North Cowichan will borrow the total project amount of $48 million to construct the new RCMP detachment building.
That was the top item on the agenda last Wednesday from a special council meeting, as council considered the North Cowichan/Duncan Integrated RCMP Facility Loan Authorization No. 3787. Under the agreement, the RCMP will pay back its portion, about 60 per cent of the total, and the municipality is required to cover the remaining 40 per cent or approximately $19,200,000.
The initial estimated cost was around $40 million, but North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring noted that was not a firm estimate based on the actual design and layout of the new building.
“The actual cost to borrow has come out of an architect’s analysis to build the proposed design of the new detachment,” he added.
Council gave the first three readings to the bylaw after some discussion around the cost. The Alternative Approval Process can now be initiated regarding the borrowing.
In other news, council directed staff to postpone consideration of a proposed social planner position until 2021 due to the budgetary challenges precipitated by COVID-19 this year.
In Siebring’s Mayor’s Report, he provided an update on the COVID-19 Vulnerable Populations Cowichan Task Force’s work. The Task Force submitted a proposal to BC Housing to provide shelter for those who are homeless or precariously housed.
“This plan proposes the creation of small-scale outdoor tenting sites with fewer than 12 people, not located in parks,” Siebring indicated. “These will house 10-12 people and be called ‘family clusters.’ These sites will allow for access to washrooms and running water. In addition, hotel rooms will be provided to those who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and will help our vulnerable residents shelter in place. Assessment and placement into hotel rooms will be at the discretion of Island Health.”
There are currently about 140 people in the district without access to shelter, he added.
“While tenting sites may not be ideal, it’s a step in the right direction for our vulnerable residents. BC Housing and Emergency Management BC reviewed our plan and today BC Housing approved a budget for the COVID-19 Vulnerable Populations Cowichan Task Force Response Plan of $61,060 monthly (until June) plus a one-time startup funding of $50,000.”
The Cowichan Housing Association will likely receive and disburse those funds.
Council also adopted the Remuneration Amendment Bylaw to enact the six-month, 10 per cent salary reduction for Mayor Siebring and councillors.
“We debated this at our previous council meeting and agreed to the reduction as a step to help reduce the overall municipal tax increase for North Cowichan residents and businesses this year,” Siebring noted.
Council also adopted the Alternative Municipal Tax Collection Scheme to align the 2020 property tax due date with the Province’s new due date for non-residential property classes of Sept. 30, 2020 to provide some relief for residents who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.
The Alternative Tax Collection Scheme will only apply to residential taxes for homeowners who are not eligible for the Provincial tax payment deadline extension.
Council directed Siebring to write a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to request the reinstatement of the financial hardship property tax deferment program.
“This would provide support to property owners facing hardships from COVID-19, who are not eligible for the existing property tax deferment programs,” Siebring explained. “This would mean the province would lend North Cowichan the property tax amount owed by a given homeowner, having the homeowner essentially borrow the amount needed to pay their 2020 property taxes. This amount is then re-paid at the time of sale, or when settling an estate.”
Regular council meetings will continue to take place electronically for the time being. Residents can still send their input about agenda items up to 30 minutes before the start of a meeting to info@northcowichan.ca.