Council met for just under three hours during our Regular Council meeting on November 6, 2024.
My Mayor’s Report included the following updates:
- I congratulated Debra Toporowski on her election as MLA for the Cowichan Valley and explained that with her resignation from North Cowichan Council, a by-election will be held in early 2025.
- Councillor Mike Caljouw and I attended the Community Safety Expo at the new RCMP detachment on Ford Road, which featured booths and displays from a wide range of local agencies and organizations. We appreciated learning more about the emergency assistance these partners provide to local residents.
- Members of North Cowichan Council travelled to Nanaimo for the 2024 State of the Island Economic Summit, which included networking opportunities, keynote speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and a trade show with more than 40 exhibitors.
- Along with my colleagues, Councillors Bruce Findlay and Tek Manhas, I toured Promise Valley Farm and Creamery, a small, family-run organic farm located on Richards Trail in North Cowichan. We learned about the farm’s unique products (including A2 milk, organic yogurt, and milk soap) and met their grass-fed Guernsey cows.
- I joined North Cowichan staff to travel up Mount Brenton to tour the snow-covered Holyoak Lake and the Banon Creek reservoir, which serve as our back-up drinking water system for Chemainus residents. Under our license for the Chemainus wells with the provincial government, we supplement flow in the Chemainus River with water stored in Holyoak Lake.
- I joined members of Council for the 2024 North Cowichan Fire Department service awards and achievement recognition dinner at Mellor Hall at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, where we recognized the commitment and dedication of our firefighters and presented awards for their many years of service to the community.
- Council took a moment of silence to show our respect to Murray Sinclair, the former Senator, renowned Manitoba judge, and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who passed away last week.
North Cowichan’s Senior Manager of Engineering, Jeff Miller, provided a presentation on an upcoming water trunk main replacement project in the Lakes Road/Tzouhalem Road/Boys Road area. The large diameter prestressed concrete cylinder pipe needs replacement due to age and risk of failure. The pipe size will be upsized to support future growth. Funding options will be brought back to Council at a later date.
Barry O’Riordan, Manager, Economic Development Cowichan, Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), and Jada Basi, CitySpaces Consulting, presented the draft Cowichan Region Workforce Housing Strategy. The strategy identifies actions for increasing housing availability and affordability for the labour force. Council offered qualified general support for the actions outlined in the report, but also took the position that the Municipality will exercise caution in considering proposals for modular or seasonal RV sites, expansion of campgrounds, or other temporary housing solutions, recognizing challenges with land use planning policies, municipal servicing, and environmental, safety and waste disposal problems. The draft strategy will be presented to the CVRD Board at a future date for adoption.
A petition and accompanying presentation regarding a proposed child carefacility on Berridge Street in Crofton was presented to Council. The petitioners object to the proposed facility and request that Council conduct an external traffic study to predict the impact of the proposed child care facility.
Two dwelling units at 6493 and 6495 Paddle Road were granted temporary use permits to allow the houses to remain occupied for a period of up to three years to facilitate lot consolidation for future multi-family development.
First three readings were given to the Election and Assent Voting Bylaw and Sign Bylaw amendments. 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.
Council endorsed a staff plan for 2025 budget outreach. Department business plan presentations at upcoming Committee of the Whole meetings will be held in communities, and the public is encouraged to attend, ask questions, and have their say on project and budgetary priorities. An open house will take place before the meeting and will include opportunities to learn more about the work and plans of various department and talk with staff. The open house will begin at 4:30pm with the Committee of the Whole meeting starting at 6:00pm:
- November 26, Crofton Community Centre
- December 3, Heritage Hall at the Cowichan Community Centre
- December 10, Chemainus Fire Hall
Learn more about the budget process and how you can have a say at ConnectNorthCowichan.ca/budget-2025
Council supported various grant applications from the CVRD to the Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for up to $600,000, to support Emergency Management Cowichan for emergency support services, an emergency operations centre, and evacuation route planning.
Following the resignation of council member Debra Toporowski, who is now the MLA for Cowichan Valley, a number of appointments were made:
- Acting Mayor: Councillor Istace
- Director, Cowichan Valley Regional District: Councillor Caljouw
The next council meeting is on Wednesday, November 20 at 5:00pm. The first budget-related Committee of the Whole meeting is on Tuesday, November 12 at 5:00pm, with grants-in-aid on the agenda.
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250.746.3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca