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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.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Celebration of North American Indigenous Games Athletes
Mayor Kermit Dahl, on behalf of Council, congratulated the Campbell River contingent of the Team BC athletes in the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) on their medal wins and participation at the NAIG in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Attached is a photo of Mayor and Council with the NAIG athletes, from left to right: Councillor Ron Kerr, Mayor Kermit Dahl, Ty Ludwikowski, Terrell Henderson-Price, Karleigh Lucas-Johnson, Spencer Nelson, Fayth Pontious, Bonnie-Jean Shade (who represented Canada as part of the national basketball team at the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany), Councillor Doug Chapman, Councillor Tanille Johnston, Councillor Sean Smyth.

DELEGATIONS
Forest Sector Update
(Presented to Council at the September 5, 2023, Committee of the Whole meeting.)
Bob Brash, Executive Director, Truck Loggers Association (TLA), updated Council on the forest sector and TLA activities. The presentation touched on the 2023 Union of BC Municipalities Convention, upcoming caucus events, the 2024 TLA Convention and Trade Show, fire resilience, and transition plans for the forest sector from other levels of government.

COMMUNITY SAFETY
Animal Control Officer Appointed
Council appointed Christopher Miller as Animal Control Officer to enforce the provisions of the Community Charter and the City’s Animal Control Bylaw.

FINANCIAL UPDATES
Community Partnership Committee Appointments
Council appointed Harper Baikie, Jim Bifano and Bruce Woytuik to the Community Partnership Committee for a term ending March 31, 2024. The Community Partnership Committee’s role is to assist Council with its decision-making process by making recommendations on applications for grants-in-aid and permissive tax exemptions.

Quarterly Financial Report
(Received by Council at the September 5, 2023, Committee of the Whole meeting.)
Council received the City’s Quarterly Financial Report for the second quarter of 2023. The report measures the City’s financial performance against the Financial Plan and explains any significant differences in revenue and expenses to assist Council in its strategic decision making. Total revenues for the second quarter of 2023 are largely consistent with expectations. The collection of property taxes, user fees and parcel taxes were underway during this quarter, and although increased revenues from building permits, business licenses and cemetery plots were noted, this was offset by decreased sales of jet fuel. Total expenses for the second quarter of 2023 are trending below budget due to delays in operating project spending caused by the late 2023 budget adoption due to the election, labour vacancies and lower fuel purchasing costs associated with lower fuel sales at the Campbell River Airport.

2024 Permissive Tax Exemptions
Council gave first and second reading to Permissive Exemption from Taxation Amendment Bylaw No. 3920, 2023. The City’s Community Partnership Committee reviews applications for inclusion in the bylaw and is recommending that Council approve $685,781 of permissive tax exemptions for the 2024 taxation year. This bylaw grants full exemptions to 101 properties and partial exemptions to 15 properties, including seven new not-for-profit organizations. The City’s Permissive Tax Exemption program assists local organizations that operate community arts, culture, recreation, social, emergency, and spiritual facilities, as well as programs that greatly enhance the quality of life in the community. The City encourages residents to submit written comments about the proposed tax exemption bylaw to alan.ha@campbellriver.ca or City Hall (301 St. Ann’s Road) by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11. Feedback received by that date will be provided to Council for consideration in advance of the Council meeting on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

Vehicle Purchase for Bylaw Enforcement Department
Council increased the capital project budget for a vehicle purchase for the Bylaw Enforcement Department from $45,000 to $65,000, and authorized staff to purchase a truck. The truck will support a healthy and safe community by providing bylaw officers with additional capacity to assist with clean-ups in the downtown. Staff will amend the 2023-2032 Financial Plan accordingly, applying funds from the Capital Works Fund and the Financial Stabilization Reserve.

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Development Services Activity Update
(Received by Council during the September 5, 2023, Committee of the Whole meeting.)
Since the last report was provided to Council on August 17, 2023, two new applications have been received and eight applications have been completed. Currently, there are 84 active files.

Road Closure and Dedication Removal Bylaw No. 3900, 2023
Council gave first, second and third reading to Road Closure and Dedication Removal Bylaw No. 3900, 2023. If adopted, this bylaw will close and remove the highway dedication of a portion of roadway adjacent to 341 Island Highway so that it may be sold to the property owner, at their request, to correct an encroachment of the property on the City-owned roadway. Statutory right of ways for the City, BC Hydro and Fortis BC will be required to protect existing infrastructure within this portion of roadway, and the City will retain access to the retaining wall of the highway for operational purposes. Staff will notify and seek written submissions from the public regarding the bylaw and proposed property dispositions for consideration by Council at the October 12, 2023, Council meeting.

Road Closure and Dedication Removal Bylaws No. 3918, 2023, and No. 3919, 2023
Council gave first, second and third reading to Road Closure and Dedication Removal Bylaw No. 3918, 2023, and Road Closure and Dedication Removal Bylaw No. 3919, 2023. If adopted, these bylaws will close and remove the highway dedication of the highway turnarounds adjacent to 2425 and 2445 Island Highway South so that they may be sold to the property owners, at their request. The sales would facilitate consolidating the turnarounds with the property owners’ existing properties, which would square off the property boundaries at 2423 and 2445 Island Highway South. Staff determined that these turnarounds are no longer required, due to the roadway configuration and speed limits along this stretch of highway. Staff will notify and seek written submissions from the public regarding these bylaws and proposed property dispositions for consideration by Council at the October 12, 2023, Council meeting.

Rezoning Application for 540, 560, 580 and 590 10th Avenue
Council received a report on Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3922, 2023, which proposes to rezone 540, 560, 580 and 590 10th Avenue from Commercial One (C-1) to Commercial One B (C-1B). The proposed rezonings meet the intent and purpose of the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Refresh Downtown strategy and would allow buildings with heights of eight to 12 stories on these properties. The properties fall within an intended growth area where new commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-family residential developments are supported for social and economic community wellbeing. A priority of Refresh Downtown is ensuring that this area is development-ready for investment. Council decided not to hold a public hearing as the proposed rezoning is consistent with the OCP. Staff will notify the public that a public hearing is not being held prior to first reading, which will be considered by Council on September 28, 2023.

Public Hearing Waived for Rezoning Application at 2174 Park Road
Council received a report on Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3921, 2023, which would rezone 2174 Park Road from Residential Estate One (RE-1) to Residential One B (R-1B) to allow a single detached dwelling with secondary residence. Council decided not to hold a public hearing as it is consistent with the OCP and staff will provide the required statutory notifications. Council will consider the bylaw amendment for first, second and third reading on September 28, 2023.

Rezoning Application for 2325, 2415 and 2475 Penfield Road
Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3912, 2023, which rezones 2325, 2415 and 2475 Penfield Road from Residential One (R-1) to Residential One A (R-1A) to allow for secondary suites in conjunction with an 11-lot, fee-simple subdivision. The City did not hold a public hearing as this application is consistent with the OCP.

Rezoning Application to Allow Triplexes at 660 8th Avenue
Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3913, 2023, which rezones 660 8th Avenue from Residential Two (R-2) to Residential Multiple Two (RM-2) to permit six dwelling units (two triplexes). The City did not hold a public hearing as this application is consistent with the OCP.

Rezoning Application for 2105 Shetland Road
Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3904, 2023, received third reading and was adopted by Council. This bylaw rezones 2105 Shetland Road from Residential Estate One (RE-1) to Residential Multiple Two (RM-2) to allow duplexes with or without secondary suites in conjunction with a 17-lot fee-simple subdivision. A restrictive covenant has been registered on property title to secure the location, dedication and construction of proposed parkland and road right of ways. The proposed development is located within a targeted infill development area within the Urban Containment Boundary, is surrounded by similar RM-2 zoned properties, diversifies the local housing stock, addresses the “missing middle” housing type in Campbell River, and will provide new park space and a new road network for the Quinsam Heights area. The City did not hold a public hearing as this application is consistent with the OCP.  

Rezoning Application for 2500 Penfield Road
Council gave first, second, and third reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3910, 2023, which proposes to rezone 2500 Penfield Road from Residential One (R-1) to Residential Two (R-2) for the development of two-family residential dwellings (duplex). The City did not hold a public hearing as this application is consistent with the OCP. The required statutory notifications were provided ahead of first reading, aligning with updated legislation, and written submissions were received by Council. The application will be brought before Council for adoption when registration of a restrictive covenant to require the owner develop the east portion of Penfield Road is complete.

LONG RANGE PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY UPDATES
UBCM Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation Grant Application
Council authorized staff to apply for a $30,000 grant from the Union of BC Municipalities’ Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation (DRR-CA) fund, in collaboration with the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), to facilitate a wetland education project for students. The DRR-CA fund supports efforts to prepare for and mitigate the risks of disasters caused by natural and climate-related hazards. Council supported having SRD receive and manage the funds on behalf of the City if the application is successful. Submitting a joint application increases the City and SRD’s funding eligibility.

CORRESPONDENCE
Request for Flyby on Remembrance Day
Council approved a request from Alain Chatigny, President/Service Officer, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 137, for the Canadian Air Force Display Unit to perform a flyby over the downtown area on Remembrance Day, November 11, 2023.

Discovery Passage Aquarium Requests Letter of Support
Council received a request from Ricky Belanger, Curator and Manager, Discovery Passage Aquarium Society, for a letter of support for an application for a PromoScience grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and directed staff to prepare the requested letter. If the application is successful, the funds would be used to support expansion of the aquarium’s Ocean Discovery Academy, which educates youth about local marine ecosystems.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SEPTEMBER 07 2023 COUNCIL MEETING - NEWS RELEASE - SEPTEMBER 2023