Council met for about four hours during our Regular Council meeting on November 20, 2024.
My Mayor’s Report included the following:
- I have been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Island Coastal Economic Trust for a term that runs to July 2026, and look forward to serving this organization and contributing to economic development efforts across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and islands and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution.
- Along with North Cowichan Councillors Mike Caljouw and Christopher Justice, I sat down with the team at Cowichan Hospice to learn more about their programs, including the Cowichan Hospice House next to Duncan’s Cairnsmore Place that provides medical care and emotional supports for those living with advanced illness, and their facility on Gibbins Road that provides free end-of-life and grief support to individuals and families.
- Last week, I joined Councillors Bruce Findlay and Tek Manhas at the official opening of the Cowichan Sportsplex Fieldhouse, which features fully accessible public washrooms and changerooms, along with an improved facility administration area. The project was made possible with government grant funding and donations from various non-profits and individuals, plus the hard work of the staff and volunteers at the Chesterfield Sports Society, North Cowichan and the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
Dianne Hinton, representing the Housing Coalition to End Homelessness, presented their Cowichan Vision for Wellness. The vision is a three-phase plan to create temporary supported housing solutions such as modular units, additional shelter spaces, and supportive recovery and treatment options. Later phases would include better support for seniors who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, income supports, and more housing options.
John Horn, Director, Social Planning and Protective Services, presented the Safer Community Plan – What We Heard report. The report summarizes public engagement activities that took place over the summer and fall and included a community dialogue event, one-on-one interviews and discussions, and a survey. This engagement will inform a new Safer Community Plan that will be developed by the Municipality of North Cowichan, the City of Duncan, and Cowichan Tribes in early 2025.
Peter Nix of Cowichan Carbon Buster presented a response to a recent staff report to the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) regarding the benefits of expanding the solar program within the Carbon Action Energy Plan (CAEP).
A temporary use permit was approved for 6823/6833 Bell McKinnon Road to allow an expansion of the temporary vehicle parking areas adjacent to the hospital construction site.
The Election and Assent Voting Bylaw and the Sign Amendment Bylaw were both adopted. A simple housekeeping amendment was made to the Election and Assent Voting bylaw and amendments to the Sign Bylaw that aim to improve political sign placement.
The Traffic Bylaw amendment was given first three readings. The amendments will allow the Director of Engineering to place, erect and remove traffic control devices without Council’s approval; and, close or impose use restrictions on a road under construction for a period longer than 28 consecutive days.
Lanarc Consulting provided a presentation on potential gateway signage and street banners. Gateway signs can provide a positive first impression when entering a community, provide a sense of unity across the community, support the economy, and provide wayfinding and as landmarks for travelers. Council supported motions to include an enhanced street banner program and design work for gateway and municipal hall signage as supplemental budget requests as part of the 2025 budget, and to consider sign construction and secondary marker signs in subsequent budget years. A motion was also made to request the mayor write to the City of Duncan and request their gateway signs be moved from within North Cowichan’s boundaries.
Council reviewed the 2025 grant-in-aid for Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association. The association had missed the October deadline and requested their $38,600 annual grant be increased to accommodate a rent increase. Council approved an increase to $41,000 for 2025.
Council granted early consideration for an Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment application to expand the Urban Containment Boundary for a 12.5 hectare area north of Herd Road to facilitate a residential and mixed use development. The land is currently in a future growth area and outside the OCP’s urban containment boundary. Early consideration allows the applicant to proceed with a formal OCP amendment application, which will be brought back to Council for formal consideration and may include a public hearing as part of the OCP amendment process.
Council awarded a two-year contract (with an option to extend for an additional two years) to Duncan Paving.
Council directed staff to conduct public engagement for the draft interim Community Amenity Contribution Policy. Engagement is expected to begin early in January.
Council authorized the Mayor to sign latecomer agreements for storm drainage, sanitary sewer, and roadworks related to the construction of the RCMP building at 6430 Drinkwater Road.
A number of recommendations from the Environmental Advisory Committee were carried:
- Authorize up to $50,000 from the Climate Action and Energy Plan Reserve Fund in the 2025 budget to install solar panels on the Crofton Firehall to provide a demonstration site for solar.
- Monitor the performance of the RCMP building’s solar installation as a demonstration site for solar.
- Monitor BC Hydro's emerging rate structure to reassess viability, with potential changes including virtual net metering, larger capacity installations, and pricing structures.
- Explore opportunities to increase awareness of requirements and streamline the permit process with the building design, construction, and solar-installer community.
- Assess property-assessed clean energy programs to understand potential, administration and taxation implications.
- Improve North Cowichan’s website content to increase awareness of solar projects and available incentives.
- Explore introducing a GIS layer that provides information on solar potential.
- Report back annually to the Environmental Advisory Committee on the implementation of the above recommendations.
Council discussed the recommendations from the November 12 Committee of the Whole regarding grant-in-aid recommendations. All were endorsed, with item 10, the Cowichan Agricultural Society and Farmers’ Institute increased to $7,000. The full list of grant-in-aid recipients can be viewed in the meeting minutes.
The next council meeting is on Wednesday, December 4 at 5pm. The first budget open house is on Tuesday, November 26 beginning at 4:30 pm at the Crofton Community Centre. Additional community budget meetings take place at the Cowichan Community Centre on December 3 and the Chemainus Fire Hall on December 10.
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250.746.3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca