City of Courtenay Annual Report 2022

Fracture on 5th Exercise On September 27, 2022 the regional Comox Valley Emergency Program (CVEP) hosted “Fracture on 5th,” a regional emergency training exercise at the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) main office on Harmston Avenue. This exercise was two years in the making and featured two Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) exercises, small-scale residential evacuations and an emergency support services reception centre. Several City of Courtenay staff were involved in the exercises in various roles including as EOC Director, Liaison Officer, Information Officer, Planning Section, mentors, and more. To take part, staff attended various training sessions beforehand. City Communications staff are part of the regional Information Officer team and meet with community partners throughout the year to keep up-to-date on EOC processes. This exercise brought several organizations and governments in the Comox Valley together, and was a valuable opportunity to practice collaboration for large-scale emergency events. Land Donation - Habitat for Humanity A property on Lake Trail Road donated by the City of Courtenay will support Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North’s (Habitat VIN) efforts to build affordable housing for families in the Comox Valley. The .11 acre property at 2140 Lake Trail Road, valued at $259,000 by BC Assessment as of July 1, 2021, will be transferred by the City to Habitat VIN for $1 upon the City’s prior approval of a development plan for the site. The land was originally transferred to the City in 2011 as a condition of approving an adjacent development, also known as an amenity contribution, for future affordable housing. The City’s recently adopted Official Community Plan (OCP) includes a goal of “Housing Choices for All,” and recommends partnership approaches to deliver and manage non - or below-market housing. The OCP designates this area on Lake Trail Road as a “Neighbourhood Centre” which is supportive of multi residential and other mixed uses. A comprehensive review of the City’s zoning bylaw will begin this year; in the meantime, a zoning bylaw amendment will be required to support Habitat’s eventual development plan for the property. With the help of volunteers and donors, Habitat for Humanity builds decent and affordable homes that provide a solid foundation for local families to build better, healthier lives. Habitat homeowners volunteer up to 500 hours and pay an affordable mortgage when purchasing their home.

Collaboration with K'ómoks First Nation (KFN)

The City of Courtenay collaborates with K'ómoks 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 . Support for K’ómoks Guardian Watchmen The K’ómoks Guardian Watchmen are a team of environmental stewards whose goal is protecting and preserving the environment within their Traditional Territory. They are the “eyes and ears of the land and sea, thriving to protect everything from the tops of the mountains to the bottom of the oceans, and everything in between.” They perform regular patrols of reserve lands for invasive plants, illegal dumping, or other harmful activities. Projects include eco-cultural restoration, fish counts in local streams and rivers, wildlife surveys, goose harvests, hunting ground and fishing area patrols, and traditional village site mapping. In 2022, the City of Courtenay contributed $5,000 to the K’ómoks Guardian Watchmen to support their work, and committed to consideration of ongoing support through the City’s annual financial plan process. To learn more about the Guardian Watchmen visit www.komoks.ca

City of Courtenay | 2022 Annual Report

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