The Regular Meeting of City Council was held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC at 7:30 p.m., October 27, 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 M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

      THAT the Minutes of the October 14, 2003 Regular Council meeting be adopted.

 

Carried.

 

 

Delegations:

 

Don Bruce – Island Auto Spa

Don Bruce, the owner and developer of the new Island Auto Spa at 61 Trunk Road, was present to receive a framed print of "Cowichan – The First Arising" from City Council. This presentation was made to Mr. Bruce in appreciation for his investment in the City and the high quality of his project.

 

FutureCorp Cowichan

Representing FutureCorp Cowichan were Rick Joyce – Chair, Joanna Winter – General Manager and Vicki Holman – Community Relations Manager.

 

Mr. Joyce addressed Council noting that Mayor Coleman was a founding Board Member of FutureCorp Cowichan and that Councillor Maxwell has also been on their Board. They have an 11 Member Board, 22 Committee Members and 8 Staff Members.

 

Among others, Ms. Winter outlined the following information:

 

·        Communities Futures was founded in 1989 and is community based.

·        FutureCorp Cowichan is one of 30 Community Futures Development Corporations in British Columbia.

·        The organization supports small business development, facilitate action planning for new economic opportunities and acts as the delivery agent for economic adjustment programs.

·        They also provide business financing at any stage of business development, business plan development workshops, business management training and business counseling.

·        They have supported 1,200 businesses through loans and direct support services since 1989.

·        They have injected over $10 million in loans into the local economy and have leveraged $16 million.

·        Created or maintained nearly 2,000 jobs.

·        After 2 years, 80% of clients are still going strong.

·        For year to date 2003, they have loaned $395,000 to businesses with Duncan addresses and thus supported 44 full-time and 17 part-time jobs.

·        Since its inception in 1989 and to date, the loans to businesses with Duncan addresses total $4,072,000 (over 180 businesses assisted).

 

 

The delegates were thanked for their presentation and their excellent work in the community and they left the meeting.

 

 

Communications

 

2003 Remembrance Day Activities

 

Movd. Councillor K. Newcomb

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

     THAT the October 1, 2003 requests from the Cowichan Branch (BC/Yukon)#53, of the Royal Canadian Legion be endorsed;

AND THAT a Flag Raising Ceremony be conducted at City Hall on Sunday, November 2, 2003 at 1:00 p.m.;

AND THAT the Legion Members be authorized to hold their annual Tag Solicitation Days as follows:

 

Saturday - November 1 - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Saturday - November 8 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm;

 

      AND THAT the Legion also be authorized to stage the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony and Parade at and in the vicinity of the Cenotaph on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 10:55 a.m.

Carried.

 

First Annual City Square Community Christmas Tree Forest

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor G. Maxwell

      THAT the letter dated October 16, 2003 from the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society, regarding the First Annual City Square Community Christmas Tree Forest, be received, the contents noted and filed.

 

Carried.

 

BC Citizens for Public Power – Opposition to Breakup and Privatization of BC Hydro

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor J. Farkas

      WHEREAS the existing and prospective moves to privatize and breakup BC Hydro expose all citizens and all local governments in British Columbia to dramatically increased electricity costs and job loss;

      AND WHEREAS the Provincial Government has decreed that in future all new electrical power generation will be solely in the hands of the private sector, and BC Hydro will be limited to maintaining and upgrading existing power projects;

      AND WHEREAS the August 2003 blackout in Eastern Canada demonstrated the risk of close integration with an unstable patchwork of private US utilities;

      AND WHEREAS BC Transmission Corporation (created under the Company Act by Bill 39 and brought into force on August 1, 2003 – splitting one third of BC Hydro off into a separate company) is expected to be integrated into RTO West (a consortium of private US companies) – threatens both the sovereignty and stability of British Columbia's electricity system;

      THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the City of Duncan:

 

1.     Calls upon the Provincial Government to rescind its decision to prohibit BC Hydro from building new generating facilities to meet the growing need for low-cost electricity in British Columbia.

2.     Calls upon the Provincial Government to abandon its plan to join the US-based private utility consortium known as RTO West in light of the threat that such an action would pose to the stability and sovereignty of the Province's electricity system.

3.     Calls upon the Provincial Government to cease all efforts to breakup what has, until recently, been an efficient, integrated public utility and return the transmission function of BC Hydro as a line of business within the integrated utility rather than proceeding as a new company (BC Transmission Corporation) created under the Company Act.

Carried.

 

Councillors Kent, Maxwell & Newcomb dissenting.

 

Closure of City Hall – Friday, January 2, 2004

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

     THAT City Hall be closed on Friday, January 2, 2004 giving the inside staff a continuous 4-day break over the New Year weekend (i.e. Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday – January 1 – 4 inclusive);

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

 

Carried.

 

Cowichan Tribes – Bid for 2008 North American Indigenous Games

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT in response to the October 2003 letter from the Cowichan Tribes, the Council of the City of Duncan support "in principle" the bid of the Cowichan Tribes to host the 2008 North American Indigenous Games;

      AND THAT the Council offer to meet with Chief Harvey Alphonse and the Chair of the Bid Committee to explore ways and means that the City could support this process.

 

Carried.

 

2003 Walk for Sobriety

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

 THAT November 17, 2003 be proclaimed as the "Walk for Sobriety Day" in the City of Duncan as requested in the October 23, 2003 letter from the Tsewultun Health Centre;

     AND THAT City Council authorize the Tsewultun Health Centre to stage a "Walk for Sobriety" on Monday, November 17, 2003, on the SIDEWALKS of the roadways within the City as outlined in their October 23, 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 Tsewultun Health Centre 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.

 

Canadian Liver Foundation - Canvassing

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor J. Farkas

     THAT permission be granted to the Canadian Liver Foundation to canvass in the City of Duncan between November 5 and December 5, 2003 as requested in their e-mail dated October 24, 2003.

Carried.

 

Providence Farm – BC Gaming Commission Direct Access Funds

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

      THAT the Council of the City of Duncan support the Vancouver Island Providence Community Association in their application for funding from the BC Gaming Commission's Direct Access Funds as outlined in their October 8, 2003 letter.

Carried.

 

Cowichan Tribes – Senior's Housing

For consideration was a letter dated October 27, 2003 from the Cowichan Tribes.

 

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

     THAT the Council of the City of Duncan support "in principle" the application of the Cowichan Tribes to the BC Housing Independent Living BC (ILBC) Program for financial and other assistance for a new minimum 50-unit Seniors Housing project on reserve lands immediately south of the City.

Carried.

 

 

Reports of Standing Committees

 

 

 Parks & Recreation Committee

 

 

For consideration were the notes of the October 20, 2003 meeting.

 

Tree Pruning

Movd. Councillor K. Newcomb

Secd. Councillor J. Farkas

      THAT a moratorium be placed on the pruning of City-owned trees except for safety hazard purposes noting the provisions of the Tree Removal Bylaw and subject to proceeding with the existing plan for trees in parks.

 

Carried.

 

Christmas Lights in Trees

Movd. Councillor K. Newcomb

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT the strings of Christmas lights be left in the downtown trees year-round (not lit) to save on manpower and related costs.

 

Carried.

Councillor Maxwell dissenting.

 

 

 Communications Committee

 

 

For consideration were the notes of the October 20, 2003 meeting.

 

2004 Cowichan Warm Land Visitor's Guide Back Cover

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT the concept for the City sponsored back cover of the 2004 Cowichan Warm Land Visitor's Guide, presented by Councillor Jackson on October 20, 2003, be approved;

      AND THAT Councillor Jackson work with Pink Creative Concepts in developing the final product.

Carried.

 

Web Site

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

     THAT Council retain Phil Ives of Integrated Media Productions to redevelop the City's web site with the input of Council;

     AND THAT a maximum of $2,000 be appropriated from the Communications budget and if need from Council Contingency.

 

Carried.

 

 

 General Purposes Committee

 

 

For consideration were the notes of the October 20, 2003 meeting.

 

Maintenance Foreman Posting

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT as recommended by the Public Works Superintendent, Council authorized processing of the internal Maintenance Foreman posting.

 

Carried.

 

 

Reports of Special Committees

 

Miscellaneous

Councillor Farkas reported on the recent FutureCorp Cowichan "Community Spirit Breakfast". She noted for the record that former North Cowichan Mayor Anne Murray was the recipient of the 2003 Community Spirit Award.

 

 

Mayor Coleman reported on the following items:

 

·        On October 16, he attended the FutureCorp Cowichan AGM.

·        On October 24, he participated in the FutureCorp Cowichan Community Spirit Breakfast.

·        On October 22, he participated in the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of the CVRD Board of Directors regarding Governance. He noted that their decision is to seek more education in this regard.

·        On October 25, he participated with North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure in the grand opening of the new Peter Baljet Chev Olds operation north of the City.

·        On October 27, he participated in the National Readers Day events at Khowhemun School.

 

 

Councillor Kent reported that a meeting of the Mayor's Advisory Committee for People With Disabilities was held on October 22. He said input was provided on the traffic plan related to the proposed new Wal-Mart and the Duncan Street and Canada Avenue couplet system. He also advised that Council's suggestion regarding a disabled person's parking stall on the east-side of Festubert Street adjacent to the Resource Centre was being discussed between officials of the Resource Centre and their neighbour tenant, Peacock Photography.

 

 
Unfinished Business

 

2004 Cowichan Warm Land Visitors Guide

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

      THAT Council authorize the renewal of our back cover advertisement in the 2004 Cowichan Warm Land Visitors Guide for a cost of:

 $2,850.00(1.75% increase over 2003) 

plus GST of   199.50

 $3,049.50 subject to:

 

  1. The City paying the full amount in advance in 2003 when ordering the 2004 outside back cover.

2.  The City receiving four (4) boxes (500 magazines) of the 2004 Guides for distribution at City Hall (note: same amount received in 2003).

Carried.

 

Heritage Advisory Committee

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor J. Farkas

      THAT Council appoint the following individuals to the Heritage Advisory Committee for a term commencing November 1, 2003 and ending November 30, 2004 (Note: This end date is a bylaw provision):

1.     Councillor Phil Kent (Alternate: Councillor Ken Newcomb)

2.     John Hood

3.     David Lowe

4.     Priscilla Lowe

5.     Bjorn Simonson

6.     Sharon Sweeney

7.     David Coulson

     AND THAT the following individuals be invited to attend Heritage Advisory Committee meetings on an informal basis:

1.     Tom Patterson

2.     Sylvia Scott

3.     Dale Letourneau

4.     Rick Duckles

5.     Myrtle Haslam.

Carried.

 

Trans Canada Corridor Through Duncan

For consideration were the following items:

 

  • Letter dated September 22, 2003 to the Ministry of Transportation.
  • Reply dated October 22, 2003 from the Ministry of Transportation.

 

Movd. Councillor P. Kent

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

      THAT a meeting be arranged with officials of the Ministry of Transportation, the Electoral Area Directors for Areas "D" and "E", representatives of the Cowichan Tribes and representatives of the District of North Cowichan to discuss the proposed formal planning process for the Trans Canada Highway corridor through Duncan.

Carried.

 

Totem Poles

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor K. Newcomb

     THAT the letter dated October 21, 2003 from Ken Glover & Associates Inc. (Trustee in Bankruptcy), wherein they offer to sell four(4) Henry & Stan Hunt totem poles to the City, be referred to the Finance Committee & Totem Poles Committee).

Carried.

 

DBIAS – Cessation of Commercial Garbage Collection

Movd. Councillor J. Farkas

Secd. Councillor P. Kent

      THAT the letter dated October 23, 2003 from the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society (DBIAS), regarding the cessation of the commercial garbage collection system by the City, be received, the contents noted and filed;

      AND THAT the DBIAS be advised of the status of the transition plans to private enterprise;

      AND THAT the DBIAS Board be invited to a meeting to discuss this issue.

Carried.

 

 

Bylaws:

 

City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1957, 2003

Movd. Councillor G. Maxwell

Secd. Councillor M. Caljouw

     THAT "City of Duncan Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1957, 2003" be reconsidered, finally passed and adopted.

 

Carried.

 

Special Council Meeting

Movd. Councillor M. Caljouw

Secd. Councillor S. Jackson

      THAT the Council of the City of Duncan resolve into Special Meeting (Committee of the Whole) to discuss legal and 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 8:40 p.m., City Council resolved into Special Meeting.

 

 

At 9:30 p.m., the following Motion was Put:

 

 

Movd. Councillor S. Jackson

Secd. Councillor J. Farkas

      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