COMOX VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT BOARD
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Minutes of the meeting of the Comox Valley Regional District Board of Directors held on February 9, 2021 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
 K. GrantTown of Comox
 E. GrievePuntledge/Black Creek (Area C)
 D. HillianCity of Courtenay
 M. McCollumCity 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
 J. MartensGeneral Manager of Corporate Services
 M. RuttenGeneral Manager of Engineering Services
 A. MullayGeneral Manager of Planning and Development Services
 L. DennisManager of Legislative Services
 
   
ATTENDANCE:
With the exception of Chair Ketler and Directors Arbour and Hillian, all directors attended via electronic means.
 
 
Also in attendance were K. Douville, H. Siemens, 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 25: Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual relationship with their traditionally owned or otherwise occupied and used lands, territories, waters and coastal seas and other resources and to uphold their responsibilities to future generations in this regard.
 
 
IN-CAMERA MEETING:
A. Hamir/W. Morin: THAT the board adjourn to an in-camera session pursuant to the following sub-sections of section 90 of the Community Charter:

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;
90(1)(k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a regional district service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the committee/board, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the regional district if they were held in public; and,
90(2)(b) the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the regional district and the provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party;

AND FINALLY THAT the in-camera portion convene immediately following the open portion of the meeting.
208Carried
 
ADOPTION OF MINUTES:
D. Hillian/A. Hamir: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board special meeting minutes dated January 26, 2021, be adopted. [Item] 
208Carried
 
E. Grieve/A. Hamir: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board minutes dated January 26, 2021, be adopted. [Item] 
208Carried
 
PUBLIC INPUT:
J. Martens, General Manager of Corporate Services, provided a summary of the public input process for the 2021-2025 proposed financial plan.

Members of the public may submit comments, questions, or feedback on the 2021-2025 proposed financial plan here: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/budgetinquiries
 
 
K. Douville, Manager of Financial Planning, provided an update on the financial planning process including a summary of budgets approved at committees and commissions.
[Item] 
 
 
REPORTS:
BLACK CREEK-OYSTER BAY SERVICES COMMITTEE – JANUARY 25, 2021
 
 
D. Hillian/D. Arbour: THAT the Black Creek-Oyster Bay Services Committee minutes dated January 25, 2021 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
ELECTORAL AREAS SERVICES COMMITTEE – JANUARY 25, 2021
 
 
E. Grieve/W. Morin: THAT the Electoral Areas Services Committee minutes dated January 25, 2021 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
COMOX VALLEY RECREATION COMMISSION - JANUARY 26, 2021
 
 
D. Arbour/J. Ketler: THAT the Recreation Commission minutes dated January 26, 2021 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
BOARD OF VARIANCE - JANUARY 27, 2021
 
 
W. Morin/M. McCollum: THAT the Board of Variance minutes dated January 27, 2021 be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
2021-2025 PROPOSED FINANCIAL PLAN - BUDGET PRESENTATIONS FUNCTIONS 150, 200, 205, 400, 450, 795
 
 
D. Hillian/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the report dated February 5, 2021 regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the following services:
• Regional Feasibility Studies Service, function 150
• Victims Services Program/Crime Stoppers Grant Contribution Service, function 200
• Comox Valley Community Justice, function 205
• Cemetery Service, function 400
• Emergency Shelter Land Acquisition Service, function 450
• Comox Valley Airport Service, function 795
be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
K. Douville, Manager of Financial Planning, presented an overview of the staff report regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for functions 150, 200, 205, 400, 450 and 795. [Item] 
 
 
M. McCollum/W. Morin: THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan for the Regional Feasibility Studies Service, function 150, be approved.
209Carried
 
W. Cole-Hamilton/D. Hillian: THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan for the Victim Services Program / Crime Stoppers Grant Contribution Service, function 200, be approved.
209Carried
 
D. Hillian/M. McCollum: THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan for the Comox Valley Community Justice Service, function 205, be approved.
209Carried
 
A. Hamir/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan for the Cemetery Service, function 400, be approved.
209Carried
 
E. Grieve/A. Hamir: THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plans for the Emergency Shelter Land Acquisition Service, function 450, be approved, with a report to come forward in 2021 on the possibility of reviving the service.
209Carried
 
M. McCollum/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plans for the Comox Valley Airport Service, function 795, be approved.
209Carried
 
2021-2025 FINANCIAL PLAN - SEARCH AND RESCUE SERVICE FUNCTION 265
 
 
Prior to consideration of this item, Director McCollum declared a conflict of interest as her spouse is a search and rescue member, and left the meeting at 4:24 pm.
 
 
A. Hamir/W. Morin: THAT the report dated February 2, 2021 regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for Search and Rescue Service, function 265 be received. [Item] 
209Carried
 
D. DeMarzo, General Manager of Community Services, presented an overview of the staff report regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for Search and Rescue Service, function 265. [Item] 
 
 
A. Hamir/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the proposed 202-2025 financial plan for the Search and Rescue Service, function 265, be approved.
209Carried
 
Director McCollum returned to the meeting at 4:30 pm.
 
 
2021-2025 FINANCIAL PLAN - COMOX VALLEY EMERGENCY PROGRAM SERVICE FUNCTION 270
 
 
D. Hillian/E. Grieve: THAT the report dated February 5, 2021 regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the Emergency Program Service, function 270 be received. [Item] 
209Carried
 
K. Douville, Manager of Financial Planning, and H. Siemens, Emergency Program Coordinator, presented an overview of the staff report regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the Emergency Program Service, function 270. [Item] 
 
 
A. Hamir/E. Grieve: THAT the board consider three readings and subsequent adoption of an amendment to Bylaw No. 1341, being “Electoral Areas A, B and C Emergency Program Extended Service Establishment Bylaw, 1991”, to increase the maximum requisition by 25 per cent, to be available for the 2021 fiscal year, in accordance with the Local Government Act and the Regional Districts Establishing Bylaw Approval Exemption Regulation, upon receiving written consent from the Directors for Electoral Areas A, B and C, being the participants in the service.
209Carried
 
A. Hamir/D. Hillian: THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan for the Emergency Program Service, function 270, be approved.
209Carried
 
2021-2025 FINANCIAL PLAN - 9-1-1 ANSWERING SERVICE - FUNCTION 275
 
 
W. Cole-Hamilton/E. Grieve: THAT the report dated February 5, 2021 regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the 9-1-1 Answering Service, function 275 be received. [Item] 
209Carried
 
K. Douville, Manager of Financial Planning, presented an overview of the staff report regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the 9-1-1 Answering Service, function 275. [Item] 
 
 
E. Grieve/M. Swift: THAT the proposed 2021 – 2025 financial plan for the 9-1-1 Answering Service, function 275, be approved.
209Carried
 
2021-2025 FINANCIAL PLAN - HOMELESSNESS SUPPORTS SERVICE - FUNCTION 451
 
 
M. McCollum/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the report dated February 5, 2021 regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for for the Homelessness Supports Service, function 451 be received. [Item] 
209Carried
 
A. Mullaly, General Manager of Planning and Development Services, presented an overview of the staff report regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for for the Homelessness Supports Service, function 451. [Item] 
 
 
Andrea Cupelli, Comox Valley Coaltition to End Homelessness, presented information regarding the coalition's work and projects. [Item] 
 
 
D. Hillian/A. Hamir: THAT the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness 2020 Annual Report be received.
209Carried
 
A. Hamir/W. Morin: THAT the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness’ 2021 Housing Plan, including allocations from the 2021-2025 financial plan for Homelessness Supports Service, function 451 for the following projects, be approved:
a. $100,000 towards Gwax’dzi dsas: Tall Tree Place - 22 modular units for families in Cumberland;
b. $70,000 towards 24 - 40 studio and one bedroom units for Indigenous elders in Courtenay (Wachiay Friendship Centre);
c. $30,000 towards construction of a townhouse in Courtenay (Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North); and
d. $35,000 to support the coordinator position and provide honoraria to future participants with lived/ living experience;

AND FINALLY THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan for the Homelessness Supports Service, function 451, be approved.
209Carried
 
The meeting recessed at 5:55 pm and resumed at 6:07 pm.
 
 
2021-2025 FINANCIAL PLAN - REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY SERVICE - FUNCTION 512
 
 
D. Hillian/A. Hamir: THAT the report dated February 5, 2021 regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the Regional Growth Strategy Service, function 512 be received. [Item] 
208 and 212Carried
 
A. Mullaly, General Manager of Planning and Development Services, presented an overview of the staff report regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the Regional Growth Strategy Service, function 512. [Item] 
 
 
D. Hillian/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan for the Regional Growth Strategy Service, function 512, be approved.
208 and 212Carried
 
2021-2025 FINANCIAL PLAN - RECREATION SERVICE GRANT - FUNCTION 600
 
 
W. Cole-Hamilton/D. Hillian: THAT the report dated February 3, 2021 regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the Recreation Grant Service, function 600 be received. [Item] 
209Carried
 
D. DeMarzo, General Manager of Community Planning, presented an overview of the staff report regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the Recreation Grant Service, function 600. [Item] 
 
 
D. Hillian/A. Hamir: THAT the proposed 2021 – 2025 financial plan for the Recreation Grant Service, function 600, be approved as presented;

AND THAT the board approve an increase in the 2021 tax requisition of $62,000, in part to support the costs associated with a joint aquatics study with the City of Courtenay, to be reflected in the 2021 – 2025 recommended financial plan;

AND FURTHER THAT staff provide a report on the implications of moving the Recreation Grant Service, function 600 under the authority of the Comox Valley Recreation Commission.
209Carried
 
2021-2025 FINANCIAL PLAN - COMOX VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICE – FUNCTION 550
 
 
A. Hamir/D. Hillian: THAT the report dated February 5, 2021 regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the Comox Valley Economic Development Service, function 550 be received. [Item] 
209Carried
 
M.Foort, Chief Financial Officer, presented an overview of the staff report regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the Comox Valley Economic Development Service, function 550.
 
 
K. Grant/M. Swift: THAT receipt of the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the Comox Valley Economic Development Service, function 550 be deferred until after an in-camera session.
208DefeatedNAY: Arbour, Hamir, Hillian, Ketler, McCollum, Morin
 
The vote was taken on the previous motion as follows:
 
 
THAT the report dated February 5, 2021 regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for the Comox Valley Economic Development Service, function 550 be received.
208CarriedNAY: K. Grant
 
D. Arbour/A. Hamir: THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan for the Comox Valley Economic Development Service, function 550, be approved.
209CarriedNAY: K. Grant
 
2021-2025 FINANCIAL PLAN - COMOX VALLEY TRANSIT SERVICE FUNCTION 780
 
 
D. Arbour/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the report dated February 2, 2021 regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for for the Comox Valley Transit Service, function 780 be received. [Item] 
209Carried
 
M. Zbarsky, Manager Transit and Facilities, presented an overview of the staff report regarding the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan and work plan highlights for for the Comox Valley Transit Service, function 780. [Item] 
 
 
M. McCollum/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the proposed 2021-2025 financial plan for the Comox Valley Transit Service, function 780, be approved. [Item] 
209Carried
 
E. Grieve/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT a $100,000 per year increase to ‘Contracts – Operating’ in function 780 be included in the 2021-2025 recommended financial plan for 2021-2023 to support the Hornby and Denman community bus programs; costs will be offset utilizing additional savings identified in the BC Transit operating budget forecasts which will also be reflected in the recommended budget.
209Carried
 
PARCEL TAX ROLL REVIEW PANEL 2021
 
 
D. Arbour/D. Hillian: THAT the report dated February 5, 2021 regarding the 2021 parcel tax roll review panel and appointment of the directors to the panel for authentication of the roll be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
E. Grieve/M. McCollum: THAT a parcel tax roll review panel be held at 9:30 am on February 18, 2021 to authenticate the 2021 parcel and frontage tax roll and that the directors from Electoral Areas A, B, C and the extraterritorial director for Electoral Area D, Strathcona Regional District with respect to the Black Creek - Oyster Bay water service area, be appointed to the panel.
208Carried
 
NEW BUSINESS:
BC CLEAN WATER INITIATIVES FUNDING APPLICATION
 
 
K. Grant/M. McCollum: THAT the correspondence dated February 3, 2021 from Mayor Arnott, Town of Comox, requesting a letter of support for a joint funding application to the "Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative" funding program be received. [Item] 
208Carried
 
D. Hillian/D. Arbour: THAT the CVRD Board provide a letter of support for a joint application by the Town of Comox and the Marine Tour Operators Association for a "Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative" funding grant.
208Carried
 
ADDENDUM - UPON APPROVAL OF THE BOARD:
D. Hillian/A. Hamir: THAT the addendum be considered.
208Carried
 
FINANCIAL PLAN FOR THE REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY AND UBCM CLIMATE RESOLUTION
 
 
D. Arbour/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the correspondence dated February 8, 2021 from Helen Boyd, Coordinator Comox Valley Nurses for Health & the Environment, Lindsay McGinn, Facilitator, Community Health Network, and Betty Tate, Member, Coordinating Circle, Community Health Network regarding feedback on the financial plan for the Regional Growth Strategy and a proposed resolution to be forwarded to UBCM regarding community climate action plans be received. [Item] 
208 and 212Carried
 
D. Hillian/E. Grieve: THAT the request submitted in the correspondence dated February 8, 2021 regarding a resolution to be forwarded to to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities 2021 AGM and Convention in regards to climate change be deferred to the next meeting of the Comox Valley Regional District Board.
208Carried
 
ADJOURN TO IN-CAMERA:
The board adjourned to its in-camera session at 7:51 pm.
 
 
RISE AND REPORT:
The board rose from its in-camera session at 8:34 pm.
 
 
TERMINATION:
D. Arbour/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the meeting terminate.
208Carried
 
Time: 8:34 pm.
 
 
 Confirmed this 23rd day of February, 2021:


____________________________________
Jesse Ketler
Chair
 
Certified Correct and Recorded By:


____________________________________
Lisa Dennis
Manager of Legislative Services
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