The Inaugural Statutory Meeting of City Council was held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC at 7:30 p.m., December 3, 2001. Present: Mayor Michael Coleman; Councillors Mike Caljouw, Sharon Jackson, Phil Kent, Martin Lukaitis, Geoff Maxwell and Ken Newcomb. Also Present: Paul Douville, City Administrator and approximately 95 invited guests.
Inaugural Meeting	The City Administrator requested everyone in attendance to stand for the entrance of the Mayor and Council and asked them to do so until Council Members took their places at the Council Table. His Worship Mayor Michael Coleman opened the Council meeting with a prayer and called for order.
Lieutenant Matt Coleman – Fire Department	The City Administrator administered the Oaths of Office and Allegiance for newly appointed Lieutenant Matt Coleman of the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Coleman was congratulated on his promotion.
Charges to the Elected Officials	Ms. Susan Cawley, Barrister and Solicitor, delivered charges to the Mayor and Council, stressing the importance and responsibilities of their offices and their obligations to the taxpayers of the City of Duncan. She referenced the long hours they spend fulfilling their duties and thus time taken away from their families. Ms. Cawley suggested that their commitment must be tempered with compassion and consideration of very divergent opinions. She thanked the Mayor and Council for the leadership role that they provide in the community and wished them well in their endeavours in the coming year.
Awarding of City of Duncan Perpetual Trophy for Sportsmanship and Excellence for 2001 (Jeff Wallis)	Councillor Phil Kent presented the Perpetual Trophy for Sportsmanship and Excellence to Jeff Wallis for 2001. Since Jeffrey was unable to attend this evening due to his commitments at the University of Washington, his father, Brian Wallis, received the award on his behalf. Jeff Wallis, age 18, was born and raised in Duncan and has a goal to make the Canadian Team to the upcoming Olympics in Athens, Greece in 2004 and a career in architecture. Jeff's following current rankings were noted: #1 ranked Junior (Under age 20) Shot-putter in Canada and BC Set a new BC Junior Shotput record at Canada Games in August 2001 as a first year Junior #1 ranked Junior (Under age 21) in BC - #2 ranked Nationally in Olympic Weightlifting –Super Heavy Weight Class #1 ranked in 2001 High School Shotput, set new Vancouver Island and BC record in High School Shotput 5^th ranked Nationally in Shotput for men, two of which are Olympic athletes. Some of Mr. Wallis' most recent awards are as follows: 2001 Athlete of the Year, Cowichan High School 2001 Senior Track& Field – Most Outstanding Athlete, Cowichan High School 2001 Most Outstanding Athlete Overall, Nanaimo Track & Field Club 2000 Most Outstanding Athlete Overall, Nanaimo Track & Field Club 2000 top Athlete in Field Events, Nanaimo Track & Field Club 2000 Track & Field Most Outstanding Athlete, Cowichan High School 1999 Top Juvenile Athlete, Cowichan Valley Athletic Club Brian Wallis thanked the Mayor & Council for this wonderful award on behalf of his son.
Awarding of Cowichan News Leader Arts Trophy for 2001 (Roger Sparkes)	Councillor and Deputy Mayor Mike Caljouw presented the Cowichan News Leader Arts Trophy to Roger Sparkes for 2001. Roger Sparkes was born in Winnipeg, raised in North Burnaby and educated at UBC and Simon Fraser University. He has been involved in the arts and education for most of his adult life, with a variety of arts administration and teaching positions in the Okanagan, Vancouver and Victoria. He came to the Cowichan Valley in 1984 taking the post of Theatre Coordinator of the Cowichan Community Centre. In that and in his volunteer capacities, he has been the Programme Director of the 1987 Duncan/Cowichan BC Festival of the Arts, and the Director of Ceremonies of the 1991 Duncan/Cowichan BC Winter Games. He hosted and co-hosted community television productions on Shaw Cable. He was also involved in the locally produced Shaw Cable Telethons for the Salvation Army Christmas Fund. He assisted in the formation of the Friends of the Cowichan theatre Society, the Warmland foundation for the Arts, and the Cowichan Fringe Festival Society of which he is currently President. Roger recently retired from the Cowichan Community Centre, but is still active in volunteering on behalf of the arts in the Cowichan Valley. Mr. Sparkes thanked the Mayor and Council for this wonderful award noting that they are true supporters of the arts in the Cowichan Valley.
Business Session	Mayor Coleman then conducted the business session of the meeting.
Dates of Regular Council Meetings	Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the meetings of the City Council for the year 2002, after the Inaugural Meeting of December 3, 2001, be held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the hour of 7:30 p.m. unless such Monday shall be a Public Holiday in which case the City Council shall meet at the same hour the next day which is not a Civic or Public Holiday; AND THAT Council meetings not be held on the fourth Mondays of July, August and December. Carried.
Cheque Signing Authority	Movd. Councillor K. Newcomb Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT the signing authority of the City of Duncan be as follows: (a) all cheques drawn on the City Treasury shall be signed by the Mayor or Deputy Mayor AND by the City Treasurer or Deputy City Treasurer; (b) all cheques drawn on the City Payroll Account shall be signed by the City Treasurer or the Deputy City Treasurer; (c) all transfer of funds into the Payroll Account and between all other City Funds shall be signed by the Mayor or Deputy Mayor AND by the City Treasurer or Deputy City Treasurer; (d) all Promissory Notes for temporary bank loans shall be signed by the Mayor or Deputy Mayor, the Chairman of the Finance Committee and by the City Treasurer or Deputy City Treasurer; AND THAT signatures referred to in Clauses (a), (b), and (c) above may be reproduced by mechanical reproduction, except for cheques and transfers in excess of $10,000.00 each of which must bear two manual signatures; AND THAT the City Administrator be authorized to vote for the Board of Directors of Island Savings Credit Union. Carried.
Appointment of Standing Committees	Movd. Councillor S. Jackson Secd. Councillor P. Kent THAT the Report on the Standing Committees for the year 2002, as presented by His Worship The Mayor, be received. Carried.
Appointment of City Director and Alternate on the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board	Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT Mayor M.G. Coleman be appointed as the City of Duncan's Director on the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board and Councillor M. Caljouw as the Alternate Director. Carried.
Appointment of City Director(s) on Various Committees	Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell Secd. Councillor M. Lukaitis THAT the report on the Various Council Appointments for 2002, as presented by His Worship The Mayor, be received. Carried.
Appointment of Auditors	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb THAT Hayes, Stewart, Little & Co. be appointed auditors for the year 2002. Carried.
Appointment of City Directors on the Cowichan Community Centre Commission	Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw THAT Councillors M. Lukaitis and K. Newcomb be the City of Duncan Directors on the Cowichan Community Centre Commission. Carried.
Inaugural Address	Mayor Coleman then delivered his Inaugural Address. Among his remarks, Mayor Coleman welcomed Freeman Art Mann and all guests present. He expressed appreciation to Susan Cawley and the two RCMP Members (Inspector Linton Robinson and Constable Bernadette Sam) for their participation in this ceremony. Mayor Coleman then highlighted the following items: He noted the sad loss of Councillor and Deputy Mayor Ernie Moon and said that his contributions to City Council and the community are sorely missed. He referenced the attempt of City Council to have the new Vancouver Island Regional Library sited in Downtown Duncan. Unfortunately, this endeavour was not supported by the electorate at the referendum held on February 24, 2001.
	He noted that Council was successful in having the CVRD plan for their new administration offices in Downtown Duncan. He said that the removal of the hedge along Duncan Street between Queens Road and Government Street has been well received by the community. Its removal has calmed safety concerns and is aesthetically more pleasing. He referenced the plans for the proposed new City Square on the north side of City Hall, Craig Street, Lois Lane and the walkway between City Hall and the Canada Building. He said this project is being met with much enthusiasm. He recognized the significant public participation engendered through the Advisory Planning Commission and the budget and planning processes. He congratulated the Chesterfield Sports Society on their work in developing the "Cowichan Sportsplex" noting their goals and dreams for the subsequent phases of the project. He noted that the Cowichan Tribes Elections were being held on December 4, 2001 and indicated that City Council is looking forward to continued good relations with the Cowichan Tribes Council. He recognized the successful election of Councillor Ken Newcomb in the By-Election held on April 28, 2001. Following the Provincial Election on May 16, 2001, he noted the change of government to the Liberal Party and referenced the substantial changes in the structure of government. He noted the proposed Community Charter and the work Council is doing in the process to adoption of this new legislation. He noted the drastic effects on the local economy the softwood lumber dispute is producing. He referenced the September 11, 2001 terrorism attack on the World Trade Centre Towers and the Pentagon. He said that our community forwarded a Book of Condolences to the government of the United States and noted the tremendous turn-out of observers at our November 11 Remembrance Day Ceremony. He referenced the work of the Downtown Neighbourhood Revitalization Committee and the need for improvements in the downtown core. He then highlighted the Chairs of the various Standing Committees. He paid tribute to the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department for their continued consistent professional service to the community. · He also complimented City Staff for their professionalism, capable service and loyalty and for always delivering extra effort.
	In closing, Mayor Coleman said that he always takes pride in the sense of community in Duncan and that Council will continue to respect the public trust given to them and deal with finances in a wise and fair manner.
Presentations - Scroll of Honour Recipients for 2001 (Ernie Moon and Ruby Peter) Ernie Moon	Mayor Coleman and Councillor Lukaitis announced that deceased Councillor and Deputy Mayor Ernie Moon will be one of the designees on the Scroll of Honor for 2001. They presented a framed certificate and a bouquet of flowers to Joanne Moon, Ernie's widow. Mrs. Moon thanked the Mayor and Council for this tremendous recognition. Prior to making the presentation, Mayor Coleman outlined the following community involvements of Ernie Moon: Served as Chairman of Group Committee for 1^st Duncan and 3^rd Duncan Scouts Served on District and Regional committees, received Hai-Etlik Award for service to scouting in the Islands Region Served as a member of the Guide Hall Restoration Committee Board Member of the Cowichan Historical Society Member of the Duncan History Book Society that raised money and arranged for the writing and publication of Small City in a Big Valley, a history of Duncan Judge at various 4-H Speech Contests Canvasser for Canadian Cancer Society Member of Duncan Planning and Advisory Committee Duncan City Councillor 1997-2001 Member of Executive Committee of Vancouver Island Regional Library Board, chaired Committee on internet policies
Ruby Peter	Mayor Coleman and Councillor Jackson then announced that Ruby Peter will also be a designee on the Scroll of Honour for 2001. Councillor Jackson outlined the reasons for this honor and presented a framed certificate to Ms. Peter. Ruby Peter serves the community in the following manner: Talented weaver of traditional baskets and blankets. Ritualist and healer who perpetually gives of her time – not only to her own family, neighbours and community, but
	to other communities on the Island, the mainland and south into Washington State. Advisor and consultant to many service agencies. Volunteered in the court system, working in restorative justice, both with Elders and in the diversion for youth. Cultural consultant to the courts, working with the Native Court Workers Program. Her greatest contribution has been in bringing back the Cowichan language from the brink of extinction. Ruby is a language and cultural teacher and a trained linguist. She was the first teacher of the Indian language here in the public schools and has been tireless in the promotion of Cowichan as a Living Language. Worked on Cowichan dictionary for 15 years and presently teaches the Cowichan language at Malaspina University College. Councillor Jackson described Ruby Peter as a "National Treasure". Ms. Peter thanked the Mayor and Council for this wonderful and most prestigious award and also thanked them for inviting her and her family to be present.
Adjournment	The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. He invited all guests to a reception being held in the Duncan Fire Hall following this meeting.
	Mayor Michael Coleman Paul Douville City Administrator