North Cowichan council met for a little more than two hours during its regular council meeting Nov. 3.
During his mayor’s report, Al Siebring passed along condolences to the family of retired Chemainus Fire Chief Dick Stanton following his death.
Stanton was a long-time resident of Chemainus and served 32 years with the Chemainus Fire Department, including 13 as chief before retiring in 1985.
Siebring attended an in-person Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week, the first one in more than 20 months. Those in attendance heard about the long term expansion plans for the Nanaimo Airport Authority and how it’s moved forward during the pandemic.
Siebring added he was honoured to receive the first pinned Remembrance Day poppy from the Chemainus Legion to kick off the poppy campaign there Oct. 28. Ceremonies again this year are scaled back, but everyone is encouraged to take a minute on Nov. 11 to think of those who served our country.
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Insp. Chris Bear presented his quarterly report for July to September.
There were 5,276 calls for service during the quarter, a 2.7 per cent decrease from the same period in 2020.
Criminal Code offenses were down for the most part, including residential break-and-enters, but shoplifting and business break-and-enters increased. Mental Health Act occurrences were up 14 per cent and Mental Health Act apprehensions (Section 28) climbed 66 per cent. The mental health support Car 60 patrols will be back in service again in partnership with Island Health after being put on hold during the pandemic.
The Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw and related Municipal Ticket Information Systems bylaws were adopted with an amendment. The section on permitting requirements for open burning outside the Urban Containment Boundary was removed.
A Zoning Amendment Bylaw to allow a rental apartment on Skinner Road was adopted. The apartment complex there will be built on the south end of the property that contains the new retail development at Berkey’s Corner.
Two Temporary Mobile Home Permit Applications for 1185 Maple Bay Rd. and 8000 Richards Trail were approved.
Council agreed to support Rowing Canada’s application for the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. Terry Dillon, chief executive officer of Rowing Canada Aviron, was on hand to express his thanks to North Cowichan for its ongoing support of the team and the new national training facility on Quamichan Lake.
The Asset Management Policy was adopted. An asset management policy formalizes the organization’s commitment to asset management. It broadly outlines the principles and guides the development and implementation of asset management across the organization in a systematic and coordinated way.
A Notice of Motion to consider granting $82,000 from the Climate Action and Energy Plan to cover fees, including development cost charges and building and development permit fees for Cowichan Green Community, was carried. This motion will now be considered for a decision at an upcoming council meeting.
A late agenda item was a request by the BC Pulp & Paper Coalition for a letter of support from forestry dependent communities for provincial assistance on fast tracking implementation of initiatives to ensure a predictable fibre supply to keep B.C. pulp and paper mills, including the one in Crofton, operating. The motion passed.
The next council meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m.