The Regular Meeting of City Council was held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC at 7:30 p.m., February 24, 2003. Present: Mayor Michael Coleman; Councillors Mike Caljouw, Jenny Farkas, Sharon Jackson, Phil Kent and Geoff Maxwell. Also Present: Paul Douville, City Administrator. Absent With Prior Notice: Councillor Ken Newcomb.
	His Worship Mayor Michael Coleman opened the Council Meeting with a prayer and called for order.
Adoption of Minutes	Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the minutes of the Regular Meeting of City Council held on February 10, 2003 be adopted. Carried.
	Delegations:
The Honourable Graham Bruce – MLA Cowichan-Ladysmith	The Honourable Graham Bruce, BC Minister of Labour and MLA for Cowichan-Ladysmith, addressed Council regarding the 2003 Provincial Budget. He distributed a handout outlining numerous graphs and charts. He noted that his government adopted legislation that the Provincial Budget must be balanced commencing in 2004-2005. He said that to keep on track, his government is creating budgets on a 3-year projection basis.
	Referencing the handout, Mr. Bruce then made the following points: BC has the lowest income tax rates in Canada along with Ontario and Alberta (professionals such as Doctors and Nurses prefer living in BC for tax purposes and for the amenities that BC has to offer.) Paycheques are growing. BC leads in job creation (Canada average 3.7%; BC: 4.1% - 77,000 new jobs created in 2002). Housing starts and vehicle sales are up. The budget is on track to being balanced by 2004-2005. Health care spending has tripled since 1985 from $3 billion to $10.4 billion. The total 2003-2004 budget is $27.8 billion. 56 Health Authorities have been reduced to 6 Authorities. The related Administrative Budget has been decreased by 41%. There is increased education spending despite declining enrollment. Almost 900 million has been allocated for research and access (e.g. training for more physicians; doubled training spaces for nurses). 35,000 people have been assisted to remove themselves from receiving Social Assistance. BC spends more than it collects on transportation; therefore additional fuel tax of $3.5 per litre has been levied to fund new projects. $650 million in transportation improvements will be made over the next 3 years. At the Cassidy Airport, the plan is to lengthen the runway and institute assisted landing technology. The economy is growing (1.9% growth in GDP in 2002 compared to a projected growth of 3% in 2005). With the funding of the Island Highway over the past number of years, there will only be minor road improvements in our area over the next few years.
	The Honourable Graham Bruce was thanked for his presentation and he left the meeting.
	Communications:
Forest Celebration	Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor P. Kent THAT the February 13, 2003 letter from the National Forest Week 2003 Coordinator, regarding Forest Celebration Saturday on May 10, 2003, be received, the contents noted and filed. Carried.
Multiple Sclerosis Society - Tag Day & Banner	Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the Multiple Sclerosis Society be granted permission to conduct their Carnation Campaign in the City of Duncan on May 9 and 10, 2003 as requested in the January 28, 2003 letter from the Capital Region Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada; AND THAT the Council of the City of Duncan authorize the display of the Multiple Sclerosis Society Banner from the banner poles adjacent to the east-side of the Trans Canada Highway and south of the Cowichan River from May 1 - 11, 2003 as requested in the January 27, 2003 letter from the Capital Region Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Carried.
	Reports of Standing Committees
	Finance Committee
	For consideration were the notes of the February 17, 2003 meeting.
Warrant No. 12-2002 and No. 01-2003	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT Warrant No. 12-02 covering General Account cheque numbers 105724 – 105943 in the total amount of $550,048.66 Payroll Account - Payroll #25 covering cheque numbers 2482 - 2569 and Direct Deposits in the amount of 49,285.68 - Payroll #26 covering cheque numbers 2570 – 2582 and Direct Deposits in the amount of 30,927.71 - Payroll #27 covering cheque numbers 2583 – 2586 and Direct Deposits in the amount of 11,919.35 GRAND TOTAL . . . . . . $642,181.40 be ratified;
	AND THAT Warrant No. 01-03 covering General Account cheque numbers 105944 – 106003 in the total amount of $93,242.02 Payroll Account - Payroll #01 covering cheque numbers 2587 - 2599 and Direct Deposits in the amount of 32,880.68 - Payroll #02 covering cheque numbers 2600 – 2619 and Direct Deposits in the amount of 34,648.35 GRAND TOTAL . . . . . . $160,771.05 be ratified. Carried.
DBIAS – City Square Management Grant	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw THAT a "one-time start-up" grant of $5,000.00 be provided to the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society (DBIAS) for City Square Management Operations commencing in 2003. Carried.
	Public Works Committee
	For consideration were the notes of the February 17, 2003 meeting.
Remedial Pavement Work - Intersections	Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT pre-budget approval of $7,500.00 be granted for remedial pavement work at the Canada/Ingram/Queens and the Trunk/Canada/ Tracks intersections. Carried.
	For consideration was a petition dated January 28, 2003 from Don's Upholstery and other business people on First Street.
First Street Parking	Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT on the north-side of First Street between Canada Avenue and Jubilee Street, the parking stalls be appropriately marked and that a 2-hour parking restriction be created. Carried.
Riverstone – Requested Emergency Vehicle Refuge	Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the recent letters from the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department, the BC Ambulance Service and the RCMP, regarding the requested emergency vehicle refuge adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway, be forwarded to the Riverstone Strata Council; AND THAT the requested emergency vehicle refuge on the east-side of the Trans Canada Highway adjacent to the Riverstone Housing Complex not be endorsed by City Council. Carried.
Strategic Planning Session	Members of Council were reminded of the Strategic Planning Session scheduled for the evening of February 28 and all day on March 1, 2003 at the Cowichan Community Centre.
	Reports of Special Committees
	Mayors Advisory Committee for Persons With Disabilities.
	For consideration were the notes of the February 18, 2003 meeting.
Audible Traffic Signals	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw THAT the following recommendation from the Mayor's Advisory Committee for Persons With Disabilities be referred to the 2003 Budget Review Committee: "THAT the Council of the City of Duncan be requested to install audible signals at the Festubert/Trunk Road crossing in 2003; AND THAT the following crossings be dealt with as funds permit: 1. Trunk Road at Brae Road 2. Government Street and Boundary at P. Baljet Chev Olds." Carried.
Skeleem Village	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the Council of the City of Duncan correspond with the Minister of State for Mental Illness, the Honourable Gulzar Cheema, requesting that the brain injury rehabilitation programs offered at the Skeleem Village be continued; AND THAT a Public Administrator be appointed until a viable alternative can be established. Carried.
Cowichan Valley Independent Living Resource Centre	The Cowichan Valley Independent Living Resource Centre has moved to a new location at the corner of Festubert and Coronation Avenue. On February 15, 2003 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., they will be staging a Public Open House.
Miscellaneous	Councillor Farkas reported on Heritage Week festivities at the Green Door Society. She advised that she and Councillor Jackson assisted Dave Coulson in installing the "City of Duncan Heritage Plaque" on the Green Door restored structure on Ingram Street (first heritage designation of a former residential structure). Following the installation of the plaque, speakers Rick Goodacre of Heritage Society BC, Steve Barber of the City of Victoria and Neil Wilton of the BC Heritage Branch conducted workshops focused on heritage restoration. Mr. Barber has offered to make a presentation to City Council on how Victoria successfully revitalized its downtown with a comprehensive heritage strategy.
	Deputy Mayor Mike Caljouw apologized for not attending the February 18, 2003 activities at the Green Door restored property.
	Mayor Coleman reported on the following items: · On February 22, the Mayors and Administrators met with the Honourable Graham Bruce regarding matters such as governance restructuring. · He expressed congratulations to the Provincial Emergency Program and Emergency Social Services for their excellent treatment of the victims of the recent Mainwood Manor fire. · On February 20, he met with the Ministerial Association and advised that a major project will be announced shortly. · On February 23, Mayor Coleman and Councillor Jackson attended the 50^th Wedding Anniversary celebration of Hazura & Surinder Sangha. Councillor Jackson expressed delight with the quality of the celebration and for being invited to attend.
	Unfinished Business
Police Financing	Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell Secd. Councillor P. Kent THAT the letter dated February 10, 2003 from the Honourable R.T. Coleman, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, wherein he advises that changes in police financing will not occur until 2004, be received, the contents noted and filed. Carried.
BC Hydro & Accenture	Movd. Councillor J. Farkas Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the letter dated February 7, 2003 from the Country Managing Director of Accenture, regarding their involvement in the administrative structure of BC Hydro, be received, the contents noted and filed. Carried.
City Square Management	Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor P. Kent THAT Council authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign a Letter of Understanding with the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society (DBIAS) for the purpose of managing the City Square; AND THAT all events taking place in the City Square be booked through the DBIAS; AND THAT a contract be drawn up and signed by the City and the DBIAS no later than March 31, 2003. Carried.
481 Herbert Street – Rezoning Application *(R-1 to P-1)	For consideration was a rezoning application from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church to rezone Lot 9, Block 2, Section 19, Range 5, Quamichan District, Plan 1935 (481 Herbert Street) from R-1 (Urban Residential) to P-1 (Public Institutional) to accommodate the construction of a new church.
	Movd. Councillor S. Jackson Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT the February 11, 2003 Rezoning Application from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church to rezone 481 Herbert Street from R-1 (Urban Residential) to P-1 (Public Institutional) be processed to Public Hearing. Carried.
Special Council Meeting	Movd. Councillor S. Jackson Secd. Councillor P. Kent THAT the Council of the City of Duncan resolve into Special Meeting (Committee of the Whole) to discuss personnel 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 8:25 p.m., City Council resolved in to Special Meeting.
	At 9:03 p.m., the following Motion was Put: Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT the Special Meeting of City Council rise and report to City Council. Carried.
Crytococcus Fungus	Movd. Councillor S. Jackson Secd. Councillor P. Kent THAT the February 18, 2003 e-mail from Bill Eisenhauer, COTA Media Relations, regarding information on Crytococcus Fungus, be received, the contents noted and filed; AND THAT Council request that the link to the BC Centre for Disease Control website from the BC Parks website be maintained. Carried.
	Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT this meeting of City Council do now adjourn. Carried. At 9:05 p.m., the meeting adjourned.
	Michael Coleman Mayor Paul Douville City Administrator