December 2, 2024 Regular Council Summary

E-town Hall

Staff provided an overview of the 2025-2029 Budget.

Watch: 2025 Budget Video on YouTube

An e-town hall took place with Council and staff answering questions related to the 2025-2029 Financial Plan.

Committee Recommendations

Recommendations from the November 20, 2024 Finance and Audit Committee meeting:

• Revenue collected through the Online Accommodation Platform was allocated to the following:
  • $830,000 to acquire land and/or for infrastructure and land improvements for affordable housing developments related to BC Housing and City of Nanaimo partnerships
  • $150,000 to continue supporting the City’s rent supplement program
  • $150,000 to continue supporting the Nanaimo Region Rent Bank program, administered by Connective Support Society Nanaimo
• Council approved a funding request from the Nanaimo Hornets Rugby Football Club to allocate $100,000 towards field lighting and upgrades to the clubhouse washroom at May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park, subject to a successful grant application by the Club to the Province of BC’s Community Gaming Capital Grants Program. The project is valued at $300,000, of which the Club has raised approximately $100,000 in private contributions.

Recommendations from the November 25, 2024 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting:

• A discussion around social issues initiatives will be a stand-alone topic at a future Governance and Priorities Committee meeting with stakeholders including the Vancouver Island Regional Library and the Nanaimo Systems Planning Organization, in addition to Island Health, invited to participate.
• Council directed staff to develop an Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) program that includes improvements and expansions in the Stadium District and Beban Park (as outlined in the Beban Park Master Plan), as well as a community recreation facility in the Southgate Urban Centre.

Section 10a,b

Reports

Representatives from Nordicity presented Council with the findings of the Nanaimo Not-for-Profit Sector Study.
Section 12a

Council was presented with the results of the AAP for the Public Works Yard Updates borrowing bylaw, which indicated that elector approval was not received, given that more than 10% of eligible voters in Nanaimo submitted valid response forms in opposition to the borrowing. Council directed staff to abandon the bylaw and report back on options for alternative ways to complete the public works project.
Section 12b

The following bylaws passed first, second and third reading:

• "Waterworks Rate and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 2024, No. 7004.22"
• "South West Bulk Water Rate Amendment Bylaw 2024, No. 7099.13" (a bylaw to set the 2025 bulk water rate for South West Extension)
• "Sewer Regulation and Charge Amendment Bylaw 2024, No. 2496.38" (a bylaw to set the 2025 rates for sanitary sewer)
• "User Fee Subsidies Amendment Bylaw 2024, No. 7095.06" (a bylaw to set the 2025 thresholds for User Fee Subsidies)
• "Municipal Solid Waste Collection Amendment Bylaw 2024, No. 7128.16" (a bylaw to set the solid waste collection rates for 2025)

Section 12c-g

Council approved the submission of an application to the Local Government Infrastructure Planning Grant program for a $10,000 grant to be used towards the Thirteenth Street Drainage Study.
Section 12h

Council authorized the Recycle BC Amending Agreement, which extends the term of the current Master Services Agreement to May 1, 2025. Staff will present financial projections at a future meeting and complete a Recycle BC Master Services Agreement and Statement of Work, to be submitted to Recycle BC before May 1, 2025, for a new term ending December 31, 2029.   
Section 12i

Council approved the City of Nanaimo Liquor Licence Review Policy COU-245.
Section 12j

A Development permit was issued for 2126 Meredith Road, to allow for a multi-family residential infill development.
Section 12k

Bylaw Updates

"Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.220" (to rezone 6450 Island Highway North from Woodgrove Urban Centre [CC4] to Woodgrove Urban Centre [CC4] with a site-specific mini storage use) was adopted.
Section 13a

"Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.227" (to rezone 5360 Bergen-Op-Zoom Drive from Single Dwelling Residential [R1] to Medium Density Residential [R8]) was adopted.
Section 13b

"Management Terms and Conditions of Employment Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 7273.03" (a bylaw to amend the provisions of the Management Terms and Conditions of Employment Bylaw 2019, No. 7273) was adopted.
Section 13c

"Highway Closure and Dedication Removal Bylaw 2024 No. 7376" (to provide for highway closure and dedication removal of an unnamed lane adjacent to 2209 Bowen Road) was adopted.
Section 13d

Reports (continued)

A Development Permit was issued for 6450 Island Highway North to allow for a commercial (mini storage and office) development.
Section 14a