Cumberland council endorsed an amended Regional Growth Strategy bylaw in a 3-2 vote Monday.
Last month, the three Valley mayors, regional district chair Edwin Grieve and a mediator hammered out non-acceptance items that had been identified by local governments.
Coun. Kate Greening feels mediation is not in the best interests of the public and is disappointed the K’ómoks First Nation was not granted all of its requests. She also notes Settlement Expansion Areas had been “highly criticized” throughout the process.
“I have real concerns,” Greening said. “I don’t think it serves the Village of Cumberland well at all.”
Coun. Gwyn Sproule also voted against endorsing the document that addresses land use in the Valley.
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Council expressed concern about a draft recreation and cultural services report, which is intended to help local governments establish a regional recreation/culture facilities service.
Coun. Leslie Baird feels the report contradicts the sustainability strategy, which looks at putting services in the community.
“I don’t like the report,” Coun. Bronco Moncrief said. “I think we have to keep our own house in order.”
Sproule, noting the report neglects to mention all Cumberland facilities, said the majority of users at places like the museum are from out of town.
Council voted to further discuss the issue at a committee of the whole meeting before responding to the regional district.
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Council directed staff to complete water meter installations for commercial, institutional and industrial properties.
The water meter project was initiated in July, based on an $810,000 budget. Village engineer Bob Hoffstrom said all single-family meters have been installed. Only the Seventh Street trailer park, Ambleside Estates and three duplexes remain. It appears these can be completed with a surplus of about four per cent remaining in the budget.
Mayor Fred Bates commended staff for keeping the project under budget.
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Sproule agreed to represent the Village at meetings related to the Courtenay River estuary management plan.
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Council wishes to include Phase Two of sewage lagoon improvements to a maximum of $250,000, subject to securing a Towns for Tomorrow grant, which would fund 80 per cent of the work.