April 25, 2016 Special Council Summary

On Track for Zero Per Cent

A 0% tax increase is still planned for this year’s budget, as council gave first, second and third reading on the Property Tax Bylaw and the 2016-2020 Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw Monday night. This is still manageable, even with a 1% increase in contributions to the General Asset Management Reserve. Adoption of both documents will take place May 2, after which a 2.8% increase will occur in 2017, followed by a 1.8% increase in 2018, 0.7% for 2019 and a 1% increase in 2020. 

Section 7a & 7B

Both bylaws passed first, second and third readings

$204M in development in 2015

The City’s Director of Community Planning provided final totals for 2015 construction development in Nanaimo, showing just over $204M in total value.

New construction starts, totals, locations, values, notable projects, revenues from DCCs and total volume of infrastructure added were included in the report.

In 2015 there were 952 single family, multi-family and suites started. Constructions values totaled $204,656,000 in value - $157,073,219 of which was residential, $39,218,089 commercial, $4,479,000 public and $2,999,587 industrial. They produced $5,023,526 in Development Cost Charges.

Development approvals included 21 for rezoning and 56 for development permits. New assets included 69 street lights, 4,300 m in new sidewalk, 657 m in new walkways, 1.6 km of new road, 13 fire hydrants and 8,000 m of new water and sewer servicing.

Section 5a

Information was received

Diver Lake boat ramp reviewed

Should the boat launch on Diver Lake be upgraded or replaced? A report studying the proposed relocation of the boat launch from its current location on Black Frank Drive to Shenton Road recommends that the existing boat launch should be upgraded to allow for easier access, although there was also a proposal to replace the old dock on the north end and build a trail around the lake.

Section 7e

Information was received

Funding for Chase River sewer

Council supported staff’s application for the second portion of funding from the Building Canada – Small Community Fund Grant to go towards the Chase River Sewer Upgrade project which is estimated to cost $3.525 million.

Section 7g

Motion carried: Unanimous.  

Parks and Trails Parcel Tax only for 2016

Staff provided Council with the steps required to amend the Parks and Trails Parcel Tax bylaw so it only applies to 2016, and the adoption of this amendment will be voted on May 2.

Section 7h & 9a

Motion carried: Unanimous.

A request to adopt the Parcel Tax Roll Preparation Bylaw 2016 No. 7229 was brought forward, giving staff the authorization to prepare the Parcel Tax Roll.

Motion carried: Unanimous.

Bowen Farmers Market to expand

Council voted unanimously to give the Bowen Road Farmers Market Society a $1,750 Community Program Development to help them increase the days the market is open to two days per week.

Section 8a

Motion carried: Unanimous.  

First quarter purchases reported

Council was presented with a summary of the Direct Awards and Single Tender Submissions between the amounts of $25,000 - $250,000 that were made during the first quarter of the year (January through March).

Section 7c & 7d

Information was received

April 25, 2016 Special Council Summary - agenda, documents and video