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November 20, 2023 Regular Council Summary

Rise and Report

Council appointed Councillor Hemmens as a trustee to the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) board and Councillor Eastmure as an alternate for the period January 1 to December 31, 2024.

Section 7a

Council appointed Jamie Dubyna to the Board of Variance for a three-year term ending 2026-NOV-06 or until a successor is appointed.

Section 7b

Presentations

Dr. Derek Poteryko, Medical Director, Nanaimo Community, provided an update on health care challenges in the community.

Section 8a

Consent Items

Section 10a

  • Council will consider providing ongoing funding to the CatNap Society for animal control services during the 2024-2028 Financial Plan budget discussions.
  • Council approved using $15,000 from the Climate Action Reserve Fund to support a joint application with BC Hydro and the Regional District of Nanaimo for a “Mobile Home Park Energy Conservation and Emissions Reduction Strategy”.
  • Council allocated Online Accommodation Platform revenue in 2024 as follows:
    • $438,986 to acquisition of land for affordable housing;
    • $200,000 for continued support to rent bank and rent supplement programs; and,
    • $300,000 for infrastructure and land improvements for BC Housing and City Memorandum of Understanding development projects.
  • Council amended Reserve Policy COU-231 to include the Harewood Centennial Turf Field Reserve Fund.
Section 10b

Delegations

Greg Brown spoke on behalf of the Brechin Hill Community Association regarding Beach Estates traffic safety.
Section 11a

Joe Figel and Valentina Cardinalli spoke regarding the Alternative Approval Process.

Sections 11b,c

Reports

Council endorsed a Council Correspondence Policy and a Council Support Policy which establish protocols for handling correspondence addressed to the Mayor and/or Council and protocols for responding consistently to groups or organizations requesting support from the City of Nanaimo.

Section 12a

“Building Amendment Bylaw 2023 No. 7224.06” (to implement a Certified Professional Program; alignment of Professional Practice Guidelines for Retaining Walls; and minor housekeeping items) passed three readings.

Section 12b

Staff advised Council that the deadline for submitting resolutions to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for the 2024 Annual Convention is January 8, 2024.

Section 12c

Council approved the Revitalization Tax Exemption Agreement for a proposed multi-family development with no fewer than 160 units at 340 Campbell Street.

Section 12d

A development permit was issued for 30 Mt Benson Street, to allow an overheight privacy wall and retaining wall.
Section 12e
 
Council endorsed the “Emergency Shelter and Warming/Cooling Centre Regulation Enforcement Policy Resolution” which temporarily addresses the City’s liability related to buildings used for emergency shelters and warming/cooling centres that do not meet the requirements in the BC Building Code and BC Fire Code.  Correspondence will be sent to the Minister of Housing and Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction regarding the need to protect emergency shelters and warming/cooling centres in Nanaimo that do not meet those requirements.

Section 12f

Notice of Motion

Councillor Manly advised that he would be bringing forward a motion for consideration at a future Council meeting that requests a report with recommendations on policy options to improve accessibility and engagement when the Alternative Approval Process is used for elector approval. 

Section 14a

Other Business

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will provide letters of support to Nanaimo Foodshare Society for their application to the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Fund and their application for a BC Community Gaming Grant. A letter of support will also be provided to Vancouver Island University for their grant application to the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Sections 15a-c

Correspondence and an amendment regarding Bill 44 – 2023 Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 will be sent to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and to all MLAs within the province to address concerns with the proposed legislation.

Section 15d


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