The Regular Meeting of City Council was held in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC at 7:30 p.m., January 8, 2001.

Mayor Michael Coleman;

Councillors Mike Caljouw, Sharon Jackson, 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. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of City Council held on December 11, 2000 be adopted.

Carried.

To outline the problem regarding 1066 College Street, Dave Sanders, Building Inspector, addressed Council. Mr. Sanders advised that a Building Permit (#9642) was issued May 29, 1996 to raise the existing dwelling unit, construct a new first storey, and to construct an addition to one end of the structure. To date, the project remains incomplete, with no work being done for a considerable period of time. The 2-storey addition has no roof and has therefore been exposed to the elements since construction began in 1996.

Mr. Sanders advised that he has written to the owner, Diana McHardie, and spoken with her in person with respect to this situation. Under the provisions of Section 4 of the Building Bylaw, the owner has been notified that the building permit for the work has lapsed and that a renewal will be required for the completion of the work. Because the addition has been exposed to the elements for such a long time, it is inevitable that water penetration and subsequent structural deterioration has occurred. As a result of the water penetration, the structure is unlikely to be usable for its expected purpose during its normal lifetime.

Mr. Sanders recommended that Council pass a resolution pursuant to Section 700 of the Local Government Act to place a notice on title outlining this problem. He said the notice on title will not only protect the City but also the owner should a sale be contemplated. Mr. Sanders said he would be very prepared to work with the owner towards completion of the project.

Diana McHardie then addressed Council advising that she intends to finish the project as soon as possible and is trying to do so during the summer of 2001. On a question from Council, she advised that she has no objection to a notice being filed on title outlining the water penetration and structural problems.

Mrs. McHardie was thanked for her attendance and she left the meeting.

Ernie Mansueti, Recreation Director - District of North Cowichan, addressed Council regarding the Trans Canada Trail Network and Cycling Plan.

He recognized Rob Hinton, who was also in attendance and represented the City of Duncan on the Committee. He noted that Mr. Hinton is an avid cyclist and as such provided much fruitful input into the Study.

The District of North Cowichan has worked together with the City of Duncan and the Cowichan Valley Regional District to develop the Trail and Cycling Network Study. The Ministry of Community Development Cooperatives, volunteers, and the District of North Cowichan have provided financial assistance for the Plan.

An Advisory Committee was struck that worked with a Consultant (Lanarc Consultants Ltd.) to achieve the following objectives in the planning process:

• A clear assessment of alternative routes for the Trans Canada Trail into the City of Duncan and through to Crofton and Chemainus.
• Identify existing formal and informal pedestrian corridors.
• Create a trail of network plans with a hierarchy of trails responding to local neighbourhood requirements (informal trail walkways and open space connections), cross community connections (main pedestrian routes) and inter-community connections (Trans Canada Trail and alternatives).
• Provide a cycling network plan, which will identify routes in and around the North Cowichan and Duncan areas, along with appropriate recommendations on design standards, signage, education and safety programs.
• Recognize the needs of all users including cyclists (road and mountain bikes), equestrians, hikers and residents of all ages/abilities, while acknowledging and addressing possible conflicts between user groups.
• An implementation strategy (including rough cost estimates), which is not totally dependent on local tax dollars, but recognizes other methods for developing the system.
• Provide policies for inclusion into community and user groups and developers with clear direction on how the trail and cycling network plan will be realized and maintained.

Mr. Mansueti said that the resultant report met all of these objectives and overall is an excellent document.

To link the City, the railway corridor from Shawnigan Lake to "the Deerholm Y" is utilized, then to Miller Road, to Allenby Road and into the downtown core. From the west, the CP Rail corridor is utilized to Centennial Heights with the alternatives of using the access through Centennial Park or Government Street. Better access through Centennial Park could be provided by the City with grants from the Senior Governments or with assistance from a Service Club. Since the stairway in Centennial Park is relatively steep, Mr. Mansueti suggested that switchbacks could be considered.

Mr. Mansueti noted that input into the plan was obtained from the Cowichan Tribes and the entire Cowichan Valley Regional District.

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT the Council of the City of Duncan endorse "in principle" the Cycling and Trails Plan prepared by Lanarc Consultants Ltd.

Carried.

Mr. Mansueti was thanked for his presentation and he left the meeting.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor E. Moon

THAT the Council of the City of Duncan deny the request from the Cowichan Folk Guild to display their banner from the banner poles adjacent to the eastside of the Trans Canada Highway and south of the Cowichan River July 3 - 22, 2001 as requested in their December 5, 2000 letter due to a conflict with the Duncan-Cowichan Summer Festival annual banner display;

AND THAT Council suggest that the Cowichan Folk Guild contact the District of North Cowichan about displaying their banner on the banner poles in Pioneer Park.

It was suggested that both the Summer Festival and Folk Festival banners could be hung from the banner poles south of the Cowichan River. If they have two banners, the second Folk Festival banner could be displayed in Pioneer Park with the permission of the District of North Cowichan.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the Cowichan Folk Guild banner request, regarding the Island Folk Festival, be postponed to the next meeting of City Council.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

THAT the month of March 2001 be proclaimed as "Kidney Month" in the City of Duncan as requested by the Kidney Foundation of Canada in their December 7, 2000 letter.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

THAT January 27, 2001 be proclaimed as "Family Literacy Day" in the City of Duncan as requested by Literacy BC, in their December 7, 2000 letter.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the letter dated December 13, 2000 from the Liquor Distribution Branch, wherein they advise they have no plans for expansion of liquor outlets in Duncan at this time, be received, the contents noted and filed.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT the letter dated December l8, 2000

from the Anglican Synod of The Diocese of British Columbia, wherein they express strong objection to any expansion of gambling, be received, the contents noted and filed.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT the December 30, 2000 year-end report from Mr. Robert Alexander, Duncan's Official Town Crier, be received with much appreciation for a job-well-done;

AND THAT his appointment as Town Crier for the City of Duncan be confirmed;

AND THAT his expense claim of $159.42 be paid forthwith.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT May 7 - 13, 2001 be proclaimed as "National Mental Health Week" in the City of Duncan as requested by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Cowichan Valley Branch 1992, in their January 4, 2001 letter.

Carried.

For consideration were the notes of the December 14, 2000 Committee meeting.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT large on-street "X's" be installed preceding the crosswalks crossing Canada Avenue at Evans Street and at James Street.

Carried.

Labour Relations Committee

It was reported that both City Council and CUPE Local 358 have ratified a Collective Agreement for the next four years:

1. 2%
2. 2%
3. 3%
4. 3%.

Planning Committee

City Council met with the newly appointed members of the Advisory Planning Commission on December 18, 2000. This was an introductory meeting where positive discussions occurred.

Public Safety Committee

Councillor Lukaitis reported that the next Women's Safety Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2001.

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

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

Carried.

For consideration were the following items:

• Memo dated December 21, 2000 from David Sanders, Building Inspector
• Letter dated November 2, 2000 from the Building Inspector to Ms. Diana McHardie, owner of 1066 College Street
• Inspection Report dated October 7, 1998
• Building Permit #9642 dated May 28, 1996
• Section 700 of the Local Government Act

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT pursuant to Section 700 of the Local Government Act, City Council authorize the placement of a "Notice on Title" for 1066 College Street (Lot 3, Section 19, Range 5, Plan 7907, Quamichan District) advising that since an under-construction addition has been exposed to the elements since 1996, it is inevitable that water penetration and subsequent structural deterioration has occurred.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the December 11, 2000 letter from the Honourable Corky Evans, Minister of Health, wherein he advises that the Ministry will provide funds for the operating cost of the CT Scanner at the Cowichan District Hospital, be received, the contents noted and filed.

Carried.

Development Variance Permit

For consideration were the following items:

• Letter dated December 18, 2000 from Cowichan Estates Ltd.
• Memo dated December 19, 2000 from the Building Inspector.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT Council agree to extend the Development Variance Permit deadline for paving the parking area at the rear portion of 553 Dobson Road (i.e. additional parking required for 248-254 Trans Canada Highway) to December 31, 2001 subject to the parking spaces provided on 553 Dobson Road being properly covered by a registered easement and covenant in favour of 248-254 Trans Canada Highway in accordance with the Parking Bylaw.

Carried.

Raquel Beattie (APC - Non-Resident Member) contacted City Hall on January 4, 2001 from Kingston, Ontario. She has moved to Ontario and will not be back in the Cowichan Valley for 12 months. She said she would like to stay on the APC committee since she feels she has much to offer and would like to correspond via the internet.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor E. Moon

THAT the Council of the City of Duncan thank Raquel Beattie for her offer to remain on the Advisory Planning Commission while she resides in Ontario for the next year;

BUT THAT her request be denied;

AND THAT she be advised that she may apply to be re-appointed to the Advisory Planning Commission when she returns to the Duncan area.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor E. Moon

THAT Council give leave to Councillor M. Lukaitis to introduce "Remuneration and Expenses Bylaw No. 1736, 1994, Amendment Bylaw No. 1911, 2001".

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT " Remuneration and Expenses Bylaw No. 1736, 1994, Amendment Bylaw No. 1911, 2001" be read for the first time.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT " Remuneration and Expenses Bylaw No. 1736, 1994, Amendment Bylaw No. 1911, 2001" be read for the second time.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT " Remuneration and Expenses Bylaw No. 1736, 1994, Amendment Bylaw No. 1911, 2001" be read for the third time.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT Community Plan Bylaw No. 1762, Amendment Bylaw No. 1906, 2000 (Portion of 914 Jubilee Street) be reconsidered, finally passed and adopted.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 1540, 1988, Amendment Bylaw No. 1, No. 1907, 2000 (Portion of 914 Jubilee Street) be reconsidered, finally passed and adopted.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

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

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

Carried.

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

At 9:00 p.m., the following Motion was PUT:

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

THAT this Special Meeting of City Council rise and report to City Council.

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Lukaitis

THAT the Council of the City of Duncan request the Commissionaires Chief Executive Officer to increase the hourly rates received by our Sergeant and Commissionaire-2 by the same following percentage increases agreed to with CUPE Local 358:

Carried.

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

THAT the stipends paid to the McAdam Park Fieldhouse Attendant (Ann Renema) and the McAdam Park Parking Lot Gate Attendant (Doreen Frame) be increased by the same following percentage increases agreed to with CUPE Local 358:

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor E. Moon

THAT this meeting of City Council do now adjourn.

Michael Coleman

Paul Douville