Council met for about four hours during our Regular Council meeting on February 1, 2023. Here are some highlights from the meeting.
During the Mayor’s Report, I provided updates on the following events and meetings that I have participated in during recent weeks:
- I recently attended my first meeting with the Cowichan Leadership Group, which includes myself and the Cowichan Tribes Chief, City of Duncan Mayor, Town of Lake Cowichan Mayor, Chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley MLA, Malahat-Langford-Cowichan MP, School District 79 Board Chair, and North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Inspector, plus representatives from Island Health. I am hopeful that by working together through the Cowichan Leadership Group, our local leaders can provide a strong unified voice for the entire region as we advocate to the senior levels of government for support in addressing the major issues facing our community, from the lack of affordable housing, to growing levels of homelessness, to flood mitigation in the Chemainus River watershed. The group will be meeting quarterly going forward.
- Rowing Canada is continuing to move forward with construction of a boat house as part of their new national training facility on Quamichan Lake. They are actively seeking fundraising opportunities to support this building. If you are interested in supporting this work or want to learn more, please reach out to me and I can connect you with Rowing Canada.
- I have been meeting with local business owners in the corridor area regarding the ongoing challenges they face related to street disorder, homelessness, mental health, and addictions. Together with North Cowichan staff, we are in active discussions on what role the municipality can play to help address the challenges in this area.
- Council and senior staff noted the recent passing of two well-respected North Cowichan employees: Rob Clark, who was a long-time bylaw officer (among other roles) prior to his retirement in 2016, and Clint Cowan, head of construction in the Operations department. Our sympathies go to coworkers, families, and friends of both.
Inspector Chris Bear, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, presented the 2022 4th Quarter Report. He noted there were 4,881 calls for service (down 4.8% from the same quarter in 2021). There was a 2.3% decrease in calls in 2022, compared to 2021 (2021: 20,514, 2022: 20,051). The report detailed trends in property crimes and crimes against persons, and mental health calls.
Rick Martinson of the Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society (CTSS) presented the CTSS position on amending the Parks and Trails Master Plan to include mountain biking trails on Mount Richards. With a bike trail network on Mount Richards, the CTSS asserts this would position Crofton as a gateway for recreational use of the mountain, and will alleviate some of the congestion on other areas such as Mount Tzouhalem.
Further to the discussion at the January 18, 2023 Council meeting, Shawn Cator, Director of Operations, presented an option for cart sizes as part of the Curbside Automation Implementation Plan. Council authorized staff to proceed with the implementation plan that would see automated collection begin in 2025, and include the purchase of four fully automated trucks (three diesel and one electric truck), yard waste collection (pending a future decision by CVRD on expanding collection facilities), and a default garbage cart size of 80 litres, with larger sizes available by request. Garbage fees will increase from $125 to $183 per year in 2023. Funding for the electric truck will include allocation of $110,000 from the Climate Action and Energy (CAEP) reserve fund, and $250,000 for electrical upgrades and a level three charging station from the CAEP reserve fund and Local Government Climate Action Program grant.
The Consent Agenda Policy was amended so all personal information, with the exception of the author’s name, be redacted when included on Council agendas.
A motion by Councillor Findlay to provide a 24-month amnesty for property owners excluded from the revised Urban Containment Boundary (UCB) included in the 2022 Official Community Plan was defeated.
The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21, at 5pm (note the change of day to Tuesday).
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250.746.3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca