Council Update – January 27, 2025

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 received the report of the Chief Administrative Officer that includes updates on a number of City initiatives.
• Council approved the submission of a resolution to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Annual General Meeting and Convention requesting that the Cowichan District Hospital be maintained as a mental health or rehabilitation facility following the opening of the new Cowichan hospital facility.
• Council approved Mayor Staples to attend the upcoming Municipal Leaders Table in-person session intended to support the development of a playbook encompassing standards for policies, services, and supports for people impacted by substance use and toxic drugs.
• Council gave early 2025 budget approval to a number of items, leaving discussion of water meter replacements to a future meeting.
• Council approved the City’s signing of the 2025 Regional Emergency Management Local Authority Agreement.
• Council endorsed the recommendation from the Joint Utilities Board regarding the Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall Project, directing staff to:

1. 1. complete the design and approvals acquisition for the effluent pump station, terrestrial pipe, and marine pipe;
   2. put construction on hold unless additional funding is obtained such that the project is funded to at least 2/3 Federal and Provincial funding;
   3. advise the public through the public consultation process (inform level) that the Joint Utilities Board will be seeking additional funding to at least 2/3 federal and provincial funding resulting in a cost to users of $31.7M ($1,830/ERU; approximately $129/ERU/yr over 20 yrs); and
   4. continue to seek additional funding.

• Council adopted Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3050.05, 2024 – a bylaw to update the process to establish the annual Council meeting schedule and to revise the public notice posting places.
• Council adopted Waterworks Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 3213.02, 2024 – a bylaw to amend the waterworks regulation bylaw to update the alternate invoice allocation requests and adjustment for underground leaks.

A Committee of the Whole Meeting will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025 to discuss the 2025 Budget.

The next Regular Council meeting will be on Monday, February 10, 2025.

The 2025 Council Meeting calendar can be viewed here.