The Regular Meeting of City Council was held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC at 7:30 p.m., June 24, 2002.

 

 

Present:      Mayor Michael Coleman; Councillors Mike Caljouw, Sharon Jackson, Phil Kent, Martin Lukaitis, Geoff Maxwell and Ken Newcomb.

 

Also Present: Paul Douville, City Administrator.

 

 

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

 

Adoption of Minutes

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

      THAT the Minutes of the June 10, 2002 Regular Meeting of City Council be adopted.

 

Carried.

 

 

Delegations

 

Canada World Youth

Representing the Canada World Youth program, Michelle Black addressed Council. Accompanying Ms. Black were two students from Uruguay who are participating in the Uruguay/Canada Exchange. The students will be in the Cowichan Valley for two months and there are 22 delegates in total comprised of students from Uruguay and Canada.

 

The Mayor welcomed the two students from Uruguay and on a question from Council, Ms. Black advised that the focus of the work will be agricultural. They will be assisting at Providence Farm, the Cowichan Exhibition, the Summer Festival and the Cobble Hill Fair. They will travel back to Uruguay with the Canadian Youth.

 

City Council will be hosting a reception for the Canada World Youth delegates at 5:00 p.m. on June 27, 2002.

 

 

Communications

 

Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society – Grant Request

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

      THAT Council deny the June 7, 2002 grant request from the Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society noting that social issues of this nature are outside the mandate of local governments.

Carried.

 

IWA Canada Local 1-425 – Grant Request for a Video

Movd. Councillor K. Newcomb

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

       THAT the Council of the City of Duncan decline to participate in the funding of the proposed video entitled "Canadian Jobs and American Consumers – Paying the Price" as requested in the June 11, 2002 letter from IWA Canada Local 1-425.

Carried.

 

 

Mayor Coleman and Councillors Jackson and Lukaitis dissenting.

 

Volunteer Recognition Trees

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

      WHEREAS 34 trees will be planted this year (2002) in the City Square in accordance with the adopted plan (Note: 2 tree sponsors to date);

     AND WHEREAS there will not be room for more trees in the City Square;

      THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council suggest to Volunteer Cowichan that they consider siting their volunteer recognition trees in Rotary Park or other City Parks in locations determined by the Public Works Superintendent (reference June 18, 2002 letter from Volunteer Cowichan).

Carried.

 

Queen Charlotte Islands Chamber of Commerce - Inter-Island Ferry Service

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT the Council of the City of Duncan support the efforts of the Queen Charlotte Islands Chamber of Commerce for continuation of Inter-Island Ferry Service as outlined in their June 12, 2002 letter.

Carried.

 

EcoVentures Elderhostel – 2002 Events

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

      THAT as in previous years, the Council of the City of Duncan agree to provide guest speakers for the Elderhostel EcoVentures events staged in Duncan in 2002 (reference June 19, 2002 e-mail from EcoVentures);

      AND THAT the following Councillors address the Elderhostel participants at the listed times and dates and distribute Totem Lapel Pins to the participants (Silver Bridge Inn):

2002

Councillor S. Jackson - 11:00 a.m. July 2

Councillor P. Kent - 11:00 a.m. September 30

Councillor K. Newcomb - 11:00 a.m. November 4.

 

Carried.

 

 

Reports of Standing Committees

 

 

 Parks & Recreation

 

City Square

Councillor Maxwell advised that the construction work for the City Square project will commence in earnest on July 8, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 Fire Committee

 

Duncan Volunteer Fire Department – 100th Anniversary

Councillor Caljouw noted that the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department has commissioned wonderful merchandise for marketing purposes during the 100th anniversary celebrations scheduled to be held during the Duncan-Cowichan Summer Festival July 19, 20 & 21, 2002.

 

 

Reports of Special Committees

 

 

Miscellaneous

Councillor Kent reported on the June 15, 2002 Vancouver Island Regional Library Board meeting. He advised of the following items:

 

·        There has been a slight decrease in borrowers but a large increase in requests through the internet service (inter-branch service available).

·        The preliminary 2003 budget was discussed and a 2.8% annual increase was recommended. The Board asked the staff to attempt to reduce the annual increase to 1.5%.

·        With the revision to the Library Act, the Board is proposing a weighted vote based on assessment. This would provide the City with one additional vote and the CVRD would also obtain one additional vote. This change requires a 2/3 majority of all member local governments

·        The change in the assessment formula to assist communities like Tofino was defeated.

·        The new Courtenay branch has experienced a circulation increase of 41.7%.

·        The Library Board has launched a new website (www.virl.bc.ca) which provides along with many other services, online courses and great data bases.

 

 

Councillor Jackson reported on the following:

 

·       On June 15, she participated in the Food Drive sponsored by Island Farms at the Country Grocer Food Store. She said that the response for 2002 was less than in 2001.

·        She and Councillor Caljouw participated in the June 15, 2002 Duncan Farmer's Market fundraiser and raised $500.00 through the productions of food wraps.

·        Also on June 15, she attended the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of Duncan Manor, our Senior Citizens Housing Complex.

·        On June 17, she and the Administrator attended at the Cowichan Valley Safer Futures office for the unveiling of "Women and Community Safety; A Resource Book on Planning for Safer Communities". She said this is a professional, beautiful and easy to work with resource document.

 

 

Councillor Newcomb advised that a Community Centre Commission meeting is scheduled for June 27 at which time an update of the new library project will be tabled. He also advised that he is working on the reinvigorating of the Race Relations Committee. He has reviewed minutes of all the meetings and noted that there were 25 representatives initially, which slowly waned down to 6 regulars. He said he intends to schedule a meeting soon and will establish working Committees.

 

 

Mayor Coleman reported on the following items:

 

·        On June 12, he met with Lance Steward, President of the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society to discuss City Square, Summer Festival and Duncan Farmer's Market issues.

·        On June 12, the CVRD Board was updated on treaty and labour negotiations.

·        June 15, he participated in the Island Farms Food Drive for the local Food Bank, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for the Information Centre in the Train Station and the 25th Anniversary of Duncan Manor.

·        On June 16, he and a number of members of Council participated in a baseball game between City Hall and Downtown Merchants. Councillor Newcomb tore an Achilles tendon during this game.

·        On June 19, he participated in the Awards Ceremony at Malaspina College.

·        On June 21, he participated in the National Aboriginal Day events at the Quw'utsun' Conference & Cultural Centre and noted that former Chief Dennis Alphonse received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

 

Councillor Caljouw encouraged everyone to participate in the July 1 celebrations (Canada Day) at the Cowichan Sportsplex. The flag raising ceremony will be staged at 12:00 Noon.

 

 

Unfinished Business

 

BC Aviation Council

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

      THAT the letter dated June 4, 2002 from the British Columbia Aviation Council regarding the Air Travelers Security Charge ($24.00), be received, the contents noted and filed.

Carried.

 

Business License Review

For consideration were memorandums dated May 29 and June 10, 2002 to and from the City Treasurer.

 

 

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT the Council of the City of

Duncan contact the Councils of Lake Cowichan and Ladysmith and the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board to express the willingness of the City to cooperate in the establishment of Inter-Municipal Business Licenses noting that the goal for Business Licenses is that they be revenue neutral as stated in the Local Government Act.

Carried.

 

 

The Mayor asked the Planning & Priorities Committee and the Finance Committee to coordinate this endeavour.

 

Minister of Transport –

E & N Railway

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

      THAT the letter dated June 12, 2002 from the Office of the Federal Minister of Transport, regarding the E & N Railway, be received, the contents noted and filed.

 

Carried.

 

UBCM – Softwood Lumber Dispute Impacts

Movd. Councillor K. Newcomb

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT the memorandum dated June 14, 2002 from UBCM Chair and President Hans Cunningham, regarding the softwood lumber dispute impacts, be received, the contents noted and filed.

 

Carried.

 

CVRD Office Project – Landscaping Deposit

For consideration was a letter dated June 14, 2002 from the CVRD.

 

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

       WHEREAS Cloghesy & Doak Ltd., Landscape Architects, are preparing the landscaping plan for the new Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) office building on Ingram Street;

      AND WHEREAS CVRD officials have assured us that the landscaping plan will be implemented immediately following completion of the new building;

      AND WHEREAS the Building Inspector is ready to issue the Building Permit;

      THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council waive the policy requirement of a landscaping deposit of 125% of the estimated cost of the landscaping and site works prior to issuance of the Building Permit.

Carried.

 

CVRD Office Project – Building Permit

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

      THAT the memorandum dated June 9, 2002 from the Building Inspector, wherein he advises that the Building Permit for the new CVRD office complex was issued June 18, 2002, be received, the contents noted and filed.

 

Carried.

 

Mr. Sanders notes that the cost of the project is $2,975,270. and the permit was issued subject to finalization of the following items:

 

1.     Parking layout - final design & payment for any shortfall;

2.     Landscaping bond being paid, unless waived by City Council.

 

City/District of North Cowichan Water Systems

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

      THAT the report dated June 20, 2002 from the City Administrator, regarding the possible joining of the City of Duncan and District of North Cowichan water systems, be referred to the Public Works Committee.

Carried.

 

City Square Project - Paratransit Bus Stop

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

      THAT the needed new location of the Craig Street Paratransit Bus Stop during the City Square Project construction phase be referred to the City Administrator with power-to-act.

Carried.

 

 

Bylaws

 

City of Duncan Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1931, 2002

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT "City of Duncan Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1931, 2002" be reconsidered, finally passed and adopted.

Carried.

 

City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1932, 2002

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

     THAT Council give leave to Councillor   M. Lukaitis to introduce "City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1932, 2002".

 

Carried.

 

 

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

     THAT "City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1932, 2002" be read for the first time.

 

Carried.

 

 

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

     THAT "City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1932, 2002" be read for the second time.

 

Carried.

 

 

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

     THAT "City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1932, 2002" be read for the third time.

 

Carried.

 

Special Meeting

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

      THAT the Council of the City of Duncan resolve into Special Meeting (Committee of the Whole) to discuss property and legal issues;

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

Carried.

 

 

At 8:20 p.m., City Council resolved into Special Meeting.

 

 

At 9:30 p.m., the following Motion was PUT:

 

 

 

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw  

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT the Special Meeting of City Council rise;

      AND THAT this meeting do now adjourn.

 

Carried.

 

 

 

                                          

Michael Coleman

Mayor

 

                                          

Paul Douville

City Administrator