MERGED AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, July 22, 2024

7:00 P.m. - 11:00 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:

3.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS:

4.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

5.

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES:

6.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

7.

RISE AND REPORT:

8.

PRESENTATIONS:

9.

COMMITTEE MINUTES:

10.

CONSENT ITEMS:

a.

Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness 2024-JUL-10

[Note:  A link to the 2024-JUL-10 Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness Agenda is provided for information.]

1.

Westwood Lake Beach Accessibility Upgrades and Washroom Upgrades

That Council direct Staff to draft a report that includes options for adding an additional accessible washroom at Westwood Lake beyond what is already included in the design.

b.

Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting 2024-JUL-15

[Note:  A link to the 2024-JUL-15 Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting Agenda is provided for information.]

1.

"Nanaimo Builds for the Future" Plan (Part One)

That Council direct Staff to begin preparation to seek elector approval for the South End Community Centre.  

2.

"Nanaimo Builds for the Future" Plan (Part Two)

That Council direct Staff to begin preparation for an Alternative Approval Process for the borrowing for the South End Community Centre.

3.

"Nanaimo Builds for the Future" Plan (Part Three)

That Council direct Staff to update costing, further develop project scope and return with a report summarizing the Waterfront Walkway Project and Beban Park amenity improvements. 

c.

Finance and Audit Committee Meeting 2024-JUL-17

[Note:  A link to the 2024-JUL-17 Finance and Audit Committee Meeting Agenda is provided for information.]

1.

Nanaimo Curling Club Chiller Failure

That Council provide a grant of $67,950 to the Nanaimo Curling Club towards the purchase of a refurbished plate and frame chiller funded from the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve Fund.

2.

2025 55+ BC Games Advance of Funds

That Council direct Staff to amend the 2024 – 2028 Financial Plan to accelerate $16,000 of the $60,000 budgeted for the 55+ BC Summer Games from 2025 to 2024. 

3.

2024 Cultural and Special Events Grant Funding Reallocation

That Council approve reallocation of declined 2024 Culture & Event Downtown Event Revitalization Funds as follows:

Applicant Name: Downtown Nanaimo Business Association
Event: Winterfest
Recommended: $1,100

Applicant Name: Nanaimo International Jazz Festival Association
Event: Jazz Festival 2024
Recommended: $1,100

4.

Heritage Home Grant Application - 167 Irwin Street

That Council approve a $793.75 Heritage Home Grant to repaint a portion of the exterior of the Land “Fernville” Residence at 167 Irwin Street.

5.

Regional District of Nanaimo Wellington Pump Station Cost Share Project

That Council enter into a cost share agreement with the Regional District of Nanaimo to complete a sewer main replacement in conjunction with the Wellington Pump Station Upgrades project and add a project to 2024 for $400,000 for the work, funded from the Sewer Operating Reserve.

d.

Add - Separately Addressed Consent Items

1.

Agenda Item 10(b)(1) Alternative Approval Process Policy to be considered under Agenda Item 10(d)

That Council endorse the draft Alternative Approval Process Policy as outlined in Attachment A of the report titled "Alternative Approval Process Policy" dated 2024-JUL-15. 

1.

Add - Delegation from Alan Clarke

11.

DELEGATIONS:

a.

Dan Hula re: Enhancing positive relations and dialogue between Council and Nanaimo citizens

12.

REPORTS:

a.

Fees and Charges Amendment - RCMP Services Fees

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

Purpose:  To bring forward an amendment to the Fees and Charges Bylaw that incorporates the direction provided by Council at its 2024-JUL-08 Council meeting regarding criminal record check and fingerprinting fees. 

Recommendation:

That "Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 2024, No. 7336.10" (a bylaw to amend the Police Services (R.C.M.P.) fees for criminal records checks and fingerprinting) pass first reading.

That "Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 2024, No. 7336.10" pass second reading.

That "Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 2024, No. 7336.10" pass third reading.

b.

Nanaimo Operations Centre (Public Works Yard) Funding Options

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

Purpose:  To provide Council with options to fund the Nanaimo Operations Centre (Public Works Yard) project.

Recommendation:  That Council direct Staff to proceed with one of the presented funding options for the Nanaimo Operation Centre (Public Works Yard) project.

1.

Add - PowerPoint Presentation titled "Nanaimo Operations Centre (Public Works Yard) Funding Options"

c.

Development Permit Application No. DP1340 - 350 and 398 Franklyn Street

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

Purpose:  To present for Council’s consideration a development permit application for a mixed-use commercial and multi-family development at 350 and 398 Franklyn Street.  

Recommendation:  That Council issue Development Permit No. DP1340 for a mixed-use development at 350 and 398 Franklyn Street with variances as outlined in the "Proposed Variances" section of the Staff Report, titled "Development Permit Application No. DP1340 - 350 and 398 Franklyn Street", dated 2024-JUL-22.

1.

Add - Delegation from Sara Eskandary, Bryan Gartner, Coben Christiansen, Ace Architecture, and Robin Kelly, Sophie Denux, Jeremie Brunel, Groupe Denux

d.

Rezoning Application No. RA487 - 5300 Tanya Drive

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

Purpose:  To present for Council’s consideration an application to rezone 5300 Tanya Drive from Urban Reserve (AR2) to Steep Slope Residential (R10) with site-specific density, to facilitate a multi-family residential development.

Recommendation:  That:

1. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.230" (to rezone 5300 Tanya Drive from Urban Reserve [AR2] to Steep Slope Residential [R10] with site-specific density) pass first reading;
2. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.230" pass second reading;
3. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.230" pass third reading; and,
4. Council direct Staff to secure the conditions related to "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.230", as outlined in the "Conditions of Rezoning" section of the Staff Report, titled "Rezoning Application No. RA487 - 5300 Tanya Drive", dated 2024-JUL-22, prior to final adoption.

e.

Rezoning Application No. RA501 - 3425 Uplands Drive 

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

Purpose:  To present Council with an application to rezone a portion of 3425 Uplands Drive from Steep Slope Residential (R10) and Low Density Residential (R6) to Medium Density Residential (R8) with a site-specific personal care facility use. 

Recommendation:  That:

1. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.228"(to rezone a portion of 3425 Uplands Drive from Steep Slope Residential [R10] and Low Density Residential [R6] to Medium Density Residential [R8] with a site-specific personal care facility use) pass first reading;
2. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.228" pass second reading;
3. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.228" pass third reading; and,
4. Council direct Staff to secure the conditions related to "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.228" as outlined in the "Conditions of Rezoning" section of the Staff Report titled "Rezoning Application No. RA501 - 3425 Uplands Drive", dated 2024-JUL-22, prior to final adoption.

1.

Add - Delegation from Jackson Low, Selena Kwok, Low Hammond Rowe Architects Inc., and Tinny Lalli

f.

Interim Corridor Area Amendment 

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

Purpose:  To present, for Council’s consideration, an amendment to the “City of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw 2011 No. 4500” to update the Interim Corridor Area zoning regulations for single residential dwelling use.

Recommendation:  That:

1. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.229" (update to Interim Corridor Area) pass first reading;
2. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.229" pass second reading; and,
3. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.229" pass third reading.

g.

Development Approval Process Review

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

Purpose:  To provide Council with the final report for the Development Approval Process Review prepared by Neilson Strategies Inc. and recommendations for consideration.

Recommendation:  That Council endorse the final report dated June 2024 by Neilson Strategies Inc. titled "Development Approval Process Review".

13.

BYLAWS:

a.

"Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2023 No. 4500.212"

That "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2023 No. 4500.212" (to rezone 1044 and 1048 Old Victoria Road from Single Dwelling Residential [R1] to High Tech Industrial [I3]) be adopted.

b.

"Highway Closure and Dedication Removal Bylaw 2024 No. 7372"

That "Highway Closure and Dedication Removal Bylaw 2024 No. 7372" (to provide for highway closure and dedication removal of a portion of Bryden Street adjacent to 266 and 268 Bryden Street) be adopted.

14.

CORRESPONDENCE:

15.

NOTICE OF MOTION:

a.

Councillor Thorpe Notice of Motion re:  Systems Planning Organization and the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation

Councillor Thorpe has advised that he will be bringing forward the following motion for consideration:

"That, beginning in September, 2024, the Systems Planning Organization and the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation, provide quarterly reports to City Council on their activities."

16.

OTHER BUSINESS:

a.

Recommendation from the 2024-JUN-12 Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) Meeting

During the 2024-JUL-08 Council Meeting, Council deferred consideration of the following recommendation from the 2024-JUN-12 GPC Meeting to allow a broader discussion during the 2024-JUL-15 GPC Meeting:

Nanaimo Operations Centre / Public Works Yard Project Update

"That Council direct Staff to proceed with the ‘Highest Needs in Single Phase’ option and prepare a borrowing bylaw in support of the project."

b.

Councillor Hemmens re:  Amendment to Union of BC Municipalities Resolution Regarding Public Libraries

At the 2024 Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities Convention, the Association endorsed the following resolution put forward by the City of Nanaimo:

            "WHEREAS core funding for public libraries in British Columbia has remained unchanged since 2009, limiting their ability to expand and evolve their programming as demand for their services increases;

            AND WHEREAS the operational requirements of public libraries increasingly require significant and diverse resources to provide front-line community services, including supporting patrons with mental health and addiction issues as well as barriers to housing, providing critical locations of refuge during extreme weather events, providing services to new Canadians, and supporting the process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples;

            THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that AVICC call on the provincial government to recognize the evolving and challenging situation for public libraries as well as their unique role as community spaces, and increase annual core funding for libraries to $30 million in keeping with the request made by the BC Public Library Partners and the recommendation of the province’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

            AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this increase in core funding be increased on a yearly basis in keeping with cost of living and inflationary pressures."

Councillor Hemmens is requesting that Council endorse an amendment to the resolution by replacing the enactment clause with the following:

          THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM call on the provincial government to recognize the evolving and challenging situation for public libraries as well as their unique role as community spaces by establishing an Advisory Body per section 52(1) of the Library Act, the objectives of which will be to:    

1. undertake a review of core annual provincial funding of public libraries in the Canadian context, and
2. make recommendations to the Minister with respect to core, sustainable funding approaches for BC’s public library sector.” 

Note: if supported, the amendment will be brought forward at the time the resolution is on the floor for consideration.

c.

Letter of Support Request, dated 2024-JUL-12, from Nanaimo Art Gallery re:  Nanaimo Hospitality Association Feasibility Study

1.

Remove - Letter of Support Request, dated 2024-JUL-12, from Nanaimo Art Gallery re: Nanaimo Hospitality Association Feasibility Study

17.

QUESTION PERIOD:

18.

ADJOURNMENT: