Courtenay city council and staff have been rapidly evolving operations in response to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) crisis.
A number of initiatives are underway with the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness and other organizations to focus on quick, practical solutions to support our most vulnerable populations, including:
• Opening the washrooms at the Sid Williams Theatre Plaza and Simms Park, with enhanced cleaning and security protocols to protect both washroom users and City staff;
• Authorizing emergency funding through the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness to support the continued operations of several local agencies while they wait for provincial and federal support. Funding will be distributed as follows:
– Comox Valley Care-a-van – $5,000
– LUSH Valley Food Action Society – $5,000
– Comox Valley Food Bank – $5,000
– Comox Valley Transition Society – $2,500
• Loaning outdoor tent canopy to the Comox Valley Food Bank to support physical distancing requirements as they work to resume operations
• Finalizing plans for reopening showers at a City facility through the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness.
For Courtenay’s business community, council was voting on Monday to extend the deadline for annual flat commercial utility billing.
Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells said the City has been working hard to adjust operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is just the beginning of what we expect will be a long, tireless effort to adapt to this extraordinary global health emergency,” said Wells. “We’re also advocating for provincial and federal support on numerous fronts, including housing options for the homeless, as well as broader support for residents and our business community.
“This has affected our society’s entire way of life. Our council and staff are laser-focused on supporting our community through this crisis.”
The City of Courtenay is participating in a regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) along with representatives from the DND/19-Wing Comox, K’ómoks First Nation, Comox Valley Regional District, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland, Fire Chiefs Association and many other external agencies and organizations to collaborate on COVID-19 response measures and best practices for the region.
Residents are encouraged to follow the CVRD social media channels @comoxvalleyrd on Facebook and Twitter, as well as visiting the CVRD website www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/covid19 to remain up to date on accurate information. All Comox Valley local governments are centralizing regional COVID-19 information through these channels. The EOC is standing by to support the lead agencies, Ministry of Health and Island Health, if requested at the federal and provincial level.
–City of Courtenay
