December 8, 2025

Here are the highlights from the December 2 City Council meeting.  

Council heard a presentation from Nelson Public Library Chief Librarian Tracey Therrien and Board Chair Anni Holtby that included some of the highlights of 2025, as well as a 2026 budget request. 

City staff also presented Council with information from the two-year Pre-Treated Organics Pilot Program. The presentation included information about the findings of the pilot, as well as the methodology. An in-depth question and answer period followed.  

Council adopted both the Hydro Services Bylaw (Rural Rates) Amendment No. 3648, 2025 and the Hydro Services (Urban Rates) Bylaw Amendment No. 3649, 2025, after passing the first three readings of both bylaws at the November Council meeting. These bylaws set the rural and urban hydro rates for 2026 and 2027.  

Council adopted the Bylaw Repeal Bylaw 3647, 2025, this bylaw repeals a number of outdated and redundant bylaws that have either been superseded by legislation or pertain to activities that are no longer relevant to municipal operations and have no administrative or enforcement purpose. A complete list of the repealed bylaws can be found in the meeting agenda package.  

Council passed first three readings of Fees and Charges Amendment (2026 Water, Wastewater, and Resource Recovery Rates) Bylaw No. 3650, 2026. The proposed rate increases are: a $25 annual increase for resource recovery (from $150 to $175 per year); a 5 per  cent increase for water utility rates and a 2.2 per cent increase for wastewater rates due to inflation; and an additional 3 per cent increase for water and wastewater rates to help fund the above-noted upgrades to capital infrastructure for water supply and wastewater treatment. 

Council passed the first three readings of the Cottonwood Street Road Closure Bylaw No. 3644, 2026, in order to complete the land exchange on Trevor Street in Fairview, which Council approved in 2024. A nine-metre-wide portion of the Cottonwood Street right-of-way will be retained to preserve public access and support a utility corridor. The exchange provides several notable community benefits, including enhanced emergency access for residents in the Trevor and Selby Street area, a future road connection between the Gyro and Fairview neighbourhoods, improved wildfire protection through better management of high-risk interface lands, expanded parkland and green space, strengthened active transportation networks, and new residential development opportunities. 

After receiving information about the Pre-Treated Organics Pilot Program earlier in the evening, Council voted to defer a decision to provide more time to review the collected data, and consider all options. 

Council passed a resolution directing staff to formally request additional funding for the operation and maintenance of Lakeside Park and waterfront sports fields. Along with Salmo’s KP Park, these areas have been designated as regionally significant by the RDCK Regional Parks Commission (S202). Since 2019, S202 has provided annual grants to Nelson and Salmo to support park operations, but funding has not kept pace with rising costs due to inflation and longer operating seasons. The amendment was necessary to provide clarity to the request. 

Council received, for information, the Greater Nelson Economic Development committee, the Nelson Public Library, and the Nelson Housing committee. Council also received for information the Accounts Payable Listing October 1-30, 2025 and the Building Permit Statistics Nov 1-24, 2025.  

The meeting was adjourned at 10:01 pm.  

Residents are welcome to review the Council agenda or watch a recording of the meeting on the City of Nelson's YouTube channel.