October 21, 2019 Regular Council Summary

Committee Recommendations
A Notice of Motion Policy, outlining the steps for members of Council to follow prior to introducing a notice of motion at a meeting, was adopted.

A terms of reference for an “Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness” has been referred to staff for further input and information.

Staff will be preparing a report for Council on transitioning pre-hospital care up to Emergency Medical Responder.

Staff will be inviting the Boathouse and Paddling Centre to make a presentation at a future Council meeting.

Staff will be inviting the Medical Director, Nanaimo Community (Island Health), to make a presentation at a future Council meeting.

Council will be considering dedicating $123,750 in funding during the 2020 Financial Plan review to be used towards detailed design and costing of a proposed new facility at Loudon Park, on Long Lake. The proposed facility would be a multi-use boathouse and community meeting space for the Nanaimo Canoe and Kayak Club, the Nanaimo Rowing Club and the City of Nanaimo. If the design phase is approved, Staff will return with final costing and funding options for Council to review during the 2021 budget review. $15,000 in funding would also be coming from private contributions and as part of the recommendation Staff will work with the Long Lake Flatwater Training Centre Society and the Rotary Club of North Nanaimo on fundraising and other sources of revenue for the project.

Council is supporting an application to the Union of BC Municipalities for the Community Resiliency Investment Program (FireSmart). Staff are requesting a contribution from UBCM for $25,000 – one hundred percent of total project costs. If successful, the 2020-2024 Financial Plan would be amended to include this grant.

Council has approved a Heritage Façade Grant of up to $20,000 for the Queen’s Hotel located at 34 Victoria Crescent to repaint the building’s exterior as well as install new brick cladding, a new awning system, new signage and new exterior lighting.

The Nanaimo Youth Council will continue to be on hold, but not dissolved at this time. Staff will be preparing a report on an engagement session for youth on how they would like to be engaged with and included in governance structures. That correspondence will be sent to School District 68 and the Regional District of Nanaimo, inviting their involvement in organizing the initial engagement session.
Section 8b

Nanaimo Region Foundry BC Centre
Council has authorized the Mayor to provide a letter of support to the Nanaimo Region Foundry BC Steering Committee regarding their application to create a Foundry BC site in Nanaimo. A representative from City Staff will also be participating as a non-voting member on the committee. If the application is successful, the site would provide mental and physical health and social support services for youth ages 12 to 24.
Section 9b

Development Around Nanaimo
A Rezoning Application for 150 Esplanade and 155 Fry Street, to allow a mixed-use and residential development, passed two readings. A third reading will be considered once the community contribution has been secured.
Section 9c

Rezoning Applications for 120 Commercial Street and 115 Chapel Street, to allow for a Cannabis Retail Store at each location, passed two readings. A third reading will be considered once a community contribution has been secured.
Section 9d-e

Bylaw Updates
A Zoning Amendment Bylaw for 111 Nicol Street, to allow a Cannabis Retail Store, was adopted.
Section 10 a

Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw 2019 No. 7272.01 (to remove references to the Committee of the Whole and include amendments related to delegations, task forces and other administrative manners) was adopted.
Section 10 b

The 2019 Property Tax Exemption Bylaw (to provide exemptions from 2019 property taxes) was adopted.
Section 10 c

Building Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2019 No. 7224.02 (to introduce BC Energy Step Code regulations, and amend demolition permit expiration, amend works and services) was adopted.
Section 10 d

Highway Closure and Dedication Removal Bylaw 2019 No. 7292 (To provide highway closure and dedication removal of Lubbock Square adjacent to 618 Fitzwilliam Street and 285 Prideaux Street) passed third reading.
Section 10 e

Correspondence from Vancouver Island Regional Library
Council will be sending a letter of support to the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULS) regarding support for Canadian libraries access to digital content.
Section 11 a

October 21, 2019 Regular Council Meeting - agenda, documents and video