COMOX VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT BOARD
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Minutes of the meeting of the Comox Valley Regional District Board of Directors held on October 27, 2020 in the Civic Room of the Comox Valley Regional District offices located at 770 Harmston Avenue, Courtenay, BC commencing at 4:00 pm.
 
 
MINUTES
     
 
Present:
Chair:J. KetlerVillage of Cumberland
Vice-Chair:A. HamirLazo North (Area B)
Directors:D. ArbourBaynes Sound-Denman/Hornby Islands (Area A)
 W. Cole-HamiltonCity of Courtenay
 D. FrischCity of Courtenay
 K. GrantTown of Comox
 E. GrievePuntledge/Black Creek (Area C)
 D. HillianCity of Courtenay
 W. MorinCity of Courtenay
 M. SwiftTown of Comox
Staff:R. DysonChief Administrative Officer
 J. WarrenDeputy Chief Administrative Officer
 M. FoortChief Financial Officer
 D. DeMarzoGeneral Manager of Community Services
 M. RuttenGeneral Manager of Engineering Services
 S. SmithGeneral Manager of Planning and Development Services
 L. DennisManager of Legislative Services
 
   
ATTENDANCE:
Also in attendance were K. Douville, M. Harrison, A. Mullay, C. Wile and M. Zbarsky, CVRD.
 
 
RECOGNITION OF TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES:
The Chair acknowledged that the meeting was being held on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation and read the following article from the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) available online at: www.un.org/:

Article 20: Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and develop their political, economic and social systems or institutions, to be secure in the enjoyment of their own means of subsistence and development, and to engage freely in all their traditional and other economic activities; and,

Indigenous peoples deprived of their means of subsistence and development are entitled to just and fair redress.
 
 
IN-CAMERA MEETING:
K. Grant/D. Arbour: THAT the board adjourn to an in-camera session pursuant to the following sub-sections of section 90 of the Community Charter:

90(1)(b) Personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for a municipal award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the regional district on condition of anonymity; and,

90(1)(e) The acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the committee/board considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.
208Carried
 
Time: 4:01 pm.
 
 
RISE AND REPORT:
The board rose from its in-camera session at 5:04 pm.
 
 
 
 
ADOPTION OF MINUTES:
A. Hamir/D. Frisch: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board minutes dated October 6, 2020 be adopted. [Item] 
208Carried
 
REPORTS:
BOARD OF VARIANCE - SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
 
 
D. Frisch/E. Grieve: THAT the Board of Variance minutes dated September 29, 2020 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
PUBLIC HEARING - SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
 
 
K. Grant/D. Hillian: THAT the public hearing minutes dated September 30, 2020 regarding Bylaw No. 604 being "Rural Comox Valley Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 337, 2014, Amendment No. 5" be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SELECT COMMITTEE - OCTOBER 1, 2020
 
 
D. Frisch/D. Hillian: THAT the Economic Development Select Committee minutes dated October 1, 2020 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
ELECTORAL AREAS SERVICES COMMITTEE – OCTOBER 5, 2020
 
 
E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT the Electoral Areas Services Committee minutes dated October 5, 2020 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Frisch/K. Grant: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board support Telus in proceeding with a public consultation process for a proposed Telus communication site in Black Creek.
208 and 213Carried
 
E. Grieve/A. Hamir: THAT the board approve Development Variance Permit DV 2C 20 (Nichol) to increase the maximum allowable floor area among accessory buildings to 345 square metres on the property described as Lot B, Section 16, Township 9, Comox District, Plan 40985, PID 000-409-499 (4218 Forbidden Plateau Road);

AND FINALLY THAT the Corporate Legislative Officer be authorized to execute the permit.
208 and 213Carried
 
A. Hamir/D. Frisch: THAT the board consider giving readings to Bylaw No. 625 being the “Comox Valley Electoral Areas Animal Control Bylaw No. 100, 2010, Amendment No. 1” as attached to the staff report dated September 23, 2020;

AND FURTHER THAT the board consider giving readings to Bylaw No. 627 being “Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 104, 2010” Amendment No. 19” to reflect the changes outlined in the staff report dated September 23, 2020;

AND FINALLY THAT the proposed Dog Enforcement Policy and flow chart attached to the staff report dated September 23, 2020 be approved.
209Carried
 
A. Hamir/E. Grieve: THAT the board consider giving readings to Bylaw No. 626 being the “Electoral Areas Noise Control Regulation Bylaw No. 102, 2010, Amendment No. 1” as attached to the staff report dated September 29, 2020.

AND FURTHER THAT the board consider giving readings to Bylaw No. 627 being “Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 104, 2010” Amendment No. 18” to reflect the changes outlined in the staff report dated September 29, 2020.
209Carried
 
A. Hamir/D. Arbour: THAT the Denman Island Evacuation Guidelines attached as Appendix A to the staff report dated September 29, 2020 be made available to the public.
209Carried
 
E. Grieve/A. Hamir: THAT the Hornby Island Evacuation Guidelines attached as Appendix B to the staff report dated September 29, 2020 be made available to the public.
209Carried
 
D. Frisch/A. Hamir: THAT staff apply for a Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program grant for Seal Bay Park to expand the Bates Road parking area and upgrade the Coupland Loop to an accessible trail.
209Carried
 
A. Hamir/D. Frisch: THAT staff be directed to continue to provide the beach fire program at Goose Spit Park at a reduced service level while maintaining reasonable oversight of the program.
209Carried
 
D. Frisch/A. Hamir: THAT staff be directed to continue to provide the beach fire program at Little River Crescent Beach and Joe Walker Park in 2021 and beyond at its current service level.
209Carried
 
D. Hillian/D. Frisch: THAT the 2020 – 2024 financial plan and capital expenditure program for the Hornby Island Parks and Greenways Service, function 620, be amended to increase the total project budget for Gull Road Trail improvements from $25,000 to $60,000, to include an extension in the project provided by a $35,000 Active Transportation grant.
207Carried
 
E. Grieve/W. Morin: THAT a letter of thanks be sent to the Economic Recovery Task Force for their work on economic recovery measures developed in response to COVID-19;

AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to prepare a staff report on options regarding the recommended actions approved by the Economic Recovery Task Force Steering Committee as contained in the Industry Advisor Business Case Action Plan – Submissions Summary Report;

AND FINALLY THAT staff collaborate with the Comox Valley Economic Development Society and the Comox Valley Food Policy Council regarding a grant application to the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program for a food hub.
209Carried
 
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - OCTOBER 13, 2020
 
 
D. Frisch/K. Grant: THAT the Committee of the Whole minutes dated October 13, 2020 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
2020 STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION UPDATE
 
 
E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT the report dated October 19, 2020 regarding the results of the September 2020 strategic planning session be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
J. Warren, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, presented an overview of the staff report regarding the results of the September 2020 strategic planning session. [Item] 
 
 
D. Hillian/K. Grant: THAT Rethink Comox Valley and the Comox Valley Regional District 2020 Strategic Planning report, dated September 22, 2020 be approved and shared through social media and with partners;

AND FURTHER THAT the strategic planning report’s key service outcomes and key initiatives/directions be applied to the 2021-2025 financial planning process.
208Carried
 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICE WORKSHOP
 
 
Alternate Director Arnott joined the meeting via teleconference at 5:20 pm to participate in discussion on this item.
 
 
K. Grant/A. Hamir: THAT the report dated October 19, 2020 regarding the economic strategic priority items that the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) would like the Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS) to consider for their 2021 Work Plan be received. [Item] 
209Carried
 
S. Smith, General Manager of Planning and Development Services, provided an overview of the staff report regarding the economic strategic priority items that the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) would like the Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS) to consider for their 2021 Work Plan.
 
 
M. Swift/K. Grant: THAT consideration of the report dated October 19, 2020 regarding the economic strategic priority items that the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) would like the Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS) to consider for their 2021 Work Plan be referred to the November 17, 2020 meeting.
209DefeatedNAY: D. Arbour, W. Cole-Hamilton, D. Frisch, A. Hamir, D. Hillian, W. Morin
 
D. Arbour/W. Morin: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board confirm the economic strategic priorities as agreed during the October 13 and 14, 2020 Strategic workshop as outlined in the staff report dated October 19, 2020.

AND FURTHER THAT the CVRD Chair send a letter to Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS) requesting that the strategic priorities be considered in the CVEDS 2021 Work Plan to be presented to the CVRD Board before December 31, 2020.
209
 
D. Frisch/A. Hamir: THAT the motion be amended to include the development of a food hub or aggregation hub as a strategic priority to be considered in the CVEDS 2021 Work Plan to be presented to the CVRD Board before December 31, 2020.
209Carried
 
The vote was taken on the main motion, as amended, as follows:
 
 
THAT the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board confirm the economic strategic priorities as agreed during the October 13 and 14, 2020 Strategic workshop as outlined in the staff report dated October 19, 2020, with the addition of the development of a food hub or aggregation hub;

AND FURTHER THAT the CVRD Chair send a letter to Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS) requesting that the strategic priorities be considered in the CVEDS 2021 Work Plan to be presented to the CVRD Board before December 31, 2020.
 CarriedNAY: K. Grant, M. Swift
 
REGIONAL ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK PLAN GRANT BUDGET AMENDMENT (REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY)
 
 
K. Grant/D. Frisch: THAT the report dated October 15, 2020 regarding an amendment of the 2021 financial plan for the Regional Growth Strategy Service (function 512) to include a $47,500 BC Active Transportation grant in support of the preparation of a regional Active Transportation Network Plan be received. [Item] 
208 and 212Carried
 
A. Mullaly, Senior Manager of Sustainability and Regional Growth Strategy, provided an overview of the staff report regarding n amendment of the 2021 financial plan for the Regional Growth Strategy Service (function 512) to include a $47,500 BC Active Transportation grant in support of the preparation of a regional Active Transportation Network Plan.
 
 
D. Frisch/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the 2020 – 2024 financial plan and capital expenditure program for the Regional Growth Strategy service (function 512) be amended to incorporate a BC Active Transportation Infrastructure grant in the amount of $47,500 in 2021 for “other professional fees” in support of the preparation of a regional Active Transportation Network Plan.
208 and 212Carried
 
COMMUNITY WELLNESS GRANT BUDGET AMENDMENT (REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY)
 
 
D. Frisch/K. Grant: THAT the report dated October 15, 2020 regarding an amendment of the 2020 financial plan for the Regional Growth Strategy Service (function 512) to include a $50,000 Island Health Community Wellness grant in support of the regional Airshed Protection project be received. [Item] 
208 and 212Carried
 
A. Mullaly, Senior Manager of Sustainability and Regional Growth Strategy, provided an overview of the staff report regarding an amendment of the 2020 financial plan for the Regional Growth Strategy Service (function 512) to include a $50,000 Island Health Community Wellness grant in support of the regional Airshed Protection project.
 
 
K. Grant/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the 2020-2024 financial plan and capital expenditure program for the Regional Growth Strategy service (function 512) be amended by $50,000 to incorporate receipt of an Island Health Community Wellness grant;

AND FURTHER THAT $30,000 of the grant amount be directed to “other professional fees” to support the work of the Airshed Roundtable including community education initiatives;

AND FINALLY THAT $20,000 of the grant amount be directed to “education programs public” for the provision of rebates through the 2021 Wood Smoke Reduction Program to incentivize the exchange of wood burning appliances for cleaner heat sources, in accordance with tthe terms and conditions of the grant.
208 and 212Carried
 
COMOX VALLEY REGIONAL OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
 
 
K. Grant/D. Frisch: THAT the report dated October 21, 2020 regarding the final report on the construction of the Comox Valley Regional Office Building be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
M. Zbarskey, Manager of Transit and Facilities, provided an overview of the staff report regarding the final report on the construction of the Comox Valley Regional Office Building.
 
 
The meeting recessed at 5:48 pm and resumed at 5:55 pm.
 
 
GRANT REVENUE ANTICIPATION BORROWING BYLAW NO. 598, 2020 - EXTENSION
 
 
D. Hillian/D. Arbour: THAT the report dated October 15, 2020 regarding the extension of the repayment date identified in Bylaw No. 598, 2020 – Grant Revenue Anticipation Borrowing for the timing delays on the water treatment project, to December 31, 2021 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Frisch/K. Grant: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board approve and amend the repayment date of the Grant Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw No. 598, 2020 for the water treatment project from November 30, 2020 to December 31, 2021 to provide cash flow management to the end of the project.
208Carried
 
DIRECTORS REPORT - 2020 GRANTS-IN-AID
 
 
E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT the report dated October 19, 2020 regarding 2020 grants-in-aid be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Hillian/D. Frisch: THAT a grant-in-aid, payable from the respective areas indicated, be approved:
- Union Bay Community Club and Recreation Association to assist with hall renovations to accommodate additional daycare spaces:
o Area A - Baynes Sound (Function 120) $5,000.00;
o Area B (Function 121) $5,000.00;
o Area C (Function 122) $5,000.00.
208Carried
 
BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS:
D. Frisch/E. Grieve: THAT Bylaw No. 625 being “Comox Valley Electoral Areas Animal Control Bylaw No. 100, 2010, Amendment No. 1” be given first and second readings concurrently. [Item] 
209Carried
 
A. Hamir/E. Grieve: THAT Bylaw No. 625 being "Comox Valley Electoral Areas Animal Control Bylaw No. 100, 2010, Amendment No. 1" be read a third time.
209Carried
 
D. Frisch/E. Grieve: THAT Bylaw No. 626 being “Electoral Areas Noise Control Regulations Bylaw No. 102, 2010, Amendment No. 1” be given first and second readings concurrently. [Item] 
209Carried
 
E. Grieve/A. Hamir: THAT Bylaw No. 626 being "Electoral Areas Noise Control Regulations Bylaw No. 102, 2010, Amendment No. 1" be read a third time.
209Carried
 
A. Hamir/D. Frisch: THAT Bylaw No. 627, being “Comox Valley Regional District Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 104, 2010, Amendment No. 19” be given first and second readings concurrently. [Item] 
209Carried
 
D. Frisch/A. Hamir: THAT Bylaw No. 627 being "Comox Valley Regional District Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 104, 2010, Amendment No. 19" be read a third time.
209Carried
 
E. Grieve/D. Frisch: THAT Bylaw No. 604 being "Rural Comox Valley Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 337, 2014, Amendment No. 5" be read a third time. [Item] 
208 and 213Carried
 
NEW BUSINESS:
ELECTORAL AREAS SERVICES COMMITTEE - OCTOBER 5, 2020
 
 
D. Hillian/D. Frisch: THAT staff be directed to apply for an Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program grant under the Rural and Northern Communities stream for replacement of the Shingle Spit boat launch on Hornby Island with the Hornby Island Community Parks & Greenways Service to cover any cost overruns beyond the $550,000 requested grant.
207Carried
 
PROPERTY ACQUISITION POLICY
 
 
D. Arbour/E. Grieve: THAT staff be directed to present a draft property acquisition policy in early December with options to fund regional parks service in 2021.
208Carried
 
ADDENDUM - UPON APPROVAL OF THE BOARD:
D. Frisch/A. Hamir: THAT the addendum be considered.
208Carried
 
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC RECOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM - FOOD HUB GRANT APPLICATION
 
 
K. Grant/D. Frisch: THAT the report dated October 26, 2020 regarding an update on the submission of a grant application to the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) for a Food Hub be received. [Item] 
209Carried
 
K. Grant/E. Grieve: THAT staff apply for a Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) grant for a Food Hub project located in the Merville Community Association Hall.
209Carried
 
TERMINATION:
D. Frisch/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the meeting terminate.
208Carried
 
Time: 6:45 pm.
 
 
 Confirmed this 24th day of November, 2020:

____________________________________
Jesse Ketler
Chair
 
Certified Correct and Recorded By:

____________________________________
Lisa Dennis
Manager of Legislative Services
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