Nov. 21, 2022

This Week...

We share tips on reducing waste this holiday season, winter registration opens Wednesday and Council begins reviewing the draft budget and project plans. Read on for more!

Save Money While Saving The Planet

Let's make memories, not waste, this year. Here are some tips to reduce waste: 

Reduce food waste

  • Plan ahead, write your lists early
  • Create and stick to a budget which will reduce your urge throw more in the cart "just in case"
  • Know what you already have in your fridge and freezer so you don't duplicate and have to throw items away
  • Don't overserve, portion control is key
  • Have a plan for leftovers, use the City's take out container guide for tips

Reduce packaging waste 

  • Give an experience instead of a thing
  • Choose items with little to no packaging as possible
  • Bake/create/upcycle something as a gift
  • Choose sustainable wrapping options, avoid plastic bows and wrapping that can't be recycled
  • Curious if something can be recycled? Use the what goes where tool to find out where you can take items for recycling, sending less to the landfill

ZERO WASTE INITIATIVES

Merry & Bright

The City of Nanaimo is proud to support many of the Downtown and Old City Quarter events this holiday season. Don't miss Santa Fly-In, Gingerbread Village, Winterfest, Late Night Shopping, Nanaimo Art Walk and many more! Many events kick off this week. For more information and a list of events visit www.downtownnanaimo.ca and www.oldcityquarter.com. Enjoy the festivities!

DOWNTOWN NANAIMO EVENTS
be safe be seen when walking at night

Be Seen

According to ICBC, nearly half of all crashes with pedestrians happen between October and January. Pedestrians, please focus on being present; heads up, phones down, and headphones off when crossing the street and interacting with vehicles. Never assume a driver has seen you. Please choose clothing with reflective strips and if possible, wear a light. Be safe!

ICBC PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
2023 winter activity guide

Winter Registration is Here!

Set those alarms Nanaimo! Registration for the Winter 2023 Activity Guide will begin at 6 am on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

There are three ways to register:

  • Online, be sure to have your account set up and your payment card ready. 
  • By phone, call 250-756-2500 but please note during peak time we will take your name and phone number and call you back in the order in which we received.
  • In person at Beban Park, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Bowen Park or Oliver Woods Community Centre during office hours which can be slightly different at each facility. 

2023 WINTER ACTIVITY GUIDE
Budget related meetings coming up

It's Budget Time, Nanaimo!

View all budget focused meetings, find agendas or tune in and watch at: www.nanaimo.ca/meetings. Familiarize yourself with the business plans and prepare questions for the upcoming eTown Hall. Find budget info at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/budgetinfo.

Nov. 23, 9 am: Budget highlights and presentations of the 2023 Departmental Business Plans.

Nov. 24, 9 am: Utility rate review and day two of 2023 Departmental Business Plans.

Nov. 30, 9 am: External agencies, the 2023-2027 Draft Project Plan and the final department business plan presentations. 

Dec. 1, 9 am: Budget Recap and Council Deliberations.

Dec. 5, 7 pm: an e-Town Hall will take place in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre's Shaw Auditorium.

Submit your questions here, on www.nanaimo.ca/etownhall, on Twitter using #NanaimoTH or call us at 250-754-4251 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm). You can attend, tune in and/or post questions in the Facebook eTown Hall Event or on Twitter using #NanaimoTH. The eTown Hall will also be broadcast live on Shaw Cable channel 4 or BlueSky TV on 105. 

BUDGET INFORMATION
apply to 2023 culture awards

2023 Culture Awards

The City is seeking public nominations in three categories; recipients will be recognized at a special celebration at the Port Theatre in April 2023:

Deadline for nominations is Friday, Dec. 2 at 4pm.

2023 CULTURE AWARDS

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

  • Along the Nanaimo Parkway, between East Wellington Road and Northfield Road, construction crews continue to break rock and pipe fusing begins for the Midtown Water Supply Project. Commuters should expect minor delays along Boxwood Road between Meredith Road and Tulsa Road in relation to this project. Commuters should expect merging construction traffic entering the Nanaimo Parkway south of Northfield Road.
  • Beban Park has detours within the park and areas of restricted access for the Midtown Water Supply Project. Access to the Stevie Smith Bike Park and Community Gardens is off Bowen Road past the tennis courts and golf course. All main parking lots, facilities and park amenities are open. In an effort to protect the public and provide a safe working area, certain areas of the park are fenced off and restricted for all non-construction personnel.
  • Labieux Road between Beban Parkway and Kenworth Road will be closed in both directions for the Midtown Water Supply Project. The road closure will be in place for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access is available for local traffic and emergency vehicles only. Other commuters should plan an alternate route. A detour will be in place and the closure will remain in effect until mid-January.
  • Emerald Drive (from Uplands to Ross Rd) will be closed during the day for a water main upgrade. Access will be limited to residents, buses and emergency services. Other commuters should plan an alternate route.
  • Metral Drive is substantially complete! Please respect traffic control as the workers finish off road markings and the finer details.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Work With Us!

We are currently looking for candidates to fill the following positions:

  • Recreation Coordinator - Temporary Full-Time
  • Police Records Clerk
  • Manager, Human Resources
  • Casual Clerical - Parks, Recreation & Culture
  • Two Lifeguard/Instructors
  • Roads Management Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
  • Recreation Coordinator - Aquatics
  • Municipal Services Inspector
  • Lifeguard/Instructor - Permanent Part-Time
  • Planning Assistant
  • Building Official
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Custodian - Relief Pool
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS

Meetings This Week

Monday, Nov.21: Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm. 

Wednesday, Nov. 23: Special Finance and Audit Committee Meeting at 9 am.

Thursday, Nov. 24: Special Finance and Audit Committee Meeting at 9 am.

Did you know?

Council will begin reviewing draft budgets and project plans over the course of four Special Finance and Audit Committee meetings on Nov. 23, 24, 30 and Dec. 1. All meetings are open to the public and will be held in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre's Shaw Auditorium. 

MEETINGS

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