The Regular Meeting of City Council was held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC at 7:30 p.m., March 10, 2003. Present: Mayor Michael Coleman; Councillors Mike Caljouw, Jenny Farkas, Sharon Jackson, Phil Kent, 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 K. Newcomb Secd. Councillor P. Kent THAT the minutes of the Regular Meeting of City Council held on February 24, 2003 be adopted. Carried.
	Delegations:
Friends of the Aquannis Centre	Representing the newly formed group named the "Friends of the Aquannis Centre", Molly Halton addressed Council. She advised that this group has been formed to attempt to have taxation altered to secure new funding partners for funding a much needed retrofit of the Aquannis Centre and the Fitness Centre at the Cowichan Community Centre. Ms. Halton advised that a petition was gathered between February 15 and March 6, 2003 asking the question whether the Aquannis Centre should be financed regionally and whether those non-participating areas should contribute through taxation. 626 signatures were garnered with 483 signatories residing in Duncan and North Cowichan and the balance of 143 residing in non-participating areas. Ms. Halton distributed a chart showing the following percentages of those signatories from the non-participating areas: A. Mill Bay – Malahat 4% B. Shawnigan Lake 9% C. Cobble Hill 23% D. Cowichan Bay 15% E. Cowichan Station/Glenora/Sahtlam 25% F. Cowichan Lake/Skutz Falls 13% G. Saltair/Gulf Islands 3% H. North Oyster/Diamond 3% I. Youbou/Meade Creek 4%
	Ms. Halton asked Council how they can help in achieving the goal of securing more funding so that a major retrofit can proceed.
	Laura Harris then addressed Council advising that the Aquannis Centre was constructed 28 years ago and can no longer meet the mission statement. She agreed that more funding partners are required. She noted there are shortcomings in safety, space and the building condition in general. She said it is their turn for a retrofit since other areas of the Community Centre have been upgraded over the last few years. Ms. Harris said that the Aquannis Centre promotes good health for the general population.
	Louise Hamilton, retired Coordinator of the Aquannis Centre, then addressed Council.
	She said that "Operation Recreation" started September 15, 1969. It was through the spirit of "Operation Recreation" and the untiring efforts of the citizens of Duncan and North Cowichan that fundraising efforts led to the building and opening of the indoor swimming pool in February 1975.
	Ms. Hamilton said that the Aquannis Centre has been host to Learn to Swim Programs, Fitness Classes, Competitive Swimming, Diving, Synchronized Swimming, Masters Swimming, Rehabilitation Services, Reconditioning Classes, Aquatic-therapy, Special Needs Swim Programs, Recreational and Family Swims, Length Swimming, School Lessons, Youth Special Events, Higher Life Saving and Instructor Training. She said these program offerings inspire many young people to pursue a career in recreation and aquatics.
	The delegates then distributed lapel buttons to all members of Council and the Administrator. The lapel buttons read "Friends of the Aquannis Centre – It's Our Turn".
	Mayor Coleman thanked the delegates for their presentation and they left the meeting.
	Communications:
Cowichan Tribes – Promoting Sales of Goods & Services	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw THAT the letter dated February 19, 2003 from Cowichan Tribes Chief Harvey Alphonse, regarding promoting sales of goods and services to members of the Cowichan Tribes, be received, the contents noted and filed; AND THAT copies of the letter be forwarded to the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society and the Duncan-Cowichan Chamber of Commerce. Carried.
CUPE – General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)	Movd. Councillor S. Jackson Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT the February 26, 2003 letter from the Canadian Union of Public Employees BC Division, regarding negotiations on the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), be referred to the next meeting of City Council. Carried. Mayor Coleman advised that he would provide information from the recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference in Regina regarding this subject.
Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Awareness Month	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT April 2003 be proclaimed “Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Awareness Month” as requested in the February 27, 2003 letter from the British Columbia Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse. Carried.
Heritage Roundtable	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor J. Farkas THAT Councillor Ken Newcomb be appointed to the Heritage Roundtable as requested in the February 28, 2003 letter from Susan Hallatt. Carried.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination	Movd. Councillor S. Jackson Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT March 21, 2003 be proclaimed as the "United Nation's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination" in the City of Duncan as requested in the March 6, 2003 e-mail from Councillor Jackson; AND THAT City Council authorize the Cowichan Valley Intercultural & Immigration Aid Society to stage their 13^th annual "Walk" for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Friday, March 21, 2003, between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., on the SIDEWALKS of the roadways within the City as outlined in their March 5, 2003 letter; AND THAT this authorization be subject to the event not interfering with the movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic and subject to proper marshalling being provided throughout the route by the event coordinators; AND THAT the Cowichan Valley Intercultural & Immigration Aid Society hold harmless the City of Duncan from any and all possible liability claims relating to this event; AND THAT the City of Duncan be named as an "additional insured party" on a $2 million per occurrence liability insurance policy. Carried.
Connecting Island Businesses	Mayor Coleman referenced an event taking place at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre on March 13, 2003 between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. "Connecting Island Businesses" is a networking event which has invited thousands of businesses from the south Cowichan to Campbell River. Mayor Coleman said he is unable to attend this event and advised that he would distribute the letter in this regard for the consideration of other members of Council.
	Reports of Standing Committees
	Finance Committee
Warrant No. 2-2003	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT Warrant No. 2-03 covering General Account cheque numbers 106004 – 106140 in the total amount of $379,357.31 Payroll Account - Payroll #3 covering cheque numbers 2620 - 2625 and Direct Deposits in the amount of 28,426.84 - Payroll #4 covering cheque numbers 2626 – 2645 and Direct Deposits in the amount of 34,781.92 GRAND TOTAL . . . . . . $442,566.07 be ratified. Carried.
Paving Contract	For consideration were the notes of the March 3, 2003 meeting.
	For consideration were the following items: · Memo dated March 5, 2003 from the City Treasurer. · Proposal dated February 6, 2003 from Duncan Paving. Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw THAT as recommended by the Public Works Superintendent, Council accept the February 6, 2003 multi-year paving contract proposal from Duncan Paving Company; AND THAT Council authorize the execution of a five(5) year contract with Duncan Paving with an option for a mutually agreed extension for an additional five(5) years. Movd. Councillor J. Farkas Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the subject of the Paving Contract be referred back to the Finance Committee for further information. LOST. Mayor Coleman, Councillors Caljouw, Kent and Maxwell dissenting. Main Motion will be considered at the March 24, 2003 Council Meeting.
	Parks & Recreation Committee
	For consideration were the notes of the March 3, 2003 meeting.
Cowichan Green Community – Jubilee Garden Project	Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the Jubilee Community Garden concept for Centennial Park proposed by the Cowichan Green Community be endorsed "in principle" by the Council of the City of Duncan. Carried.
	Reports of Special Committees
Building Statistics Report – February 2003	Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the Building Statistics Report for February 2003, as prepared by the Building Inspector, be received, the contents noted and filed. Carried.
Miscellaneous	Councillor Farkas reported on her attendance at the recent CVRD Public Safety Advisory Committee meeting. She said this Committee was initiated to assist with safety audits. She said many people have invested in this process. Funding is now winding down although they are looking at low-income housing problems adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway.
	Councillor Kent remarked on the recent newspaper article regarding the art students from Cowichan Secondary School having their dinosaur clay artworks on permanent display at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the Council of the City of Duncan extend congratulations to the Cowichan Secondary School Art Teacher and her students on having their dinosaur clay artworks on public display at the Royal BC Museum. Carried.
	Mayor Coleman reported on the following items: · He said that a recent joint meeting between the Councils of the City of Duncan and the District of North Cowichan was most useful and should provide a venue for better future cooperation. · On February 28 and March 1, Council and Senior Staff met in a Strategic Planning Session, which has produced some worthwhile results. · Last week, he attended the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference in Regina, Saskatchewan. Some current topics were addressed such as the Softwood Lumber Taskforce where Mayors and Councils in American cities are contacted to explain how the Softwood Duty is causing the prices of affordable housing in the USA to increase by $1,500.00 to $2,000.00 per home. He said these US Mayors and Councillors are becoming sympathetic to the Canadian cause. Mayor Coleman reported further that the FCM is also addressing escalating policing costs across the country and will be studying the issue over the next few months.
	Unfinished Business
BC Seniors Games – 2004	Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell Secd. Councillor P. Kent THAT the letter dated February 28, 2003 from the BC Seniors Games Society, wherein they advise that the 2004 BC Seniors Games will be hosted by the City of Penticton, be received, the contents noted and filed with regret. Carried.
Totem Poles Committee	Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the following individuals be appointed to a Totem Poles Committee: 1. Harold Joe Sr. 2. Todd Blumel 3. Judy Hill 4. Cathy Mailhot (Representing Cowichan Tourism and Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce) 5. Chris Waddell – DBIAS 6. Councillor Geoff Maxwell. Carried.
Benefit Package Committee	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT the following individuals be appointed to a Benefits Package Committee: 1. Charles Parker (Valley Seniors Organization) 2. Lance Steward (DBIAS) 3. Brian Harrison (retired school principal and past CVRD Board Chair). Carried.
Bridge Building Protocol Agreement	Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT the Council of the City of Duncan authorize Mayor Michael Coleman to execute the "Cowichan Valley Bridge Building Protocol Agreement" between the following parties: The City of Duncan The District of North Cowichan The Cowichan Valley Regional District The Cowichan Tribes. Carried.
	Bylaws:
Community Plan Bylaw No. 1762, Amendment Bylaw No. 1947, 2003 (481 Herbert St.)	Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT Council give leave to Councillor Phil Kent to introduce "City of Duncan Community Plan Bylaw No. 1762, Amendment Bylaw No. 1947, 2003". Carried.
	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT "City of Duncan Community Plan Bylaw No. 1762, Amendment Bylaw No. 1947, 2003" be read for the first time. Carried.
	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT "City of Duncan Community Plan Bylaw No. 1762, Amendment Bylaw No. 1947, 2003" be read for the second time. Carried.
Zoning Bylaw No. 1540, 1988, Amendment Bylaw No. 1 No. 1948, 2003 (481 Herbert Street)	Movd. Councillor S. Jackson Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell THAT Council give leave to Councillor Phil Kent to introduce "Zoning Bylaw No. 1540, 1988, Amendment Bylaw No. 1 No. 1948, 2003". Carried.
	Movd. Councillor P. Kent Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb THAT "Zoning Bylaw No. 1540, 1988, Amendment Bylaw No. 1 No. 1948, 2003" be read for the first time. Carried.
	Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw Secd. Councillor S. Jackson THAT "Zoning Bylaw No. 1540, 1988, Amendment Bylaw No. 1 No. 1948, 2003" be read for the second time. Carried.
Special Council Meeting	Movd. Councillor S. Jackson Secd. Councillor G. Maxell THAT the Council of the City of Duncan resolve into Special Meeting (Committee of the Whole) to discuss legal 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 9:20 p.m., the following Motion was Put: Movd. Councillor K. Newcomb Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw THAT the Special Meeting of City Council rise; AND THAT this meeting of City Council do now adjourn. Carried.
	Michael Coleman Mayor Paul Douville City Administrator