October 20, 2025 Regular Council Summary

Presentations

Mayor Krog presented City of Nanaimo Culture & Events staff with the 2025 Creative City Impact Award for Cultural Events for the event “Luminous Paths: Nanaimo’s 150 & Beyond” which was held in January and February 2025. The Impact Awards, presented annually by the Creative City Network of Canada (CCNC), honour municipalities that demonstrate creativity, innovation and leadership in cultural development.
Section 8a

Photo: Mayor Krog presents award to Jaime-Brett Sine, Culture Coordinator (L) and Darcie Osborne, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture (R)

Representatives from the 55+ BC Games Society provided Council with a summary of the events which took place in Nanaimo in September 2025.
Section 8b

Representatives from BC Housing provided Council with an overview of BC Housing’s projects in Nanaimo.
Section 8c

Committee Recommendations

Council endorsed amendments to Council’s Debt Management Policy (COU-234). Under the revised policy, electoral approval for borrowing within the assent-free zone - whether short or long term - will be at Council’s discretion.  
Section 10.a.1

Council directed staff to include a $1,035,000 general fund project contingency for 2026 in the 2026-2030 Provisional Financial Plan. Having a general fund project contingency budget gives departments the ability to respond to smaller funding challenges or opportunities promptly and effectively.
Section 10.a.2

Delegations

Representatives from the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island gave a presentation on the Home Away From Home – “Jesse’s House” project in Nanaimo. The non-profit organization is seeking donations from the community to help make the project a reality.
Section 11a

Jackie Bolen gave a presentation encouraging Council to implement a ban on single use plastic water bottles under 1L in size.
Section 11b

Administrative Reports

"Downtown Nanaimo Business Association Business Improvement Area Bylaw 2025, No. 7395" (a bylaw to establish a Business Improvement Area in the downtown Nanaimo area) passed three readings and Council directed staff to proceed with notification and implementation of a petition against process. A business improvement area (BIA) is an association of businesses and commercial property owners within a specified commercial area who come together to promote the economic development of the area through various marketing, beautification, safety and advocacy initiatives. The bylaw was brought forward in response to a request from the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association for Council to establish a business improvement area in the downtown core.
Section 12a

Home Energy Retrofit Financing Local Area Service Establishment Bylaws for 2305 Panorama View Drive, 843 Athena Place, 2548 Cosgrove Crescent and 6160 Dover Road passed three readings. The bylaws, once adopted, provide financing for participating in the City’s Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program which was established to help pay for retrofits that will reduce residential greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency and improve climate resiliency.
Section 12b

Development Reports

A Development Variance Permit was issued for 5160 Universal Place, to allow for the construction of an over height retaining wall.
Section 13a

An application to rezone 3469 Uplands Drive, to allow for a multi-family residential development, passed three readings.
Section 13b

Council denied rezoning applications for 2367 Arbot Road and 3614 Hillside Avenue.
Sections 13c,d

Bylaw Updates

"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7159.25" was adopted.
Section 14a

"Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7426" and "Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7427" were both adopted.
Sections 14b,c

Correspondence & Other Business

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will be providing a letter of support to the Mid Vancouver Island Elder College Society, for their application to the Community Gaming Grant.
Section 15a

Council directed staff to engage with the RCMP, BC Emergency Health Services, Nanaimo Fire Rescue department and BC Transit prior to undertaking traffic calming or road changes. The motion requested that drivers of those agencies be consulted and any comments received be included for Mayor and Council to review.
Section 17a

October 20, 2025 Regular Council meeting – agenda, documents and video