City of Courtenay Annual Report 2021 draft

BYLAW SERVICES

LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

ORGANIZATIONAL AND GOVERNANCE EXCELLENCE

Expanded access to Council meetings Following 18 months of virtual-only public attendance at Council meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public was once again invited to attend meetings in person at Courtenay City Hall in September, while maintaining access to electronic options. The following month, the physical location of Council meetings moved from City Hall to the larger Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Civic Room at 770 Harmston Avenue, further increasing attendance options and increasing comfort for those viewing or participating in person. This “hybrid” model gives spectators, delegates, and members of Council the choice of attending in person on a first-time, first served basis as space permits, or virtually, where numbers are unlimited. Permanent access to convenient virtual options was made possible thanks to changes in provincial legislation and newly granted authorities under the Province of B.C.’s Bill 10-2021. The change allows the public to watch and participate in Council meetings from anywhere, making access to local government discussion and important policy decisions more accessible. Both Council meetings and Public Hearings are live streamed on the City of Courtenay’s YouTube channel. Local governments across the province recognized and experienced some of the benefits of electronic participation during the pandemic. Public attendance at Council had been prohibited since March 2020 under the authority of Ministerial Order Nos. M83/2020 and M192/2020 and the Class Order on mass gatherings. To view the schedule for upcoming Council meetings and Public Hearings, along with agendas, minutes, and video of past meetings, visit courtenay.ca/councilmeetings

Increase in Bylaw division Using Covid Restart funding, the City hired a temporary full-time bylaw officer in the fall of 2020. In 2021 the temporary full-time bylaw officer position continued and in the fall of 2021 the City hired a Bylaw Services Manager. The increase in bylaw resources is required to address bylaw compliance issues as well as to undertake more complex bylaw enforcement processes, such as nuisance properties and investigations.

BYLAW ENFORCEMENT HOURS

Addressing nuisance properties Under the Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw No. 2987, Courtenay City Council declared 1655 20th Street a “nuisance property” in April, launching a legally binding process to begin recouping costs for enforcement from the City of Courtenay, RCMP, and Fire Department, including cost recovery for staff time, vehicles, equipment, and contractors. The City recovered $22,556 in nuisance abatement costs in 2021. Routine inspection of encampments Working collaboratively with community partners, Bylaw Services implemented a new routine inspection program of encampments occupied by persons experiencing homelessness. The City now requires encampments to be dismantled each morning and the area to be cleaned. Bylaw enforcement officers have prioritized the development of strong working relationships with persons experiencing homelessness and community partners. In addition, Public Works staff, several community outreach groups, peer groups, and occupants are actively involved in cleaning, removing, and disposing of garbage from encampment areas.

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City of Courtenay | 2021 Annual Report