MERGED AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, February 24, 2025

4:00 p.m. To Proceed In Camera, Reconvene Regular Meeting at 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 the Council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:

(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

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Monday, 2025-JAN-20 at 4:00 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-FEB-03 at 3:30 p.m.

6.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

7.

RISE AND REPORT:

a.

Council Appointments to External Boards

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

During the 2025-JAN-20 In Camera Council Meeting, Council:

1. appointed Councillors Thorpe and Perrino, with Councillor Eastmure as the alternate, to sit on the Tourism Nanaimo Society Board until the end of Council’s term in 2026;
2. appointed Councillor Geselbracht, with Councillor Eastmure as the alternate, to sit on the Nanaimo Systems Planning Organization Society until the end of Council’s term in 2026;
3. appointed Councillor Hemmens, with Councillor Perrino as the alternate, to sit on the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation Board, as a non-voting director, until the end of Council’s term in 2026.

b.

Design Advisory Panel Council Appointments

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

During the 2025-JAN-20 In Camera Council Meeting, Council appointed Councillor Eastmure, with Councillor Armstrong as the alternate, to the Design Advisory Panel until the end of Council’s term in 2026.

c.

Design Advisory Panel - Architectural Institute of British Columbia Member Appointment

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

During the 2025-JAN-20 In Camera Council Meeting, Council appointed Marta Kubacki, as nominated by the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, to the Design Advisory Panel for a two-year term ending 2027-JAN-20, or until a successor is appointed.

d.

Member-At-Large Appointments to the Board of Variance and Design Advisory Panel

During the 2025-FEB-03 In Camera Council Meeting, Council:

1. appointed Kyle Wickland to the Board of Variance for a three-year term ending 2028-FEB-03 or until a successor is appointed; and
2. appointed Romolo (Alex) Messina to the Design Advisory Panel for a three-year term ending 2028-FEB-03 or until a successor is appointed.

e.

Culture and Heritage Awards 2025

During the 2025-FEB-03 In Camera Council Meeting, Council approved the following for 2025 Culture and Heritage Awards: Joël A. Prévost, Excellence in Culture; Tsatassaya White, Honour in Culture; Douglas Roszmann, Honour in Culture; and Sophia Maher, Honour in Heritage.

8.

PRESENTATIONS:

9.

COMMITTEE MINUTES:

a.

Minutes

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

Minutes of the Design Advisory Panel Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Thursday, 2024-NOV-28 at 5:02 p.m.

b.

Minutes

Minutes of the Public Safety Committee Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Wednesday, 2024-DEC-18 at 4:00 p.m.

c.

Minutes

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

Minutes of the Design Advisory Panel Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Thursday, 2025-JAN-09 at 5:05 p.m.

10.

CONSENT ITEMS:

a.

Finance and Audit Committee Meeting 2025-FEB-19

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

1.

Commercial Street Project

That Council endorse the Design Commercial phasing plan for consideration during the 2026 – 2030 Financial Plan deliberations.

2.

Community Resiliency Investment Program (FireSmart Community Funding and Supports Program)

That Council support the City of Nanaimo’s application to the Union of BC Municipalities for the Community Resiliency Investment Program (FireSmart Community Funding and Supports Program) and if successful the 2025-2029 Financial Plan be amended to include this grant.

3.

Nanaimo Restorative Justice Program Funding

That Council:

1. Approve a 5- year annual operating grant to the Restorative Justice Program for the term covering January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029 based on $150,000 for 2025; and,
2. Add a 2% annual increase for 2026 to 2029.

4.

2025 Culture Project Grant Additional Allocation

That Council approve the addition of Crimson Coast Dance Society to the list of 2025 Culture & Event Grant standby organizations, and Project Grant reallocation as follows:

• Applicant Name: Crimson Coast Dance Society
  • Recommended: $3,476
• Applicant Name: Vancouver Island Symphony
  • Recommended: $965

5.

Heritage Façade Grant - 437 Fitzwilliam Street

That Council approve a $8,137.50 Heritage Façade Grant for the Rawlinson & Glaholm Grocers building located at 437 Fitzwillliam Street to repaint the building’s exterior.

6.

Heritage Home Grant - 469 Milton Street

That Council approve a $2,500 Heritage Home Grant to update the exterior cladding and replace the roof's gutter system of the Milton Street Bungalow at 469 Milton Street.

7.

Security Checks and Other Grants Policy Update

That Council approve the revised Security Checks and Other Grants Policy as outlined in the Staff report dated 2025-FEB-19.

8.

Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund

That Council approve submission of an application to the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund for funding for the Millstone Trunk North Sewer System Project.

9.

UBCM Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training Program Grant Application

That Council approve the grant application to the UBCM Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training Program for funding for the Nanaimo ESS Group Lodging Supplies regional project and support the City of Nanaimo providing overall grant management as the primary applicant.

10.

UBCM Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training Stream Grant Application

That Council approve a grant application to the UBCM Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training Program for funding for the Nanaimo EOC Equipment Upgrade project and supports the City of Nanaimo providing overall grant management.

11.

Active Transportation Fund - Capital Project Stream 2025 Grant Application

That Council:

1. Direct Staff to apply to the Active Transportation Fund - Capital Projects Stream 2025 for funding for the Bowen Road Bike Lane Expansion Project; and,
2. With the project being contingent on a successful grant application, approve adding the Bowen Road Bike Lane Expansion project to the 2025 – 2029 Financial Plan at a total cost of $1,900,000, funded by $1,140,000 from the Active Transportation Fund – Capital Project Stream and $760,000 from the Growing Communities Reserve Fund.

11.

DELEGATIONS:

12.

REPORTS:

a.

Options for Amendments to Council's Procedure Bylaw and Respectful Spaces Bylaw

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

Purpose: To introduce amendments to Council’s Procedure Bylaw related to provisions associated with electronic devices and signs in Council and Committee meetings and delegations, and housekeeping amendments to the Respectful Spaces Bylaw.

Recommendation: That Council consider the proposed amendments to Council’s Procedure Bylaw and the Respectful Spaces Bylaw as outlined in the 2025-FEB-24 report by the Deputy Corporate Officer.

b.

Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw - Short-Term Rental Fines

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

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

Purpose:  To bring forward an amendment to the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw to assign fines for bylaw infractions associated with the short-term rental provisions within the Business License Zoning Bylaws.

Recommendations:

1. That “Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7159.23” (a bylaw to assign fines associated with short-term rental violations) be given first reading.
2. That “Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7159.23” be given second reading.
3. That “Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7159.23” be given third reading.  

c.

Delegation of Authority Bylaw Amendment - Housekeeping Amendments

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

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

Purpose:  To introduce a housekeeping amendment to the “Officer Designation and Delegation of Authority Bylaw 2025 No. 7353.03” to address housekeeping amendments associated with staff title changes. 

Recommendations:

1. That “Officer Designation and Delegation of Authority Bylaw 2025, No. 7353.03” (a housekeeping amendment to address staff title changes) be given first reading.
2. That “Officer Designation and Delegation of Authority Bylaw 2025, No. 7353.03” be given second reading.
3. That “Officer Designation and Delegation of Authority Bylaw 2025, No. 7353.03” be given third reading.

d.

Public Works Yard Updates Project: Options for Next Steps

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

Purpose: To provide Council with options to progress the Public Works Yard Updates project and seek direction to implement Council’s preferred option.

Recommendation: That Council direct Staff to proceed with Detailed Design and Costing and allocate $1,800,000 funded by $1,314,000 from the General Asset Management Reserve Fund, $162,000 from the Sewer Operating Reserve, and $324,000 from the Water Operating Reserve to undertake the work. (Option 4 in the report).

e.

2024-2028 Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

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

Purpose:  To introduce “Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7371.02” for first, second and third readings, for changes that have occurred since the bylaw was last amended on 2024-MAY-06.

Recommendations: 

1. That “Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7371.02” (To amend the 2024 – 2028 Financial Plan) pass first reading.
2. That “Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7371.02” pass second reading; and,
3. That “Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7371.02” pass third reading.

f.

Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP473 - 1200 Dufferin Crescent

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

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 permitted building height for the proposed Nanaimo Cancer Centre at 1200 Dufferin Crescent (Nanaimo Regional General Hospital).

It is requested that Council hear anyone wishing to speak with respect to Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP473 - 1200 Dufferin Crescent.

Recommendation:  That Council issue Development Variance Permit No. DVP473 for the Nanaimo Cancer Centre with a building height variance as outlined in the “Proposed Variance” section of the Staff Report dated 2025-FEB-24.

g.

Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP470 - 290 Vancouver Avenue

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

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 lot depth requirements to facilitate a boundary adjustment subdivision at 290 Vancouver Avenue.

Delegation:

1. Brody Phillips, Turner and Associates, Land Surveying

It is requested that Council hear anyone wishing to speak with respect to Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP470 - 290 Vancouver Avenue.

Recommendation:  That Council issue Development Variance Permit No. DVP470 which would permit a 3.19m variance to the required lot depths from 30.0m to 26.81m for Proposed Lots A and B, in order to facilitate a boundary adjustment subdivision (SUB01516) at 290 Vancouver Avenue.

h.

Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP471 - 504, 508, 548, 552, 556, and 564 Pinnacle Place

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

Purpose: To present for Council’s consideration a development variance permit application for proposed single-family residential dwellings at 504, 508, 548, 552, 556, and 564 Pinnacle Place.

It is requested that Council hear anyone wishing to speak with respect to Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP471 - 504, 508, 548, 552, 556, and 564 Pinnacle Place.

Recommendation: That Council issue Development Variance Permit No. DVP471 for single-family residential dwellings at 504, 508, 548, 552, 556, and 564 Pinnacle Place with variances outlined in the “Proposed Variances” section of the Staff Report dated 2025-FEB-24.

1.

Add - Delegation from Brian Henning, Williamson and Associates

i.

Development Permit Application No. DP1369 - 2355 Kenworth Road

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

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

Purpose:  To present for Council’s consideration a development permit application to amend DP1251 to allow overheight combined fences and retaining walls at 2355 Kenworth Road. 

Recommendation:  That Council issue Development Permit No. DP1369 to allow overheight combined fences and retaining walls at 2355 Kenworth Road as outlined in the “Proposed Variances” section of the Staff Report dated 2025-FEB-24.

j.

Development Permit Application No. DP1355 - 5730 Turner Road

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 development at 5730 Turner Road.

Recommendation: That Council issue Development Permit No. DP1355 for a mixed-use development at 5730 Turner Road with a variance as outlined in the “Proposed Variance” section of the Staff Report dated 2025-FEB-24.

k.

Proposed Telecommunications Facility - 4600 Hammond Bay Road

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

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

Purpose:  To present Council with information regarding a request from Telus Communications Inc. for land use concurrence for a proposed telecommunications tower at 4600 Hammond Bay Road.

Delegation:

1. Doug Anastos, TELUS

Recommendation:  That Council direct Staff to provide a letter of concurrence to Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada in response to a proposed 63m telecommunications facility at 4600 Hammond Bay Road.  

1.

Add - Delegation from Barry Lyseng, Linley Valley-Stephenson Point Neighbourhood Association

l.

Housing Target Progress Report July to December 2024

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

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

Purpose:  To present to Council the first Housing Target Progress Report for the reporting period of 2024-JUL-01 to 2024-DEC-31.

Recommendation:  That Council receive the Housing Target Progress Report for the reporting period of 2024-JUL-01 to 2024-DEC-31 in accordance with Ministerial Order M203 2024.

m.

Nanaimo Equestrian Association Request for Letter of Support

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

To be introduced by Richard Harding, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. 

Purpose:  To provide Council with background for a letter of support from the City of Nanaimo, for the Nanaimo Equestrian Association’s application for funding from the Horse Council BC. If successful the Nanaimo Equestrian Association will use these funds to upgrade facilities at Beban Park, to assist in hosting equestrian events for the 55+ BC Summer Games.

Recommendation:  That Council direct Staff to provide a letter of support under the Mayor’s signature on behalf of City Council to support Nanaimo Equestrian Association’s grant application to the Horse Council of BC.

13.

BYLAWS:

a.

"Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2024, No. 4500.221"

That "Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.221" (to rezone 120 Needham Street, 515, 535, 545, and 575 Nicol Street, from Single Dwelling Residential [R1] and Community Corridor [COR3] to Residential Corridor [COR1] with site-specific provisions) be adopted.

b.

"False Alarm Bylaw 2025, No. 7392"

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

That "False Alarm Bylaw 2025, No. 7392" (a bylaw to reduce false alarms) be adopted. 

c.

"Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7336.12"

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

That "Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7336.12" (a bylaw to add false alarm fees) be adopted. 

d.

"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7159.24"

[Note:  Deferred from the 2025-FEB-03 Regular Council Meeting.]

That "Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 7159.24" (a bylaw to add fines for false alarms) be adopted. 

14.

CORRESPONDENCE:

a.

Nanaimo Family Life Association Request for Letter of Support re: BC Housing Funding for Permanent Shelter at 55 Victoria Road (The Hub)

15.

NOTICE OF MOTION:

a.

Councillor Eastmure Notice of Motion re: Controlling Sale of Invasive Species

Council Eastmure advised that she would be bringing forward the following Notice of Motion for consideration at a future Council Meeting:

"That Council direct Staff to bring forward a report to a future Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting on options to prohibit the sale and spread of invasive species in the City of Nanaimo and options for the recovery of the cost of abatement of such invasive species."

16.

OTHER BUSINESS:

17.

QUESTION PERIOD:

18.

ADJOURNMENT: