AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, May 05, 2025

4:30 p.m. To Proceed In Camera, Reconvene Regular Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre

80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC

SCHEDULED RECESS AT 9:00 P.M.

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1.

CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER:

2.

PROCEDURAL MOTION:

That the meeting be closed to the public in order to deal with agenda items under the Community Charter:

Section 90(1) A part of a Council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:

(a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality;
(c) labour relations or other employee relations;
(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the Council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;
(k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the Council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public; and,
(n) the consideration of whether a Council meeting should be closed under a provision of this subsection or subsection (2).

3.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS:

4.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

5.

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES:

a.

Minutes

Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Monday, 2025-APR-07, at 4:30 p.m.

b.

Minutes

Minutes of the Special Council Meeting held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Thursday, 2025-APR-17, at 7:00 p.m.

6.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

7.

RISE AND REPORT:

a.

Nanaimo Art Gallery Co-Management Agreement

During the 2025-APR-07 In Camera Council Meeting, Council approved the draft 10-year Co-Management Agreement between the City of Nanaimo and the Nanaimo Art Gallery Society. 

b.

Review of the Public Safety Committee

During the 2025-APR-07 In Camera Council Meeting, Council directed Staff to survey the Public Safety Committee members regarding their experience on the Committee and potential Terms of Reference amendments that better suit the Committee, and to bring forward a report at a future Council meeting outlining survey results and proposed recommendations. 

8.

PRESENTATIONS:

a.

Canadian Award for Financial Reporting and Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting (for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023)

To be introduced by Laura Mercer, General Manager, Corporate Services.

b.

Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon Branch Awards for the City of Nanaimo Advanced Aquatic Programming

To be introduced by Charlotte Davis, Deputy Director, Parks and Natural Areas. 

c.

Carly Pereboom, Executive Director, Tourism Nanaimo, re: Quarterly Update from Tourism Nanaimo 

d.

Colin Stansfield, Chief Executive Officer, Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation, re: Quarterly Update from the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation

[Note:  Presentation to be distributed on the addendum.]

e.

John McCormick, Executive Director, Nanaimo Systems Planning Organization, re: Quarterly Update from the Nanaimo Systems Planning Organization 

9.

COMMITTEE MINUTES:

a.

Minutes

Minutes of the Public Safety Committee Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Wednesday, 2025-FEB-12, at 4:00 p.m.

b.

Minutes

Minutes of the Design Advisory Panel Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Thursday, 2025-MAR-13, at 5:00 p.m.

c.

Minutes

Minutes of the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Wednesday, 2025-MAR-19, at 9:00 a.m.

d.

Minutes

Minutes of the Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Monday, 2025-MAR-24, at 1:00 p.m.

e.

Minutes

Minutes of the Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Monday, 2025-APR-14, at 1:00 p.m.

f.

Minutes

Minutes of the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference, 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Wednesday, 2025-APR-16, at 9:00 a.m.

10.

CONSENT ITEMS:

a.

Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting 2025-APR-14

[Note:  a link to the 2025-APR-14 Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting agenda is provided for information.]

1.

Form and Character Design Guidelines Project

That Council direct Staff to proceed with preparing a bylaw to amend Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 with the updated Development Permit Area 8 (DPA8) Form and Character Design Guidelines, and related amendments to the landscape regulations; and a bylaw to amend the "Development Procedures and Notification Bylaw 2024 No. 7375", as outlined in the Staff Report dated 2025-APR-14.

b.

Finance and Audit Committee Meeting 2025-APR-16

[Note:  a link to the 2025-APR-16 Finance and Audit Committee Meeting agenda is provided for information.]

1.

2024 Annual Financial Statements

That Council accept the 2024 Annual Financial Statements for the City of Nanaimo. 

2.

2025 - 2029 Financial Plan Recap and Decision Points

That for the 2025 - 2029 Financial Plan Council:

1. Increase funding for contracted services for public space cleanliness by $30,000 in 2025 and $75,000 in 2026; and,
2. Add a full-time Superintendent, Sanitation, Recycling and Cemeteries and related costs effective September 1, 2025.

3.

Approval to Bid to Host the 2026 Pacific Contact Showcase and Festival

That Council support the proposed bid to host Pacific Contact 2026 in Nanaimo and commit $20,000 in 2026 of the 2025 - 2029 Financial Plan, funded from the Special Initiatives Reserve.

4.

Sport Tourism Grant Funding Application Approval

That Council approve granting the Vancouver Island Slopestyle 2025 event at the Steve Smith Bike Park $4,500 from the Sport Tournament Grant Fund. 

5.

7 Potatoes Project Update and Funding Request

That Council:

1. Increase the budget for the Japanese-Canadian Memorial Garden project by $341,000 funded from the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve Fund; and,
2. Increase the budget for the Beban Park Outdoor Performance and Gathering Space project $400,000 funded from the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve Fund. 

11.

DELEGATIONS:

a.

Brenna Wallace and Andrea Smith, The Brenna Wallace International Initiative Foundation re: Human Trafficking Safety Assessment

b.

Christopher Brown re:  Loudon Park Development

c.

Lana Fitzpatrick re:  Loudon Park Development

d.

Heather Baitz re:  Loudon Park Development

12.

REPORTS:

a.

Evolve Shared E-Mobility Program Update and Expansion Plans

To be introduced by Poul Rosen, Director, Engineering.

Purpose:  To present Council with an update on the Evolve shared e-mobility program, and to share plans for program expansion, including e-scooter launch.

Presentation:

1. David Holzer, Business Development Manager, Evolve E-Bike Share

b.

2025 State of the Nanaimo Economy Report

To be introduced by Laura Mercer, General Manager, Corporate Services.

Purpose:  To provide Council with the 2025 State of the Nanaimo Economy annual report.

Presentation:

1. Amrit Manhas, Economic Development Officer

c.

2025 - 2029 Financial Plan Bylaw Amendment

To be introduced by Laura Mercer, General Manager, Corporate Services.

Purpose:  To introduce “Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7389.01” for first, second and third readings.

Recommendation:  That:

1. “Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7389.01” (To amend the 2025 – 2029 Financial Plan) pass first reading;
2. “Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7389.01” pass second reading; and
3. “Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7389.01” pass third reading.

d.

2025 Property Tax Rates Bylaw 

To be introduced by Laura Mercer, General Manager, Corporate Services.

Purpose:  To introduce "Property Tax Rates Bylaw 2025 No. 7397" for first, second, and third readings.

Recommendation:  That:

• "Property Tax Rates Bylaw 2025 No. 7397" (a bylaw to set the 2025 property tax rates) pass first reading;
• "Property Tax Rates Bylaw 2025 No. 7397" pass second reading; and,
• "Property Tax Rates Bylaw 2025 No.7397" pass third reading.

e.

Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP475 - 355 Wakesiah Avenue

To be introduced by Jeremy Holm, Director, Planning and Development.

Purpose:  To present for Council’s consideration a development variance permit application to reduce the minimum side yard setback requirement for proposed stadium bleachers at 355 Wakesiah Avenue (Nanaimo District Secondary School).

It is requested that Council hear anyone wishing to speak with respect to Development Variance Permit No. DVP475 - 355 Wakesiah Avenue. 

Recommendation:  That Council issue Development Variance Permit No. DVP475 for the construction of new stadium bleachers at 355 Wakesiah Avenue with a setback variance as outlined in the "Proposed Variance" section of the Staff Report titled "Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP475 - 355 Wakesiah Avenue", dated 2025-MAY-05. 

f.

Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP472 - 1234 Okanagan Place

To be introduced by Jeremy Holm, Director, Planning and Development.

Purpose: To present for Council’s consideration a development variance permit application to increase the maximum allowable height for combined fence and retaining walls at 1234 Okanagan Place. 

It is requested that Council hear anyone wishing to speak with respect to Development Variance Permit No. DVP472 - 1234 Okanagan Place.

Recommendation:  That Council issue Development Variance Permit No. DVP472, with the conditions outlined in Attachment A, to increase the maximum allowable height for combined fence and retaining walls at 1234 Okanagan Place with variances as outlined in the "Proposed Variance" section of the Staff Report titled "Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP472 - 1234 Okanagan Place", dated 2025-MAY-05.

g.

Development Permit Application No. DP1368 - 6680 Dickinson Road 

To be introduced by Jeremy Holm, Director, Planning and Development. 

Purpose:  To present for Council’s consideration a development permit application with a variance to allow an existing non-conforming accessory commercial building at 6680 Dickinson Road.  

Recommendation:  That Council issue Development Permit No. DP1368 for an existing accessory commercial building at 6680 Dickinson Road with a variance as outlined in the "Proposed Variance" section of the Staff Report titled "Development Permit Application No. DP1368 - 6680 Dickinson Road", dated 2025-MAY-05.

13.

BYLAWS:

a.

"Miscellaneous Bylaws Repeal Bylaw 2025 No. 7352"

That "Miscellaneous Bylaws Repeal Bylaw 2025 No. 7352" (a bylaw to repeal outdated bylaws) be adopted.

14.

CORRESPONDENCE:

a.

2025 Nanaimo 55+ BC Games Society Request for a Letter of Support re:  Grant Application to the Destination Events Program

b.

2025 Nanaimo 55+ BC Games Society Request for a Letter of Support re:  Hosting BC Grant Application

15.

NOTICE OF MOTION:

16.

OTHER BUSINESS:

a.

Councillor Hemmens Motion re:  The Distribution of New Supportive Housing Projects

At the 2025-APR-07 Regular Council Meeting, Councillor Hemmens advised that she would be bringing forward the following motion for consideration: 

"That Council direct Staff to include draft policy as part of the upcoming City Plan review to encourage the distribution of new supportive housing projects through the community."

b.

Consideration of Deferred Motion re:  Newcastle Community Association

[Note:  The following Public Safety Committee consent item was deferred from the 2025-JAN-20 Regular Council Meeting until potential amendments to "Council Procedure Bylaw 2018 No.7272" were considered.]

"That Council invite representatives of the Newcastle Community Association to attend the next Public Safety Committee Meeting to share their concerns regarding the impact of homelessness on residents and local businesses."

17.

QUESTION PERIOD:

18.

ADJOURNMENT: