April 24, 2017 Regular Council Summary

Election officers appointed
Council appointed Sheila Gurrie as the Chief Election Officer and Sky Snelgrove as the Deputy Election Officer for the upcoming By-Election proposed for July 8. 
Section 7 a
Motion carried.

City prepares for taxes
Preparations for City taxes are underway with Council passing three readings on the Financial Plan bylaw. Once the bylaw is adopted, the City will be able to calculate and collect 2017 property taxes. Taxes are set to increase by 1.5% this year.
Sections 8 a, c
Motion carried.

Strategic direction set for Committees
Council approved the strategic direction that guide the annual work of a number of Select Committees including the Community Planning and Development Committee, Community Vitality Committee, Public Safety Committee and Public Works and Engineering Committee.
Section 9 l-o
Motion carried.

Business improvement levies removed
With the dissolution of the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association, the bylaw to collect a tax levy from downtown businesses was repealed.
Section 8 b
Information received.

Providing affordable housing in Nanaimo
A plan is in the works to ensure all residents of Nanaimo have access to housing. The Affordable Housing Strategy will establish the City’s role and priorities in regards to promoting housing affordability in Nanaimo over the next ten years. The public and stakeholders will be invited to participate in the plan process through community meetings, focus groups and an open house. 
Section 9 c
Motion carried.

Property deemed a nuisance
9 – 1637 Bowen Road was declared a nuisance property due to an unprecedented number of complaints calls reported by neighbours over the past year. By declaring this as a nuisance property, the City can recover the cost of nuisance calls incurred either by City staff or the RCMP. 
Section 9 b
Motion carried.

Development around Nanaimo
Proposed changes to the way density bonuses are rewarded under the City’s Zoning Bylaw passed first and second readings. The changes are meant to provide more flexibility for developers to achieve reaching higher density levels. 
Section 9 j
Motion carried.

A carport and a deck will be built with a variance to reduce the watercourse setback at 271 Harwell Road. 
Section 9 e
Motion carried.

A variance to reduce the minimum lot depth for subdivision at 350 Westwood Road was approved.
Section 9 f
Motion carried.

A fence and retaining wall will be built at 106 and 110 Fry Street with the approved variance to increase the maximum fence height. 
Section 9 g
Motion carried.

Council approved a variance to reduce the minimum lot frontage to allow for subdivision of 1553 Bartlett Street. 
Section 9 h
Motion carried.

Cliff Street parking
A small parking portion of Cliff Street may be sold to the business owner at 194 Cliff Street for $22,000. If sold, the portion will become private parking for the business. 
Section 9 d
Motion carried.

Support for extending Casino license hours
Council supported an application from the Great Canadian Casino to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch to extend their operating hours.
Section 9 k
Motion carried.

April 24, 2017 Regular Council Meeting - agenda, documents and video