Here are the highlights from the March 4 City Council meeting.

City Council received a presentation on what residents think about the preliminary draft budget. Following the presentation, Council moved forward with the corresponding Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw. The bylaw, which includes a proposed property tax increase of $165 for the average single-family home, will come back to Council for adoption on March 18. More information is available at LetsTalk.Nelson.ca

Council considered increasing fees at the Nelson and District Youth Centre by $7 a day for the Weekday Warriors afterschool care program and for day camps. The proposed increases would help offset rising costs for food and staffing. The proposal will go back to Council on March 18 for further consideration. If approved, the increases would go into effect on April 1.

Council passed first and second reading of the Official Community Plan Amendment and Zoning bylaw Amendment as the first steps in the process of rezoning the property at 1306 and 1308 Fell Street for a 48-unit SHARE Housing project. Council also directed staff to research two alternatives – reducing the building from five storeys to four storeys and to consider moving the project to a neighbouring lot – prior to scheduling a public hearing. 

Residents are welcome to review the Council agenda or watch a recording of the meeting.