On Monday night the Nanaimo council met for a Committee of the Whole meeting. Mayor McKay was absent (in China) and Councillor Fuller was acting Mayor. All councillors were in attendance.
There was a presentation regarding the development of old Wellcox Lands which the City of Nanaimo purchased for $20 million. The committee tasked with how to develop the lands recommended creating a development corporation. They mentioned that the lands should be developed as one rather than parcelled off. Councillor Yoachim mentioned that the Port Authority, the City, and the Snuneymuxw have not yet sat down together to iron out common goals.
There was a financial report, and Councillor Bestwick asked a number of questions. Confirmed was the cost of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre of $1.4 million per year and the water treatment plant at $72.5 million with possible more costs due to future claims.
The City Manager is leaving on November 13, 2015. Who will be the interim Chief Administrative Officer? With so many senior staff departing it looks like the task will fall on the mayor.
Our question on Twitter:
Should Mayor McKay assume position of both CEO and CAO of #Nanaimo in the interim while City looks for replacement?
75% said No
25% said Yes
Food Trucks
Would you like to have food trucks in Nanaimo? Coming up at next Monday’s council meeting the City will put forward a proposal to bring food trucks to the City of Nanaimo.
Presently, there is no system in place to permit food trucks on-street or in City-owned parking lots. As a result, Staff is proposing to create a food truck licensing process to allow food trucks to operate in specific locations.
Here is the list of suggested areas that food truck vendors could operate:
- Brechin Boat Ramp (1 vendor)
- Departure Bay (1 vendor)
- Harewood Centennial Park (1 vendor)
- Maffeo Sutton Park (up to 4 food vendors)
- May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park (1 vendor)
- Merle Logan Field (1 vendor)
- Pipers Lagoon Park (1 vendor)
- Westwood Lake Park (1 vendor)
- Long Lake Rest Stop (1 vendor)
- Downtown
- Hospital District
- Duke Point
The City may allow food truck operators to purchase a permit (good for all locations) for $790.
Traffic Control Services
Also coming up on Monday is the topic of traffic control services (flaggers). Apparently the City has been tendering traffic control services for over 10 years. Could this be done in-house for less? The value of the 2015 traffic control services contract is $302,625.
