Mar 24, 2023

Council Notebook for March 21, 2023

Ladysmith Council met for a Regular Meeting of Council on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, with the 4th Avenue Reconstruction Project and request to apply for additional grant funding to continue implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy among the agenda highlights.

The meeting started with a delegation from Social Planning Cowichan (SPC) Project Director and Facilitator, Rosalie Sawrie.  Sawrie provided an update on the many projects and initiatives being led by the organization, including the local implementation of the CommUNITY Together to End Poverty Hw-nuts’-ulwum (As One) Poverty Reduction Strategy. 

SPC is facilitating the implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy as a result of a $50,000 Union of BC Municipalities grant, which so far has included film and discussion nights and a cultural awareness workshop.  As part of the project, the Neighbours Sharing Food Fair is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Ladysmith Secondary School. Find more details on the event by visiting our website.

Mayor Stone and members of Council thanked Sawrie and the organization for its important work in the Cowichan region.

Next, Council approved issuing a development variance permit for a residence on Brown Drive to reduce the front parcel line setback from 6 metres to 3.1 metres to allow for a covered balcony that is attached to the existing dwelling.

Moving on, Council approved the Committee of the Whole’s recommendations for the 2023 Grant-in-Aid requests.   The requested amounts will be included as part of the 2023 Budget when it is presented to Council for adoption.

Council then directed that the 2023-2027 Financial Plan include funds to purchase a printer for the Ladysmith Fire Hall.  The funds will come from the Fire Equipment Reserve.

Next on the agenda, Council directed that the five-year Financial Plan also include $50,000, subject to the receipt of grant funding, to contract Social Planning Cowichan to implement the Poverty Reduction Strategy with guidance from the Council-appointed task force.  Council also confirmed its support of the Town’s application in the amount of $50,000 to the UBCM Poverty Reduction Planning and Action – Stream 3 fund.

Council then directed staff to allocate an additional $500,000 in the Financial Plan towards the 4th Avenue Reconstruction Project. The project is underway and has an expected completion date of Fall 2023.

The contractor is replacing and upgrading sanitary sewer, storm sewer, watermain, pavement, curb and gutter as well as streetlights. Additionally, a traffic circle is being built at 4th Avenue and Belaire Street to improve the flow of traffic at this intersection.

The additional funds will be sourced from water and sewer reserves, with the bulk to come from last year’s surplus.

The next Regular Meeting of Council is scheduled for April 4, 2023 at the Ladysmith Seniors Centre.