The Regular Meeting of City Council was held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC at 7:30 p.m., November 13, 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.

 

 

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 M. Caljouw

      THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of City Council held on October 29, 2001 be adopted.

Carried.

 

 

Communications

 

District of Houston – FCM Resolutions

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

      THAT the Council of the City of Duncan support the following resolution submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities by the District of Houston regarding high-speed internet service – health care:

 

"WHEREAS there is a shortage of doctors and health care services in rural and remote communities throughout Canada; and

WHEREAS the national Broadband Taskforce has identified health care as a public service that can be improved, and in some cases, delivered through the deployment of high-speed broadband networks to rural and remote communities:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities urge the Federal Government to make the improvement and delivery of health care to remote and rural communities the number one priority and determinant for decisions to deploy high-speed broadband networks throughout Canada by 2004."

Carried.

 

 

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

     THAT the Council of the City of Duncan support the following resolution submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities by the District of Houston regarding reduced personal income taxes:

 

 

"WHEREAS in 2001 the government of the Province of British Columbia reduced personal income taxes payable to the Province by 25% in an effort to stimulate economic growth;

AND WHEREAS other provinces in Canada have taken similar initiatives to increase personal income and encourage spending and economic growth;

AND WHEREAS the Federal Government is projecting a budget surplus for 2001;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities urge the Federal Government to follow the lead of provincial governments, and in particular that of the Province of British Columbia, by reducing personal income taxes by 25% as a means to encourage and stimulate the economy."

Carried.

 

Councillor Jackson dissenting.

 

Cowichan Exhibition Society - Banner

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

      THAT the Council of the City of Duncan authorize the display of the Cowichan Exhibition banner from the banner poles adjacent to the east-side of the Trans Canada Highway and south of the Cowichan River from August 14 - September 9, 2002 as requested in the October 26, 2001 letter from the Cowichan Exhibition.

 

Carried.

 

Auxiliary to Cowichan District Hospital - Banner

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT the Council of the City of Duncan authorize the display of the Senior Auxiliary to Cowichan District Hospital banner from the banner poles adjacent to the east-side of the Trans Canada Highway and south of the Cowichan River for the weeks of October 5 – 19, 2002 as requested in their October 27, 2001 letter.

Carried.

 

Family Literacy Day

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT January 27, 2002 be proclaimed as "Family Literacy Day" in the City of Duncan as requested in the October 31, 2001 letter from Literacy BC.

Carried.

 

Adoption Awareness Month

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

      THAT November 2001 be proclaimed as "Adoption Awareness Month" in the City of Duncan as requested in the November 1, 2001 letter from the Honourable Gordon Hogg, Minister of Children and Family Development.

Carried.

 

Heart Month

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

      THAT the Council of the City of Duncan proclaim February 2002 as "Heart Month" in the City of Duncan as requested in the November 2, 2001 letter from the Cowichan Valley Unit of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon;

     AND THAT the Foundation be authorized to display their "February is Heart Month" banner from the banner poles south of the Cowichan River on the east-side of the Trans Canada Highway for February 1 – 28, 2002, conduct door-to door canvassing during the month and conduct a Tag Day on Saturday, February 23, 2002;

      AND THAT Members of Council make every effort to participate in the "Heart Month" fund-raising events.

Carried.

 

Volunteer Cowichan – Ramp at N.E. Corner of City Hall

Movd. Councillor K. Newcomb

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT the November 6, 2001 letter from Volunteer Cowichan, regarding the continued need of the ramp at the north-east corner of City Hall, be received, the contents noted and filed.

Carried.

 

Expansion of Local Calling Areas

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

     THAT the Council of the City of Duncan endorse the following principles for expanded local telephone calling areas as outlined in the November 7, 2001 letter from the Regional District of Nanaimo:

 

 

·        Local government authority to initiate and determine the size of the local calling area.

 

·        Where costs to residential customers will exceed $1.00 per month, that an opportunity to vote on the proposal be required and be managed by the telephone service provided through a mail-in ballot sent with the telephone subscriber bill.

 

·        That the expansion of a local calling area be revenue neutral to the telephone service provider.

Carried.

 

Action on Violence Against Women

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

      THAT Council authorize the Cowichan Spirit of Women, the Cowichan Women Against Violence and the Cowichan Together Against Violence Network to stage a candlelight vigil from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. on December 6, 2001 (Thursday) in the City Hall courtyard subject to:

 

1.             Dripless candles with drip-catcher containers being used since dripless candles do drip somewhat.

2.             Flowers and candles not being left following the vigil (i.e. the site be left clean).

 

      AND THAT Members of City Council make every effort to attend this event.

Carried.

 

Just Jake's Restaurant - Street Closure

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT Council authorize the closure of the west lane of Craig Street fronting 45 Craig Street from 4:30 p.m., December 22, 2001 (Saturday) until 12:00 midnight on December 24, 2001 (Monday) to accommodate a tent for extended seating for Just Jake's Christmas parties subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

1.          Written concurrence from the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society (DBIAS) and other businesses in this block being provided to the City.

2.          RCMP approval.

3.          Just Jake's Restaurant obtaining required licensing from the BC Liquor Control Branch.

4.          Just Jake's Restaurant holding harmless the City of Duncan from any and all possible public liability claims in writing.

5.          Just Jake's Restaurant providing liability insurance to a minimum of $2,000,000 per occurrence for this event with the City of Duncan being named as an "Additional Insured" party.

6.  Payment by Just Jake's Restaurant to the City of a $300.00 deposit, which will be returned to the payor if the street and infrastructure are left in a clean and undamaged condition;

 

      AND THAT the parking spaces on the east-side of Craig Street between Government and Station Streets be designated as a no-parking zone during this time to accommodate access for emergency vehicles.

Carried.

 

DBIAS - Celebration of Christmas 2001

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

     THAT Council authorize all of the items, other than the hedge behind City Hall, in the November 8, 2001 letter from the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society (DBIAS), regarding Downtown Duncan Celebration of Christmas 2001, subject to:

 

·        The DBIAS holding harmless the City of Duncan from any and all liability claims.

·        The DBIAS maintaining a liability insurance policy of $2,000,000 per occurrence with the City of Duncan being named as an additional insured party.

·        The DBIAS ensuring that all areas and infrastructure are left in a clean and undamaged condition (e.g. horse droppings).

Carried.

 

 

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

      WHEREAS the hedge north of City Hall will be removed in conjunction with the proposed City Square Project, likely in 2002;

      THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the hedge be removed as soon as possible prior to the November 30, 2001 DBIAS Downtown Duncan Celebration of Christmas 2001.

 

Carried.

Councillor Lukaitis dissenting.

 

 

Reports of Standing Committees

 

 

 Finance Committee

 

Warrant No. 10-2001

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT Warrant No. 10-01 covering General Account cheque numbers 103751 – 103899 in the total amount of $253,519.07

Payroll Account

- Payroll #21 covering cheque

numbers 456 - 463 and Direct

Deposits in the amount of       29,993.63

 

- Payroll #22 covering cheque

numbers 464 – 486 and Direct

Deposits in the amount of      35,388.25

GRAND TOTAL . . . . . .       $318,900.95

be ratified.

Carried.

 

 

 Public Works Committee

 

 

For consideration were the notes of the November 6, 2001 meeting.

 

Christmas Decorations –

DBIAS

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT Council allocate the unexpended $4,000.00 from the 2001 Budget to a Christmas Decorations Reserve Fund;

 

     AND THAT the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society (DBIAS), working with the Public Works Superintendent, be requested to provide a desired 5-year plan for Christmas decorations.

Carried.

 

Centennial Park Stairs – Possible Lighting

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

     THAT the possible lighting of the Centennial Park stairs at a cost of $7,000. be referred to the 2002 Budget Committee for consideration;

     AND THAT if funds are available in the 2001 Budget, the project proceed as soon as possible.

Carried.

 

 

 Parks & Recreation Committee

 

 

City Square

Project

Councillor Maxwell advised that a public meeting regarding the City Square project is scheduled between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on November 22, 2001 in the Council Chambers.

 

 

 Planning Committee

 

 

For consideration were the notes of the November 6, 2001 meeting.

 

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

     THAT the following resolutions recommended by the Planning Committee, regarding St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, be referred back to the Planning Committee:

 

1.         "THAT Council permit St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church to site two portables on the west-side of the closed road, formerly known as Nagle Street and owned by the City, for a maximum of two years from the date when the portables are moved onto the property subject to building and fire code requirements and concurrence of School District 79."

 

 

2.         ”THAT Council request St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church to attempt to negotiate a land swap with School District #79 with the City of Duncan involvement to pertain to the City-owned property shown as closed road on legal plans (i.e. possible new Church fronting Herbert Street)."

 

Carried.

 

 

 

483/491 St. Julian Street – Request

for Rezoning from

C-1 to C-3

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

     THAT the request from Maurice Lobe, owner of 483 & 491 St. Julian Street for Council to consider an application for rezoning of these properties from C-1 (General Commercial) to C-3 (Service Commercial) for construction of mini-warehousing be denied.

Carried.

 

 

 Fire Committee

 

Ladies ALERTS - Craft Fair

Councillor Caljouw advised that the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department Ladies ALERTS will be staging a Craft Fair at the Duncan Fire Hall on November 24, 2001.

 

 

 

 

Reports of Special Committees

 

 

Building Statistics Report - October 2001

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT the Building Statistics Report for October 2001 as prepared by the Building Inspector, be received, the contents noted and filed.

 

Carried.

 

RCMP Report - Halloween

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT the memorandum dated November 1, 2001 from the City Administrator, wherein he advises that the RCMP reported that Halloween for the City of Duncan was basically a non-problem event, be received, the contents noted and filed.

Carried.

 

Miscellaneous

Councillor Kent reported on the following items:

 

 

·      The Black Tie Awards held on November 3, 2001 were well attended and were a great success producing proceeds of $1,500. to the Duncan-Cowichan Chamber of Commerce.

 

·      Finding the business mixers successful, the Duncan-Cowichan Chamber of Commerce will be extending the concept in the new year.

 

·      The Chamber of Commerce is attempting to clarify the rights to the name "Warm Land".

 

·           The BC Forest Discovery Centre has applied for a $110,000. grant to prepare a master plan outlining their long-term goals and development objectives.

·           The roofs on the camp buildings at the BC Forest Discovery Centre are being redone.

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Coleman reported on the following items:

 

 
  • The CVRD Transit Committee has advised that the monthly ridership has already hit 19,000 in 2001.
  • On November 1, he attended the Cowichan Sportsplex unveiling of their phased plans.
  • On November 3, he attended the excellent Black Tie Service Awards.
  • On November 10, he attended the rededication ceremony of the Royal Canadian Legion cairn on Mt. Prevost.
  • On November 11, he participated in the Remembrance Day Ceremony noting that it was the largest turnout in recent times.
  • On November 12, he participated in the unveiling ceremony of the CT Scan at the Cowichan District Hospital.

 

 

 

Unfinished Business

 

Water Billing –

3066 Westview Street/Ryall Road

For consideration was a memo dated October 16, 2001 from the City Treasurer and a letter dated October 9, 2001 from Mr. & Mrs. Dhanoa.

 

 

Movd. Councillor K. Newcomb

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT as policy, the City of Duncan charge or refund only for the current and immediately preceding calendar year for errors in billings or omissions, as identified from time to time;

     AND FURTHER THAT in extraordinary situations, Council will review the charges on an individual basis.

Carried.

 

 

Bylaws

 

Disabled Persons' Parking Bylaw No. 1527, 1987, Amendment Bylaw No. 1922, 2001

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

      THAT Council give leave to Councillor M. Caljouw to introduce "Disabled Persons' Parking Bylaw No. 1527, 1987, Amendment Bylaw No. 1922, 2001".

Carried.

 

 

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT "Disabled Persons' Parking Bylaw No. 1527, 1987, Amendment Bylaw No. 1922, 2001" be read for the first time.

 

Carried.

 

 

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

      THAT "Disabled Persons' Parking Bylaw No. 1527, 1987, Amendment Bylaw No. 1922, 2001" be read for the second time.

Carried.

 

 

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT "Disabled Persons' Parking Bylaw No. 1527, 1987, Amendment Bylaw No. 1922, 2001" be read for the third time.

Carried.

 

 

New Business

 

Cowichan Sportsplex

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

      THAT the memo dated November 5, 2001 from Mayor Coleman, regarding possible financial assistance for the Cowichan Sportsplex, be referred to the Finance Committee for recommendation.

Carried.

 

 

 

City Hall Closure – December 24, 2001

For consideration was a memorandum dated November 9, 2001 from the City Administrator.

 

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT City Hall be closed on Monday, December 24, 2001 giving the inside staff a continuous 5-day break over Christmas (i.e. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – December 22 – 26, inclusive);

      AND THAT as agreed by all inside staff, holiday time be appropriated for this day.

Carried.

 

Special Meeting

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

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

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

Carried.

 

 

At 8:05 p.m., City Council resolved into Special Meeting.

 

At 9:20 p.m., the following Motion was PUT:

 

 

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

      THAT the Special Meeting rise;

      AND THAT this meeting of City Council do now adjourn.

Carried.

 

 

 

                                        

Michael Coleman

Mayor

 

                                        

Paul Douville

City Administrator