Council Update – August 19, 2024

The City of Duncan Council Update is a snapshot of items considered at meetings of Council. These are not the official minutes. Meeting agendas, minutes, and videos can be accessed through the City’s Council Meeting Portal.

• Council heard from the Officer in Charge of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Detachment on the second quarter report and 2024-2025 Annual Performance Plan.
• Council received the report of the Chief Administrative Officer that included updates on a number of City initiatives.
• Council approved a leak adjustment credit for Merit Home Furniture to reduce a higher than normal utility bill.
• Following public consultation, Council made several awards for work on a new McAdam Park Playground, which will be installed this fall. They selected Green Roots Play Equipment Inc. (ages 5-12 play equipment) and Playquest Recreation (ages 2-5 play equipment).
• Council increased the maximum amount the City may fund through the City-Wide Façade Improvement Program from $1000 to $5000 per commercial property, among other changes to the program. More information on the program is available at www.duncan.ca/city-wide-facade-improvement-program.
• Council approved amendments to the Truth and Reconciliation March policy to update the route and provide for street closures, among other changes, during the annual march that takes place each year on or near the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The 2024 march will take place on Monday, September 30, 2024.
• Council confirmed its support for an initiative of the Union of BC Municipalities and the First Nations Leadership Council to develop a Relationship Protocol.
• Council appointed MNP LLP to be the City’s Auditor for the 2024-2028 fiscal years.
• Council awarded a contract to Northwest Hydraulics Consultants Ltd. to complete grant-funded riverbank erosion and in-stream works in Rotary Park.
• Council directed staff to explore additional options to increase use of existing EV charging stations and consider an e-bike end of trip facility strategy.
• Council directed staff to prioritize the following eight uses of the City’s Local Government Climate Action Program funding when preparing the financial plan and annual budget for Council consideration:
  • purchasing carbon credits in order to be a carbon-neutral local government;
  • purchasing greenhouse gas emissions reporting software;
  • supporting energy efficiency and low carbon heating and cooling in buildings;
  • developing or enhancing sustainable and active transportation infrastructure;
  • creating climate change resilient infrastructure;
  • maintaining and expanding Duncan’s urban forest and incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing in the next update of the Urban Forest Strategy;
  • exploring opportunities for new water conservation and capture initiatives; and
  • undertaking public education to support the above noted priorities.
• Council deferred consideration of Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Application No. ZB-2023-03 for Price Place to the September 9, 2024 Council meeting.
• Council gave first three readings to Planning and Development Applicants Procedure Bylaw No. 3245, 2024 and approved a new Planning and Development Applications Procedures Policy to replace the Development Process Policy and the Community Consultation Process for Land Use Applicants Policy, which were repealed.
• Council gave first three readings to Development Cost Charges Waiver Bylaw No. 3246, 2024, a bylaw to enable Council to waive development cost charges for affordable rental housing. This bylaw is intended to expedite the process to seek the City’s approval to waive or reduce development cost charges for affordable rental housing.
• Council deferred consideration of Delegation of Authority Amendment Bylaw No. 3115.03, 2024 to the September 9, 2024 Council meeting. This bylaw is intended to expedite decision-making and the administration of municipal services, where appropriate.
• Council adopted 2024 Financial Plan Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3241.01, 2024, a bylaw to amend the financial plan for 2024-2028.
• Council proclaimed September 28, 2024 as British Home Children Day in the City of Duncan.
• Council proclaimed November 3-9, 2024 as Medical Radiation Technologist Week in the City of Duncan.

The next Regular Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2024.