Council met for just over three-and-a-half hours during our Regular Council meeting on January 17, 2024.
My Mayor’s Report included the following:
- Earlier this month I wrote to the Minister of Forests, the Honourable Bruce Ralston, expressing our concerns about the long-term future of the Crofton pulp and paper mill, and requesting enhanced provincial supports. I am pleased to report that I heard back from the Minister shortly afterwards, and we are making arrangements for him to visit our community and the mill in the coming weeks to further discuss these issues.
- Staff and I recently had a chance to visit the Cowichan Valley Basket Society, located in North Cowichan, and meet with their Executive Director, Henry Wikkerink. Currently, the Cowichan Valley Basket Society is serving meals to more than 220 people every day, including many families and seniors struggling with the high cost of living, while also offering a hamper program where families can pick up food supplies every 30 days.
- I welcomed John Horn, who recently joined North Cowichan as our new Director of Social Planning and Protective Services. Reporting to the CAO, this position is responsible for leading North Cowichan’s response on the many social issues affecting North Cowichan’s communities. The position will also oversee Bylaw and Business Licensing and the RCMP Support Services Departments. Mr. Horn is already well known and respected in our community from when he was with the Cowichan Housing Association.
- Finally, I recognized the North Cowichan staff who have been working hard to keep our roads clear with the heavy snowfall. Earlier in the day I had a chance to ride along with snow plough operator Dave Drysdale for one of the priority routes, and see first-hand the dedication shown by North Cowichan staff in their day-to-day work.
Representatives from KPMG presented the planned scope and timing for the audit of the consolidated financial statements. This annual audit is done after December 31 each year.
Two presentations were made regarding primary medical care and the local shortage of family doctors. Council voted to discuss both initiatives in more detail at an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting.
- Mark Sanders, MD and Patricia Seymour, MD from Cowichan Valley Primary Care Society made a presentation on the current primary care crisis in the Cowichan Region. The society has a number of initiatives aimed at addressing the shortage of family doctors and related issues.
- Dave Saunders from the Saunders Foundation presented on the Community Healthcare Support Playbook developed with the Ministry of Health, which outlines several options for local communities, including municipalities, to support health care and emergency workers.
A Zoning Amendment Bylaw to permit one detached additional dwelling unit at 7475 Bell McKinnon Road was adopted.
The Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw was also adopted. This bylaw enables North Cowichan to borrow money for a short term, if needed, to continue municipal operations while waiting for anticipated revenue (such as property taxes) to be received.
Zoning Amendment Bylaw to permit a detached accessory dwelling unit at 3110 Chapman Road, Chemainus was adopted. The bylaw amended the zoning from “Residential One and Two Family (R3)” to “Infill Residential Neighbourhood (R3-N).”
A Zoning Amendment Bylaw to permit a detached accessory dwelling unit at 1935 Maple Bay Road was given first three readings. A land covenant needs to be registered on the title before the bylaw can be adopted at a future meeting.
The 2024 – 2028 Financial Plan Bylaw was given first three readings. This bylaw sets out the operating and capital expenditures and funding sources for the 2024 tax year. The estimated tax increase for 2024 is 5.18%. The RCMP contract that is determined by the federal government, and our Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) contribution that is determined by the VIRL Board, account for 1.75% of the increase. Revised BC Assessment figures will be available at the end of March, which will reflect any appeals, and will be the assessment that the tax rates are established from.
The Highway Use Amendment Bylaw was given first three readings. The amendment enables bylaw enforcement officers to manage the use of municipal sidewalks.
The Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bylaw was given first three readings. This bylaw will establish the bylaw enforcement officer position by a way other than under the Police Act. This will ensure that bylaw compliance officers are accountable to Council rather than the officer in charge of the local RCMP detachment.
The South End Waterworks District Amendment Bylaw was given first three readings. This bylaw proposes to expand this waterworks district by connecting eight new lots along North Road.
A Development Variance Permit was authorized to increase the maximum building height from 9.0 metres to 10.35 metres for 1211 Barnes Road.
The next Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 5pm.
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250.746.3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca