Nelson public meetings in 2024
8 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Special Council
This special Council meeting includes a closed session on land matters, followed by delegations from Nelson CARES on a proposed Front Street housing development and from the Nelson Police Department. Council will also discuss the 2025 budget and consider bylaws amending water, wastewater, and resource recovery rates, as well as Nelson Hydro rural rates.
- Nelson CARES delegation on proposed 50-unit affordable housing development at 818-824 Front Street
- Nelson Police Department delegation (12:30 pm to 1:30 pm)
- Budget discussion (1:30 pm to 3:45 pm)
- Fees and Charges (2025 Water, Wastewater and Resource Recovery Rates) Amendment Bylaw No. 3625, 2025
- Hydro Services Bylaw (Rural Rates) Amendment Bylaw No. 3618, 2024
Nelson Police Board Regular Meeting
The Nelson Police Board is meeting to receive reports from the Chief and Deputy Chief, and to hear a presentation from the Nelson Police Association about a staffing crisis, including recent departures to the RCMP and high call loads. The board will also receive updates from its HR Committee and the BC Association of Police Boards, and consider the consent agenda and adjournment.
- Nelson Police Association presentation on staffing crisis and retention plan
- Deputy Chief report: 564 calls for service in November, school zone enforcement, extra patrols on 800 block of Baker and Vernon Streets and Hendryx St Park
- Community Safety Officer Edwards ran first NPD Youth Police Academy with 12 graduates
- Restorative Justice program re-launched by Barb Vincent
- Next meeting scheduled for January 8, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Regular Council
Council will review the 2025 Resource Recovery budget and direct staff to prepare fee bylaws for water, wastewater, and resource recovery rates. The proposed changes include a $25 increase to the annual resource recovery fee (from $125 to $150) and 7% water and 6.5% wastewater rate increases. Council will also consider several bylaws, including a Code of Conduct and amendments to hydro service rates.
- Resource recovery fee increase from $125 to $150 per year
- Water rate increase of 7% (4% general + 3% capital levy)
- Wastewater rate increase of 6.5% (3.5% general + 3% capital levy)
- Code of Conduct Bylaw No. 3613, 2024
- Rescind Curling Club Lease Bylaw No. 3620, 2024
Nelson Police Board Regular Meeting
The Nelson Police Board is considering the preliminary 2025 budget for recommendation to Nelson City Council. The proposed budget includes funding for new personnel and reflects a projected 21.41% tax increase for police services.
- Preliminary 2025 budget proposal
- Addition of two new officers
- Addition of a fifth dispatch position and two part-time relief positions
- Addition of one records clerk
- Permanent Community Safety Officer (CSO) position
Special Council
Council is deciding whether to adopt the Stage 1 Liquid Waste Management Plan report and direct staff to submit it to the Ministry of the Environment, along with a notice to proceed with Stages 2 and 3. The report identifies major wastewater issues, including an over-capacity treatment plant and a failing marine force main, with estimated costs of $90M-$120M for generational projects and $35M-$50M for ongoing initiatives. The meeting also includes a discussion on resource recovery options for organics.
- Adopt Stage 1 LWMP report and submit to Ministry of the Environment
- Proceed with consolidated Stages 2 and 3 of the LWMP
- Generational projects: force main replacement and WWTP upgrade ($90M-$120M)
- Ongoing initiatives: sanitary collection renewal, I&I reduction, stormwater ($35M-$50M)
- Resource Recovery: options for organics program (extend pilot, green cart, or pre-treated program)
Special Council
Nelson City Council is deciding whether to apply to Health Canada's Emergency Treatment Fund for a grant to fund a coordinated access centre, an anti-stigma campaign, and a complex care housing needs report. The application, prepared by the Nelson Committee on Homelessness, totals over $1.2 million and must be submitted by November 8, 2024. Council will consider three options: applying in full, applying for a portion, or waiting for the next intake.
- Application for $227,590 for coordinated access centre consultation and operations
- Application for $14,000 for Inclusion & Dignity Campaign
- Application for $878,400 for renovations and operations of a coordinated access centre
- Application for $24,000 for inclusion & dignity training
- Application for $65,000 for regional complex-care needs report
Nelson Police Board Regular Meeting
The Nelson Police Board is meeting to receive and accept the Chief Constable's and Deputy Chief Constable's reports, along with the financial report. The board will also consider approving the 2025 meeting calendar and receive an update from its HR committee. The agenda is largely routine, with no major policy decisions or public hearings listed.
- Chief Constable report notes Chief Fisher to chair steering committee for a BCACP Cybercrime Conference in November 2025
- Financial report shows net police services spending at $4,046,262 through Oct 29, 2024, or 82% of the $4,954,993 budget
- Deputy Chief report notes 588 calls for service in October, with extra patrols at 800 block of Baker and Vernon Streets and Hendryx St Park
- HR committee is developing a new Chief Constable performance evaluation, with a draft due at the December board meeting
- Board to approve 2025 meeting calendar, with monthly meetings at 4:30 pm in the NPD Boardroom
Regular Council
Nelson City Council's regular meeting includes a workshop on homelessness, a GIS update, and several bylaws for consideration, including a zoning variance at 2222 Falls Street, hydro service rate changes for rural and urban areas, and a bylaw to rescind the Curling Club lease. The agenda also includes a request from the Nelson Fire Department for UBCM emergency preparedness funding and a closed session for personnel matters.
- 2222 Falls Street zoning variance
- Hydro Services Bylaw 3609, 2024 and Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendment
- Nelson Hydro Services Bylaw No. 3618, 2024 - Rural Rates
- Nelson Hydro Services Bylaw No. 3619, 2024 - Urban Rates
- Rescind Curling Club Lease Bylaw No. 3620, 2024