2024 Annual Report Draft

Municipal infrastructure Although traditional municipal infrastructure — such as underground pipes and treatment facilities — is often out of sight, it plays a crucial role in Courtenay’s urban system, supporting the city’s health, sustainability and financial stability.

Strategic Priorities 2023-2026

Status

Notes

The City is collaborating regionally on accessibility matters. The project is now structured in two phases: Phase 1: Complete the accessibility audit of public facilities and develop the Accessibility Plan. Phase 2: After the completion of the Accessibility Plan, develop an implementation policy for capital improvements, informed by the audit findings and plan. Facility audits are currently underway, but the project scope needs to be revised to address constraints such as grant funding and staff capacity. As a result, the timeline has been delayed. The City is collaborating on updates to the Comox Valley's Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) to align with regional goals and priorities. The RGS review has been delayed due to a refocus on the RGS function and Board Housing Action Plan. Confirmation of the revised timeline is pending from the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD). The City requires the RGS Implementation Agreement to address free-rider taxation transfer for expanded service access (sewer) to the Urban Boundary Settlement Node and rural areas. Regional collaboration on the Liquid Waste Management Plan continues. This effort aims to optimize waste management practices, ensuring environmentally sustainable solutions for the community and region. The City is working with CVRD on the Sewer Conveyance project, which aims to reroute sewer pipes inland and protect essential infrastructure from potential damage caused by waves, rocks and logs in the Estuary, Comox Bay and surrounding areas. The City is collaborating on solid waste initiatives, including the new weekly organics collection (yard and kitchen waste). With the launch of this service, garbage volumes to the landfill in 2023-2024 have been reduced, with organic waste increasing as projected. The City is continuing to implement measures to address concerns related to fine particulate in the air. This includes installing air quality monitors, launching public education initiatives and enacting new bylaws to regulate nuisance smoke. Additionally, the City has contributed to the Regional Airshed Protection Strategy with the CVRD. The City supported the CVRD's development of a Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan to establish the criteria and priorities for conservation, recreation, future park and trail distribution and acquisition. The Strategic Plan included input from the K’ómoks First Nation, municipalities, community groups and individuals, and was adopted by the CVRD in 2024. City staff are participating on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). 2025 will see the development of a Land Aquisition Strategy.

Complete accessibility audit of public facilities and develop implementation policy for capital improvements.

In progress

Continued regional collaboration:

Regional Growth Strategy

In progress

Liquid Waste Management Plan

In progress

South Sewer Conveyance

In progress

Organics/solid waste

In progress

Air quality

Ongoing

Regional parks

In progress

City of Courtenay | 2024 Annual Report

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