A regular town council meeting of the Town of Lake Cowichan was held on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the town hall.
A number of items were on the town’s agenda for the meeting, including presentations by two outside delegations.
Councillor Tim McGonigle was not in attendance as he is out of town for work.
Delegations and Representations
After adopting the minutes of the previous town council meeting, Mayor Forrest invited Kate Miller of the CVRD’s Environmental Policy Division and consultant James van Hemert to present their Regional Environmental Strategic Plan on future environmental programming.
Miller and her team want to develop a core guiding document for the CVRD as a whole and the Environment Commission in particular. They are seeking the town’s input and support on questions about its environmental priorities over the next 20 years and what role the CVRD can play in supporting its environmental programs.
Ray Anthony of the Cowichan Intercultural Society (CIS) was the next delegate to speak about proposed projects in the Cowichan Valley District. In particular, the CIS wants to implement a new project, “Bringing Stories to the Streets,” that will explore ways of creating inclusive workplaces and helping Cowichan businesses become leaders in diversity.
Following the two outside interventions, council resumed its regular agenda for the duration of the meeting.
Committee Reports
The minutes of monthly committee reports for November were adopted and passed. Other reports included the Lake Cowichan Fire Department incident report and fire statistics for the month of October 2012.
The Lake Cowichan Fire Department responded to two motor vehicle accidents, one live fire, one medical assist and helped remove a tree that had fallen on hydro and cable lines.
Bylaws
Bylaw No. 919-2012, a bylaw to regulate use of parks in the municipality was adopted with an amendment to Section 3.4 of the original bylaw. It states “Notwithstanding Section 3.3, no person shall permit a dog to enter any public beach area owned and operated by the Town.
This Bylaw repeals the Town of Lake Cowichan Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 890-2010.
The Town of Lake Cowichan Waste Collection Regulation and Rates Bylaw No. 922-2012 was read for a first, second and third time. Chief Administrative Officer Joseph Fernandez drew attention to Section 17 of the bylaw, which specifies that residents must use a designated kitchen organics container, and that the town will provide an organics collection service from residents’ dwellings once a week.
And lastly, the Town of Lake Cowichan Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw No. 923-2012 was read for a first, second and third time and replaces Bylaw No. 911-2011. An amendment to Schedule A of the bylaw concerns an increase in the rental rates of campsites in Lakeview Park.
New Business
Under new business, a motion was carried to approve and undertake the Infiltration and In-flow Assessment project at a cost of $24,862 (plus taxes). The project is scheduled to start December 1, and Fernandez estimates the first phase will be completed by Dec. 21.
