The Regular Meeting of City Council was held in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC at 7:30 p.m., September 11, 2000.

Mayor Michael Coleman;

Councillors Mike Caljouw, Sharon Jackson, Phil Kent, Martin Lukaitis, Geoff Maxwell and Ernie Moon.

Paul Douville, City Administrator.

His Worship Mayor Michael Coleman opened the Council Meeting with a prayer and called for order.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of City Council held on August 14, 2000 be adopted.

Carried.

Representing the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Bob McDonald, their Recycling and Solid Waste Management Coordinator, addressed Council regarding the proposed "CVRD Bylaw No. 2108 - Solid Waste Management Charges and Regulations Bylaw, 2000". This is a bylaw for the purpose of establishing a scale of charges and regulations for depositing solid waste at the Bing's Creek Solid Waste Management Complex, Peerless Road Recycling Drop-Off Depot and the Meades Creek Recycling Drop-Off Depot. Mr. McDonald advised that the CVRD Board of Directors will be considering final adoption of this bylaw on September 13, 2000.

Among other points, Mr. McDonald stated the following:

Members of Council asked Mr. McDonald several questions to which he responded well.

Mayor Coleman thanked Mr. McDonald for his presentation and he left the meeting.

Representing the Abbeyfield Houses of Duncan, Carol Hunt addressed Council. For consideration was a letter dated August 9, 2000 from Peter Kiessling, Vice-Chair of the Society. In his letter, Mr. Kiessling advised that the Society is formed and that they have put an offer to purchase a house and property on Indian Road that leads to Art Mann Park. The intent is to house 9 to 11 residents who would pay approximately $1,100. per month each.

Ms. Hunt advised that the Abbeyfield Houses concept began in 1956 in London, England. Abbeyfield's aim is to provide care and companionship for elderly people who are unable or do not wish to live alone, yet do not need the services of a home for the aged or a nursing home. Of the approximate 1,l00 Abbeyfield Houses worldwide, 18 are located in Canada, 5 of which are located in Victoria.

Ms. Hunt said that the following problems were identified in the Cowichan Valley:

• The Cowichan Valley has the largest per capita aging population in British Columbia.
• There is a shortage of affordable housing (e.g. Care-A-Miniums are cost prohibitive).
• Members of the senior population are being demoralized by such issues as the overall concerns of the Health Care System.

The house on Indian Road is located on 3 acres of property. It may be possible to subdivide 2 acres from this property and offer it for sale. Apparently, the Hospice Society is interested in providing a Care Facility on this site if possible.

Ms. Hunt said that the property would require a rezoning from the District of North Cowichan and that they have applied to many organizations, individuals and Foundations for funding assistance.

Members of Council wished Ms. Hunt and the Abbeyfield Houses Society of Duncan best wishes for success in this venture and Ms. Hunt left the meeting.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

THAT the Council of the City of Duncan authorize the display of the Cowichan Fringe Festival Banner from the banner poles adjacent to the east-side of the Trans Canada Highway and south of the Cowichan River from September 10 - 24, 2001 (following the Cowichan Exhibition Banner) as requested in the August 17, 2000 letter from the Cowichan Fringe Festival Society.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

THAT the Council of the City of Duncan proclaim October 2 - 8, 2000 as "National Family Week" in the City of Duncan, as requested in the August 21, 2000 memorandum from the Cowichan United Way.

Carried.

For consideration was a letter dated August 24, 2000 from the Duncan-Cowichan Chamber of Commerce.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT the Public Works Superintendent be instructed to place an appropriate Tourist Information Centre directional sign on Trunk Road, east of the Trans Canada Highway, for west-bound vehicle operators.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT October 5, 2000 be proclaimed as "World Teachers' Day" in the City of Duncan as requested by the British Columbia Teachers' Federation in their August 31, 2000 letter;

Carried.

Movd. Councillor E. Moon

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

THAT Warrant No. 08-00 covering General Account cheque numbers 101768 – 101949 in the total amount of . . . . . $320,730.23

Payroll Account

- Payroll #17 covering cheque

numbers 0356 – 0380 in the total

amount of . . . . . . . 34,178.20

- Payroll #18 covering cheque

numbers 0381 – 0429 36,413.59

GRAND TOTAL . . . . . . $391,322.02

be ratified.

Carried.

For consideration were the notes of the August 29, 2000 meeting.

Movd. Councillor E. Moon

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

THAT the August 14, 2000 grant request from the Growing Together Young Parent Program be denied.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor E. Moon

Secd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

THAT a Damage Deposit in the amount of $300.00 (per set) be required when loaning out the City-owned bleachers;

AND THAT a $300.00 Damage Deposit continue to be charged for the use of parks, parks facilities and sports fields;

AND THAT Damage Deposits for other items be at the discretion of the City Administrator or in his/her absence, the Deputy Administrator;

AND THAT Damage Deposits be returned to the payor if the item, park or facility is returned or left in a clean and undamaged condition.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor E. Moon

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Amendment Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Amendment Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT the following words be added to the end of the proposed policy regarding loaning out of City equipment:

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

THAT the proposed policy regarding the loaning-out of City equipment be referred back to the Finance Committee.

Carried.

Mayor Coleman and Councillors Lukaitis and Maxwell dissenting.

Public Works Committee

For consideration were the notes of the August 30, 2000 meeting.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT, in response to the July 13, 2000 letter from the District of North Cowichan regarding the TCH Boulevard (eastside) between City north boundary and Alexander Street, the District be advised that the City of Duncan does not wish to maintain property outside of the City limits.

Carried.

For consideration were the notes of the August 29, 2000 meeting.

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

WHEREAS Council previously decided to remove/replace only dangerous trees in this area on an "as required" basis, the request to remove 17 Cottonwood trees south of River's Edge Housing Complex be denied.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT the Public Works Superintendent be requested to post signs in all City parks stating the following:

"Be Proud of Your Park

"Please Leash and Clean Up After Your Dog"

Carried.

Councillor Kent advised that negotiations with CUPE, Local 358 will commence on October 2, 2000 and that subsequent meetings are scheduled for November 29 and 30 and December 1, 2000.

Councillor Jackson reported that only 7 applications were received for the proposed 8-Member Advisory Planning Commission. Of the 7 applications received, only 3 were residents of the City of Duncan. The bylaw requires 5 of the 8 to be residents of the City of Duncan.

Further applications will be sought through subsequent newspaper advertisements and the closing date is September 29, 2000.

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

THAT the Building Statistics Report for August 2000, as prepared by Dave Sanders, Building Inspector/LAFC, be received, the contents noted and filed.

Carried.

Councillor Moon reported on the following items:

• He attended the recent Board meeting of the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society. They are planning a Halloween promotion and an additional lighting concept. Their Christmas Committee is very active. Preparations are going well for this coming season. The Society decided not to proceed with a second downtown plinth, which was proposed for the west side of City Hall.
• He recently attended an Executive Committee meeting of the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board. The meeting primarily concentrated on budget deliberations. Some concern was expressed regarding the eventual location of the Cowichan Branch.

Councillor Maxwell represented Council at the recent "wind-up" events for the season at the Cowichan Lawn Bowling facility. He said the Society had an excellent season and he noted how well maintained the Lawn Bowling green is kept.

As Deputy Mayor, Councillor Caljouw and other members of Council attended the official opening of the Cowichan Exhibition on September 8, 2000. As usual, the Exhibition was a great event.

Mayor Coleman reported that he recently attended the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board meeting in St. John's Newfoundland. He also invited all members of Council to attend a reception for the Canada World Youth in City Hall at 5:30 p.m., September 17, 2000.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the letter dated August 9, 2000 from Ted Nebbeling, MLA (West Vancouver-Garibaldi), regarding the Interpretation Act, be received, the contents noted and filed.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

THAT in response to the August 16, 2000 letter from the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors, in reply to our letter of April 28, 2000, Council ask the Minister whether the recently announced substantial funding increase from the Government of Canada will allow the Ministry to provide the Cowichan Valley with a CatScan service.

Carried.

Mr. Douville was asked to forward a copy of the Minister's letter to the Cowichan District Hospital and the Central Vancouver Island Health Region, c/o Grant Roberge and to ask the Health Region for their comments on the Minister's statement that the Central Vancouver Island Health Region has not, to his knowledge, indicated to the Ministry a plan for service provision.

For consideration was a letter dated August 1, 2000 from the Valley Seniors' Organization of Duncan.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the City Solicitor, Brian McDaniel, be directed to draft a new lease between the City and the Valley Seniors Organization of Duncan for the building and parking lot at 198 Government Street;

AND THAT the lease amount be $600.00 per month for a five-year period, commencing February 1, 2001.

Carried.

For consideration was a memorandum dated August 18, 2000 from the City Treasurer.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

THAT the City of Duncan endorse the following position adopted by the District of North Cowichan regarding the Pool Replacement Reserve Fund:

Carried.

Movd. Councillor E. Moon

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the letter dated August 18, 2000 from the UBCM Justice and Protective Services Committee, regarding Policing Costs, be received, the contents noted and filed.

Carried.

It was reported that Councillor Moon, the Administrator and the Treasurer will participate in a conference call with 12 other small municipalities that are concerned with the 5,000-population threshold for the commencement of policing costs on September 13, 2000. It was reported further that the Justice and Protective Services Committee is meeting in Richmond on September 22, 2000. Representatives of all the stakeholders have been invited to attend. Mr. Douville said that he is hoping that Councillor Moon will be authorized to attend this meeting.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

THAT the August 24 and 30, 2000 memos from Mayor Coleman and Mr. Kushner, regarding the CVRD Waste Disposal Bylaw, be referred to the Public Works Committee.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the Council of the City of Duncan support the following August 24, 2000 resolution of the Council of the City of Victoria regarding the CRTC Licence for CHUM TV on Vancouver Island:

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT the August 28, 2000 letter from the Cowichan Exhibition Society, wherein they express concern that a library facility would remove parking spaces from the Community Centre parking lot, be referred to the Library Site Committee.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT for an additional $100.00 per month, the janitor be requested to keep the public washrooms on Canada Avenue open on Statutory Holidays except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Carried.

Councillor Moon dissenting.

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT Council give leave to Councillor E. Moon to introduce "City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1905, 2000".

Carried.

Movd. Councillor E. Moon

Secd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

THAT the "City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1905, 2000" be read for the first time.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the "City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1905, 2000" be read for the second time.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT the "City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1905, 2000" be read for the third time.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the Council of the City of Duncan resolve into Committee of the Whole (i.e. Special Meeting) to discuss personnel issues;

AND THAT persons other than Council Members and the City Administrator be excluded from this meeting (Section 242.3 – Municipal Act).

Carried.

At 9:15 p.m., City Council resolved into Special Meeting.

At 9:52 p.m., the following Motion was PUT:

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT this meeting of City Council do now adjourn.

Carried.

Michael Coleman

Paul Douville