October 4, 2021 Regular Council Summary

Rise & Report

Councillor Bonner has been appointed as co-chair of the Environment Committee for the remainder of Council’s term ending 2022-OCT-14.
Section 7

Presentations

The Freedom of the City Award, Nanaimo’s highest civic honour, was presented to long time community advocate and former City Councillor Diane Brennan.
Section 8a

Literacy Central Vancouver Island provided Council with an overview of their 30 years in operation.
Section 8b

Karen Lindsay, Manager, Emergency Program, provided Council with a presentation regarding Emergency Preparedness Month.
Section 8c

Superintendent Lisa Fletcher and Christy Wood, Community Policing Coordinator, of the Nanaimo RCMP Detachment presented Council with findings from the current Community Safety Audits.
Section 8d

Committee Recommendations

A $4,500 Community Program Development Grant was granted to the Salish Storm Hockey Association to assist in funding the Storm the Ice program.
Section 10a.1

A new Political Signage Bylaw will be created, incorporating regulations from existing bylaws, which will be amended. The new Bylaw will require political signage to be removed by the next working day following an election, with signs able to be placed on public or private property 30 days prior to an election or referendum. The number of signs a candidate may have will not be limited.
Section 10b.1

Development around Nanaimo

A Development Variance Permit for 508 Eighth Street, to allow the addition of an LED sign on an existing freestanding sign, was approved.
Section 12a

Council will recommend the Liquor and Cannabis Regulations Branch approve the application for Unit 2, 75 Front Street (The Nanaimo Bar) to amend their liquor licence, permitting the hours of operation to be 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. seven days per week.
Section 12b

Administration & Appointments

Council approved an Acting Mayor Schedule for the year 2022.
Section 12c

An amendment to the Council Procedure Bylaw, authorizing for electronic meetings to be held (in certain circumstances) once the authority to hold electronic meetings under Ministerial Order M192 expires, to expand the number of Council or Committee members that could participate remotely and to add an extra meeting in July to the Council meeting schedule, passed three readings.
Section 12d

Going forward, Council members will be appointed to the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) based on Section 198 of the Local Government Act, rather than a Council policy. The old Council policy will be repealed and the current members of Council who were serving on the RDN board were appointed for the term ending 2022-OCT-14.
Section 12e

Council approved the appointment of Natalie Frei as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer.
Section 12i

Business Licence Bylaw

“Business Licence Bylaw 2021 No. 7318”, “Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 2021 No. 7041.03” and “Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2021 No. 7159.13” all passed three readings. Changes to the Business Licence Bylaw include:

• Updated definitions, reformatted sections and revised regulations to better reflect the current business landscape.
• Introduces the requirement for non-profit organizations to obtain a business licence, for a $50 fee.
• The business licence fee for liquor-primary businesses has been reduced from $1,100 to $165.

Business licence fees will not be included in the new Bylaw and will instead be incorporated into the Fees and Charges Bylaw. The fine schedule within the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw will be replaced to reflect the new Business Licence Bylaw provisions.
Sections 12 f,g

Property Tax Exemptions

“Property Tax Exemption Bylaw 2021 No. 7332” (To provide exemption from 2022 property taxes) passed three readings.
Section 12h

Bylaw Updates

“Parks, Recreation and Culture Regulation Amendment Bylaw 2021 No. 7073.08” (To remove sections that will be administered under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw and replace the Violation and Penalty section) was adopted.
Section 13a

“Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2021 No. 7159.12” (To amend the fine schedule for the Parks, Recreation and Culture Bylaw and add a fine schedule for the Animal Responsibility Bylaw) was adopted.
Section 13b

"Climate Action Reserve Fund Bylaw 2021 No. 7330" (To establish a Climate Action Reserve Fund) was adopted.
Section 13c

“Property Tax Exemption Bylaw (Island Corridor Foundation) 2021 No. 7331” (To provide a 10-Year Permissive Tax exemption, 2022 to 2031 inclusive) was adopted.
Section 13d