MERGED AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, December 01, 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 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; 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-NOV-03 at 4:30 p.m.

6.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

7.

RISE AND REPORT:

a.

Appointment of Chief Election Officer and Deputy Chief Election Officer

During the 2025-NOV-17 In Camera Council Meeting, Council appointed Nikolina Vracar, Deputy Corporate Officer, as the Deputy Chief Election Officer for the 2026 Local General Election. Sheila Gurrie, Director, Legislative Services, has been appointed as Chief Election Officer under the authority of the City of Nanaimo “Officer Designation and Delegation of Authority Bylaw, 2022 No. 7353".

8.

PRESENTATIONS:

a.

eTown Hall to discuss the 2026 - 2030 Draft Financial Plan

This item will be considered from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

1.

Chief Administrative Officer Introduction

To be introduced by Dale Lindsay, Chief Administrative Officer.

2.

Budget Video

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

3.

2026 - 2030 Draft Financial Plan Overview 

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

9.

COMMITTEE MINUTES:

a.

Minutes

Minutes of the Design Advisory Panel Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on 2025-OCT-09 at 5:01 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 2025-OCT-23, at 5:00 p.m.

10.

CONSENT ITEMS:

a.

Finance and Audit Committee Meeting 2025-NOV-19

[Note: a link to the 2025-NOV-19 Finance and Audit Committee Meeting agenda is attached for information.]

1.

Online Accommodation Platform Fund

That Council allocate the Online Accommodation Platform revenue in 2026 as follows:

1. $35,000 for continued support to the Nanaimo Region Rent Bank;
2. $150,000 for continued support to the rent supplement programs; and
3. $116,415 to acquisition of land and/or infrastructure/land improvements for affordable housing developments related to BC Housing and City of Nanaimo partnerships.

2.

Social Planning Grants 2026

That Council approve the 2026 Social Planning Grants recommendations of $85,000, and that the grant allocations be as follows:
Applicant Name: Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society Recommend: $20,858 Project: Digital Literacy for Senior Newcomers Mentorship Program
Applicant Name: Haven Society Recommend: $14,000 Project: Celebrate Life Project
Applicant Name: Nanaimo Brain Injury Society Recommend: $13,700 Project: Concussion 101
Applicant Name: Nanaimo Family Life Association Recommend: $10,000 Project: Reducing Community Barriers for Seniors 
Applicant Name: Nanaimo Foodshare Recommend: $11,442 Project: Shared Harvest
Applicant Name: Spinal Cord Injury BC Recommend: $5,000 Project: Peer Support Program in Nanaimo
Applicant Name: Take a Hike Foundation Recommend: $10,000 Project: Take a Hike Nanaimo Program

3.

Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island Funding Request

That Council defer a decision on the grant request for $149,900 from the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island and fund the grant from the 2025 general operating fund surplus in early 2026.

b.

Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting 2025-NOV-24

[Note: a link to the 2025-NOV-24 Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting agenda is attached for information.]

1.

Lost Lake Road Traffic Calming

That Council direct Staff to complete design and implementation of Lost Lake Road Traffic Calming Phase 2 as outlined in the Staff Report titled "Lost Lake Road Traffic Calming" dated 2025-NOV-24 and include bollards on the outside of the lanes around the Smokey Crescent intersection.

2.

Options for School Zone Regulation

That Council: 

1. Rescind Council Policy COU-118 - School Zone Signing Guidelines (Attachment E of the Staff Report titled "Options for School Zone Regulation" dated 2025-NOV-24).
2. Adopt the School Neighbourhood Speed Limit Policy (Attachment F of the Staff Report titled "Options for School Zone Regulation" dated 2025-NOV-24).
3. Direct Staff to draft and present site-specific bylaws for speed limit reductions in the vicinity of elementary schools, with a phased approach.

c.

Separately Addressed Consent Items

1.

Finance and Audit Committee Meeting 2025-NOV-19

1.

Nanaimo Legion Bid to Host 2028 and 2029 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships

That Council commit up to $100,000 in the 2026 - 2030 Financial Plan towards the Legion Branch 10 bid to host the 2028 and 2029 Legion National Youth Canadian Track and Field Championships through the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command together with Athletics Canada and funded from the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve Fund.

2.

Approval to Bid to Host the Creative City Summit in 2028, 2029 or 2030

That Council support the proposed bid to host the Creative City Summit in 2028, 2029 or 2030 and commit up to $50,000 in the 2026 - 2030 Financial Plan, funded from the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve Fund.

2.

Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting 2025-NOV-24

1.

Bradley Street Traffic Calming

That Council direct Staff to complete design and implementation of Bradley Street Traffic Calming Option 1 as presented in the Staff Report titled "Bradley Street Traffic Calming" dated 2025-NOV-24.

11.

DELEGATIONS:

a.

Dan Hula re: Data Centres

12.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

a.

Miscellaneous Bylaw Repeal Bylaw

To be introduced by Sheila Gurrie, Director, Legislative Services.

Purpose:  To bring forward a housekeeping bylaw that would repeal an outdated Development Cost Charge (DCC) Instalment Payments Bylaw and to seek a Council motion to abandon two zoning bylaws that are no longer valid. 

Recommendation: That:

1. “Miscellaneous Bylaw Repeal Bylaw 2025 No. 7434” (a bylaw to repeal “City of Nanaimo Development Cost Charge Instalment Payments Bylaw 1991 No. 3942”) pass first reading.
2. “Miscellaneous Bylaw Repeal Bylaw 2025 No. 7434” pass second reading.
3. “Miscellaneous Bylaw Repeal Bylaw 2025 No. 7434” pass third reading.
4. “Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2023 No. 4500.207” (a bylaw to rezone 488 and 492 Fifth Street) from Single Dwelling Residential (R1) to Residential Corridor (COR1) be abandoned.
5. “Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2023 No. 4500.217” (a bylaw to rezone 2265 Ashlee Road from Single Dwelling Residential (R1A) to Duplex Residential (R4) be abandoned.

b.

Amendment to Rates and Charges for Water for 2026

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

Purpose: To introduce “Waterworks Rate and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7004.23” for first, second and third reading.

Recommendation:  That:

1. “Waterworks Rate and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7004.23” (a bylaw to set the water rates for 2026) pass first reading;
2. “Waterworks Rate and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7004.23” pass second reading; and
3. “Waterworks Rate and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7004.23” pass third reading.

c.

2026 Amendment to Rates and Charges for Sanitary Sewer

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

Purpose:  To introduce “Sewer Regulation and Charge Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 2496.39” for first, second and third reading.

Recommendation:  That:

1. “Sewer Regulation and Charge Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 2496.39” (a bylaw to set the 2026 rates for sanitary sewer) pass first reading;
2. “Sewer Regulation and Charge Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 2496.39” pass second reading; and
3. “Sewer Regulation and Charge Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 2496.39” pass third reading. 

d.

2026 Amendment to Rates and Charges for Municipal Solid Waste Collection

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

Purpose:  To introduce “Municipal Solid Waste Collection Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7128.17” for first, second, and third reading.

Recommendation:  That:

1. “Municipal Solid Waste Collection Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7128.17” (a bylaw to set the solid waste collection rates for 2026) pass first reading;
2. “Municipal Solid Waste Collection Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7128.17” pass second reading; and
3. “Municipal Solid Waste Collection Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7128.17” pass third reading. 

e.

2026 Amendment to User Fee Subsidies

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

Purpose:  To introduce “User Fee Subsidy Bylaw 2025, No. 7095.07” for first, second and third reading. 

Recommendation:  That:

1. “User Fee Subsidy Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7095.07” (a bylaw to set the 2026 threshold for User Fee Subsidies) pass first reading;
2. “User Fee Subsidy Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7095.07” pass second reading; and,
3. “User Fee Subsidy Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7096.07” pass third reading.

f.

Amendment to Bulk Water Rates for South West Extension for 2026

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

Purpose:  To introduce “South West Bulk Water Rate Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7099.14” for first, second and third reading.

Recommendation:  That:

1. “South West Bulk Water Rate Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7099.14” (a bylaw to set the 2026 bulk water rate for South West Extension) pass first reading;
2. “South West Bulk Water Rate Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7099.14” pass second reading; and
3. “South West Bulk Water Rate Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7099.14” pass third reading. 

g.

Professional Reliance Act Bill M216

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

Purpose:  To provide Council with an overview of Bill M216 (Professional Reliance Act) and a summary analysis of the Bill based on preliminary review by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), Lidstone & Company and Planning Institute of BC (PIBC).

13.

DEVELOPMENT REPORTS:

a.

Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP489 - 707 Hamilton Avenue

Purpose:  To present for Council’s consideration a development variance permit application for a proposed addition to an existing detached garage at 707 Hamilton Avenue.  

It is requested that Council hear anyone wishing to speak with respect to Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP489 - 707 Hamilton Avenue. 

Recommendation:  That Council issue Development Variance Permit No. DVP489 for a proposed addition to an existing detached garage at 707 Hamilton Avenue with variances as outlined in the “Proposed Variances” section of the Staff Report titled "Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP489 - 707 Hamilton Avenue", dated 2025-DEC-01.

b.

Development Permit Application No. DP1359 - 1435 Cranberry Avenue

Purpose:  To present for Council’s consideration a development permit application for a family housing development at 1435 Cranberry Avenue.

Recommendation: That Council issue Development Permit No. DP1359 for a family housing development at 1435 Cranberry Avenue with variances as outlined in the “Proposed Variances” section of the Staff Report titled "Development Permit Application No. DP1359 - 1435 Cranberry Avenue", dated 2025-DEC-01.

1.

Add - Delegation from Joan Brown, Chief Administrative Officer, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Cellina Heang, Project Planner, M'akola Development, and Maris MacDonald, Architect, MacDonald Hagarty Architects Ltd.

14.

BYLAWS:

15.

CORRESPONDENCE:

a.

Correspondence dated 2025-NOV-14 from MLA George A.G. Anderson, Nanaimo-Lantzville re: the Professional Reliance Act

b.

Bryan Say, Nurse Practitioner, Request for Letter of Support re: Nurse Practitioner Most Responsible Provider Pilot in Nanaimo

c.

Pacifica Housing Advisory Association, Request for Letter of Support re:  BC Housing RFP for Rental Housing Site Redevelopment and Operation in Nanaimo, BC

16.

NOTICE OF MOTION:

a.

Councillor Brown Notice of Motion re: Council Policy Housekeeping

Councillor Brown advised that he would be bringing forward the following Notice of Motion for consideration at a future Council meeting:

"That Council Policy COU-201: Governance Protocol Policy; and Council Policy COU-017: Achievement by Individuals, be repealed."

b.

Add - Councillor Armstrong Notice of Motion re: Dry Supportive Housing

Councillor Armstrong advised that she would be bringing forward the following Notice of Motion for consideration at a future Council meeting:

"That the Mayor, on behalf of Council, write a letter to Minister Boyle and B.C. Housing requesting reconsideration for designating 250 Terminal for dry supportive housing units in light of the recent announcement of recovery-oriented housing at 1153 Johnson St. in Victoria and with consideration for the large number of homeless people in recovery or homeless through financial reasons who are in desperate need of housing."

17.

OTHER BUSINESS:

a.

Councillor Thorpe Motion re:  Request to Provincial Government - Amendment to Current Drug Decriminalization Policy

At the 2025-NOV-17 Regular Council Meeting, Councillor Thorpe advised that he would be bringing forward the following motion for consideration:

"That Council send a letter to the provincial government asking it to reexamine its philosophy regarding the ongoing drug addiction crisis and resulting mental health and street disorder issues - stating that the current policy of decriminalization and enabling drug use at consumption sites is failing to provide effective long term solutions for either those with addictions, or for neighbourhoods impacted by the problem."

Delegations:

1. Sarah Lovegrove, Vice President, Harm Reduction Nurses Association
2. Beverley Planes

b.

Councillor Geselbracht Motion re: Amendment to the Manufactured Home Community Relocation and Assistance Policy

At the 2025-NOV-17 Regular Council Meeting, Councillor Geselbracht advised that he would be bringing forward the following motion for consideration:

"That the Manufactured Home Community Relocation and Assistance Policy be amended to include an additional 25% payment of the assessed home buyout amount to participating homeowners be made within 180 days of rezoning approval."

Delegation:

1. Brian Snyder

18.

QUESTION PERIOD:

19.

ADJOURNMENT: