Council Update – October 7, 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.

• C. Paine, FIT Consulting, presented recommendations to Council from the report Long Term Financial Plan for Asset Management. Council directed staff to include the recommendations in the upcoming 2025 budget discussions.
• Council received the report of the Chief Administrative Officer that included updates on a number of City initiatives.
• Council heard a presentation from the Duncan Fire Chief on the Duncan Fire Department’s 2024 Second Quarter Report.
• Council denied Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP-2024-04 for 2-361 Trans-Canada Highway (Bulk Barn).
• Council approved the purchase of a new in-house street sweeper with a tender award to Vimar Equipment Ltd. For $476,035 + taxes + 2% for contingency and outfitting.
• Council approved a new Recognition and Awards policy in support of an annual Community Appreciation Night to recognize the valuable contributions of volunteers. The City welcomes nominations in the awards categories until the October 15, 2024 deadline.
• Council authorized the signing of the 2024-2034 Community Works Fund Agreement between the City of Duncan and the Union of BC Municipalities. The new CWF agreement is estimated to deliver between $293,000 and $305,000 per year to the City, with funding allocated based on a per capita formula.
• Council received the Investment Report 2024 which summarizes the City’s investment holdings.
• Council approved the following 3 topics to be added to the next joint meeting agenda with the Municipality of North Cowichan:
  • Identify Potential Location for Highly Secure Care Facility
  • City of Duncan Welcome Sign North-end Location; and
  • North Cowichan’s “Safer Community Plan – What We Heard Report”
• Council authorized a five-year lease of 675 Canada Avenue (Margaret Moss Health Centre) from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2029 to Vancouver Island Health Authority.
• Council approved funding for the City to proceed with updating the north-end welcome sign once the location has been confirmed. An update to the south-end welcome sign was approved earlier this year.
• Council gave first three readings to Tree Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 3135.03, 2024 – a bylaw to clarify exemption criteria for development permits.
• Council adopted Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 3247, No. 3248, No. 3249, No. 3250, and No. 3251 – bylaws that provide a permissive tax exemption to certain properties in the City of Duncan.

A Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 12:00 pm.

The next Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 21, 2024, at 6:00 pm.