April 23, 2018 Regular Council Summary

Re-evaluating property tax increase 
Council directed staff to adjust the proposed property tax increase from 3.01% to 2%.   

Reading of the property tax bylaw was deferred to another meeting when the financial plan could be presented with a 2% property tax increase.
Sections 9 a, b

Committee recommendations
Council endorsed the City’s application to the Smart Cities Challenge. The proposal will address Nanaimo’s housing crisis using data and connected technology. 

The budget for the Beban Park boiler plant upgrade and replacement of HV-1 heat recovery coils received an increase of $68,080 with $35,373 funded by a FortisBC incentive grant and the remaining $32,707 coming from the Facility Development Reserve Fund.

The 2017 Surplus Allocation Report was deferred another meeting when the financial plan could be presented with a 2% property tax increase.

The 2018 Nanaimo Pride Parade will receive support in the way of blockades and City workers as well as a refreshing of the rainbow crosswalks downtown. A memorandum of understanding will be drawn up for annual support of the parade.

The City will look into options to address multiple requests for support from other annual parades held in Nanaimo.
Section 8 a

Committee sets strategic directions
The Public Safety Committee has laid out their goals for 2018 including Fire Station #1 rebuild, City bylaws, graffiti strategy, Fire Plan – Service Delivery Plan for 2019-2021, community policing, public disorder, Cannabis Task Force, policing priorities and emergency management.
Section 11 a

Tax exemption program for downtown
The Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw to provide a 10-year tax exemption on eligible development downtown passed three readings. 
Section 10 a

Port Drive Plan added to OCP
The addition of the Port Drive Waterfront Master Plan to the Official Community Plan (OCP) passed two readings.
Section 10 b

Development around Nanaimo
Development permits were issued for a 24-unit strata townhouse development at 548 Steeves Road, a 26-lot subdivision at 11 Roberta Road East, a drive-thru restaurant at 3200 Island Highway North and a multi-family development at 6975 Island Highway North.  

Development Variance permits were issued for a subdivision at 5865 Turner Road and an accessory building at 6142 Dennie Lane.

Rezoning applications for 311 Selby Street and 2202 Meredith Road passed two readings.

A Highway Closure and Dedication Removal Bylaw for a portion of Beadall Road was adopted. 
Sections 10 d-l

Liquor License Endorsed
A liquor license application for a manufacturer’s lounge in the Wolf Brewery building on Old Victoria Road was endorsed by Council.
Section 10 m

Bylaw updates
The Development Cost Charge (2017 No. 7252) and Parcel Tax Roll Preparation (2018 No. 7260) bylaws were adopted.   
Sections 12 a, b

April 23, 2018 Regular Council Meeting - agenda, documents and video