Council met for just under half an hour during our Regular Council meeting on October 2, 2024.
My Mayor’s Report included the following:
- Last week I attended the 125th anniversary celebration of the Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary at Waterwheel Park. The Auxiliary was formed on September 25, 1899, when 28 women came together in Chemainus amidst a serious typhoid epidemic, to support the creation of a local hospital. Every day since then, Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary volunteers have been serving the people of Chemainus and the surrounding area. From those early days to now, the auxiliary is a staple organization in the community, operating a hugely successful thrift store and continuously raising funds to support the comfort and care of local residents.
- I recently joined North Cowichan Councillor Chris Istace and Cowichan Valley Regional District Director Hilary Abbott, for a two-day tour of our local public transit system, with a focus on several key routes that run through North Cowichan as well as the inter-regional route between Cowichan and Nanaimo. Thanks to the Cowichan Valley Regional District staff for organizing this tour and giving us a better understanding of the strengths our existing transit routes, areas for improvement, and expected changes as the new Cowichan District Hospital opens in 2027.
- From September 16-20, Council attended the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual convention in Vancouver, which included elected officials from cities and towns across the province. The convention featured panel discussions and workshops, debate on a wide range of policy resolutions, and speeches from Premier David Eby and leaders of the Conservative Party and Green Party. We also met with several cabinet ministers on major challenges facing our municipality, including Chemainus River flooding, licensing for the wells that supply drinking water to Chemainus, protecting jobs at the Paper Excellence and Western Forest Products mills, and continued provincial funding for 9-1-1 police dispatch services.
- On Monday, I attended the Every Child Matters March at Charles Hoey Park in Duncan, on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It was great to see so many people out for this important day to commemorate and learn more about the history and legacy of the residential school system. Thanks to Audrey George from the M’akola Housing Society and the organizing team for all their work in bringing folks together for this event that included dancing, drumming, and hearing directly from residential school survivors about their experiences.
A Development Variance Permit application for 1892 Valleyview Place to decrease the side yard setback to allow for an addition for a garage and living space was authorized.
The Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw was given first three readings. The bylaw would exempt certain properties in 2025, and future years, from municipal property taxes. The list of properties, which were discussed at the September 10, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting, can be read in those meeting minutes (Item 9.2).
Five-year Fire Protection Services Agreements with Halalt First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, and Stz’uminus First Nation were authorized. These agreements are modelled on the 2023 agreement with Cowichan Tribes and formalize the fire protection services.
The Public Input and Meeting Conduct Policy was updated to better align with the Council and Committee Procedures Bylaw. In addition to several housekeeping amendments, the new policy will introduce an online public input registration process that will provide equitable access for people attending in person, virtually, and by phone. The new sign-up form will be implemented at an upcoming Council meeting.
A grant application for $40,000 under the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund was authorized. If awarded, the grant would support wildland firefighting personal protective equipment and other equipment.
Finally, I introduced a notice of motion regarding BC Ferries’ upcoming redevelopment of the Crofton Ferry Terminal that will be considered at the next regular Council meeting on October 16. The motion states that Council does not support the continued use of Chaplin Street for vehicle storage as part of the Crofton Ferry Terminal operations, and will only support a plan that responds to community concerns related to reducing the impacts of any terminal operation on community roads and access to community services such as the boat launch and skateboard park. In addition, the motion would authorize me to write to BC Ferries and the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure to communicate these positions.
The next council meeting is on Wednesday, October 16 at 5pm.
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
250.746.3117
rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca