Watch City Council meetings live or view recordings at www.campbellriver.ca/webcasts.

The City of Campbell River acknowledges that we are on the territory of the Laich-Kwil-Tach people of the Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai First Nations.

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY SAFETY

Mayor and Council welcomed the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and MLA Michele Babchuk for a Special Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The group was gathered to discuss community safety and wellbeing. Council shared information about concerns and challenges related to mental health, addictions and homelessness, and discussed ways the Province can support the City’s work to foster a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment for all Campbell River residents and visitors.

To learn more about what the City is doing to advance its commitment to a healthy and safe community, visit campbellriver.ca/downtownsafety.

Photo, from left to right: Councillor Doug Chapman, Councillor Ron Kerr, Councillor Susan Sinnott, Mayor Kermit Dahl, Minister Mike Farnworth, MLA Michele Babchuk, Councillor Ben Lanyon, and Councillor Sean Smyth.

COMMUNITY SAFETY UPDATES
Nuisance Lighting Regulations
Council directed staff to prepare an amendment bylaw that proposes regulations to restrict nuisance lighting under the City’s Public Nuisance Bylaw. This follows correspondence and a presentation from a resident at a January 2024 Council meeting regarding LED lighting, subsequent complaints to the City related to nuisance lighting, and a staff report.

FINANCIAL UPDATES
2024 Community Grant Recommendations
Council approved the Community Partnership Committee’s recommendation to award up to $714,600 in Community grants. The total 2024 budget for the Community grants is $720,000. The unallocated amount can be provided to other organizations should there be any additional applications during 2024. The Community Grant supports several local organizations that provide valuable contributions to the city’s arts and culture sector. The grant recipients are:

• Museum at Campbell River (Museum Operations)
• Museum at Campbell River (Haig Brown House Operations)
• Campbell River and District Public Art Gallery
• Campbell River Arts Council
• Tidemark Theatre Society
• Campbell River Salmon Festival Society
• Campbell River Arts Council
• North Island Cruisers
• Shoreline Musical Theatre Society
• Campbell River Celtic Arts (Campbell River Pipe Band)
• Campbell River Writers’ Festival Society (Words on the Water)
• Grants to subsidize rentals of recreation and culture facilities

The Maritime Heritage Centre (MHC) was originally recommended for a Community Grant. Since that recommendation was made, the City and the MHC have been in discussion about continuing to locate the Visitor Information Centre at the site. Given those developments, Council approved an amendment to award the MHC a Core Operating Assistance Grant of up to $40,000 to assist with operations and help with creating a tourism destination, pending an agreement for operating the MHC in 2024. This funding, and continuing to offer Visitor Services at the MHC throughout 2024, looks to support the MHC, surrounding businesses and the community.

In 2023, the City reviewed its grants policy to ensure that grants awarded for 2024 align with Council’s strategic priorities. A full-scale review of the Grants, Permissive Taxation and Lease Policy will be undertaken in 2024.

2024 Operating Project Grant Recommendations
Council approved Operating Project grants for several community organizations that provide valuable services in areas outside of the city’s arts and culture sector:

• Citizens on Patrol
• Campbell River Search and Rescue
• Greenways Land Trust

As part of the City’s efforts to streamline its grant policy, a grant category for organizations that fall outside of the arts and culture sector, such as those listed above, was moved outside the scope of the City’s grant policy and the Community Partnership Committee. Grants awarded in this category will be funded from an operating project that was proposed in the 2024-2032 Financial Plan. The total 2024 budget for Operating Project grants is $60,000. To date, Council has approved $55,000 of grant funding for 2024. The City will undertake a full review of its grants policy in 2024.

User Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw
Council adopted User Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3947, 2024, which outlines changes to recreation and culture fees and charges. City fees were updated in 2023, when Council adopted User Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3928, 2023. The 2024 amendment bylaw looks to include specialized fields as part of the updated parks fee structure and ensure accurate billing. The designated specialized fields are Robron Park Artificial Turf Field and Willow Point Field #1, 2, and 3. 

COUNCIL REPORTS
New Units Coming for People Experiencing Homelessness in Campbell River
The City of Campbell River is partnering with BC Housing to build 40 units of temporary housing complete with support services at 1299 Homewood Road. This important project, which will be known as the HEARTH Village, will reduce some of the challenges our community is experiencing and provide new, safe housing options for those in need while we continue to explore longer-term solutions. Learn more: getinvolved.campbellriver.ca/the-hearth-village

CORRESPONDENCE
We Wai Kai Nation Request for Letter of Support
Council received correspondence from Linda Campbell, Strategic Advisor, We Wai Kai Nation, requesting a letter of support for We Wai Kai Nation’s Wellness and Addictions Treatment Centre and directed staff to provide one.

Funding Request for Canada Day Celebrations
Council received correspondence from Carol Chapman, Chair, Canada Day
Celebrations, requesting funding for fireworks and portable washrooms for the 2024 Canada Day (July 1) fireworks event in Campbell River. Council approved $33,500 to be funded partially from Council Contingency.

Request to Reduce Booking Fees for Campbell River Cricket Club
Council received correspondence from Jim Bagley, President, Campbell River Cricket Club, requesting a reduction in the club’s facility booking fees. Council directed the request to staff to report back.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Regarding Consultation on Marine Finfish Licence
Council received correspondence from Brenda McCorquodale, Senior Director, Aquaculture Management Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, regarding consultation on Marine Finfish Licence Reissuance and Conditions of Licence. Council directed staff to reach out to First Nations and local aquaculture groups, including the Salmon Farming Association and to bring back feedback recommendations to Council.

HIGHLIGHTS of FEBRUARY 15, 2024 COUNCIL MEETING - NEWS RELEASE