September 28, 2020 Regular Council Summary

Presentations to Council  

Nanaimo 2020 Point-in-Time Homelessness Count Results
Signy Madden, Executive Director from the United Way along with John McCormick, Co-Executive Director (Strategic Initiatives) from the United Way and Andrew Thornton, Research Manager, The Centre for Justice, Education and Research presented to Council the Nanaimo 2020 Point-In-Time Homelessness Count Results.
Section 8 a

Consent Items

Consent Items group discussion points into a single area on the agenda labeled “Consent Items.” This procedure allows decision-makers to group consent items together under one heading and approve them in one action or to consider and vote on each item separately if discussion is needed (for more information, please see Section 14 of the City’s Council Procedure Bylaw 2018 No. 7272.)

The following three consent items were discussed by Council:

Health and Housing Task Force Meeting 2020-SEP-16

Discussion regarding the Extension of the Health and Housing Task Force
Council extended the mandate of the Health and Housing Task Force to November 30, 2020.
Section 10, a, 1

Presentation from Dr. Alina Turner, CEO, HelpSeeker - Updates and Transition Planning
Council deferred the following consent item to the Economic Development Task Force:

“That the City of Nanaimo collaboratively through the Health and Housing Task Force and Economic Development Task Force explore an arms-length organization that includes economic development and social development planning coordination.”
Section 10, a, 2

Finance and Audit Committee Meeting 2020-SEP-16

Public Works Facility Upgrades
Council allocated $200,000 from the existing 2020 - 2024 Financial Plan to further develop an architectural concept and cost estimate for renewal of the Public Works facility. 
Section 10, b, 1

Federation of Canadian Municipalities Asset Management Program
Council committed to conducting the Level of Service Study: Asphalt as detailed in the grant application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Municipal Asset Management Program, and commits $100,000 for 2021 in the 2021 – 2025 Financial Plan toward the costs of this initiative if the grant is successful. 
Section 10, b, 2

Consideration of New Permissive Tax Exemption Applications:

1. Awarded a permissive tax exemption for the 2021 tax year to the Nanaimo Community Gardens Society for property that is being leased at 2300 Bowen Road (Beban Park);
2. Awarded a permissive tax exemption for the 2021 tax year to the Island Crisis Care Society for property donated at 3413 Littleford Road;
3. Awarded a permissive tax exemption for the 2021 tax year to the Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy for space being leased at #403 – 489 Wallace Street;
4. Awarded a permissive tax exemption for the 2021 tax year to the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society for space being leased at #101 – 235 Bastion Street;
5. Awarded a permissive tax exemption for the 2021 tax year to the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society for property owned at 285 Rosehill Street; and,
6. Awarded a permissive tax exemption for the 2021 tax year to the Nanaimo Unique Kids Organization for property purchased at 60 Needham Street.

Section 10, b, 3

Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting 2020-SEP-21

Council Dashboard (Voting Record)
Council directed staff to proceed with the Council Voting Dashboard that has been developed by our IT Department to track Council’s voting record for Council Meetings retroactive to July 1, 2020.
Section 10,c, 1

Reports to Council

Unsafe Condition - 4063 Old Slope Place
Purpose of Report: To inform Council that the property at 4063 Old Slope Place has an opened excavation and rebar, creating an unsafe situation.

Outcome of Discussions: Council issued and directed the following actions to take place:

1. Issued a Remedial Action Order at 4063 Old Slope Place pursuant to Sections 72, 73, 74 of the Community Charter;
2. Directed Staff or its authorized agents to take action in accordance with Section 17 of the Community Charter without further notice and at the owner’s expense, if said remedial action is not undertaken within 30 days of Council’s resolution; and
3. Directed the remedial action to consist of filling in the excavation or secure the property with fencing and remove the steel rebar.

Section 12 a

Downtown Restaurant Patios
Purpose of Report: To provide Council with an update on the temporary restaurant patio program and to seek Council approval to extend the program through the winter of 2020 to the fall of 2021.

Outcome of Discussions: Council approved the following:

1. Extended the temporary restaurant patio program until 2021-OCT-31.
2. Directed Staff to notify the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch that the City of Nanaimo has authorized pre-approval for all temporary service area expansions for liquor primary and manufacturing licences until 2021-OCT-31 in response to Liquor Control and Regulation Branch policy directive 20-26; and
3. Continued to suspend the current City approval process for temporary service area expansion of all liquor primary and manufacturing licences until 2021-OCT-31.

Section 12 b

Development Permit Application No. DP1179 - 227 Prideaux Street
Purpose of Report: To present for Council’s consideration, a development permit application for a 12 unit rental apartment building at 227 Prideaux Street.

Outcome of Discussions: Council issued Development Permit No. 1179 at 227 Prideaux Street with a variance to reduce the minimum required setback for a refuse enclosure from 3m to 0.46m. 
Section 12 c

Amendments to the Appointment of Officers and Delegation of Authority and Management Terms and Conditions Bylaws
Purpose of Report: To amend the Appointment of Officers and Delegation of Authority and Management Terms and Conditions Bylaws.

Outcome of Discussions: Council approved the following amendments to the “Appointment of Officers and Delegation of Authority and Management Terms and Conditions Bylaws”:

"Officers Appointment and Delegation Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2020 No. 7031.07” (To align the bylaw with the revised management organizational structure) passed first, second and third readings.

“Management Terms and Conditions of Employment Amendment Bylaw 2020, No. 7273.01” passed first, second and third readings.

Section 12 d

Other Business

Recommendation from 2020-JUL-15 Finance and Audit Committee Meeting re:  Indigenous Engagement Specialist 
During the 2020-JUL-27 In Camera Council Meeting, Council deferred consideration of the following motion to the 2020-SEP-28 Council Meeting:

“It was moved and seconded that Council direct Staff to prepare a business case for an Indigenous Engagement Specialist for the purpose of better incorporating First Nations and urban indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing into our work and decisions.”
Section 15 a

Councillor Bonner Motion re: Pilot Program to Reduce Residential Speed Limits
During the 2020-SEP-14 Regular Council Meeting Councillor Bonner advised that he would be bringing forward the following motion for consideration at the 2020-SEP-28 Council Meeting: 

"That Council direct Staff to report back to Council on options for Nanaimo to participate in a potential Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure pilot project limiting residential speed limits."
Section 15 b