eTown Hall
An eTown Hall was held to answer questions from the public related to the 2023-2027 Financial Plan.
Committee Recommendations
The following motions were made in regards to Council’s draft 2023-2027 Financial Plan:
- Council is supporting a new overhead allocation method for sewer and water user fees and directed staff to implement the water and sewer utility rate structures.
- Council is supporting implementation of the Fire Master Plan through:
- Adding 40 new firefighters with 20 positions effective August 2023 and 20 positions effective January 2025.
- Increasing the budget for a planned Heavy Rescue Vehicle from $1,157,500 to $1,600,000 to include pumper capabilities
- Adding a project to 2024 for $1,224,300 for a new fire engine
- Adding a project to 2023 and 2024 for up to $1,451,000 for modifications/renovations to Fire Stations
- Council approved adding the following positions, which will result in an additional 0.42% tax increase:
- HR Advisor: OH & S Support position (effective April 1, 2023)
- Records Management Clerk (effective April 1, 2023)
- Cemetery Clerk (temporary 15-month position, effective April 1, 2023)
- Community Development Clerk (effective April 1, 2023)
- Project Accountant (effective April 1, 2023)
- Project Budget Accounting Clerk (effective April 1, 2023)
- 2 Recreation & Culture Assistant Coordinators (1 effective April 1, 2023 & 1 effective January 1, 2024)
- Council approved adding a $50,000 project for an EV Ready Fleet Plan Study to 2023
- Council approved adding a Road Safety & Performance Coordinator position (effective April 1, 2023)
- Council approved adding a Sewer Operator in Training position and Water Operator in Training position (both effective April 1, 2023)
- Council is budgeting the RCMP contract at 92% for 2023 and 95% for 2024 to 2027
- Council is increasing the unallocated pedestrian improvement budget from $300,000 to $1,000,000 for 2023, funded from the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve.
Section 10a
Delegations
Collen Middleton, representing the Nanaimo Area Public Safety Association, spoke regarding public safety in Nanaimo.
Tim McGrath spoke regarding concerns with the Nanaimo Area Network of Drug Users (NANDU) site. A statement from Teresa Perry regarding concerns with the site was also provided to Council.
Section 11 a-c
Mayor Krog advised that Council has directed staff to pursue compliance with municipal bylaws and bring forward a report to consider designating 264 Nicol Street (where NANDU is located) as a nuisance property. The City calls upon the Health Authority and the Province to take the necessary steps to support the site and mitigate the impact on the community.
Development around Nanaimo
Council directed Staff to discharge and amend the covenants on the property titles of 514, 540 Haliburton Street, 120 Needham Street, and 575 Nicol Street, to facilitate redevelopment of the properties.
A Development Variance Permit was issued for 133 Pirates Lane, to allow the construction of a carriage house and make lawful the siting of an existing heat pump.
Council was informed about applications to amend the existing liquor licences at 940 Old Victoria Road (Wolf Brewing Company) to permit a permanent extension for the existing temporary outdoor patio, and at 1630 East Wellington Road (Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 256) to change the hours of liquor service.
Finance & Administration
The following bylaws passed three readings:
- “Storm Sewer Regulation and Fee Bylaw 2022 No. 7351” (A bylaw to regulate and collect fees and fines for the storm sewer system service)
- “South West Bulk Water Rate Amendment Bylaw 2022, No. 7099.11” (A bylaw to set the 2023 bulk water rate for South West Extension)
- “Municipal Solid Waste Collection Amendment Bylaw 2022, No. 7128.14” (A bylaw to set the solid waste collection rates for 2023)
- “User Fee Subsidies Amendment Bylaw 2022, No. 7095.04” (A bylaw to set the 2023 thresholds for User Fee Subsidies)
- “Waterworks Rate and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 2022, No. 7004.18” (A bylaw to set the water rates for 2023)
- "Sewer Regulation and Charge Amendment Bylaw 2022, No. 2496.35” (A bylaw to set the 2023 rates for sanitary sewer)
Sections 12e-j
The 2023 Acting Mayor Schedule (which was amended) and 2023 Council and Committee Key Date calendars were approved.
Sections 12k,l