April 7, 2025 Regular Council Summary

Committee Recommendations

Recommendation from the March 12, 2025 Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness meeting:

Council endorsed blue as the colour palette for Westwood Lake Park wayfinding and signage.
Section 10a

Recommendations from the March 19, 2025 Finance and Audit Committee meeting:

Council approved the allocation of the 2024 operating surplus as follows:

General Fund

• RCMP Contract Reserve $1,411,438
• General Financial Stability Reserve $1,094,545
• Special Initiatives Reserve $5,290,000

Sewer Fund

• Sewer Reserve $342,240
  

Council directed staff to increase the budget for the Loudon Park improvements project by $6,169,373 (funded by $4,000,000 from the Special Initiatives Reserve and $2,169,373 from the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve Fund) and proceed with the project as currently designed, instead of the alternate design previously recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

Section 10b

Recommendation from the April 7, 2025 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting:

Council endorsed in principle the proposed City Plan monitoring process as outlined in this staff report.

Section 10c

Delegations

Tod Maffin spoke regarding the Nanaimo Infusion, a weekend expected to bring a large number of tourists to Nanaimo between April 25-27. 
Section 11a

Reports

A Heritage Alteration Permit was issued for the Nanaimo Court House (35 Front Street) to allow minor exterior alterations.
Section 12a

"Miscellaneous Bylaws Repeal Bylaw 2025 No. 7352" (a bylaw to repeal outdated bylaws) passed three readings.
Section 12b

Council was presented with the 2025-2029 financial projections for curbside recycling collection operations.
Section 12c

Council will be recommending that the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch approve the application for a liquor primary licence at an existing nail salon and spa located at Unit 201 – 70 Commercial Street.
Section 12d

Council issued a Development Permit for 1810 Fremont road, to allow for an addition to an existing light industrial building.
Section 12e

Council directed staff to proceed with a Public Hearing for a proposed Covenant Amendment for 6340 McRobb Avenue.
Section 12f

Correspondence

Council will be providing a letters of support to the following organizations:

• Italian Society Felice Cavallotti Lodge for their grant application to Legacy Fund - Building Communities through Arts and Heritage
• Vancouver Island Exhibition for their grant application to the Destination Events Program Grant
• Nanaimo Equestrian Association for their grant application to the Destination Events Program Grant
• Petroglyph Development Group for their proposed cabin project on Saysutshun Island
• Wildcoast Ecological Society for their grant application to Environment and Climate Change Canada EcoAction
• Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society for their grant application to the Destination Events Program Grant

Section 14a-h

Other Business

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will be sending a letter to Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar in support of the future of the local forestry industry.
Section 16a

Council directed Staff to prepare a report outlining options for an amendment to "Council Procedure Bylaw 2018 No. 7272" to include a certification process to provide accreditation to media representatives and independent journalists to permit the use of electronic devices at the City of Nanaimo Council and Committee meetings for journalistic purposes.
Section 16c

Bylaw Updates

"Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7394" (to secure the terms and conditions of occupancy for a residential shelter at 11 Dancer Road) was adopted.
Section 13a

“Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7272.05” (a bylaw to include provisions associated with delegations, inappropriate behaviour, electronic devices and signs in Council and Committee meetings and minor housekeeping amendments) was adopted.
Section 17a

“Respectful Spaces Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7381.01” (a bylaw to include electronic devices and other housekeeping amendments) was adopted.
Section 17b

April 7, 2025 Regular Council meeting - agenda, documents and video