December 2, 2019 Regular Council Summary

eTown Hall

An eTown Hall to discuss and answer questions about the 2020-2024 Financial Plan took place at the beginning of the Council meeting.
Section 7 a

Rise & Report

Council approved the following “In Camera” motions made at a Health & Housing Task Force meeting held on November 4, 2019:

A contractor will be hired to coordinate the activities of the Health and Housing Task Force until June 2020 (with funds re-purposed from the Drop-In Centre).

Council will be requesting Service Canada to engage Turner Strategies to assist with the Health & Housing Task Force’s work, starting January 2020.

Section 8 a

Committee Recommendations

The Environment Committee’s 2020 Key Date Calendar was approved.

The following updates will be added to the 2020-2024 budget:

• Cap the annual contribution to the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve at the 2019 level of 100% of annual Fortis Revenues and 67% of annual Casino Revenues
• Fund the design phase of the Marie Davidson Bike Park infrastructure upgrade for $35,000
• Increase the Nanaimo Fire Rescue training budget for six years to implement Emergency Medical Responder Training of $66,750 in 2020 (to be funded from the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve) and $60,000 a year for 2021 to 2025
• Fund a one time increase of $30,756 to the Vancouver Island Symphony from the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve and defer consideration of potential funding sources for future years until policies are developed
• Increase the Nanaimo Victim Services annual operating grant by $50,000 to fund 1 additional staff member funded from General Revenue
• Increase the Nanaimo Area Land Trust operating grant by $5000 a year funded from General Revenue
• Defer consideration of the Manager of Sustainability position until the 2021-2025 Financial Plan to allow for review and updating of the Community Sustainability Action Plan
• Fund the design of the Loudon Boathouse from the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve
• Increase the Bylaw Enforcement Officers schedule from 35 hours to 40 hours per week with the increase partially funded from Parking Reserves and the rest to be funded from taxation
• Remove the Council Contingency Fund
• Add the Deputy City Clerk position

Section 8 c

Administration

The 2020 Acting Mayor Schedule was approved.
Section 9 b

The 2020 Council Key Date Calendar was approved.
Section 9 c

Appointments

Councillor Hemmens has been appointed as a trustee and Councillor Thorpe as an alternate trustee to the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board for a one-year term (Jan. 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020).
Section 9 d

Mike Sherman has been appointed as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer.
Section 9 k

Climate Action Initiatives

Council gave support for the City to participate in the Global Covenant of Mayors Canada Showcase Cities pilot project, and endorsed the Mayor’s Letter of Commitment. This pilot project is an innovative process that demonstrates climate leadership in setting and implementing ambitious Climate Action targets.
Section 9 f

2020 Rates & Charges

Bylaws Amendments setting the 2020 rates for sanitary sewer, water, solid waste collection and bulk water rates for South West Extension all passed three readings.
Section 9 g-j

Development around Nanaimo

A Development Permit has been issued for 4474 Wellington, to allow for a three-storey mixed-use development with 1,642m² of office space and eight residential units.
Section 9 l

A Development Variance Permit has been issued for 5485 Godfrey Road, to legalize the construction of an existing accessory building.
Section 9 m

Bylaw Updates

"Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2019 No. 4500.158” (To make general text and mapping amendments to City of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw 2011 No. 4500) was adopted.
Section 11 a

“Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2019 No. 4500.161” (To rezone 120 Commercial Street to allow Cannabis Retail Store as a site-specific use in the Core [DT1] zone) was adopted.
Section 11 b

Deferred Motions

Motions regarding Women’s Participation on City of Nanaimo Committees and Task Forces and Childminding Reimbursement for Members of Council and City Committee Members were deferred.
Section 13 a,b

December 2, 2019 Regular Council Meeting – agenda, documents and video