June 20, 2022 Regular Council Summary

Presentations

Darcie Osborne, Acting Manager, Culture and Special Events, gave a presentation regarding City of Nanaimo Special Events for 2022.

Section 8a

Committee Recommendations

Section 10a

Council directed Staff to work with the Regional District of Nanaimo, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and BC Transit to draft a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of planning and executing enhancements to support transit and mobility within the City of Nanaimo.
Section 10.b.1

Council allocated $1,000,000 of Pedestrian Unallocated funds to the following projects
  • Trans-Canada Highway Corridor Improvements  $350,000
  • Improve Crosswalks 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8  $400,000
  • Install Sidewalk (2) – on Departure Bay Road from Highland Boulevard to Highway 19A  $85,000
  • Traffic Calming IO Allocation  $165,000

Section 10.b.2

Council awarded a Permissive Tax exemption to the Makerspace Nanaimo Association, beginning with the 2023 taxation year.
Section 10.c.1

Council approved the purchase of the artwork Seabed, 2020, by artist Peter Achurch, which will be added to the City's Public Art Inventory in 2022.

Section 10.c.2

Delegations

Representatives from a volunteer sewing group, and a number of students, thanked Mayor and Council for implementing the plastic bag ban and presented Council and staff with reusable bags made from textiles diverted from the landfill.

Section 11a

Deborah Hollins and Jason Harrison, from the Nanaimo Community Advisory Board, gave a presentation regarding the Reaching Home Homelessness Strategy, highlighting the importance of elected officials’ participation on the Nanaimo Community Advisory Board.
Section 11b

Downtown Improvements

Council endorsed the Design Commercial Concept Plans for an enhanced public realm along the Commercial Street Corridor. The Design Commercial Street Implementation Plan will be included as part of the 2023-2027 Budget deliberations. 

Section 12a

Administration

Council approved the 2021 Annual Municipal Report.

Section 12b

Amendments were made to the General Election Bylaw, in accordance with changes made to the Local Government Act. All electors will now have the option to vote by mail in the local government election this fall.
Section 12c

In response to recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness, Council endorsed:
  • Gender and diversity and inclusivity training being offered to Council and staff
  • Having gender inclusive and gender neutral language (where possible) integrated in key communications and printed and electronic materials
  • Encouraging staff to use personal pronouns, where staff are comfortable doing so

Section 12d

Council awarded a $5,000 grant to the Nanaimo Minor Baseball Association to support their hosting of the 13U AAA Provincials Tournament being held in Nanaimo.
Section 12e

“Subdivision Control Amendment Bylaw 2022 No. 3260.06” (Text amendments and drawing replacements to the Manual of Engineering Standards and Specifications) passed three readings. 

Section 12f

The report “24hr Parking Bylaw Exemption” was referred back to staff for further details and options.
Section 12g

Council directed Staff to undertake a feasibility assessment of an engineered wetland, storm sewer and multiuse trail for Phase 1 of the Nanaimo Operations Centre project, as well as to complete the stage 2 environmental by allocating $120,000 from the General Capital Reserve.

Section 12h

Council provided first and second reading of a road closure bylaw to close a portion of Lake Road where Loudon Park is located. The area appears as parkland, and not road, and this formalizes the process to assist in the future development of the Loudon Boathouse and other park improvements.
Section 12i

Staff will be submitting an application to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for the “Extreme Heat Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning” funding stream. If successful, the project will strengthen the City’s Extreme Heat Response Strategy.

Section 12j

Development around Nanaimo

Council issued a Development Variance Permit for 5601 Hammond Bay Road, with variances to reduce the minimum lot depth and rear yard setback requirements for a proposed two-lot subdivision.

Section 12k

Council issued a Development Variance Permit for 6135 McGirr Road, to allow for a freestanding LED sign on the property of Dover Bay Secondary School.
Section 12l

Council issued a Development Permit for 515, 529 and 635 Terminal Avenue North, to allow for a multi-family residential development.

Section 12m

Bylaw Updates

"Public Notice Bylaw 2022 No. 7325" (To provide for alternative means of publication) was adopted.

Section 13a

Other Business

Council directed Staff to increase the budget for the Lenhart Bridge project by $188,000.

Section 15a

Staff will return to a future Council meeting with a report that includes options and implications on Council’s involvement in the Nanaimo Community Advisory Board.
Section 15b

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