THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NELSON REQUEST FOR DECISION

DATE: October 7, 2019 Regular Meeting TOPIC: CWA Society Request PROPOSAL: Request for waiver of land-use fee from City PROPOSED BY: CWA Cycling Society ______ANALYSIS SUMMARY: The Nelson chapter of the Cycling Without Age (CWA) Cycling Society has executed a letter of intent to enter into a licence agreement with the City to store and charge its electric trishaw in a storage shed on City property at Lakeside Park. In advance of finalizing the licence agreement, the Society has requested that Council waive the fees associated with this use of City land which would otherwise amount to approximately $150 per month, as well as utility fees from Nelson Hydro. A Council decision granting or denying the Society’s request is now required.

BACKGROUND: Cycling Without Age is a movement that aims to help elderly individuals get outside and cycle. CWA’s stated purpose is to “engage seniors or less abled citizens by offering them free bike rides in specialized that provide the opportunity to remain an active part of society and to experience life beyond the confines of their residence or care centre.” Volunteers visit homes, care and senior centers/facilities in the community and offer rides on the “Trishaw”. A trishaw, also known as a cycle , is a human powered designed to carry passengers. Giving individuals a ride on the trishaw allows them to experience nature, get outdoors, and experience the joy of travelling by bike.

The CWA Society was started in 2012 and is now in 40 countries around the world. There are numerous chapters throughout Canada. The Nelson Chapter was founded in 2017 and is a not-for-profit organization. The CWA Society has received financial support from the Columbia Basin Trust through a 2019 Community Initiative Program grant.

The CWA Society has made arrangements with the City to store its electric trishaw in a storage shed at Lakeside Park. Previously, the trishaw was being stored on property owned by Save-on Foods, but this location is no longer viable. A shed has been constructed at Lakeside Park near the clubhouse in order to store the trishaw. The CWA Society will also charge the electric trishaw’s battery in the shed which will incur utility costs from Nelson Hydro.

The agreement between the City and the CWA Society has been memorialized through a Letter of Intent for a Licence of Occupation set to last for three years. The Letter of Intent was finalized and signed by the parties on September 19, 2019. Per City policy addressing licence fees, the fee for this use is $150 per month.

BENEFITS, DISADVANTAGES AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS: The CWA Cycling Society provides valuable services to Nelson area residents. Accordingly the benefit of supporting the Society is that it would assist a non-profit organization that is working to make a positive impact in the community.

LEGISLATIVE IMPACTS, PRECEDENTS, POLICIES: The City’s Temporary Licence of Occupation Policy 5400-00-025 was used to calculate the $150 per month fee. As with all City policies, Council may choose not to adhere to the policy. It is within Council’s authority to grant the CWA Cycling Society’s request.

IMPACT ON SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES AND STAFF RESOURCES: There is no material impact to City staff resources.

COMMUNICATIONS: The CWA Cycling Society will be notified of Council’s decision.

OPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the request to waive the $150 monthly fee and utility fees 2. Deny the request to waive the $150 monthly fee and utility fees 3. Refer to staff for further information and analysis

ATTACHMENTS: • CWA Cycling Society request • CWA Letter of Intent for Licence of Occupation

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That Council passes the following resolution:

THAT the City of Nelson approve the Cycling Without Age Cycling Society’s request to waive the land use and utility fees associated with the storage of its electric trishaw at Lakeside Park for a three-year period starting October 7, 2019.

AUTHOR: REVIEWED BY:

______DEPUTY CORPORATE OFFICER CITY MANAGER

From: Wendy Baker-Konkin To: Gabriel Bouvet-Boisclair Cc: Bob Schmitz; June Spearman; Sonya Martineau Subject: CWA Cycling Society of Nelson, BC use of lands at Lakeside Park Date: September 18, 2019 8:32:34 PM

CWA Cycling Society of Nelson is a non-profit volunteer chapter of a world wide organization called Cycling Without Age. We provide free trishaw rides to mobility challenged individuals in and around the community of Nelson, BC. We have been operating since our trishaw arrived in Nelson in May of 2018.

We have obtained financial support through Columbia Basin Trust CIP grants from the city of Nelson as well as Area F. These funds have made it possible to consider an alternative to our current trishaw storage arrangement at Save-On Foods. We are in the process of having a shed built that will be located on the street car side near the rowing club house. Colin Innes has been extremely helpful in identifyling a suitable location in Lakeside Park for our purposes. Sonya Martineau has provided much assistance in regards to insurance issues and helping us understand the process involved to allow our society to house our shed in Lakeside Park. We are extremely grateful for all the support the city of Nelson has shown our organization.

Fees for use of the land have been calculated by city staff to be $150.00 per month. There will also be ongoing fees for hydro use, as we intend to store and charge the trishaw batteries on site.

On behalf of our society I am requesting these fees be waived to allow CWA Cycling Society of Nelson, BC to continue to provide, and work to expand, our free service to our community and greater area.

Yours, Wendy Baker-Konkin for CWA Cycling Society of Nelson, BC