February 23, 2026 Regular Council Summary

Presentations

Representatives from the Nanaimo Performing Arts Guild provided Council with an update on behalf of the Guild, which oversees the administration and operation of the City-owned OV Arts Centre.
Section 8a

Committee Recommendations

Council deferred a motion from the Public Safety Committee regarding the Nanaimo RCMP’s 2026-2027 annual performance plan priorities until the Nanaimo RCMP has the opportunity to present their priorities to Council.
Section 10a.1

Council allocated $350,000 in funding towards a roundabout at Hammond Bay Road and Brickyard Road.
Section 10a.2

Council directed staff to proceed with a phased implementation of Development Cost Charges (DCCs) and Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) as follows:

• A DCC bylaw establishing new rates for sanitary sewer, drainage, water distribution, water supply, parks and roads to be implemented in January 2027.
• Separate police facilities and fire protection facility DCC bylaws to be implemented in January 2028.
• An ACC bylaw to be implemented in January 2029.

(note: provincial legislation provides for an in-stream protection period of 12 months from the adoption [implementation] date of a new DCC and ACC bylaw.)
Section 11a

Delegations

Representatives from the Nanaimo Community Foundation spoke regarding the Rethinking Drinking Community Initiative. Council directed staff to help share information regarding the initiative with the public.
Section 12a

Representatives from the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) spoke requesting support for AHMA’s UBCM resolution regarding an Indigenous-led, cross-sector housing alliance.
Section 12b

Benjamin Bollich spoke about the responsibility of Council and its policies regarding community standards, in reference to an upcoming event being held at the Port Theatre. Council passed a motion for a public statement to be issued affirming that that City stands with marginalized people and visible minorities, reaffirming a commitment to fostering a safe and respectful community; and to write a letter to the Port Theatre requesting that it review its booking practices to ensure performances align with its stated core values of being accessible, inclusive and welcoming.
Section 12c

Guy Dauncey spoke regarding green industrial lands.
Section 12d

Reports

“Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2026, No. 7159.26” (a bylaw to renew the Nanaimo Bylaw Notice Dispute Registration Agreement for a five-year term to end 2030-DEC-31 and to assign fines for violations against “Cemetery Regulation Bylaw 2009 No. 7084”) passed three readings.
Section 13a

Council gave approval to proceed with an alternative approval process (AAP) for a municipal boundary extension, to include Snuneymuxw First Nation reserve lands (IRs 1, 2, 3 and 4) within the City of Nanaimo. The AAP will begin on Wednesday, March 11 at 8:30 a.m.
Section 13b

Council directed staff to increase the budget for the Public Works Yard Updates project by $77,675,000 and gave three readings to the borrowing bylaw.
Section 13c

“2026 Home Energy Retrofit Parcel Tax Bylaw 2026, No. 7447” (a bylaw to impose parcel tax on benefiting parcels for the financing of the Home Energy Retrofit program) passed three readings.
Section 13d

A Housing Agreement Bylaw for 1850 Boxwood Road, to secure the terms and conditions of occupancy for a complex care housing development, passed three readings.
Section 14a

An application to rezone 2263 Jingle Pot Road, to allow a site-specific “Seniors’ Congregate Housing” and accessory dwelling unit passed three readings.
Section 14b

Bylaw Updates

"Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.240" was adopted.
Section 15a

"Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 7389.02" was adopted.
Section 15b

"Housing Agreement Bylaw 2026 No. 7428" was adopted.
Section 15c

Correspondence

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will be providing a letter of support to the BC Wildlife Federation regarding a capacity grant for wetland restoration at East Wellington Park.
Section 16a

February 23, 2026 Regular Council meeting – agenda, documents and video