May 25, 2026 Regular Council Summary

Presentations

City staff were recognized for a number of awards:

• The Culture and Events team received an Honourable Mention at the Provincial Awards for Excellence in the category of Events and Festivals Excellence for Luminous Paths, Nanaimo’s 150 and Beyond.
• Chris Sholberg, a longtime heritage planner who retired from the City last year, was awarded Heritage BC’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
• The City’s Finance and Communication teams received the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting (CAnFR) and Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). These awards are given for the City's Annual Municipal Report and its shorter version the Annual Report Highlights document.

Section 8a-d

Staff from the Regional District of Nanaimo provided Council with an overview of the Traffic Management Strategy for the Departure Bay Forcemain Twinning project.
Section 8e

Committee Recommendations

Recommendations from the May 11, 2026 Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) meeting:

• Council directed staff to meet with representatives of the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation, the Housing Nanaimo Working Group, and Anchor Corporation to discuss the proposed activation pilot presented at the May 11 GPC meeting, and report back with options for Council to consider at the July 13 GPC meeting.
• Council directed staff to provide a report with detailed information on moving forward with “Option A” as outlined in the May 11, 2026 report titled Health and Housing Action Plan: Progress Update and Funding Options. This option focuses on supporting individuals with the highest and most complex needs with potential investments including capital support to re-establish a Hub or Navigation Centre or seasonal warming services during winter months if a permanent Hub is not feasible in the short term.

Section 10a

Recommendations from the May 13, 2026 Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness meeting:

• Council directed staff to review the designated accessible parking spaces adjacent to the OV Arts Centre and provide options for parking and mobility improvements.
• Council directed staff to draft a policy regarding reimbursement of dependent and attendant care expenses incurred by Committee members, who are not members of Council, to attend Committee meetings.

Section 10b

Recommendations from the May 20, 2026 Finance and Audit Committee meeting:

• Council approved providing $40,000 to the Nanaimo International Jazz Festival Association and $25,000 to the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society in support of the Nanaimo International Jazz Festival and Bathtub Weekend events.
• Council is supporting the City’s application to the Union of BC Municipalities for the Community Resiliency Investment Program (FireSmart Community Funding and Supports Program).
• Council approved allocating up to $5,000 in 2026 Sport Tournament Grant funding for costs associated with 2026 Snuneymuxw Days, including field rental fees and custodial costs.
• Council approved $18,300 in Community Watershed Restoration Grant funding as follows:
  • Friends of Cottle Creek - $2,800
    Project: Cottle Creek/Linley Valley Wetlands Monitoring
  • Walley Creek Streamkeepers - $5,000
    Project: Walley Creek Riparian Restoration
  • David Mack - $3,000
    Project: Chase River Stewardship at John Barsby Community School
  • Syunwenct Outdoor Learning Teacher Inquiry Project - $5,000
    Project: Restoration Planting at Northfield Marsh
  • Wellington Action Committee - $2,500
    Project: Western Painted Turtles Monitoring at Diver Lake
• Council awarded $3,400 to the Harewood Neighbourhood Association’s Georgia Greenway Project funded from the Knowles Estate Reserve Fund. 

Section 10c

Administrative Reports

Amrit Manhas, the City’s Economic Development Officer, provided Council with an overview of the 2026 State of the Nanaimo Economy annual report.
Section 12a

“Respectful Spaces Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 7381.02” (a housekeeping amendment to clarify the intent of posting codes of conduct in municipal facilities) passed first, second and third reading.
Section 12b

Council approved borrowing $10,570,000 from the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia for Phase 1 of the Public Works Yard Updates project. The project, and funding, was previously approved by Council and the borrowing will take place in phases as needed. The Regional District of Nanaimo will be required to consent to the borrowing, which will take place over a twenty-year term.
Section 12c

Council was presented with an overview of the Woodgrove Area Plan. Council then:

• Passed first and second reading of “City Plan Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 6600.003” (Woodgrove Area Plan) and “Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.254” (Woodgrove Area Plan) and directed staff to hold a public hearing for the two bylaw amendments.
• Directed staff to refer the City Plan Amendment Bylaw to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Snaw-naw-as First Nation, District of Lantzville, and the Regional District of Nanaimo.
• Passed first, second and third reading of “Development Approval Information Bylaw 2026 No. 7346.01” (Master Development Plan) and endorsed the Master Development Plan Policy COU-256.

Section 12d

Council was presented with an update on the status of Council resolutions made from Jan. 15, 2024 to May 4, 2026.
Section 12e

Development Reports

Council amended the covenant on the property titles of 6055 Turner Road and 6045 Linley Valley Drive to reduce the minimum requirement for underground parking from 90% to 45% for Phase 1 and require a minimum 32% green space over both lots. Council then issued a Development Permit for a mixed-use, multi-family residential and commercial development.
Section 13a

Council will be recommending that the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch approve an application for a temporary change of hours (during the FIFA World Cup) at 150 Skinner Street, to permit liquor service earlier than 11 am.
Section 13b

A rezoning application for 1901 Northfield Road passed first, second and third reading. Council also issued a Development Permit to allow for a multi-family residential development with variances.
Section 13c

A rezoning application for 2565 Departure Bay Road passed second reading (as amended), and third reading.
Section 13d

Correspondence

Council received two quarterly reports from the BC Ombudsperson Office.
Sections 15a,b

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will be sending a letter of support in response to the request from United Against Hate Canada, advocating for Parliament to declare a Canadian Chinese Heritage Month.
Section 15c

May 25, 2026 Regular Council meeting – agenda, documents and video