City of Courtenay Annual Report 2021

Collaboration with K'ó moks First Nation (KFN) The City of Courtenay collaborates with K'omoks First Nation, with representatives meeting monthly to share information on mutual items of interest. City staff engage with KFN staff to support shared services and economic development initiatives. Recent and ongoing projects include: • Kus Kus Sum acquisition and revitalization with Project Watershed. • Sharing of resources and expertise on the management of environmental cleanup issues with City Bylaw Enforcement and KFN Guardian Watchmen. The goal of the KFN Guardian program is to protect and preserve the environment within the K’ómoks Traditional Territory. • Interim Servicing Agreement for KFN IR#2 (Pentledge lands near the Condensory Bridge) to support the commercial campground with potable water and sanitary sewer. • Ongoing Fire Protection Service Agreement for IR#2 (Pentledge lands near the Condensory Bridge). • Guardian Totem at the Courtenay Riverway and interpretive signage (coming in 2022). Kus-Kus-Sum Protected A significant milestone was reached in efforts to acquire, protect and restore a former industrial sawmill site on the banks of the K’ómoks Estuary. In February 2021, ownership of the Kus-kus-sum property transferred to the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society (Project Watershed) from Interfor Corporation. Project Watershed will hold the land “in trust” for the K’ómoks First Nation and the City of Courtenay while details of a co-ownership agreement between the two parties are finalized. Title to land will then transfer to K’ómoks First Nation and the City, with Project Watershed remaining as site manager throughout the restoration process. Unpaving took place on site in 2021.

Co-op Housing Partnership The City of Courtenay partnered with the Community Land Trust Group of Societies in 2021 in hopes of securing funding for a new model of housing in the community by applying for a grant from BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund program. Proposals for three city-owned sites as potential locations for Housing Co-operatives (co-ops) were put forward: 152 1st Street: vacant land and partial laneway 645 - 725 Cliffe Avenue: the Connect Warming Centre building and adjacent parking 425 Duncan Avenue: 4th Street & Duncan Avenue parking lot While the applications were not successful in achieving funding, the City continues to advocate for housing as a priority is actively pursuing affordable housing opportunities in all forms. Good Food Box Program Courtenay Council approved $60,000 from COVID-19 Safe Restart funding to be allocated to LUSH Valley to support the Good Food Box Program. The program provided locally grown food for vulnerable populations in need due to COVID-19. The program purchased food from local growers for the boxes. Fire Service Mutual Aid Agreements If there's a major fire or other emergency in Courtenay, you just might see trucks from Comox, Cumberland, 19 Wing Comox, and beyond lending a helping hand. That's because departments support each other's communities through mutual aid agreements. A mutual aid agreement is an agreement amongst Comox Valley fire departments to lend assistance across jurisdictional boundaries. Requests for assistance may occur due to an emergency response that exceeds local resource capacity. The City of Courtenay has mutual aid agreements with 19 Wing Comox, Oyster River Fire Rescue, Cumberland Fire Department, Union Bay Fire Rescue, Denman Island Fire Rescue, Hornby Island Fire Rescue, Comox Fire Department, Ship’s Point Fire Department, Fanny Bay Fire Department, and the Campbell River Fire Department.

Unpaving Kus-kus-sum

City of Courtenay | 2021 Annual Report

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