MINUTES OF THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NANAIMO HELD AT THE PORT OF NANAIMO CENTRE, 80 COMMERCIAL STREET, NANAIMO, BC, ON MONDAY, 2008-DEC-01, COMMENCING AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: His Worship Mayor J. R. Ruttan, Chair Members: Councillor W. L. Bestwick Councillor W. J. Holdom Councillor D. K. Johnstone Councillor J. A. Kipp Councillor L. D. McNabb Councillor L. J. Sherry Councillor M. W. Unger Absent: Councillor J. F. K. Pattje Others: Chief Viola Wyse, Snuneymuxw First Nation Mr. Leonard Krog, M.L.A. Reverend Brian Evans The Honourable Judge Doug Cowling Staff: G. D. Berry, City Manager A. C. Kenning, Deputy City Manager D. W. Holmes, General Manager of Corporate Services A. W. Laidlaw, General Manager, Community Services E. C. Swabey, General Manager of Development Services A. J. Tucker, Director of Planning and Development T. P. Seward, Director of Permits and Properties T. L. Hartley, Director of Human Resources P. Kristensen, Director of Information Technology L. Murray, Manager of Regulation and Risk Management C. Scott, E-Government/Communications Officer H. Pirozzini, Administrative Assistant I. Howat, Director of Legislative Services J. E. Harrison, Manager of Legislative Services M. Smith, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and Council 1. CALL TO ORDER: (a) Ms. Brittany Hannah, Miss Nanaimo Ambassador, led the singing of "O Canada". (b) Mr. I. Howat, Director of Legislative Services, welcomed everyone to the Inaugural Meeting of the Twenty-Fourth Council and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. COUNCIL 2008-DEC-01 PAGE 2 2. BLESSINGS: Mr. Howat introduced Reverend Brian Evans, who pronounced a blessing upon the new Council. 3. INTRODUCTORY AND WELCOMING REMARKS: Mr. I. Howat, Director of Legislative Services, introduced Chief Viola Wyse, Snuneymuxw First Nation, and Mr. Leonard Krog, M.L.A. who extended congratulations and best wishes to the new Council. 4. SWEARING IN CEREMONY: (a) The Honourable Judge Cowling administered the Oaths of Office to His Worship Mayor John Ruttan and the other Council Members. (b) Mr. Howat turned the meeting over to Mayor Ruttan. 5. PRESENTATIONS TO OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS: His Worship Mayor John Ruttan made presentations, on behalf of Council, to outgoing Mayor Gary Korpan and Councillors Diane Brennan, Jeet Manhas. Councillor Joy Cameron was not in attendance at the meeting. 6. MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor's Inaugural Address: His Worship Mayor Ruttan read his Inaugural Statement to the citizens of Nanaimo, as follows: Chief Viola Wyse of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, MLA Leonard Krog, Mayor Korpan, Mayor Joy Leach, Mayor Graeme Roberts, friends and supporters. Thank you for joining us tonight for the Inauguration of the 24th Council of the City of Nanaimo, which is being held here tonight on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations. This is the start of a new era and a new direction for the City of Nanaimo. I am committed to a policy of openness and transparency in our day-to-day operations and I intend to share as much information with the public as possible. I am very pleased with the make-up of the newly elected members of Council and I assure you that my goal is to work closely and harmoniously with everyone on Council. We on COUNCIL 2008-DEC-01 PAGE 3 Council must be cognizant of the challenging economic times that we are now facing. Difficult decisions must be made to minimize the financial impact for the taxpayers. It may be that major projects will need to be delayed, or in extreme cases, cancelled entirely. We must closely watch the balance between providing the necessary services that the taxpayers expect, while at a cost that they can afford. By way of example, the new No. 4 Fire Hall at Chase River, which is part of the 10 year Fire Plan, will alone add 1 percent to the current tax base and the mandatory upgrades to the police detention cells, required to comply with new federal guidelines, will add an additional 1 percent. We cannot compromise public safety, but we must understand that this comes at a cost. This is the time to expand our relationships with others and one example of this is with the Snuneymuxw First Nations. The City of Nanaimo and the Snuneymuxw First Nations have signed an important Protocol Agreement outlining our mutual objectives. I am committed to upholding the spirit that agreement in every way possible and I urge those not yet committed to get on board. Our Vancouver Island University is another important economic generator for Nanaimo. We are indeed fortunate to have Dr. Ralph Nielson as the president of our university. A man with vision who has proven to be an important and effective community leader. The recent appointment of highly regarded Chief Shawn Atleo as the first Chancellor of Vancouver Island University was an outstanding choice and all who know him recognize that he will make a significant contribution towards the future success of the university. Just a matter of days ago, Vancouver Island University released details of their exciting “City Within a City” concept expansion plan and this speaks to the forward looking vision of this institution. My goal is to continue improving relations between our City and Vancouver Island University. The Port of Nanaimo is proceeding with their plan to construct a new cruise ship terminal at the Assembly Wharf. The last remaining financial hurdle remains to be the Federal Government contribution of five million dollars and I am to understand that MP, Dr. James Lunney, is currently pursuing that matter in Ottawa. The Nanaimo Airport improvements are well under way and while the airport itself is located in the Regional District of Nanaimo, clearly it is a matter of great interest to Nanaimo. The “ILS” and “GPS-WAAS” landing systems will greatly improve the reliability of flights into and out of Nanaimo, particularly during the unfavourable winter weather months. The longer runway will also allow some of the smaller commercial jet aircraft to use Nanaimo for domestic flights within western Canada and provide the possibility of charter flights to many popular sun destinations. I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to thank Mayor Gary Korpan (Mayor Ruttan acknowledged Mayor Gary Korpan’s accomplishments and contributions to the City). In closing, I wish to thank the citizens of Nanaimo for their support and I offer you my assurance that I will do the job that you entrusted to me to the very best of my ability. COUNCIL 2008-DEC-01 PAGE 4 7. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING MAYORS FOR 2009: 58508 It was moved and seconded that the following schedule of Acting Mayors be adopted: PERIOD ACTING MAYOR 2008-DEC-06 to 2009-JAN-11 Councillor Sherry 2009-JAN-12 to 2009-MAR-01 Councillor McNabb 2009-MAR-02 to 2009-APR-12 Councillor Holdom 2009-APR-13 to 2009-MAY-31 Councillor Johnstone 2009-JUN-01 to 2009-JUL-13 Councillor Kipp 2009-JUL-13 to 2009-AUG-30 Councillor Bestwick 2009-AUG-31 to 2009-OCT-18 Councillor Pattje 2009-OCT-19 to 2009-DEC-06 Councillor Unger The motion carried unanimously. 8. ADJOURNMENT: 58608 It was moved and seconded at 7:40 p.m. that the meeting terminate. The motion carried unanimously. ____________________ M A Y O R CERTIFIED CORRECT: ___________________________ DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE SERVICES .