December 19, 2016 Special & Regular Council Meeting Summary

December 19, 2016 Special Council Meeting

Five-year financial plan approved
Council was presented with the 2017-2021 Financial Plan. Taxes are expected to increase 1.5% in 2017 along with a user rate increase of 5% for sewer, 7.5% for water and 2% for solid waste collection. The plan will be adopted in January 2017. 
Section 8 b
Motion carried.

Fund created for strategic priorities 
A new reserve fund has been created for implementing the City’s strategic priorities. Funding for the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve will come from annual casino and FortisBC revenues. It is expected this fund will have annual contributions of $3 million starting in 2020.
Section 8 a
Motion carried.

Development updates
An amended development permit to add another driveway to a subdivision on Glen Oaks Drive was supported by Council. 
Section 9 c 
Motion carried.

Development of a single residential dwelling on 3736 Belaire Drive will go ahead with variances to increase the perimeter wall height and reduce the side yard setback to include steps and landings. 
Section 9 d 
Motion carried.

Jean Burns building update
City staff are continuing to work with the owners of the Jean Burns building, the Commercial Street building that was heavily damaged in a fire earlier this year, to prepare it for demolition. 
Section 9 a
Information was received.

December 19, 2016 Special Council Meeting - agenda, documents and video

December 19, 2016 Regular Council Meeting

Events Centre Phase 3 gets green light
Following the submission of Phase 2 reports by BBB Architects and a multi-week public engagement, Council opted to move to the third phase of the Events Centre project. This phase includes choosing a location, getting more detailed design plans, entering into a memorandum of understanding with the WHL, further public engagement and preparations for an electoral approval process.

Four common themes emerged from the public engagement process and will be guiding principles for this project: ensure the interests of residents are protected; the centre is a community meeting place that caters to all and promotes community wellness; funding to build the events centre will come from a mix of public, private and other sources and the centre will be complimentary to existing facilities and as a catalyst for downtown Nanaimo revitalization.
Sections 5 a
Motions carried.

NEDC replaced by commission
Starting January 31, 2017 the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation will cease operations and an Economic Development Commission chaired by the Mayor will take its place. The new commission will invite membership from various sectors including: business, regional government, First Nations, port and airport authorities, post secondary education, construction, labour and business development. Additional members with knowledge and experience related to transportation, forestry, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, professional and technical services may also be added, along with two members of Council. This new alignment of economic development activities with City operations will encourage direct access to decision makers at the City and costs reductions in duplicated administration.
Section 6
Motion carried.

December 19, 2016 Regular Council Meeting - agenda, documents and video