MERGED AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, October 06, 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:

(b) personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for a municipal award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the municipality on condition of anonymity;
(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;
(m) a matter that, under another enactment, is such that the public may be excluded from the meeting;
(n) the consideration of whether a Council meeting should be closed under a provision of this subsection or subsection (2); and,

Section 90(2) A part of a Council meeting must be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to one or more of the following:

(b) the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party.

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-SEP-08 at 4:30 p.m.

b.

Minutes

Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Monday, 2025-SEP-15 at 4:30 p.m.

c.

Minutes

Minutes of the Special Council Meeting held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Thursday, 2025-SEP-18 at 7:00 p.m.

6.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

7.

RISE AND REPORT:

8.

PRESENTATIONS:

a.

Carly Pereboom, Executive Director, Tourism Nanaimo, re: Semi-Annual Update from Tourism Nanaimo

b.

John McCormick, Executive Director, Nanaimo Systems Planning Organization, re: Semi-Annual Update from the Nanaimo Systems Planning Organization

9.

COMMITTEE MINUTES:

a.

Minutes

Minutes of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Wednesday, 2025-JUL-09 at 4:00 p.m.

b.

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-JUL-16 at 9:00 a.m.

c.

Minutes

Minutes of the Design Advisory Panel Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Thursday, 2025-JUL-24 at 5:04 p.m.

d.

Minutes

Minutes of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Wednesday, 2025-SEP-10 at 4:01 p.m.

e.

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-SEP-17 at 9:00 a.m.

10.

CONSENT ITEMS:

a.

Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness Meeting 2025-SEP-10

[Note:  A link to the 2025-SEP-10 Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness Meeting agenda is attached for information.]

1.

Correspondence dated 2025-JUL-27 re: Maffeo Sutton Park Accessibility Issues

That Council direct Staff to add and prioritize "Maffeo Sutton Park Assessment Audit" to the list of parks, trails, and open spaces being audited by the Rick Hansen Foundation in 2026.

b.

Finance and Audit Committee Meeting 2025-SEP-17

[Note:  A link to the 2025-SEP-17 Finance and Audit Committee Meeting agenda is attached for information.]

1.

"Nanaimo Builds for the Future" Plan Update (Part 1)

That Council direct Staff to update Council's Debt Management Policy to allow long-term borrowing without electoral approval when the City is within the allowable assent free borrowing limit.

2.

"Nanaimo Builds for the Future" Plan Update (Part 2)

That Council direct Staff to proceed with a Capital Development (Project Execution) Plan and costing for the South End Community Centre and allocate $2 million to undertake this work funded by $675,000 from the Growing Communities Fund and $1,325,000 from the Special Initiatives Reserve.

3.

"Nanaimo Builds for the Future" Plan Update (Part 3)

That Council endorse the "Next Steps – Roadmap for Building for the Future" as outlined in the report titled "'Nanaimo Builds for the Future' Plan Update", dated 2025-SEP-17. 

11.

DELEGATIONS:

12.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

a.

Friendship City Program and Policy 

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

Purpose:  To bring forward a Friendship City Program and Policy that sets the criteria and process for international city partnerships.

Recommendation:  That Council:

1. Support the establishment of a Friendship City Program; and,
2. Endorse the Friendship City Policy as attached in the Staff Report titled "Friendship City Program and Policy", dated 2025-OCT-06.

1.

Add - Delegation from Michael Guan and Steven Ma

b.

Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw - Waterworks Rate and Regulation Fines

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

Purpose:  To consider amending the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw to increase the fines associated with violations against the Waterworks Rates and Regulation Bylaw.

Recommendation:

1. That "Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7159.25" (a bylaw to assign fines for violations against the Waterworks Rate and Regulation Bylaw 2006 No. 7004) pass first reading.
2. That "Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7159.25" pass second reading.
3. That "Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7159.25" pass third reading.

c.

Regional District of Nanaimo "Regional Parks and Trails Service Regional Parkland Acquisition Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1961, 2025"

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

Purpose:  To obtain Council’s consent for the adoption of the Regional District of Nanaimo "Regional Parks and Trails Service Regional Parkland Acquisition Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1961, 2025".

Recommendation: That the Council of the City of Nanaimo consents on behalf of the electors to the adoption of "Regional Parks and Trails Service Regional Parkland Acquisition Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1961, 2025", and further, that the Regional District of Nanaimo be notified accordingly. 

d.

Downtown Nanaimo Business Association Business Improvement Area

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

Purpose:  To provide information regarding the proposed Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Area bylaw and obtain Council approval to draft a bylaw to establish a business improvement area in Downtown Nanaimo for a further five-year term.

Presentation:

1. Roberta Bowman, Executive Director, Downtown Nanaimo Business Association.

Recommendation:  That Council:

1. Direct Staff to work with the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association to establish a business improvement area for a term of five years starting in 2026; and,
2. Undertake the establishment of the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association Business Improvement Area as a Council initiative.

1.

Add - PowerPoint Presentation from Roberta Bowman, Executive Director, Downtown Nanaimo Business Association, titled "Downtown Nanaimo Bylaw Levy Renewal"

e.

Active School Travel Program Implementation

To be introduced by Bill Sims, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works. 

Purpose:  To provide Council with an update on Active School Travel initiatives and program development; and to request Council’s endorsement to apply for a grant to assist in Active School Travel plan implementation.

Presentation:

1. Madeleine Koch, Active Transportation Project Specialist.

Recommendation:  That Council:

1. Select Option 1 of Table 1 of the 2025-OCT-06 Staff Report entitled "Active School Travel Program Implementation" for year 2026 of the 2025 – 2029 Financial Plan, contingent on a successful grant application; and,
2. Fund the projects as follows:
   • $245,000 from the 2026 Pedestrian Unallocated budget
   • $125,000 from the Active School Travel grant

f.

Manufactured Home Communities - Electrical Capacity Assessments

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

Purpose:  To provide Council with an update regarding the Manufactured Home Community Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction Strategy, and to seek support for the criteria to be used to offer three complementary electrical capacity assessments.

Recommendation:  That Council endorse the criteria for issuing up to three complementary manufactured home community electrical capacity assessments as outlined in the Staff Report titled “Manufactured Home Communities – Electrical Capacity Assessments”, dated 2025-OCT-06.

13.

DEVELOPMENT REPORTS:

a.

Housing Agreement Application No. HA14 - 224 White Court Way

Purpose:  To present for Council’s consideration a Housing Agreement Bylaw to secure the terms and conditions of occupancy for a residential shelter at 224 White Court Way.

Recommendations:  That:

1. "Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7426" (to secure the terms and conditions of occupancy for a residential shelter at 224 White Court Way) pass first reading;
2. "Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7426" pass second reading
3. "Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7426" pass third reading; and,
4. Council direct Staff to register a Land Title Act Section 219 covenant to reinforce the terms of the Housing Agreement, following adoption of the bylaw.

1.

Add - Delegation from Graham Meneilly

b.

Housing Agreement Application No. HA15 - 95 Kennedy Street

Purpose:  To present for Council’s consideration a Housing Agreement Bylaw to secure the terms and conditions of occupancy for a residential shelter at 95 Kennedy Street.

Recommendations:  That:

1. "Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7427" (to secure the terms and conditions of occupancy for a residential shelter at 95 Kennedy Street) pass first reading;
2. "Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7427" pass second reading
3. "Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7427" pass third reading; and,
4. Council direct Staff to register a Land Title Act Section 219 covenant to reinforce the terms of the Housing Agreement, following adoption of the bylaw.

1.

Add - Delegation from Graham Meneilly

14.

BYLAWS:

a.

“Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 2025 No. 7429”

That "Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 2025 No. 7429" be adopted. 

15.

CORRESPONDENCE:

a.

Correspondence dated 2025-JUN-30 from the BC Ombudsperson Office re: Quarterly Report, October 1 - December 31, 2024

b.

Correspondence dated 2025-JUN-30 from the BC Ombudsperson Office re: Quarterly Report, January 1 - March 31, 2025

c.

Correspondence dated 2025-AUG-15 from the BC Ombudsperson Office re: Quarterly Report, April 1 - June 30, 2025

d.

AVI Health and Community Services Society Request for Letter of Support re: Additional Funding for Primary Care Services

16.

NOTICE OF MOTION:

a.

Councillor Armstrong Notice of Motion re: Consulting with Emergency Services Agencies Regarding Traffic Calming and Road Changes

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

"That Council direct Staff to engage with RCMP, BC Emergency Health Services, Nanaimo Fire Rescue Department, and BC Transit prior to any traffic calming or road changes. It is requested each department speak with the drivers of said agencies to ensure their concerns are heard and furthermore any comments received by these agencies be included for Mayor and Council review."

17.

OTHER BUSINESS:

a.

Councillor Manly Motion re: Naming the Park at 933 Park Avenue

At the 2025-SEP-15 Regular Council Meeting, Councillor Manly advised that he would be bringing forward the following motion for consideration:

“That Council direct Staff to name the park located at 933 Park Avenue ‘Five Acres Farm Community Park’.”

b.

Councillor Eastmure Motion re: Draft Transit Oriented Development Along the Island Corridor

At the 2025-SEP-15 Regular Council Meeting, Councillor Eastmure advised that she would be bringing forward the following motion for consideration:

“That Council, as part of City Plan Review, direct Staff to seek opportunities and create policies that support and advance planning of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) centres, including Country Club and Woodgrove, in a way that provides clear connection to the Island Corridor, which may be used for corridor-related transit in the future.”

18.

QUESTION PERIOD:

19.

ADJOURNMENT: