Presentations
Representatives from BC Hydro gave a presentation regarding Electrification.
Section 8a
Jake Rudolph, CAO, and Mayor Krog and presented Wendy Fulla, Deputy Director, Finance; Tracy Loewen, Communications & Marketing Specialist; and Dan Bailey, Acting Manager, Accounting Services, with the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting.
Section 8b
Consent Items
Finance and Audit Committee Recommendations
- Council accepted the 2022 Annual Financial Statements for the City of Nanaimo.
- Staff will consult with Risebridge and the Nanaimo Systems Planning Organization and return to Council with a report on options for funding.
- $1.1 million in funding, that had been previously allocated from the Special Initiatives Reserve to reduce property taxes in 2023, was removed.
- The budget for the Harewood Artificial Turf Field project in 2023 was increased from $4,937,100 up to $9,957,070.
- Watershed Restoration Grants were approved for the following projects:
- Project: Northfield Marsh Restoration ($2,500 grant)
Applicant Name: Nanaimo Area Land Trust/ syuw̓én̓ct Elementary School (formerly Coal Tyee) - Project: Walley Creek - Reach Two Bank Stabilization ($2,000 grant)
Applicant: Walley Creek Streamkeepers/Nanaimo Area Land Trust - Project: Pacific Gardens (Zone 3) Wildlife Habitat/Wetland Restoration Project ($7,407.25)
Applicant: Pacific Gardens Cohousing
- The budget for the 580 Fitzwilliam Street Building Upgrade project in 2023 was increased from $750,000 to $1,145,000.
- Updates to Parks, Recreation and Culture Fees and Charges were endorsed. An amendment to the Fees and Charges bylaw will be prepared and brought forward at a future date.
Section 10a
Governance and Priorities Committee Recommendations
- Council endorsed an updated terms of reference, agenda structure and 'upcoming topics and initiatives' schedule for the Governance and Priorities Committee.
- Staff will prepare a terms of reference for a Public Safety Committee.
- Staff will prepare a report with options for establishing monitoring committees for each of the five City Plan goals.
- Staff will work on implementing quarterly town halls, as needed, for emerging matters of public interest.
- The Environment Committee, established by the previous Council, was dissolved.
- Councillor Geselbracht was appointed as a non-voting member to the Nanaimo Reaching Home Community Advisory Board.
Section 10b
Reports
An amended Revitalization Tax Exemption Agreement for a proposed 163-unit multi-family development at 340 Campbell Street was approved.
Section 12a
Council endorsed the City of Nanaimo's application for City Plan: Nanaimo Reimagined to be considered for a 2023 UBCM Community Excellence Award - Excellence in Governance.
Section 12b
Council endorsed the Nanaimo Youth Resilience Strategy.
Section 12c
Council gave staff approval to proceed with the Nanaimo Operations Centre Phase One Project. A borrowing bylaw will be prepared to begin an Alternative Approval Process in support of this project. $300,000 was allocated from the 2023 General Asset Management Reserve Fund to support the Nanaimo Operations Centre Phase One Project until funds from borrowing become available.
Section 12d
A Development Permit for 4775 Uplands Drive, to allow for a 96-unit multi-family development, was approved.
Section 12e
Staff will be forwarding an application for Non-Farm Use within the Agricultural Land Reserve at 1980 Richardson Road to the Agricultural Land Commission. A comment will be included noting that Council is in support of the application.
12f
Council rescinded second reading of “Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2022 No. 4500.204” (to rezone 444, 450, 500 Comox Road, 55 Mill Street, and 1 Terminal Avenue from Medium Density Residential [R8] and Gateway [DT12] to Comprehensive Development District Zone Seven [CD7] and to amend the CD7 zone with new zoning regulations, to facilitate a mixed-use development and subdivision); and, passed second reading of “Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2022 No. 4500.204” as amended. Revisions to the bylaw were required to correct an administrative error.
12g
“Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2023 No. 7359.01” (To amend the 2023 – 2027 Financial Plan) passed three readings.
12h
"Property Tax Rates Bylaw 2023 No. 7360" (a bylaw to set the property tax rates for 2023) passed three readings.
12i
Bylaw Updates
“Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2021 No. 4500.188” (To rezone 55, 65,66, 69, and 73 Prideaux Street by increasing the maximum permitted building height and floor area ratio regulations in the Old City Mixed Use [DT8] zone) was adopted.