April 4, 2016 Regular Council Summary

Proposed Port Theatre Expansion

Staff provided Council with a motion introducing a partnership for the Port Theatre Society’s Community Performing Arts Centre Project. The motion stated that for the City to partner with the Society, the following conditions must be met by the Society:

• That the Society raise funds up to $8.6 million or have a contribution of at least 60% of financing required to complete the project,
• That the Society, with the support of the City, explore and pursue all funding opportunities from Federal and Provincial Government funds including the Build Canada Fund, Department of Canadian Heritage, Cultural Spaces and the Canada 150 fund.
• That the Society agree to reimburse the City up to 100% of the City’s $4.6 Million contribution if the Society is successful in raising more than their target of $8.6 million.

This was a Late Item. After input from members of the community the decision was postponed to April 18th to allow time for public input.

Council voted in favour: 7-2

Pay for Acting Mayors

Council heard details from staff on the Council Spending and Amenities Policy and the Governance Protocol Policy. 

After input from members of the public, Council voted to remove section 3.2 from the Spending and Amenities Policy (Acting Mayor’s Pay) and ratified as amended. This specific section will be returned to Council for further discussion at an upcoming meeting – proposed April 18th

Council ratified the Governance Protocol Policy.

Council voted in favour: 7-2 for both policies.

Dufferin Crescent Development Permit Variances

Council issued a Development Permit for two commercial buildings to be built at 1847 Dufferin Crescent with variances to increase the retaining wall height from 1.8m to 3.96m and to increase the ratio for small car parking spaces from 33% to 44%

Council voted in favour: unanimous (9-0).

Uncompleted Construction on Emerald Drive

Council authorized staff to register a Bylaw Contravention Notice on the property title for 3225 Emerald Drive. The construction to convert an existing garage into a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom was not completed according to the conditions of the building permit, which has now expired.

Council voted in favour: unanimous (9-0).

Upgrading of Secondary Suites

Council authorized staff to register a Bylaw Contravention Notice on the property title of the properties listed below. Property owners that have not applied for a building permit to upgrade their suites will now face a removal order to remove them.

• 323 Black Diamond Drive – building permit application has not yet been received
• 374 Black Diamond Drive – building permit application has not yet been received
• 165 Bird Sanctuary Drive – building permit application has been received
• 6625 Groveland Drive – building permit application has been received

Council voted in favour: unanimous (9-0).

Wellington Secondary Travel Assistance Grant

Council approved an application from the Wellington Secondary School Band for a $1,500 Travel Assistance Grant so 15 performers can attend the MusicFest Canada – Canadian Nationals in Ottawa on May 9.

Council voted in favour: unanimous (9-0).

Unsafe Open Excavation on Cedar Ridge Place

Council authorized staff to order the owners of 4800 Cedar Ridge Place to fill an unsafe open and water-filled excavation on their property within 30 days or the City may fill it in at the expense of the owners.

Council voted in favour: unanimous (9-0).

Hecate Street Nuisance Properties

Council authorized staff to declare 522 Hecate Street and 564 Fifth Street as Nuisance Properties. City of Nanaimo staff has now been authorized to record and charge for municipal services, including police required, to have the nuisance properties cleaned up.

Council voted in favour: unanimous

Cleaning Up Property

Council authorized staff to direct the owners of the properties listed below to remove the items listed from their premises with 14 days or the City will complete the work at the owner’s expense.

• 518 Duke Street – discarded furniture, bicycle parts, containers, tarps, recycling, household waste, garbage and miscellaneous debris
• 91 Chapel Street – graffiti
• 51 Terminal Avenue – graffiti
• 1400 Wingrove Street – graffiti
• 4800 Cedar Ridge Place – derelict foundation forms, rusted rebar, discarded construction wood and debris, tires, metal items, household garbage and miscellaneous debris
• 215 Nicol Street – derelict red vehicle

Council voted in favour: unanimous (9-0).

New Appointments for Councillors

Council made the following appointments during an ‘In Camera” Meeting held on March 21, 2016:

• Snuneymuxw First Nation Liaison Committee/Protocol Advisory Working Group: Councillors Fuller, Kipp, Pratt 
• Tripartite Liaison Committee (City of Nanaimo Port of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation): Councillors Fuller, Kipp, Pratt
• Nanaimo Port Authority Working Group: Councillors Bestwick, Yoachim, Thorpe (Alternate)

Council voted in favour: unanimous (9-0).

April 4, 2016 Regular Council Meeting – agenda, documents and video