I do appreciate that it does
seem like a small number of complaints and, you know, half of them were from one person. Um, so,
you know, I I understand that that's um that's a challenge for sure, but I think that we have not
been having any bylaw complaints about the other establishments to my knowledge, but that might
be something that staff can look into. Thanks. Thanks, Councelor Warren. And I'm going to jump
to councelor Halen just because he hasn't spoken a whole lot this evening on this topic. Yeah. And
and I will acknowledge that um I originally voted against uh um requiring this process,
but um that notwithstanding that it's a resolution of council um that a good neighbor agreement be
enforced. I think I've heard you say that you're not going to sign one. So So I mean that would
leave us at an impass. I don't hear anybody at council proposing that we take away the uh the
requirement. Um we've been we've spent nearly an hour on this. My suggestion is we adjourn
um for our supper break and uh give the business the opportunity to consider their position and and
uh um and then um you know spend five minutes on it after that and and then move on. Um,
I think we're at an impass here where we're simply exchanging uh the same arguments. If if
it's a council resolution that uh if we're going to recommend this action to the liquor control
branch, there needs to be a good neighboring agreement, then that that is in fact the position
that you're in. Um, unless the council changes its mind, which has not been indicated. All
right. Appreciate that, Council Helian. And I'm going to let councelor Fr make a comment and we
may take you up on your suggestion. Well, just just quickly, I I would um I I would reiterate
that this good neighborhood agreement really changes nothing and we can do all the things in
the good neighborhood agreement. I'm sure even right now. So, I implore you to reconsider and
um I'm happy to move that we table this item till after our meal. Give you time to think about that.
I move that we table this item. Is that Yeah, it's been seconded. Councelor Joler,
do you have any comments uh before I take the Oh, yeah. Sorry, non debatable. All those in
favor? Any opposed? And uh so what we're going to do is we're going to adjourn our recess right
now for our dinner break and then we'll be back uh and we'll come back at 7:00 p.m.
I like the sticker. I'll send That work.
Yeah.
Okay. Thanks a lot. All right. Byebye.
Oh, you 7
All right, thanks everybody. Uh we're now back uh from our recess and continuing on uh item
8.2.1 liquor license application uh and the good neighbor agreement for 244th street. And I will um
uh we recess. I'll maybe look to council at this point. Um I believe the applicant has left. Uh
so councelor. Yeah, just a question mayor. Um is the liquor uh control or the liquor and cannabis
regulation branch aware of all the permutations of the process that we're going through? And I mean,
I think we've asked them for for an extension and and uh I'm just wondering to what extent
this process, regardless of what resolution we pass, might influence their decision one way
or the other. Those might be two questions, but I'll pass it over to staff. Uh through the chair,
um we've asked them for the extension so they are aware that there is some kind of a dialogue
going on. Two extensions. Um, in terms of what they'll be aware of, um, generally speaking, um,
all paperwork associated with a municipality's referral process is sent to them, um, with their
response. So, emails from the applicant and so on would be going to the branch. So, they would,
I guess, be aware of the conversation that's occurred. Thanks, Councelor Hillian and Councelor
Moore. Thanks, Mayor. Um so basically if um well first of all if something happened and the parties
came back and did want to do something then another extension would have to be applied for and
is that a usual thing to have a third extension granted or oh hang on sorry I got to find the
right one uh through the mayor. Uh probably not. um not for these reasons. Uh it's tough to say,
but uh yeah, I'd say our situation is pretty unique. Yeah. Yeah. And I guess just a quick quick
follow up around um so obviously this um involves other parties, the RCMP, etc. And so I mean we're
not the only ones that have to provide feedback. So, I mean, regardless of what happens here, the
RCMP could decide to um yeah, if there's no good neighbor agreement, then that was that was part
of their feedback that they would that they wanted that. So, I mean, I guess I guess the bottom line
is it's not just um it's not just council that's weighing in on this um process, but I guess if
there's no agreement signed um before in the next couple days, then uh it's all kind of a phenito.
Thanks. Thanks, Council Warren. And Mr. Garbbert, you had a comment. Yeah, thank you to the mayor.
uh just we've we spent quite a bit of time on this and uh councelor Kian identified so our staff are
acting on council's direction the requirement for a good neighbor agreement is there uh so unless
that changes uh uh then the recommendations in front of you is the policy direction from council
um as I had said previously there are a number of options to council council could consider
their previous requirements I'm not trying to engage in the political debate here, but we also
uh council could provide their support contingent on a good neighbor agreement as well. That is the
feedback. That's the requirement of council. So, I'm just trying to provide some options
because I think everyone [clears throat] pardon me, everyone is uh struggling a little bit with
uh with the matter at hand. So, I just want to be clear. the polic as it is is because of council's
direction for the good neighbor agreement and that there is an option for conditional consideration
of this if we have the same direction from council all right thanks for that council call
Hamilton yeah thanks mayor I I just wanted to ask a question just to maybe clarify something that
was raised in previous conversation that there are other u places that stay open past midnight
um and that they apparently do not have good neighbor agreements. I just wanted to maybe
ask if staff could confirm that uh we've never had the opportunity to weigh in on that with
those entities because they've not requested a change of this type. There's never been a point
at which we could have requested a good neighbor agreement. So, this is not a matter of being
treated differently. It's a matter of um of this coming before us and um us following the advice of
the RCMP and I would assume that the advice if if other um entities came extending wanting similar
extensions that we would get similar advice from the RCMP and we would take similar action.
It's [snorts] just uh you know this is a matter of first instance we have not had had this happen and
there was some reference to the curling club. I don't know. I wasn't at that board. I don't know
who made that decision or how that came to be. But in the 8 years I've been here, we've never had the
opportunity to to uh be in a situation where an extension um was asked for that a good neighbor
agreement might be the right solution to. Um so this is I just want to clarify the other places
that stay open within town, they listed a few of them. um those are not opportunity circumstances
where we've had the opportunity to make to go through this kind of process and this kind of
analysis. Thank you through the mayor. I would just say uh to the best of my knowledge the issue
of the requirement of a good neighbor agreement has not come up in the referrals. So this was a
specific response to a referral. The previous consideration of um liquor either a new liquor
license or an extended nick liquor license. So, I point council, we just had a a new liquor license
for another business downtown. Um, and it was not it did not come out as a as a recommendation. Uh,
it was not for the same timeline, but it did not come out as a recommendation. So,
this is we are acting on the advice of um of uh specialists in the area as a condition uh to move
forward and council accepted that. Um uh we had a reference to the substance use strategy and
some work related to the consideration of um the licensing of intoxicants. That is work that will
happen. So it may be that our recommendation when considering liquid licenses that good neighbor
agreements be be incorporated but that work has not yet happened. [clears throat] So in this case,
I believe this is twofold response to circumstances and advice as well as um
the previous uh considerations were were different and they didn't have the same circumstances that
resulted in that referral. If we had received that same level of referral for the two more
recent liquor license applications, we would have provided that to council. So I I believe
that would likely have been a condition had the uh referrals um highlighted that need. Thanks Mr.
Grabbit. I appreciate that. And and another bit of information that I I've received recently uh just
in the la last 20 minutes or so is looking um at other opportunities when we look at you know the
uh you know one of the comments was around they're the only one. Uh if we look to the
resort municipality of uh Whistler, they actually have the exact same thing as a requirement uh for
all business licenses for liquor establishments and cannabis stores. So, you know, we're not
blazing a trail here or anything like that, but there are other opportunities to look at things,
but I think as Mr. Garbett said, those things are being reviewed right now to see what's the best
fit. Um but we are at this point following the advice of um uh the RCMP at this point. With that,
I'll pass over to councelor. Thanks, Mayor. I just wanted clarification
on um what the RCMP uh was was wanting in the good neighborhood agreement and if we knew why
uh through the mayor uh they they weren't specific uh but they accepted the um uh good
neighbor agreement that was prepared by us. It was part of the conversation. They had no
changes or edits to it. Uh they and and uh while the mayor provided the example of Whistler, Naimo
has these uh agreements with with um uh liquor establishments as well, bars, pubs. So it's this a
standard thing for the RCMP now to have these good neighbor agreements. I can't speak for them, but
they never came up with any suggestions, changes, or edits to the Good Neighbor draft. Okay. Well,
I'm just going to make a quick comment. Um, it's completely political. I I actually think
that there's just too much red tape and if we already have all the things available to us to
deal with bylaw problems and and so on. Um, yeah, I think good neighborhood agreements is just a way
to smile at each other and say we're going to do what we're going to do. But, um, I I can see why
businesses wouldn't like it. That's for sure. I mean, to be asked to to spend time to come in and
see staff four times and have it written down and signed, um I I totally get it. At the same time,
um it doesn't sound like anything that you're not already able to do. So, I don't I don't think,
you know, obviously they're not coming back to sign an agreement tonight. So, um yeah, it's
I think it's really unfortunate that we haven't been able to bring the two perspectives together.
Thanks, Councelor Rich. Sir Warren. Great. Thanks, Mayor. Just um related to the the comment that
our city manager made about um contingent on um if there's if we don't have time to
um have them sign before an extension though, how can we approve something
contingent on because yeah, I mean I don't see how we could do that within the timeline.
So I I I just I don't know if there was something else that you were getting at,
Mr. Garet. Through the through the mayor, just in speaking with our director of services,
it it could say that the city supports the liquor license extension provided there's a
um good neighbor agreement in place. Not not that it has to be in place there,
but it could be considered in their deliberations on the liquor license approval at the at the
liquor license cannabis board uh approver. But again, it's not an ideal situation. It doesn't
actually go to council's direction. Yeah. I mean, I I just think I mean, what does that
mean exactly? Because the the the timeline I don't know. Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm thrilled with
that idea either. Thank you. Thanks, Council Warren. Councelor Hill. Thanks, Mayor. I I'm
prepared to move that council recommend support to the liquor and cannabis regulation branch
for the application in question subject to the completion of a good neighbor agreement. Period.
Okay. So, it's not the one that's on the screen. So, that's slightly different.
So rather than not recommending it move forward, it's recommending it moves forward contingent on
the good neighbor agreement, which technically could still happen within the next few days.
Councelor Haleen, I'll I'll give you the mic back for subsequent Well, you my point would be that it
would then be in the hands of the liquor control branch who will go through their process. We'll
see this recommendation and we'll either um say, well, where's your good neighbor agreement or not
if they think it's important and then it'll be the liquor control bunch making the decision,
which is what it's making. it's it's their job anyway and essentially we will have
done our part um following through on the council resolution. um and you know doing what I think is
uh what the majority of council feels is that that we don't necessarily want to stand in the way of
this business continuing with their business model but we do want them to follow through with the
council resolution that was made but by doing this without putting a timeline on it we we essentially
send our recommendation off to the liquor control branch and then it's up to them and you know the
the good neighbor agreement happens in that time frame rather than us spending another two hours on
it and getting our staff to spend more hours on it here tonight or in the days to come. Thanks,
Councelor Helen. Uh, councelor M. I thought that councelor Cole Hamilton was in front of me,
but he turned his light off. Um, I guess I just wanted to ask staff, is that um is that a a doable
process? Um, like will that work? uh through the chair. I'm just trying to look up the act,
but I do believe it is possible for a municipality to recommend approval with
conditions. Uh it certainly is possible for the liquor control branch to impose conditions. Um so,
uh and worst case scenario, the liquor branch probably just refer it back to us.
Yeah, I guess I'm just I don't know how if the if this is expiring in a couple days, how? Well, no,
the the liquor the liquor branch has granted an except for a a couple days, two two extensions,
I believe, to get us to August 2nd. Uh to August 2nd. I'd just like to also say that August 1 is
the holiday. Mhm. Um so that would give two days to have a conversation and and I Yeah.
I just [clears throat] to to add to that to to councor um if the if if the condition that we
place on it is that there be a good neighbor agreement which is what we recommended in May
and and it was council said no we want the good neighbor agreement. This is why we're
here now. And and so if we if we say that, oh, a condition that we have a good neighbor agreement,
I think I can pretty much guarantee we're going to go through this cycle for a long time.
Thanks, Council Moore and Councelor Helian. Yeah, the the uh the delay is to give time for
council to consider its recommendation. Um and uh I if we send the recommendation along along
with the copy of the good neighbor agreement with whatever amendments uh have been discussed
here tonight that are considered appropriate, then it's in the I think it's in the hands of
the liquor control branch. And if they punt it back, well, fair enough. Um maybe at that point,
uh we take a harder line and and say no, we don't support it. But uh um I I'm just going
by what my sense is of what uh the majority of council here tonight appears to want to do. And
uh you know that would be consistent with uh not standing in the way of this business but also
uh honoring the previous resolution of council. We could in fact as Mr. Garbbert has said rescend the
requirement. Um, but as I said before, I haven't heard anybody propose that here tonight. So,
I'm proposing a way for us to move forward with this. And if it gets sent back, so be it. But,
um, um, I don't know whether it will or not. Maybe the liquor control branch will just decide, oh,
well, they didn't want to sign the good neighbor agreement.
We're not going to give them their license. Then it's their decision.
All right, councelor.
Oh. Uh, I should I let councelor co go first? Uh, if that's all right.
Councelor Cole Hamilton. Okay. I was going to say I'm always happy to have more information
before asking. Um, so if we were to do this, then it would be the the the the
province that would negotiate the good neighbor agreement under this uh and the province is the
province then free to say, you know what, it doesn't really matter to us. We're good. So,
but but you're nodding, but but I'm just curious to know with staff if we if we
have this this qualified support. Um, and then the qualification is never met. Um,
does the province have the discretion to just do what they please at that point or does that
stop the process? I I feel like in some ways we're just handing this off to someone else
who might decide to [clears throat] just ignore our um [snorts] you know reasoned request. Yeah,
I think historically yeah it's referred to us but we don't we just make a recommendation but
I think it's up to the liquor control board for the actual answer but Mr. Thanks. I think staff
might be responding but ultimately uh through the mayor to counselor. Um the reason why we
have chosen because we are not required actually the municipality has chosen to involve ourselves
in liquor licensing approvals. Uh and we have done that historically. Um they are looking for
our direction. Um so if we have a take on this it have some suggested conditions per Mr. Belaba's uh
commentary then that that is a position we can take but I'll I'll I'll defer to my colleague.
Sorry through the mayor. Just reading the act. So um just to be clear uh if council were to
recommend uh that the license not be issued the liquor branch must refuse the license.
That's in section 38 subsection 4 of the act. If council recommends approval and I would
group approval with a condition in that the liquor and cannabis regula uh regulatory branch uh must
take the recommendation into account in deciding whether or not to issue or amend the license. So
I would extend that to taking into account the recommendation for the condition. They would
consider whether the condition is reasonable or not. They could decide whether to impose
that same condition. um whether or not they would actually negotiate with the applicant the terms
of the good neighbor agreement, probably not. Um but they could theoretically say, you know,
we'd like to see a signed good neighbor agreement before we issue this license. Thank thanks for
that clarity and the nuances of whether it's approved or recommended or not recommended
by council and how that that affects them. Councelor Joeler, you've been patient. Thanks.
uh just a comment that uh the the parties of the agreement um are the city of Courtney,
the proponent and the RCMP. And so the negotiation and the finalization of agreement
ultimately will have to lie with those parties as they're addressed now. And I think those are the
parties that are well positioned to address the issues that have come up through this process.
Um, and so for that, I'll be supporting a process that is city-led rather than asking a regulatory
body that's really simply speaking to one part of the the process um to do that work for us. I
don't think it actually addresses the issues and the concerns that have been raised throughout the
process by our staff, by bylaw, by the RCMP, and by neighbors and the bylaw complaintants. Thanks.
Okay. So, we do have a motion on the floor.
Ah, yes. Uh, so highlighted in yellow on the screen. Uh, so, councelor Joel,
you can see that. So, there's the original uh motion that was uh um moved by councelor
Hillian and seconded, but then there is a potential amendment recommended by staff
that the council authorized staff to finalize a good neighbor agreement,
including approval of minor amendments. And maybe I'll pass it over to councelor Hillian. Yeah,
I think that makes sense. I would suggest adding the word recommended in front of good
the recommended good neighbor agreement. And then that's staff makes those minor amendments and
attaches it to this letter that goes to the the liquor branch. And to councelor Jelicker's point,
uh it's it still ends up being an agreement as proposed as recommended between the city,
the business, and the RCMP. Um it's up to the liquor licensing branch whether they want that to
be part of it or not. And but if if they do, then it comes comes back to the city, the business,
and the RCMP to actually sign the agreement. All right. Thanks for that. Um I don't see Oh,
councelor M. Oh, don't apologize. So the Have we seen what the RCMP is submitting to the liquor
branch? like are they saying something about um contingent on a good neighbor agreement
um through the mayor to council. So the the LCRB does reach out to
uh the RCMP individually and then as a part of our process we do we also reach
out to the RCMP. So we don't see what the RCMP's direct response to the LCB would be.
um we only see what they send us and uh it was a short email and it did recommend the
good neighbor agreement for for us but we don't see what what else they're sending.
So that will go what if we pass this excuse me resolution all that correspondence about the
RCMP recommending to us to have a good neighbor agreement will be part of that package. Okay.
Okay. Oh, I'm seeing nods, but maybe just say yes so that councelor Joliger can also
uh through the mayor. Yes, we're going to include all the materials that we've received. All right.
Thanks for that. You're taking a beat. Okay. All those in favor? Any opposed? I have three opposed.
Um I think I'm gonna pull council just since we have online as well. I I have
opposed. Who is the third opposed? Councelor Mren
and I'm voting in the affirmative with councelor Hillian and councelor Fresh I believe.
So if CL staff could just clarify what that means for this application at this point in time,
Mr. Garvin. So the resolution that was proposed failed and so we don't have any
comment now uh on the application. So, it would be at council's discretion to
either for the matter or make a subsequent resolution. Move the staff recommendation.
Okay, that's been moved and seconded. We've had lots of discussion, so I don't anticipate
any more. All those in favor? Any opposed? Councelor Hilly and Councelor Fresh opposed.
and I'll I'll vote in favor.
Okay, moving on to item 8.3.1, permissive tax exemption policy update. And we'll
um pass it over uh or we have the permissive tax exemption policy update. So, I'll pass it over to
Mr. Langmire. Nice to be here once again, council. Before us is an updated permissive tax exemption
policy as directed by council last fall. So, there are a number of changes that occurred within the
policy as directed by council. I'm going to go over a a few of the important ones. So, a key one
is exemption duration. The policy goes to a 4-year uh bylaw cycle and this is to align with council's
term and to reduce the overall administration time and burden of the annual permissive tax exemption
policy process. We'll likely still see an annual permissive tax exemption bylaw come to council,
but it'll be much smaller because it'll be um only addressing the new applicants and any applicants
that had some sort of change within the year or upcoming year. A major change is the exemption by
activity. And within the policy, there's a table in the activity type and there's definitions the
activities. Historically, the city's permissive tax exemption was either at 100% and that was
typically for um grandfather or quite longstanding organizations within the community. Uh within a
policy update that occurred several years ago, if an organization provided services
to the entire region versus strictly city of Courtney residents, the exemption was based
at 40% versus 100. By moving to an exemption by activity, it really allows the municipality and
council to focus where they put this report uh into the different types of activities provided.
We're continuing on with the exemption cap of 2% of the prior year's municipal taxation. We've made
the language clear that is based on just the municipal portion of taxation. In the past,
there's been questions on well, is it the municipal plus the other taxing authorities
or is it all together or just the one? So it's very much just the municipal portion.
The 2% cap is what was used historically and it it is we have not exceeded the cap. We are
nearing it but it's been a a pretty good gauge. Uh it is representative
what other municipalities are doing. Some have a lower cap, some have a higher cap.
There are uh a few properties that are captured under an existing 10-year bylaw. There are no
recommendations to change those bylaws. We'll let those run the course. And at the end of
those permissive tax exemption bylaws, any changes that occurred under the new policy
will take effect at that time. Recognizing that some organizations could see a change in the
value of their permissive tax exemption policy or tax exemption value, the policies includes
transitional pro provisions to smooth out uh the big taxation changes. So written into it is if
the organization sees more than a $5,000 change in the exemption, that change will be phased
in over a period of of five years. The financial impact of the policy change um okay the financial
impact currently the permissive the total value of exemption is just over a million dollars.
The proposed policy would see this exemption drop to 400 to $743,000. This represents a reduction of
about 26%. 14 organizations will see an increase in the permissive tax exemption value while 31
organizations will see a decrease. And I should say when I reference the current exemption total
is 1 million. That includes the municipal portion and the other taxing authorities.
The policy would take effect for applications received through 2027 and the tax change would be
in the 2028 year. This gives staff time to create a new application and allow the notification to
organizations to apply under the new policy and to organizations that might not have ever
applied in the past. Further, this timing actually aligns with the second year of a new council term.
And with that, I'm open to questions. Excellent. Thanks for uh bringing this forward. I know it
was much anticipated by council. I'll pass it over to councelor FR. Thanks,
mayor. Uh can you remind me, do other levels of government pay municipal taxes? So,
provincial government that owns a shelter for instance,
that is a very um I'll leave I'll leave specific question. Yeah. So if it's the
the the provincial and federal governments do not pay property taxes as we levy them. They pay up
uh uh grants in lie of taxes is a an amount that is very close to what we would tax but we do not
send the provincial or federal government tax bills. The specific question about supportive
housing if the province only one the approach is to assess the value of supportive housing at
$1. So they technically pay tax but the value is only a dollar. So it is essentially non-t
taxable for the entire property. That is correct. Okay. Thanks. Thanks councelor
Fr and councelor. Okay. And I do, just so you know, I do see councelor Joler online,
but it's not your turn. It's councelor. Yeah, thanks mayor. I just want to clarify in the
past I've disqualified myself uh and then we had uh we amended the process so I didn't
need to because I sit on the board of one of the organizations that's being considered. But this
uh u proposal tonight is essentially establishing policy. We're not actually deciding on the
uh the uh organizations involved and what the exemption they get or are we? Excellent question.
Thanks. I'll start by saying I'm not a lawyer um but staff have discussed this and feel that
this is similar to the OCP where you are making general changes but you're not making specific
decisions about properties. So, for example, um the permissive tax bylaws will come back
to council and at that point you'll be making specific decisions about properties. Of course,
um council should always be aware of any um influences and participate in the discussion if
they feel that it is appropriate for them. Thanks very much. Thanks, Councelor and Councelor Ziller.
Um, I do have a few questions, so I'm happy to get back in line, but first just really appreciate
the the policy and us uh clarifying a lot here. There's obviously been a lot of thinking that's
gone into this and appreciate um the attachment of the consultant report to refresh my memory on
some of the comparables that was done and the the research around best practice across the province.
Um I guess um what I didn't see in the consultant report and it's not necessarily explicitly
mentioned in the staff report either is um and yeah maybe the consultant or the staff can speak
to policies PTE policies across the province that address organizations that receive core
operational funding from provincial bodies that those provincial bodies can fund taxes
um specific Specifically, I guess I'm thinking about social service organizations
or organizations that receive core funding for heritage or cultural services in our community.
Um, and the reason I ask that is because we we do ask for financials as part of the new policy. Um,
and I through that we'll be able to see revenue and where those organizations get a lot of their
funding. And um I think it's kind of one of these things we often hear about in the community around
um the role of municipal government in um overseeing or addressing or or having to
front the bill for provincial related um spaces including the the things I listed social services
come top of mind. Um, so I'm just kind of curious if in the research if anything like
that came up or in any conversations with the consultant around the ways in which some of our
partners in the community who apply for PTE might be able to uh successfully uh receive
funding for taxes. So we do have Chris Payne on the line who has worked extensively on that
original report for the permissive tax and did the background research. Uh I do want to say
at the start though the policy as presented does not include looking at that and changing
the exemption amount as it wasn't uh specific council direction uh given back in the fall.
But I would like Chris can speak to what he has seen across the other provincial
research you did. Uh yeah, thank you. Uh how's my uh sound coming through? Perfect. Okay. Excellent.
Um I will note that um I have not come across any policy that uh speaks specifically to um
what is funding those organizations that are under consideration. Um however as the counselor points
out there are several uh policies that uh allude to financial ability and whether or not that
should be considered. Uh so no it doesn't really talk uh specifically about who is funding but
um but uh it is common for policies to require financial disclosures so that
um council and the public can ascertain where the funding is coming from if they so choose.
Excellent. Thanks for that. And uh councelor Fr. Yeah, I was just um I think one of the ones that's
changing is um is the Sid Williams. Is that am I correct in that that that's their their exemption
is dropping from 100% to 40%. Yes. uh based on the type of service provided. The organizations
with service agreements with the city uh some of those agreements have specific language around
u tax exemption and that would be something you would have to bring forward at the time
of considering the permissive tax exemption. Okay. Thank you. And councelor Shel again.
Um so just reviewing the policy really appreciate it's quite robust now. Uh I
do have I think two questions from the draft policy. Um one being um the long list of of
documentation we're requesting of applicants which I actually really support and appreciate. But I
noted that we and maybe it's because it's covered elsewhere but we don't actually ask for proof of
uh good standing with the BC societies act. Um, so wondering if if staff have any comments on that.
I don't have actually any comments on that one. Uh, we do ask for financial statements and you
would typically have to be in good standing with society act. That is something been added though.
Okay. Um, mayor, am I good to go with my second question? Yes. Okay. There's a section I'm just
trying to pull it up that speaks to and I app I am in favor of the shift to the four-year um but in
the policy um there's some language here around I think it's on page three of the draft policy
second paragraph council may consider applications for exemptions exceeding one year to a maximum
of 10 years. Um um and then it goes on to say that those organizations receiving multi-year
exemptions may still be required to provide um annual reporting. And so the the the word may
kind of spoke to me. And so I wanted clarity. You know, we're not requiring annual reporting for
those who have, you know, that will be in these this new 4-year cycle that we have or is that
just old language we haven't removed? The idea of not requiring annual reporting for the regular
four-year cycle is to reduce the administrative burden. In the event that we have uh a tenure,
which would be outside of the the normal uh PTE path, I wanted the language in there that we
may ask for the specific type of documentation. what scenario that um may actually end up being,
I'm not sure, but it leaves us the flexibility to, you know, the council to consider a 10ear bylaw,
but still have a couple stipulations upon it. Right. And as a follow-up, mayor, to that,
um, just really quickly, um, so we are covered in the policy though, if something changes for
an organization, they are still required to inform us, um, as part of the even though
we're not requiring them to send us annual reporting. If something changes, they move,
they they they get a million dollar donation, I don't know, right? But they have to kind of
inform us of that. That's part of the policy and part of the also the clause around removing them
from PT if they don't inform us of any major changes. Yes, that is correct. Okay. Thanks.
Um Cole Hamilton. Yeah. Thanks, [clears throat] Mayor. My uh my thinking on this is that this is
a fairly significant change. Um, and it's going to result in, I think, probably about a4 million
dollars worth of tax burden being redistributed. And I noticed that, you know, given that we're
now at the very end of July, we are now into the pre- campaign period of an election year. And my
understanding is that because of various aspects of timing, any change that was made here wouldn't
apply next year. would not it would it would be a um a further year into the future before it could
be um before it could be actioned. And given that there is that amount of time and that this is a
fun fundamental um change um and that we're sort of on the doorstep of an election, I um when we
get past proceed, I think I I would be inclined to um to have a motion uh deferring it until
uh early 2027 following the election when a new council is in place and able to express their
priorities rather than us at sort of the 11th hour of this term uh making a fairly fundamental policy
decision. Um and uh anyway, I'm happy to make a motion along those lines when we get to the point
of uh of when once we get beyond receipt. Thanks, Councelor Cole Hamilton. Appreciate that. Uh
councelor Fr. Yeah. Um I guess I just have a quick comment. I don't even know if it's a question,
but I noticed that that the Quantis village would be reduced to 0% exemption for their senior
housing. Um, it looks to be around $37,000 of extra taxes that we would collect from them. And
u I guess just out loud, I'm just wondering what that means for their bottom line. And I guess the
question would be then is um sort of what's the rationale around that that piece of taking it
away from housing? And I know you mentioned in the report, but you could just say it out loud for me.
Mr. Garrick. Yeah. Thanks. So I just this is Mr. Langmire and Mr. Payne's work, but I just say the
I just want to remind council that the matters that we are providing uh information on is it's
council's direction from our previous engagement that took a couple of reports to get here. So
uh the reason why we're coming forward particular particularly wow that's a new word particularly
in respect to housing uh was directly as a result of council's consideration. So the other category
was where housing was landing and that's why that's in front. So ultimately if council
uh doesn't want to clarify that then they could give some specific direction but the reason why
we're talking about this is because council asked us to do that. Yeah. Thanks for reminding me then.
I'll leave it at that for actually well I do have another question. Um if that's okay. Uh
there's a stipulation in here about um and this is kind of what brought up the whole redoing our
tax exemption bylaw is um not making disparaging remarks about uh other organizations. I believe is
is did I say that correctly? Was close enough. And I'm just wondering what that process would
look like then. Have you guys contemplated what what you know does someone just come up and say
I heard someone making a disparaging remark or have you contemplated how that process
might unfold if someone accuses one of these organizations from making such remarks? Again,
this goes back to the discussion was had in the fall. Uh in that prior report, it talked about
a number of different ways a council could uh provide input or judgment or provide direction
on how that applies. What came out of that council direction was specifically adding that wording.
What I foresee occurring is it it gives uh council the the policy background to make a decision at
the time that a permissive tax exemption bylaw is put before them. And so it really becomes a
decision of council because it is challenging for for staff to quantify or really determine what
that is. Fair enough. Feel the same way. Thanks, Mr. P. Yeah, thank you. Through through the chair,
sorry, through the mayor. Uh just to uh reinforce uh the statement from our staff, ultimately
uh council was uh looking for a way to ensure that the permissive tax exemption was in alignment with
the organization's objectives. And ultimately, if there was a a misalignment, that would have
to have been documented. I I don't anticipate that it would be hearsay or we heard this.
uh you know the the the universe is very uh there's a lot of information out there and
so if there was a situation whereby we had a applicant or a current recipient that would
be in for renewal then that would be a topic that would be raised and there was a reference to the
uh cardinal direction from our community plan and there's there's a few ways to measure that. Uh so
I I think it was council's intention to have um a frame of reference that that they that would would
be pretty easy to understand. Uh and uh these are you know sort of public public standards
related to uh the values of the organization that are pretty well articulated. Thanks for
that and councelor. Thanks mayor. Um yeah two questions. First clarification on the child care
um issue which has caused us grief for many years. um child care is specifically mentioned as being
eligible childcare facility, but there's also um in I believe in the criteria a stipulation that
uh we're not going to give an exemption to any organization that's competing with
uh another organization in the community. That was our dilemma with child care all along. So how are
we squaring that circle? Uh within the policy it identifies social programming is including child
care and it being specifically identified would be how the recommendation to include a child care
application versus something else that may be not considered right now that then would compete with
uh for-profit enterprise. But I mean there are child care operators who are
for-profit enterprises and there's others that are in nonprofit society. So is that
the distinction that we would be making? The we cannot give a permissive tax exemption to
the for-profit enterprises but we can to the not for-profit. So by specifically
identifying that the child care falls into that social programming category of exemption,
that's how we would provide the the specific child care exemption. All right. Um my other question is
that um there's policy that clarifies if a um an eligible organization is doesn't own their
property but is leasing it and how that works. Um, but I didn't notice the community justice center,
which that applies to, um, in the list. Um, so I'm not sure if they're still on our list or if,
uh, if they've been left out by mistake or if an organization is leasing, they are still welcome to
apply. We want to document though that any tax savings are directly passed on to the NPO and
is not just absorbed by the landlord, right? um if that organization is not on the list,
they must not have applied say basis on prior year's information. Okay. Thanks. Yeah. And and I
think over the years uh I've often been surprised by organizations that obviously should be getting
a tax exemption and and they weren't. And so uh um it it's just one of those things that that
can happen. Um so uh councelor Joel Lur. Yeah, thanks Mayor. Just a quick note, it is in the uh
community justice is in the appendix in the Excel sheet uh for councelor Hillian. They're there. Um
um and to the comment around disparaging, it's specific to identifiable groups within the context
of the human rights framework and human rights legislation. So, it's a very specific group. Um I
guess yeah, I'm happy to support this. It's been a long time coming. It was clear direction from
council for us to work on this. Um I understand the concerns around um a election year. However,
this has been on our on our strategic priorities list for a while. Um and I did note though that
um given that this is a change a positive change for many organizations and more of
a burden for others. So there's there's actually a mix of folks in this group for this new policy.
But I'm wondering if staff can just speak to the approach and it's in the policy, but I think it's
just good to name for those who are maybe watching and for council as well just the transition period
um and the thinking that's gone into that. Um I believe it's uh over a period of five years,
but I'm wondering if staff can just speak to how they're thinking that might roll out and
the communication and the timing um for the 2028 uh permissive tax year or 2027 for that matter.
So, in the event council adopts this policy, staff will start creating the new application process
and communicate out for existing applicants and to to new applicants to apply within that new
application process. will see who applies, fit, slot them into the category that they
should fit into, and then compare to what kind of change in exemption they would have received
if they have already been in the program. At that point, if we see something over $5,000,
we'll make the recommendation to phase that change in. And so you'd see one of
the increase each year until they're at the uh appropriate amount per the policy.
All right. Thank thanks for articulating that and uh um I I yeah I I definitely
relieved to see this coming forward but again I do understand the timing is is problematic.
Um [clears throat] uh if I were to make a comment on, uh the tax exemption listing for the nonprofit
organizations really becomes a formatting one. I think this kind of captures what we're thinking.
Maybe there needs to be some tweaks here and there, but uh uh one of the big challenges because
it is justified vertically uh fully justified vertically uh centered um when you're reading
across if any one of the cells is bigger all of a sudden that you can't just follow it with your
eye across. So given if it keeps that formatting I would definitely put the lines in across for those
rows just so it makes it a little bit easier. For the ones that are just a single line it's
fine. it's the ones with multiple lines, it gets a lot little bit harder to track. And then when
you're trying to find something like I think the community justice uh center might be an example
where one of the cells is like massive and the other ones are smaller and so it can just make it
a little bit wobbly there. So um but uh with that uh councelor Cole Hamilton. Yeah, thanks Mayor. Um
I see we're dispensing with receipt. I I think there's no more questions. Yep. All right. Um,
so I would move we defer um this decision and this staff report until a meeting uh in early 2027 when
the new council is elected and in a position to um express priorities for themselves. So that it
be deferred until uh early 2027. Okay, it's been moved and seconded. Councelor F. Yeah,
the only problem I see with that is that um you know, we won't be sending it out for feedback. I
would assume like if we pass some readings of it, then it'll kind of be out in the ether and be a
little more prevalent in people's minds. And if we don't do that, then we wouldn't maybe get the
feedback back. But um you don't see a problem with pushing it off a few months? Oh, okay. But yep,
I think given that it won't have impact uh until 2028, I don't think there's anything necessarily
lost on that. And um I think there may be opinions like it could be that future council looks at the
other housing category of 0% and decides that perhaps not for-p profofit housing should be a
something. And the more I look at it, uh we find ourselves forced to vote on that tonight. That's
something I'm going to need to talk about as well. I I I think there's um there's a lot good here,
but it's coming to us late in the game. Um and again has that that lag time that it's
not going to take effect till 2028. So I think that perhaps allowing for um consideration in the
in the new year makes makes sense to me. Sounds wise. [clears throat] Thanks. Yeah. And I mean,
yeah, I I think anytime after the election and and again trying to get into the nuanced
conversations that I think councelor Cole Hamilton is is alluding to there where it's like, you know,
there may be organizations where they're funded from the province and so tax exemptions really
don't affect them um or uh or otherwise, but it's it's for deferrals. So, we'll get back to that.
Um all those in favor of deferral. Any opposed? Councelor Joler is opposition.
So this motion is now deferred. All right. Or motion is carried. Motion
to defer is carried. My apologies for misspeaking
there. Uh on to 8.4.1. The Courtney Wreck membership and admission fees for 2027.
and I'll pass it over to Miss Saunders. I'm just gonna buy Kathy some time. Uh [laughter] Kathy
Collins, our manager of recreation programming, is going to introduce um the Courtney Recreation
membership and admission fees for 2027. Uh and then she'll just pass it back to me at the end
uh to provide an edit on the recommendation uh that's in the report. Fantastic. Uh,
let me put on the podium mic there for you. All right. Thank you. Floor is yours. Uh,
through the mayor to council, as Susie uh said, I'm here to present the report on Courtney
Recreation's proposed admission and membership fee rates for 2027. Recreation admission fees
and memberships have not been increased since 2023. Historically, fee adjustments
have been based primarily on comparisons with surrounding municipalities and market rates.
In 2022, council adopted the recreation fees and charges framework, which established that a
benefits based approach to recreating recreation pricing. This framework provides clear direction
that municipal subsidies should be applied where community benefits are the greatest. In addition,
Cornney Recreation's emission age categories have not been comprehensively reviewed for
many years and no longer reflect current industry standards or today's life stages.
Staff are therefore recommending three key changes effective January 1st,
2027. The first change is modernizing the age categories. The proposed age categories
better reflect current industry standards in today's stages of life. The two key changes
include expanding the youth and young adult age category from ages 13 to 24 which would replace
the current youth student category of ages 12 to 18 uh which also included post-secary
students who were able to prove uh eligible enrollment. The proposed change uh would better
support youth and young adults during important educational employment and life transitions.
Secondly, we are proposing the introduction of a dedicated senior admission rate starting at age
65 for the first time in Courtney Recreation's fee structure. Uh it should be noted that while many
uh of our surrounding municipalities begin senior pricing at the age of 60, staff recommend age 65
uh because it aligns with the province's definition of senior. And additionally,
uh, staff recommend that the city continue to provide an additional benefit to Evergreen
Club members by offering the senior rate to club members who are at the age of 55 and older. The
second recommendation applies the count council's benefits based fees and charges framework by
aligning subsidy levels where community benefit is the highest. This would impact our fees in
the proposed age categories in the following ways. For adult emission fees, um we've noted that they
haven't kept pace with the increasing operational costs and remain below comparable municipality
recreation centers. Uh the adult emission rate serves as the foundation for cost recovery and
is based on the direct daily operational costs associated to the service delivery of the
wellness center. As the jump to full cost recovery would place the adult fee out of market value,
uh we are recommending an increase of 75 cents at this time in recognition that fees have not
changed in over 3 years and to align with current market rates. Staff are recommending increasing
adult mission fee from 675 to 750 including tax. Uh I wanted to note one correction on page six
of the report. Um the cost recovery rate pre-tax should have been noted at $1.37 rather than the
amount shown of $1.69 uh which would have been above the current admission fee to get to the um
rec cost recovery weight rate. Um staff are also recommending approval of an annual 2% increase
rounded to the nearest 5 cents post tax until such time as staff can return with the multi-year fees
and charges by law. It is anticipated a 2% annual increase from the proposed new fee uh that would
take approximately 6 years to achieve the cost recovery rate of 780 pre-tax. This phased approach
gradually improves cost recovery while reducing reliance on tax subsidy. Uh for youth young adult
emissions, staff are recommending a consistent 50% discount from the adult admission rate. As
the youth fee is currently $4 including tax and therefore greater than 50% of the proposed adult
rate, it's recommended that youth admission fees remain unchanged at $4 including tax. It
is recommended that youth fees not increase until the fee reflects 50% subsidy rate and
then would increase 2% annually in alignment with the adult fee. Maintaining the current youth rate
improves affordability, encourages lifelong participation, recreation, and supports the
city's commitment to investing in youth. For senior admission, staff are recommending a
consistent 25% discount from the adult admission rate. This results in a proposed senior admission
fee of $5.60 including tax. The senior's rate would also include an increase annually 2% to
maintain the established 25% subsidy relative to the adult rate. This creates a consistent
pricing approach while supporting healthy aging through affordable recreational opportunities.
Courtney Recreation remains committed to equitable access by reducing financial
barriers to participation. Uh the recreation access program known as RAP and the regional
leisure for everyone access program known as LEAP uses Statistics Canada's low income
measure to determine ED eligibility. Um, RAP con currently provides eligible Courtney residents
with an annual subsidy for memberships and registered programs and 52 complimentary
drop-in visits each year. If council approves the new age categories, those same categories will be
reflected in recreation access program eligibility to ensure consistency across recreation services.
Staff are also recommending that council direct a review of the recreation access
program scholarship amount so they align with the proposed benefits based pricing approach, ensuring
subsidies continue to provide the greatest support where community benefit is the highest. The last
key change for 2027 is that membership pricing has been updated using the same benefit-based
philos philosophy as the admissions, creating a simple, transparent and consistent approach across
fitness, the wellness center and squash. For fitness in the wellness center, membership options
have been streamlined to 1, three, and 12-month terms, reflecting the options most frequently
purchased by customers. Whereas for squash, it has been streamlined to a punch card option for
a one-year option based and a one-year option based on usage. As a result, uh the six-month
memberships will be discontinued due to low demand. Staff are also recommending a new exciting
combination membership in response to customer feedback. Uh this membership provides access to
the wellness center, drop in fitness classes and squash under one single membership. This
would eliminate the need to purch for one person to purchase multiple memberships for part for all
the participants who use multiple services. The combination membership will initially be offered
as a one and three-month option uh while staff evaluate um the demand and the customer uptake.
Overall, these recommendations modernize Courtney Recreation's pricing structure by aligning fees
with council policy, current industry practices, and community needs. They maintain affordable
access for youth and seniors, establish a transparent and equitable approach to recreation
pricing, including modernizing age categories, and move adult emission fees towards sustainable
cost recovery while continuing to provide the high quality recreation services that we like
to do. Um, and that's [clears throat] it for me. I'm just going to pass it back to Susie quickly.
Thank you. Through the merit council, as you'll see on the screen, thank you to Miss Proton. We
have an suggested edit to the recommendation in that uh last paragraph that council directs staff
to increase adult emission membership and punch cards, sorry, annually by 2% rounded up to the
nearest 5 cents including tax uh and adjustth and young adult and senior fees accordingly based on
the benefits. based model. Uh this is specifically because we do have many people who still who do
pay cash uh for their admissions and so when we have a fee, we want to make sure that it is
rounded up to the nearest 5 cents to make that uh simple and easy um and that we're doing that post
uh or inclusive of tax. Uh so we just wanted to make sure that was clear in the recommendation.
If we do a 2% increase, we will end up with uh numbers that are harder to administer um with
the public. And so this just clarifies uh how we practically apply that uh annual increase. And
we're happy to take any questions. Excellent. Thanks so much for that. And we'll start with
councelor Fr. And uh we do have coun uh councelor Morren on uh in the room and then councelor.
Thanks Mayor. Um you mentioned that uh was it the adult drop in rate? You didn't feel like
you could you were doing you were comparing it to market rate. I'm like what's market rate at
$7? Are you talking about other municipalities as market rate? Yeah, good question. Yeah. Yeah. Um,
so these rates are fabulously low, which I think is exactly what we want, we need. So, I love the
work you did and uh happy to support it. Thanks. Thanks, Councelor Fish. Councelor Mo. Great.
Thanks. Um, thank you. Thanks for um hanging in there. You've been here a long time tonight.
Um, so in terms of uh just because this has come up a lot this week, um, Courtney residents don't
get any perks by being a Courtney resident. No, [laughter] other than living in Courtney,
um, and people have brought up, you know, the the idea about being able to use passes throughout
um, the valley. So, I'm just wondering I know we've had that conversation, but I just wondered
if there's been any update around those kind of discussions um and whether you have any knowledge
of um yeah, you know, the the municipality having a preferred resident rate. That's better. I'll let
Susie speak to the preferred resident rate, but I'm happy to respond about the regional
membership. No. Okay. Thanks. Kathy, do you want to go first? I'm actually going to pull up some
data for uh councelor Morin on the uh regional use, but if you want to go ahead. Okay. Um yeah,
thank you for the question. So through uh mayor to council I actually sat on the joint intermunicipal
committee when we did the review um about a regional pass and uh that's actually how leap
originated because uh what we discovered at that time oh I cannot remember the year I think it was
precoid just slightly precoid um lots of interest but not a willingness to pay so it kind of fell
off at that point because that's typically what you know people what we we are seeing So, right.
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks for refreshing my memory and what I haven't heard any uh requests for that
lately in terms of all the other requests we've gotten. Yeah. Yeah. It hasn't stood out as a as a
a key request. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you through the mayor to counselor Morren just to build on
your uh question about sort of resident based pricing. Uh we haven't explored that at this time.
We don't have direction from council to explore it at this time, but the last time as part of the
regional pass um discussion, so that was in 2022. Uh the data that we pulled for Courtney recreation
on usage uh showed that 86% of users were from the city of Courtney. So uh the percentage of
folks who are accessing Courtney Recreation from outside of Courtney is uh less than 15%. So not
would be worth it to date necessarily and that's reflective when we looked at Komox Cumberland
uh their recreation um registrations it was all very similar. So we all have very similar
um reflections of the residents using recreation within their communities and a little bit of folks
accessing uh services outside their communities. Great. Thank you. Thanks Councelor Mourin and
Councelor Jelker. Thanks, mayor. Really happy to see this report and support the the work around
the the changing of the age uh categories uh and the new passes, the punch pass and the the
wellness um the combined wellness membership. Um I did have two questions though. Um the staff report
speaks to the 2% increase uh year-over-year for the adult rate um to get us to cost recovery. Um
and so wondering if we've projected how long that will take us to get to and the staff report also
articulates uh that it excludes um facility overhead and admin and so is the intent to
uh consistently exclude those costs within the cost recovery framework that is being proposed.
Thank you for the question through mayor to council. Um to your first question with
regards to the 2%. Um Susie and I were doing some quick math. Um and we projected approximately six
years if we were to continually do the 2%. Uh we chose the 2% because historically that's
what we're seeing used as an inflation in inflationary cost. Thank you. Um, however,
we do we do recognize that we'll be doing some work to come back with a bylaw. So, we could
recommend different things at that time as well for a five-year fee fee plan. Um, with regards to
the second question, I can you if you have extra, Susie, but um it's not typical in admission fees
and programming fees where you're taking in all of the facility costs. Um, we did do some quick,
um, math on that and it would put it would put our fees in the $20 range, which is is not something
you traditionally see in munal recreation, which is why we chose the daily operating costs as our
focus. Okay. Yeah. And my second question is about squash. Um, I see that uh, you did quite
a bit of comparables for the wellness center um, in different regions. Um I'm just noticing squash
um the rates um aren't increasing significantly in some of the categories and I'm just wondering did
we also do that same exercise um around squash um rates and comparables. Thank you for the question.
Yeah. Yeah. All the comparables were done. Um what we decided to do based on feedback based
on administrative um resources is to streamline. So all the fees now align uh between wellness
center squash and uh fitness. So they're all one fee regardless of which activity you take you're
um participating in. That way that it allows us to streamline our punch cards, our memberships
and everything at one rate. We're hoping it will increase usage is kind of the goal there. Yeah.
Excellent. Uh sounds good. Looks like we might be nearing the end of our discussion. Uh so
okay so um recommendation one's been moved. Any questions or
comments? Seeing none. All those in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.
Okay. Uh recommendation two has been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments? Seeing none.
All those in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries and we will move into um the strate strategic
transportation plan uh phase update at 9.1. And given that we're quarter after 8, I'm not sure if
there's like a long version and a short version like Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin, but uh anyways,
I'll pass you up as soon as you push the button. Uh thank you for having me today. I'll give you
the Cole's notes version. Um I I am excited to talk about transportation and Courtney. It's a
pretty exciting time. Um I appreciate council's support on moving towards the FA the planning
phase. Um there's multiple phases that we're looking at right here right now. Um primarily
under the the three pillars, the road safety piece that we looked at, improving efficiency on our
corridor and the mode shift. Um in general the the two main streams that our team are working on and
and give it put into context planning is typically your your heavy lifting of the phase of of a
strategic transportation plan. Um we have two kind of streams that we're really primarily working on
right now and our end goal is um for the planning phase as part of those three key key pillars is a
report card that the council can see likely in this fall. Um and that's kind of focused around
our modeling information, understanding what the current network is is is performing like um and
that's reviewing kind of the planning information that's associated with that like our growth
uh strategy for the OCP and also throughout the region what other communities are planning what
the other communities like Cumberland planning or comwalks CVRD and the other stream is
uh going down an engagement with our interest holders um and that's primarily through the
major road network project um We're working with CFP Comox the regional district again u the the uh
the airport BC ferry so multiple interest holders as part of that so those are the two main streams
um and we look to make establish that report card and present that back to to council in the fall so
excellent uh no I really really appreciate that and uh since we're probably not going to get to
uh council events or activities uh might be a good time to give you kudos on the um
uh finishing of the clip and uh fifth street intersection. That was great. Uh and just so
many positive comments uh from downtown folks. So just thanks so much. Appreciate this. Uh councelor
Helian. Thanks Mayor. appreciate this work and and particularly appreciate that uh highlighted as as
a strategic priority is advocacy for Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure on both the bypass
and the 17th Street intersection. Uh um I think it's really important that that continue and
uh just pleased to see that it's top of the list here. Thanks. Thanks, Councelor Hill and Councelor
Moore. Great. Thanks, Mayor. Thanks so much for this uh briefing note. Um you mentioned mode shift
and I'm just wondering if we'll be getting any updated information around where we're at. I know
as far as I understand transit is still pretty constant like there's not really a big shift
but but uh different for cycling especially with ebikes. And I I think our goal when looking back
at one of our plans was um anyway, we're we're creeping up there, but I if you could give a
refresher on that, that would be great. I I think that that that is that that is shifting. Yeah. The
positive direction through the mayor of council. I thank you for the comment. Um I guess there's
in the immediate term um overseeing improvements. Um we talked about fifth cliff and fifth the mile
vision technology we implemented there. So we what we implemented there is uh detection for transit
or buses so they get preemption that way. So we're kind of in the immediate term we're looking at
ways we can improve transit service or mode shift through that. Um also recently last week at sixth
street we implemented mile vision in that that area um to support the active transportation
corridor to the bridge. So as opposed to bikes getting off their off the bike and pushing the
the button, right, the mile vision can detect those cyclists there and and activate for them.
So right from that not that mode shift piece in the short term, we're looking at solutions
like that with technology. Um, aside from that, when we look at the major road network project,
um, we're working with all the interest holders like the CBRD, the um, the base, MOTT, um,
we're reviewing all their long-term documents, um, and making sure, um, and BT transit, of course,
their their long-term documents um, and how we can incorporate that into our major road network. And
the way looking at the major road network and the scorecare we get from that, it's not just
efficiency for cars. It's going to be the the to speak the the tide that lifts all boats. So if we
improve one service, everyone kind of gets better. So that's the idea behind that. Could you refresh
my memory on what the the target is for cycling uh in terms of [clears throat] 10% I don't know 10%
or something from the street transportation. Yeah, that's what I meant. Yeah. uh from our we haven't
established our key performance indicators from the STP that we'd like to see. So that's something
I just was thinking of what what the past target was. I saw it somewhere, but okay. Thanks. Thank
you. Excellent. Thanks for that. And uh yeah, I I can tell you 12 years of getting my bike out
of city hall parking lot. Uh that light does not detect bicycles. I've seen many people wait a very
long time before they realize they have to push the button. So uh with that, I'll pass over to Mr.
Yeah, thank you through the mayor uh to council. I just I just want to highlight one uh emerging
uh very positive note. Um and it would go back I think to the uh coordination of the conversation
and the uh uh uh um sorry Ryan corridor related to the CFP com. So um Mr. Shaw and possibly Mr.
Brown will be given an update to our CIO uh group because what's emerging is the horsepower related
to support our strategic transportation plan is invaluable uh as a advisory group around the
greater transportation question in all modes. And so uh we we don't yet have a a terms of reference
or anything like that but we have reached out to the interest holders to provide um support and
it has been phenomenal and I've been part of a couple of those meetings and so recognizing
the opportunities that are in front of us and the development program that's going to happen
over the next 25 to uh 50 years uh it's really important. So it's it's something that we'll be
uh reporting back to council on and then seeking uh support from the other local governments
and interest holders to formally participate in that. We've actually talked about how much time
our staff is t taken up with the support of other organizations groups but it's really important for
us to engage create a terms of reference and then be really clear to our partners about that. So,
but u we've seen how important that that is uh in supporting discussions with the minister of
transit or transportation and transit related to CFP Comox and we want to really build on
that momentum. So, um I I know that there was some initiatives in the past as it relate to that that
that maybe the city wasn't maybe as positive about participating in, but we are strongly
supportive of uh this initiative and it's a good use of uh uh resources. So, stay tuned on that.
Excellent. Thanks so much for that. Uh I don't see any further questions or comments at this point.
So all right. Uh so it's been moved and seconded and we'll just receive that unanimously by council
and we'll move on to a notice motion uh for future use of Cliff Avenue. And again, councelor Halen,
you don't have to read the whole thing. Thanks, Mayor. This is uh for the August 26th council
meeting and it's simply to go on record for the benefit of the community given uh some
misinformation that may be out there that uh this council's intent is that uh once the Braidwood
um uh project by BC Housing which is now commenced construction is completed and uh operational that
the uh the property uh where the connect center is currently located will no longer be used for
that purpose. I think it's important that we clarify for that for the community and that's
the purpose of that motion for our next meeting. Thank you so much uh for bringing that forward and
uh um and with that we'll move on to 10.2 which is the late item. Uh and this one yeah councelor
Rich maybe I'm just a little confused. Were you going to speak to it? Probably not. Um,
oh sorry, we are jumping to the next one, right? Oh, my apologies. Yeah.
Uh, I believe there's a 10.2 late item one which is on the screen.
Uh, councelor Halen. Thank you. Uh, thanks, Mayor. Um, I believe this is on the agenda for tonight.
Um the in my capacity as an advisory role and liaison between the regional district
board and ministry of indigenous relations and reconciliation I do sit on the um main
table for the Komox treaty and u became aware of possible delays in the federal government's
uh uh approval of that treaty uh due to difficulties related to availability of
translation services and as a result um uh felt it appropriate for local governments to
lend their voices uh to stress with the federal government how important this treaty is and thus
um this motion has been passed by the regional district and it's brought to the city tonight
um to land. Is it brought as a notice of motion or you hoping to wave that notice of motion and
pass it tonight? No, my understanding is that it's on the agenda as an actual uh Sorry. Um,
we had received this by email and I confirmed by email at the time that it was meant to be
a notice of motion. Of course, council is able to suspend the rules and consider it tonight.
All right. All right. It's been suspended. Uh, well, the motion to suspend has been made. Uh,
moved and seconded. All those in favor? It's been suspended. Back to you, Councelor Hill. Thanks.
And perhaps I'll let councelor Cole Hamilton um well he can second it. I'll move that the city
of Courtney write a letter to the honorable Rebecca Alti, Minister of Crown Indigenous
Relations with a copy to the Prime Minister affirming our support for the Komox Treaty,
its importance in advancing collaborative work on local infrastructure and economic development,
and urging that all measures be taken to ensure a smooth and expeditious path to federal approval.
Can somebody second? Thank you, councelor. A second. And there's probably no need to speak to
this, but uh I know that the regional district passed this and I believe that Cumberland is
passing this this week. It's just a think all hands on deck around the valley to try and make
sure that the smoothest and most expeditious path after many decades uh is afforded to come
first nation in Ottawa. So yeah, be absolutely supporting this. Thanks very much. Um, all right.
Uh, having said that, uh, all those in favor? Any oppose? And that motion passes unanimously. Uh,
thanks very much, uh, for bringing that forward. Now, we're going to go to bylaws, and we're going
to start with 11.1.1 official community plan amendment bylaw 3233 2620. Yeah, I don't have
to read it all. It's all good. It's been moved and seconded. any questions or or uh I'll pass it
over to staff. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um Mr. Mayor and Council, I'd just like to introduce
this item. Uh Andrew Stewart Jones is going to be describing this. I would I would like to say that
um the applicant has been patiently waiting for four and a half hours and and is here to answer
any questions. So um uh please take advantage of that and I will turn it over to Andrew. Thank you.
Uh, thank you, Pat. So, through mayor to council, um, the application before you is to
consider first reading of an official community plan amendment and zoning amendment bylaw at
2620 Sheraton Road to permit a green uh, burial cemetery. Green burial is defined as the interment
of human remains in an intact non-created state without inbalming and using biodegradable
materials such as a compostable shroud or coffin. Green burial is often viewed by proponents as
a more environmentally friendly option to conventional burial. Although as noted in
the staff report, it is not free of environmental impacts. Although the objective of the proposal
is to provide for a green burial, the application achieves the secondary objective of environmental
protection by preserving the property in its natural state in perpetuity. The subject property
is located in East Courtney and is approximately 1 hectare in size. The property is located directly
off of Sherwood Road and is immediately south and adjacent to the city-owned Lurwick Nature Park.
So in the OCP the subject property is designated as urban residential which supports apartment
buildings up to four stories in height. The proposed use would be considered an institutional
use and would require an official community plan amendment. The subject property is currently zoned
residential smallcale multi-unit housing which allows for up to four housing units on every lot.
The proposed zoning amendment would change zoning from the residential small-cale
multi-unit housing to public use in assembly one PA1 zone with an exception that restricts use to
uh cemetery only on this lot. In terms of the proposed development, uh there is a concept plan
that is for a 600 grave cemetery. The applicant has proposed minimal development on the site plan
which includes an internal bark mulch pathway, a five-stall parking area and access throughout the
site using a handdrawn cart for uh from a cart exchange as well as a compostable toilet for
visitors. The proposed site plan rationale provided by the applicant can be found in
attachment number one of this report. Um so staff have provided a brief Courtney context. Um,
the city of Courtney currently owns and manages the Courtney Civic Cemetery. A staff report
submitted to council in November of 2025 provided some context regarding the current state of the
cemetery, outlining that it is estimated that the cemetery will run out of casket space by60.
The report evaluated green burial as an option, noting that the remaining section of the city
cemetery has a high water table and would not be able to accommodate this type of burial.
Uh from a regional perspective, Cumberland and Kemell River own and manage cemeteries
with a green burial option. Denman Island also has a cemetery with the green bur with green
burial options, although it is only available to residents of Denman Island. Um so so far the
applicant has completed a number of background studies for this application and we've kind of
gone into some details in the report. Um there are still several outstanding requirements and staff
have advised the applicant to postpone most of the outstanding requirements until after
first reading to avoid uh that the applicant incur these expenses should council refuse
the application. Um there's a there's a list of outstanding requirements, but some of the more
uh some of the more um involved would be doing a hydro geotechnical report uh that includes
like one year of groundwater monitoring and uh this was also a recommendation by the Vancouver
Island Health Authority due to um proximity to existing wells. So in terms of uh public feedback,
we did host a the applicant did host a community information meeting for the proposed development
on June 11th, 2026. Approximately 52 members of the public attended the event in addition
to two representatives of the applicant and two planners from the city. A total of 33 written
comments were received during a during the event and within a week following the event. Those in
support generally like the idea of a green burial, expressed that this type of burial option was
needed, and thought the property was well suited to this use. During the community information
meeting, a number of concerns were also raised, including um number one, land use compatibility
and neighborhood impacts. Number two, concerns for environmental protection and ecological effects.
Three, long-term management and governance. four, concerns around accessibility and public
use of the parcel. Five, economic viability and business considerations. And six, concerns about
regulatory and technical feasibility. Um, the full community information summary report can be
found in attachment number four of uh the staff report. Um so in terms of alternative options
uh we included a section in the report that says that although the application um is for a green
burial, further communication and discussion with the applicant revealed that a key intention of the
applicant appears to be uh to preserve the land in a natural state. Alternative options for land
preservation that were not discussed with the applicant include uh donation of land to the
city as protected park or as a green burial site that would be managed by the city. Um so staff's
recommendation uh as mentioned in this report the official community plan amendment and zoning
amendment bylaw would change the land use from residential to institutional and would affect
the city's ability to meet provincial housing uh targets. From staff's review of city policy,
there is little support to develop land zone for housing as new internment sites with a clear
mandate to meet provincial housing targets. In addition, there is policy that supports protecting
water quality, which may also be affected by this proposal. Given the lack of policy backing,
this application cannot be supported by staff at this time. Staff acknowledged that although
public engagement demonstrated that there is some some support from the community for green burial,
it is staff's opinion that the proposed site is best suited to housing development and that
another site is likely better suited to the proposed use. There is some policy support for
retaining natural areas and it may be an option for the applicant to preserve the property through
means other than a green burial. Thank you for your time and staff will be available to answer
any questions. All right. And the proponent as well uh based on the earlier comment. So,
excellent. Uh councelor Fr. Yeah. Thanks, Mayor. Well, I I just want to say thanks to the proponent
because I think the idea of protecting this land is extremely important and um and laudable. I I
wonder I don't know if you want to get up and and um or you can probably say it from
there is or any of those other I guess there was only really one other option I think suggested
by staff to maintain that and that would be to donate it to the city. Um, was there something
else that if if the if you're going to ask her to uh to speak, we will ask her to go to the podium
just so councelor can hear as well. That's okay. I mean, if she wants to get up and let us know what
she thinks of that, she can. But, um, but maybe not too long because we're all extremely tired.
I'll just turn on that podium microphone for you and you're good to go. Thanks. Um,
I spent four years looking at options to preserve the property in perpetuity and there are none.
You can I've been to Victoria and talked to conservation lawyers. I've talked to different
organizations. In 2006, I bequeath the land in my will to the Komox Valley Land Trust. Uh when my uh
executive passed on, I had to redo my will and the Komox Valley Land Trust was no longer interested
in the property because they said it was too small and it was of no ecological significance
to them. So that let that out and there is to the best of my knowledge in four years of research no
other option because conservation covenants can be broken. Um there is no way the only thing
that would preserve that property in perpetuity is a natural green burial cemetery. Yeah. Well,
thanks for bringing that perspective to council tonight. Thank you so much. That's good. Yeah,
that's great. Um, I will highlight for council though that I know of a few properties that have
covenants on them. One is really close to my house beside Northgate Square Church. You guys
might be aware of it, a stand of tall trees right in the middle of development and it seems to be
uh untouchable. And um yeah, there are other properties that have been given to the city
by various people that are now parks. Um though nothing nothing really is forever. Um it's hard
to hard to say anything's going to last forever. Um but with that um I I appreciate appreciate the
intention. Thanks and councelor Jelker online. Thanks Mayor. Um yeah really thorough report and
um verbal report from staff. appears like there's a fair bit of concerns from VIHA as well as
um some quite extensive outstanding items and so I guess I'm just a little surprised
um I guess I'd like to hear from staff but also from the proponent um why this is coming to us if
there's still so much outstanding work that's required um maybe that piece was needs to be
shared by the proponent but there is I think at least yeah one 2 3 4 5 seven items uh listed in
the staff report uh on page nine um the big pieces of work that are required and so is it of the view
of staff that that um can't be done or is the proponent unwilling to do that work and then we
can um consider this matter once that outstanding work has been finalized. Miss Corn, thank you. Uh
thank you for the question. uh and through the mayor and council. Um this this this applicant
came to the city almost two years ago to to try and have this conversation and has been through um
almost a dozen staff members at this point. Uh but one of the one of the concerns and considerations
we had was there was obviously a lot of discussion debate about this and be there is a lot of work
that needs to be done before it can be finalized and because it's a bylaw process it was staff's
determination that the best way to do this is bring it forward to council. If council has any
appetite to move forward with this and give first reading then the conditions would be applied to
be met before second reading and public hearing. But there we didn't feel that it was appropriate
at this point to have the applicant spend a significant amount of money on something that
council has no appetite for. So that's that's why this this process has been been handled this way.
So, so, um, Council Joff, this is, um, uh, looking at the issue, recognizing there are, uh, concerns
and studies that need to be done, but making sure that we didn't send the applicant on a wild goose
chase to spend tens of thousands of dollars on study if council did not think this was a good
idea in the first place. And I got a followup, mayor, for the proponent. Is this are those
um six items outstanding items um things that the proponent is willing to commit to completing? Is
that something that's in their business plan that they're able to cover the costs and and do the
work for that? Um I I guess I'm asking because I am interested in the alternative option that staff
have offered around exploring council giving staff direction to explore the the assignment of the the
land to the city. So u but happy to hear from the proponent. Thank you. I would be happy to discuss
donating the land to the city as a green burial cemetery but from my research I don't think that
there is sure nothing is forever but um this is the best and only way that I can find that
will preserve it in perpetuity. So I would want reassurances obviously from the city if I was
going to enter into something like that that that that it would be remain or be allowed to proceed
as a green burial cemetery because if I give it as a park um we know that parks can change.
Sorry, is that answering your question? It it does. And so just to be clear,
are you willing privately to do this work, these six large items of work? Yeah. Provided that
I [clears throat] have have some understanding that it has a chance to go through. But I,
as Miss Maloney says, I don't want to spend 30 $40,000 to find out you guys originally
thought that you didn't think it was a great idea. Okay. Yeah. and and and of course given
the the timeline we're on right now regardless there's a new term starting uh in in the coming
months as well. So and I'm not sure if councelor heard but it has been moved and seconded as well.
So just so you know there's a motion on the floor in case in case you had missed that. Um councelor
um yeah thanks mayor. Um so I I don't understand the business model. Um, first of all,
um, to staff, uh, is there much of a precedent for privatelyowned cemeteries in either British
Columbia or the rest of Canada? In my experience, they're either on a church ground or they're run
by a municipality. But, there is actually huge precedent through the chair for privately owned
cemeteries. Uh, there's a huge one in Cedar. Um they they um uh u they they those are definitely
run as a business and uh there there are quite a few of them and as municipalities
uh start to have their cemeteries fill up um with maybe not opportunity to expand,
private operators are are opening other uh cemeteries, right? Um we had the opportunity to um
go through the uh uh the local cemetery recently when the windfall was u initiated and I thought
that there was some discussion of the possibility that green burials could be incorporated there at
some point. I'm wondering if staff can uh clarify that uh in terms of our future intent with our own
cemetery. Before you talk, Miss Broant, it uh green burial is not currently contemplated as
an imminent use. And if you look at the land in the cemetery, while there still is space,
um natural burial, green burial often takes up a larger section of land and has
a different type of landscape than um the type of burial we do there now. So it would require
um planning ahead and establishing probably a fairly large section where we would do that. Um so
I'd have to look at the cemetery master plan to be sure, but it is not uh currently contemplated in
the next few years of capital planning. [clears throat] Okay. Yeah. So, well, in that case,
um I um I think it would be awkward uh for a neighborhood to have land that uh reszoneed
for cemetery purposes. Um I I you know, I I appreciate that uh it's maybe irrational,
but I think for some people it's it creates discomfort. uh there were comments around uh
post-traumatic stress uh of uh veterans and things like that. Um but um uh based on that and and and
the various other issues highlighted in the staff report, I I would be much more interested in
uh in us finding a way to uh um to give um Miss Waterton some assurance that uh a covenant to
protect uh her land as as park space could in fact be honored and uh and maintained over
time. Thanks in perpetuity. Yeah. Can I just note that and there's two um sites of on from the real
estate board on how to break covenants and if we take an example locally mech lang was a covenant
and Mr. Yeah, thank you through the mayor uh to council. There are a a laundry list of ways to
protect uh properties. Uh council's very aware of the MC Meadows property. Um there are a number of
ways whether it's a combination of ownership. We have parks that we own that also have conservation
covenants by third parties. So again, u what is in front of council right now is an application for
uh Green Burial Cemetery. Uh questions about what may or may not be possible with other
uh type of application um and assurances to the donator. Um that's a separate matter that we can
address. But it is um uh through my time councils where I have a background in planning there's a
number of methods a way to uh ensure uh that is uh in in the will of the uh the person who
either bequeaths it or transfers it or sells it for a limited amount. Um yeah. Okay. Um,
councelor going to say I know there's we're nearing the end of the conversation,
but once the vote on this matter, mayor, I'm going to raise another motion um related to the
alternate option listed in um the staff report. Okay. All right. Uh we do have a motion on the
floor. I don't see any further questions or comments. All those in favor? Any opposed? And
uh so motion carries. And councelor Zer, you have a follow-up. Yeah, just um related to the
the I'm just pulling up the staff report that the the correct language in the staff report
um related to um so that's uh council direct staff to work with the proponent
to explore park or green burial options um in collaboration with the city of Courtney.
Okay, it's been seconded. uh our count uh sorry staff
councelor Rich. Yeah, I don't I don't know that I would support the motion with green burial
in there considering that's what we just made a motion on and there may be a rule against actually
contemplating something right after you've made I'm happy to remove the green burial then in that
case. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So, it's been amended. So maybe if you could just say it one more time and
uh I and I think uh Miss Proton's going to try to bring it up on screen, but if you could just say
it one more time. Yeah. That council direct staff to work with the proponent to explore
uh park dedication for the property. And is that was that on page 14 of the
We're both right
and 8:45. You know, I don't know I could ask for much more.
Yeah, I think that that captures it.
Sure.
While we're waiting, Councelor M. just a uh I just wanted to um say thank you for saying
so long tonight and also um reading through the comments even though many of your neighbors were
not necessarily um in favor of this. They all spoke so highly of you and I actually know one
of your neighbors who um just I happened to run into who said the same thing and that they really
appreciate your your stewardship and your devotion and I just wanted to make sure to say that because
you've been here so long and yeah the the fact that you've been working on this for years at
this point and are still this positive and uh um yeah it it's great to see uh that optimism. um and
really trying to take what you have to make the world a better place. So, it is much appreciated.
And councelor Jeliker, your hand is still up,
but I'm not sure yet. Perfect. We are just about to. We just wanted to make sure we have the
have it up on the screen. Councelor Joeler, you can see that.
All right, that's the motion. Uh, all those in favor? Any opposed? And motion carries. So,
the saga continues. There's a bit of a quest, but I think this gives you some some clarity. Um,
thank you, Mr. R. Appreciate council direction. I just would let council know that this is not
work that staff would be undertaking under this term and we'd have to figure out how
to do that in our uh the work of our uh uh development services department, recreation,
culture and community services to do our parks planning. Uh so uh respect council's direction
but this would be work with the next council. Thanks. Okay. Yeah. And that's just timelines
and sausage makers etc. Okay. Uh thanks everybody. Uh we are uh moving on to first,
second, and third readings. Uh tempor temporary [clears throat] boring bylaws 3238.
Okay, it's been moved. Any questions or comments? Seeing none,
all in favor? Any opposed? And motion carries.
Recommendation two has been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments?
Seeing none. All those in favor? Any opposed? And motion carries.
Recommendation three has been moved and seconded. All those in favor?
Any opposed? And motion carries. And now for adoption. Cemetery bylaw 3205. Okay, it's been
moved and seconded. Any questions or comments? Seeing none. All those in favor? Any opposed?
And motion carries. And finally, uh, business license bylaw 3212. Business license bylaw.
It's been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments? Councelor Fr. Yeah, I'm sorry. I
know it's late, but um, so there we've had a lot of feedback on the license bylaw, the business
license, basically the cost of the business licenses and the changes. And I just want to
hear from staff um if getting a business license is in fact a way to gain revenue at the city or if
there are some other really important things about having someone have a business license in general
uh through the mayor. Uh I'm not sure I understand the question. Could maybe just repeat it for me.
I guess just like wondering at a high level why do we need business licenses at the city?
What happens if we don't? Um yes uh uh business regulation is an optional provision under the
community charter. Um uh if you don't regulate business, uh if a council were to choose not to
regulate business, um you would you lose the ability to uh well essentially to regulate
business, um we actually discussed it a bit earlier with the uh this evening and that um if
you had a business that was engaging uh repeated contraventions of municipal bylaws, um you would
not be able to revoke their business license if you didn't have a business regulation and big
business licensing regime in place. Um so it is uh essentially an ability to uh vet that businesses
comply with bylaws before they establish themselves in the community. And then there are
powers under the charter to revoke their ability to do business if they are not in compliance with
um municipal bylaws and and and good good faith uh processes. Right. And so the reason
for raising the rates is to in fact pay for that program which allows all those things you just
mentioned. Uh uh just before I'm sorry. Were you? Yeah. If I if I could very quickly uh long meeting
uh just uh adding because I this unfortunately started uh I've been involved since the beginning
of this uh there are a number of purposes uh in addition to Mr. Bellaba's commentary um there
is a it is a source of information to help with economic development and business planning. Second
um the awareness of those businesses helps us address emergency planning and our fire
response. Um and it also is um a very important um tool that other uh organizations use related to
um kind of the economy and the like. So it's it's a source of information and uh also um it's kind
of the another component is it has the potential to be used to support economic development. Um
and that's some conversations that we did have uh through council on our strategic planning on how
to potentially look at economic development um how to support businesses, how to get that information
and so business licensing is a a really important source of data uh within the uh our information
requirements. So I just in in addition to that the need to regulate those businesses because of
some of their externalities. Okay, sounds fair. I guess I my my line of thinking is uh you know,
did do we really need to raise certain um businesses rates, you know, going from $100 to
$150. Um especially if it's like a small homebased business, they might not be making a ton of money
to begin with. But um that's my line of thinking that I just want to confirm that uh in fact
collecting money from every single business to give them a license is in fact really important.
Okay, thanks for that. Uh, Council Warren. Yeah, thank you, Mayor. It's getting late,
so I'll try to try to uh formulate my thoughts here. Um, we did, you know, make some changes
to the original in terms of keeping those um larger uh size businesses, pubs, um uh
whatever the other categories are. um at that at the the feed that was there before which was
uh a big part of the feedback that we received. We felt that people felt it was very inequitable.
Um the other piece of feedback though that we didn't consider was pretty much what councelor
Fish just talked about and even though um going from $100 to $300 doesn't seem like a big jump,
it's percentage- wise it is a big jump. and um I re reread the comments um that we've received and
did some notes on them and [snorts] then we did receive a couple other pieces of feedback and I
I know this is up for adoption tonight but I still don't feel that we've gone far enough.
I think we've done some great stuff. The we've had positive comments about the pro-rated aspect.
We've had positive comments about I think the late um uh you know the renewal times and also
the the food having more food vendors and things like that. So, there's lots of positives in here,
but I really kind of on principle, I don't think that 150% or whatever um increase um I don't agree
with it and I would like to see us either phase in that increase over um a longer time period
or reduce that increase to those other businesses. Um, and I did want to ask what the transition time
was because I couldn't find it when I looked again when this would when those increases would come
into play. And now my computer is uh through the chair. Uh I believe the bylaw would take
effect the moment it is adopted and then the fees would apply uh basically if any businesses applied
for a license afterwards and then you would have renewal fees which would be annual. Um. Mhm. So,
I don't know if there's an appetite for um sending this back with that amendment to either phase in
um phase in the increases or to reduce the increase. Um and I don't have the chart in
front of me and I don't know if we can bring it up at all, but we don't have a motion on the floor,
but you could at some point put a motion on the floor and that that's how Oh, sorry. Yeah,
we do. Yeah. My apologies. Uh an amendment. You could uh move an amendment. Yeah, I'm trying to
find the the chart, so I'll see if I can do that. But anyway, uh I don't know if there's anyone
ready to speak, but I can look for that. Councelor Jer will I'll just try and find it then. Thanks,
Brandon. Thanks, Mayor. I mean, I uh was quite critical of this from the get-go and uh addressed
council with my concerns um initially. Uh did a ton of research around what other communities
are doing. Um you know, I was hoping that we'd consider a hybrid approach. I I am in
favor of cost recovery and I think that we can do a hybrid model where proportionality is considered
uh where we consider some of the things that we've heard from business community the chamber um and
I agree with councelor Mo there is some good things here um I had spoken at the time around
uh startup rebates um and looking at proportional business scale and we we've made those some of
those changes is um but I think within the context of small businesses uh one employee two employees
at at home businesses I think that's something that we I agree that we can do some more work on
um and there are other municipalities that we can look to in BC that are a hybrid model where
uh there's cost recovery and proportionality is included that was not part of this policy nor
the drafting of the bylaw. It does require more administrative work cuz there's more verification
required. Um, but I think we have heard from the business community that they would like
for us to consider other things in addition to cost recovery. Um, and so I'll just leave it at
that. I do have some things that I had drafted months ago on this. So, um, that that's helpful,
but I'll see the four for now. Thanks. Okay. I don't see anybody else ready to speak uh just
yet. So, if somebody could extend our meeting and take into account that we do have an in camera
as well. Okay, there's been an extension to 10 o'clock. It's been seconded. [laughter] I'm going
to call the question whether you like it or not. All those in favor? Any opposed? And no one has
opposed it or at least has energy to raise their hands. So, uh, with that, I'm going to Mr. Garet,
you had a comment. I'll pass it over to you. Um, thank you. Uh, if if I may. Um, this work was
undertaken at council's direction. We have given we've been given direction to uh generate revenue.
We responded to council's uh guidance. Uh, we have re-engaged. Um, and now what I'm I'm hearing is
pretty significant changes to the delivery of this service. And uh we are very close to the
release our time of business licensing. Ultimately if we have not presented what council would like,
I think we need to go back to the drawing board uh in order and undertake uh and spend
uh more uh engagement resources uh to to do this in the right way. But uh unless we have some
runway uh for implementation, this is going to be quite challenging. Um and so um my my apologies
uh you know if uh we we've gone down route but uh we are now receiving a different direction
than we had in the previous consideration of the bylaw. Uh and we have not actually engaged
uh on other aspects of this bylaw. If we undertake more changes we may need to uh provide additional
notice over a period of time. And uh we do have a backs stop of um undertaking our notifica or
sorry the um distribution of uh the license uh fee uh requisition on behalf of existing licenses. So
if council is not really in a position uh then we we maybe should consider some direction to table
this work um until the next license fee because uh we we we are definitely unable to um undertake
the additional work uh with the time that remains. Thanks for that uh councelor Fr. Thanks mayor. Um,
I think one of the the bigger increases of concern was around homebased businesses and I think it
went and you can correct me if I'm wrong. I think it went from $100 to 150. But um, what I'm sensing
or not what I'm sensing, what I'm feeling right now is we I think we do maybe just need to move
ahead with this and um, and and I think businesses unfortunately will will have to absorb the extra
$50 in that particular instance. So, I'm happy for to call the question whenever you're ready. Okay,
councelor Morren. Yeah, thank you. I haven't been able to find the comparison chart. I have the the
new chart or the the chart with the new fees, but not the comparison. So there were a couple
of others other than the home occupation that um I there were 27 letters [clears throat] um
and they were most of them were quite detailed and I I agree we provided direction but we I I
believe when we even discussed this the first time there was a lot of discussion about this
and we came back to the drawing board again. So, I would be more interested in actually
um uh yeah pushing it pushing it on to the next term to to give time to to tweak it a
little bit more if we don't have the time to do that now, but I don't know if um others um are in
agreement with that. Thanks. I appreciate that. And I see councelor Joler had offered something
previously. I'm not sure if you're going to speak to that now, but uh the floor is yours. Thanks,
Mayor. I just emailed it to our corporate officer and to council. Um I recognize that we're in the
middle of discussing adoption, but this could be something we can consider that captures um and I
agree with the city manager that this is what I'm proposing in the email that just was sent.
um is additional work that we did not direct staff to do uh as it relates to um thinking about
proportionality for the things like homebased businesses and micro businesses. Um it speaks
to in continuing to engage in a a cost recovery uh framework which is what staff have laid out
in this bylaw and in the policy. Um and it it expands it. So, I don't know what the right
um if I and I can't see head nods in the room. So, I don't know if it's just myself and counselor
Morren that uh would be open to deferring this and um redirecting staff to do more work. And I
I appreciate that that would mean that we would be looking to probably January 2028 implementation,
but I think this is really important to get it right. So, all right. and Council Morn does have
her light on and and I would say we'd also likely need to vote on the motion that is on
the floor unless it's rescended. Uh and then uh then uh look what our options are at that
point. But councelor Moore. Yeah, thanks Mayor. Um I actually what um councelor Jolliker sent I I
really don't want to go that far. I think staff has done a ton of work already and I I just I
actually feel like there's just a a a few um you know minor things that could happen, but I I'm not
necessarily in agreement with this long list of um of uh ideas here um necessarily. So, thanks.
Okay. Um Councelor Hill. Thanks, Mayor. Just on a point of process, if uh if council doesn't like
the the business bylaw as it is, I I would suggest that the the course of action is to
defeat adoption and that would leave it up to staff to bring it back in within whatever time
frame worked for them. Okay. And uh and so I guess I guess one of the questions it would come back
uh but would a subsequent motion potentially provide uh some clarity or not? I guess that
follow question uh through the chair. A subsequent motion providing direction on what council would
like to see staff bring back would be helpful in in doing that and getting the bylaw adopted.
Okay, we'll call the question as requested. All those in favor? Any opposed?
It's for the one that's up on the screen right now.
Okay. Warren and Jeros. Okay, then it is carried. Okay.
Um All right. And with that, uh, we're gonna in camera. Yes. Yep. So, if somebody would like to
I'll move that. Councelor Hill. Um, I believe we have council uh reports on the agenda. We
do. I did say we were going to dispense of it, but I know some Could I could I have one item?
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yeah. Um, Mr. Mayor, at the uh at the last uh council meeting,
uh we had a presentation related to a fee dispute between local businesses and the
Allen Corridor Foundation. I made some comments at that uh time that um I later recognized as
um inmperate and hyperbolic in nature. And um I want to say that I'm sorry for those comments
uh which uh potentially impugn the integrity of uh people who both work and serve as directors
on the Allen Corridor Foundation. It was not my intention to impugn their integrity and um it was
thoughtless and inconsiderate of me to not have realized how those comments might be received.
I also want to acknowledge that um there was likely more to the situation than was
presented at that time. So it was also therefore wrong on my part and unfair to imply judgments
without hearing and understanding the complete picture. So I I want to apologize for any harm
or distress that I caused at that time and I thank you for your indulgence tonight. My pleasure and
uh my apologies for having to wave the rest of it, but I I appreciate your words tonight. Uh
getting on to 12.7 the inc camera resolution. It's been moved and second. All those in favor?