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Comox Valley Regional District to repay debt for purchase of property for homeless shelter

The regional district committee of the whole approved last week a Paul Ives motion to direct staff to present a plan to repay the debt for property purchased in the 800 block of Cliffe Avenue, targeted for an emergency shelter for the homeless.

Scott Stanfield 

Record Staff

The regional district committee of the whole approved last week a Paul Ives motion to direct staff to present a plan to repay the debt for property purchased in the 800 block of Cliffe Avenue, targeted for an emergency shelter for the homeless.

Once the debt is repaid, requisitions from municipalities and electoral areas are to be dropped to zero for the purpose of the 2011-2015 financial plan. 

The idea is to repay the debt as soon as possible while borrowing rates are low.

Last month during budget discussions, the committee approved repaying the debt over two years, and contributing to a reserve fund under the emergency shelter and supportive housing land acquisition service. The matter was referred to municipal councils. It was supported in Comox but not in Cumberland. It has yet to appear before Courtenay council. 

If the CVRD board approves a two-year, four per cent debt repayment structure, taxpayers will have paid $300,000 in principal and $18,266 in interest by the end of 2012. The remaining cost will be covered by annual reserve contributions. 

Last year, the district purchased property at 865, 877 and 889 Cliffe Ave. to house a 24/7 emergency shelter. The cost was $470,000 plus HST. 

Frontline workers applaud the proposed location but area businesses do not want a shelter in their neighbourhood. Courtenay director Larry Jangula has suggested the area around Chuck's Trucks at 180 Old Island Hwy. is more suitable.  

On Tuesday, Jangula reiterated that senior levels of government are responsible for funding a homeless shelter, not municipal taxpayers. He suggests the issue might require a referendum.

Courtenay director Murray Presley suggests the province or federal government could hand over a percentage of income tax dollars if they expect municipalities to look after a social issue. 

The CVRD's mandate is strictly land acquisition. It is not mandated to operate a shelter, says district chief administration officer Debra Oakman.

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L'Arche Comox Valley asked the district to consider kicking in $250,000 to a proposed housing/creative arts centre to assist developmentally disabled individuals.

The group hopes to hear from the federal government by late March about its application for a $1.4 million grant. If the money comes through, L'Arche could purchase property on Grieve Avenue between 14th and 15th streets.   

The cost of the entire project is about $2 million.

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Staff will prepare a report to look at ways of regulating smoking in public places, as requested by Courtenay director Greg Phelps. 

The Heart and Stroke Foundation, in an effort to raise awareness about health risks of tobacco and exposure to second-hand smoke, is encouraging municipalities to pursue legislated smoke-free environments.

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A letter will be sent to the province supporting the continued distinction of the Campbell River and Comox Valley immigrant settlement offices due in part to the distinct identities of the two communities, as requested by Jangula on behalf of the local Immigrant Settlement Office. 

The office is concerned about a government proposal to combine the Comox Valley and Campbell River as one service area.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com