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 4, 2000.

Present: Mayor Michael Coleman;

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.

Mr. Dugan Tillie, 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. He referenced the long hours they spend fulfilling their duties and thus time taken away from their families. Mr. Tillie suggested that their commitment must be tempered with compassion and consideration of very divergent opinions. He 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.

Councillor Geoff Maxwell presented the Perpetual Trophy for Sportsmanship and Excellence to Gary Anderson for 2000.

At the earliest possible age, Gary started playing sports. He has won many awards for his own athletic abilities in soccer, baseball and fastball, track and field, with some of his records still standing, but his greatest thrill has been coaching. He has coached soccer and baseball, but his love is fastball. His vision was the promotion of a high calibre team from the Cowichan Valley and after years of hard work, it culminated this year with his Duncan Piper's Men's Fastpitch Team winning the Men's Open Western Canadian Fastpitch Championships. Along with the other team members, his sons Bricklen and Shaye and nephew Ian play on this team and on occasion when short, Gary has filled-in on the team

Gary is very proud of the fact that the Pipers draw players only from our little Cowichan Valley, unlike most other teams they play, who draw from large cities or as in the Western Championships, a whole province. Our "local" boys were the Champions.

Gary spends many hours volunteering, but has never expected anything in return. His reward is the satisfaction that he has done everything possible to provide a venue for the talented athletes we continue to produce in the Cowichan Valley. He is extremely proud of their accomplishments and treats them like part of the family. Gary is very passionate about his sports and it shows whether he is a coach, a player or just a fan, all of which he does with great enthusiasm and support from his wife Deanna and daughter Krysty.

Mr. Anderson thanked the Mayor and Council for this wonderful award simultaneously thanking the players, his family and the fans for their great support.

Councillor Phil Kent presented the Cowichan News Leader Arts Trophy to Ms. Pat Fischer for 2000.

After moving to the Cowichan Valley in 1983, Pat became very active in the art community of the Cowichan Valley as a volunteer and teacher. She has used her various experiences to encourage others to volunteer.

One of her greatest pleasures was when, as a volunteer painting teacher at the Cowichan Lodge and Extended Care Unit, she became involved in coaching mouth painting to victims of MS and Lou Gehrigs disease.

Pat joined the Maple Bay Painters, the Cherry Pt. Art Group and later the Auld Kirk Gallery Group. She was President of Maple Bay Painters for several years, then became a member and a Director of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council. Pat is currently President of the Cherry Pt. Group.

As a director of the Arts Council for 8 years, she has been very involved with the annual Spring Arts Show and was instrumental in locating the Arts Council office at Providence Farm where it has flourished and grown.

Three years ago, Pat organized the "Art in the Park" program which was successful as a popular tourist attraction for Duncan Visitors and hopes it will continue in the future.

Pat has been teaching water colour and acrylic classes for many years, including the last eight for the Cowichan Community Center, as well as conducting art workshops on the mainland and in many locations on Vancouver Island. She has enjoyed numerous awards for her own work and has donated many paintings for worthy causes.

Pat's next undertaking for the art community is the volunteer organization of a children's art program in conjunction with the Community Recreation Dept. of CCC. The first of these classes is scheduled for March 2001.

Councillor Kent presented Ms. Fischer with a keeper trophy; a soapstone carving by artist Daniel J. Cline.

Ms. Fischer thanked the Mayor and Council for this wonderful award and said it was an unexpected great honour.

Mayor Coleman then conducted the business session of the meeting.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

THAT the meetings of the City Council for the year 2001, after the Inaugural Meeting of December 4, 2000, 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 the Council meetings not be held on the fourth Mondays of July, August and December.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor E. Moon

THAT the signing authority of the City of Duncan be as follows:

2. all cheques drawn on the City Payroll Account shall be signed by the Corporate Financial Officer or Deputy Corporate Financial Officer;

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.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT the Report on the Standing Committees for the year 2001, as presented by His Worship The Mayor, be received.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

THAT Mayor Michael Coleman be appointed as the City of Duncan’s Director on the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board and Councillor Mike Caljouw as the Alternate Director.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the report on the Various Council Appointments for 2001, as presented by His Worship The Mayor, be received.

Carried.

Appointment of Auditors

Movd. Councillor E. Moon

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

THAT Hayes, Stewart, Little & Company/Goodman Mott be appointed auditors for the year 2001.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor E. Moon

Carried.

Mayor Coleman then delivered his Inaugural Address. Among his remarks, Mayor Coleman welcomed Freeman Art Mann, Freeman Pres Bruce, Noel Homer (Spouse of deceased Freeman John Homer), Reed Elley, M.P. and all guests present.

He expressed appreciation to Dugan Tillie and the two RCMP Members (Cpl. Brian Brown and Cst. Mike Field) for their participation in the ceremony.

Mayor Coleman then highlighted the following items:

• He expressed appreciation to the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board for deciding in 2000 to site their new offices in downtown Duncan rather than a considerable distance from the core. He thanked them for their foresight and good judgment.
• He said that Labour Negotiations have gone very well and that acceptance of a Collective Agreement is eminent.
• He said Council recently appointed the members to the Advisory Planning Commission and he looks forward to working with them on planning and revitalization issues.
• He referenced the Festivals and parades in the Valley (in particular the Duncan-Cowichan Summer Festival), the Chamber of Commerce Black Tie Awards, the Cowichan Tribes Pow Wow, the 2^nd Annual Wine Festival, the increased crowds spanning all generations at the Remembrance Day Ceremonies and the recently concluded November 27, 2000 Government of Canada Election (the Liberal Party was returned to office).
• He advised that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention will be staged in Duncan in March of 2001 noting the economic generator that is produced by conventions of this nature.

Mayor Coleman then reviewed the Standing Committees and other appointments for the year 2001, highlighting the Chair positions and the appointments to the Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Cowichan Community Centre Commission.

Mayor Coleman then went on to pay tribute to the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department for the continued tremendous service to the community. He complimented the 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 2000 (Ronnie Phipps and Joan Gillatt)

Councillor Mike Caljouw announced that Ronnie Phipps will be one of the designees on the Scroll of Honour for 2000. He outlined the reasons for this honour and presented a framed certificate to Ms. Phipps daughter, Michelle. Ms. Phipps was unable to attend this meeting since she was recovering from surgery.

Councillor Caljouw then outlined the following accomplishments of Ms. Phipps:

With 35 years cumulative experience as a nurse, educator, community health activist and disability rights advocate, she initiated and was a founding member of seven groups or organizations that promote the rights of citizens.

Her life experiences as a professional, a person with a disability and a caregiver, allowed her to develop a unique perspective of the support and services essential to self determination and interdependent living.

She is a firm believer in consumer participation at all levels of decision making and has carried out this philosophy during the past 35 years.

Some of her past involvements include:

• Cowichan Valley FAS Action Team Society, Founding Member and President
• Central Vancouver Island Regional Health Board Caregiver's Task Group
• Cowichan Valley Consumer HEALTH Action Committee, Founding Member and Co-chairperson
• BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, Director
• CARA Low Cost Housing Society, Director
• Canadian Mental Health Association Advocacy/Public Education Committee
• Regional Advisory Committee, Ministry of Social Services
• Cowichan Valley Independent Living Resource Centre Society, Founding Member and Chairperson
• Paratransit Steering Committee
• City of Duncan Mayor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities
• Cowichan Valley Hospice Society, Volunteer, Secretary and Board Member
• Cowichan Valley Basket Society, Volunteer

She is currently serving on the following boards or committees:

• BC Health Promotion Coalition, Founding Member and Chairperson
• Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society, Director
• Mid Island Family Caregivers Network Society, Director
• BC Institute of Technology, Board of Governors
• Provincial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Consultation Group
• Outreach Committee, Duncan United Church.

Ms. Michelle Shewchuk, Ms. Phipps daughter thanked the Mayor and Council for this wonderful and most deserved award on behalf of her mother.

Joan Gillatt, former City Councillor, assisted Councillor Caljouw in making this presentation.

Mayor Michael Coleman then announced that Joan Gillatt will also be a designee on the Scroll of Honour for 2000. He outlined the reasons for this honour and presented a framed certificate to Ms. Gillatt.

In addition to her many years of service to the Duncan United Church, she has served in the following community positions:

• Child Youth Leader - Cubs (Victoria) 1950 - 1958
• Child Youth Leader - Brownies (Duncan) 1970 - 1975

• Elected to School Board 65 (Cowichan) 1974 - 1983 (10 years); Chair 1979 - 1982 (4 years)

• Elected to City of Duncan Council 1984 - 1992 (9 years)

• Chair, Community Futures - Cowichan Region 1986 - 1992
• Cowichan Community Centre Commission Board 8 years; Chair 1 year
• Cowichan Lodge Intermediate Care Facility Board 1985 - 1992; Chair 1986 - 1991
• Vancouver Island Library Board

• Cowichan District Hospital Board 1994 - 1997
• Cowichan United Way
• Central Vancouver Island Health Region Board 1996 - Present

• Current Co-Vice Chair
• Chair - Policy Committee
• External Representative to Treaty Negotiations

• Tse-Wultun Health Centre Society Advisory Committee

• City of Duncan Mayor's Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities - Past Chair (serving from 1987 - present).

Ms. Gillatt thanked the Mayor and Council for this wonderful and most prestigious award and also thanked him for inviting her family to be present.

The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

He invited all guests to a reception being held in the Duncan Fire Hall following this meeting.