January 15, 2018 Regular Council Summary

Election prep underway 
Preparations for the 2018 Nanaimo Municipal Election are underway with City Clerk, Sheila Gurrie appointed as Chief Election Officer and Steno Coordinator, Sky Snelgrove as Deputy Chief Election Officer. 
Section 8 c
Motion carried.

Selections made for temporary outdoor art 
The selections have been made for this year’s Temporary Outdoor Art program. Out of 28 submissions, a total of 11 pieces will be installed in public spaces in Nanaimo. 
Section 10 f
Motion carried.

Committee Recommendations
Funding increase for Northfield/Old Island Highway intersection 
Improvements to the Northfield/Boundary/Highway 19A intersection will go ahead with an additional $525,000 in funding. Work is set to begin early this year and be complete by the end of the year. 

Boost in funding for Art Gallery 
The Nanaimo Art Gallery will receive an increase of $30,000 to their annual operating budget for 2018. 

Culture and Heritage grants awarded 
A number of organizations will receive funds from the 2018 Culture and Heritage Grant fund totaling $330,052. 

Harewood Centennial Park improvements 
Phase 2 of improvements to Harewood Centennial Park will go ahead with up to $330,000 to cover the work and up to $220,000 to change the playing surface from asphalt to concrete – City staff will report back with more information for final decision. 

NDSS Community Field gets bleachers 
The surplus funds remaining from the joint City of Nanaimo and School District 68 artificial turf field project will be used to construct a concrete pad and bleachers at the site. 

Replacing water mains 
College Heights will see more water mains replaced with the allocation of $550,000 from the water supply reserves towards the project. 
Section 8 a
Motions carried.

Development around Nanaimo 
Develop permits were approved for a demolition and a two-storey addition at 3712 Polaris Drive, a 57-unit rental apartment building at 20 Prideaux Street and a 59-unit rental residential development at 5085 Uplands Drive. A development variance permit was approved to allow an over-height accessory building to be constructed at 650 Wakesiah Avenue. 
Sections 10 b-e
Motions carried.