April 19, 2022

This week... 

A reminder to keep water meters clear, catch basin clean up begins and Brechin Hill Neighbourhood host a clean up. Read on for more!
Get Vaccinated

REIMAGINE Wrapped Up

The entire REIMAGINE NANAIMO team would like to thank the community for participating in all the public engagement sessions and surveys throughout Phases 1, 2 & 3. If you're interested in the Phase 3 public engagement summary, it will presented to the Governance and Priorities Committee on May 9 at 1:00 pm.

TUNE IN TO LIVE PRESENTATION MAY 9

Water Meter Reading

The City's Water Meter Readers would like to remind residents that water meter boxes need to remain visible and accessible at all times of the year.

When doing spring pruning and weeding, please make sure to prune back any shrubs or bushes that have grown too close to water meter lids. Overgrown shrubs have led to many wasp stings.

 

Also, some people are getting quite creative hiding lids or building boxes around them. As much as we appreciate efforts to beautify, it does make it very tough to find and gain access the meter to read it properly. Please refrain from covering it up and keep your water meter clear and visible for staff to find easily. 

 

Improvements Planned

This spring and summer you will see a number of small-scale mobility, accessibility and safety improvements take place around Nanaimo. Some of the improvements include new sidewalks, additional crosswalks, tactile warning surface indicators installed, crosswalk flashers, guardian wave signals at intersections and new streetlights. 

LEARN MORE 

Wildflowers Blooming

Nanaimo is home to a variety of wildflowers species, each adding beauty to our surroundings and providing a role in our environmental ecosystem. It is important to protect these flowers so please do not pick them and avoid stepping on them by staying on provided trails and boardwalks. 

WILDFLOWERS IN NANAIMO

Catch Basin Cleaning

Beginning Tuesday, April 19, City of Nanaimo Public Works staff and contractors will set out to clean 10,000 stormwater catch basins. Starting in the Duke Point area, crews will work their way north on the east side to Dickinson Road then back south on the west side of the city to Cinnabar Valley. This work involves large equipment and staff working on the road. Please approach with caution and obey traffic control personnel's directions. The annual catch basin cleaning program is expected to be complete by August 2022.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

Cool It! Climate Leadership Program

Nanaimo City Council committed up to $10,000 to support participation in the BC Sustainable Energy Association's (BCSEA) Cool It! Climate Leadership Training Program for Nanaimo school students.

BCSEA is a non-profit association committed to promoting the understanding, development and adoption of sustainable energy and energy conservation and efficiency in BC. The Cool It! program is a climate education workshop and contest for students.

COOL IT! PROGRAM

Water to Earth Month

April 22, 10 am - 12 pm

Join us for an invasive plant and litter removal work party at Bowen Park. Registration is required but there is no charge. 

April 23, 10 am - 12 pm

Register for a Natural Landscaping for Climate Change course. Course fee is $42.

Did you know? The City of Nanaimo has pledged to plant 50+ trees as part of "Canada Wide Planting Relay" in honour of Earth Day. Join in this movement and purchase a $25 Tree Voucher to plant a tree on your property! 

REGISTER FOR ACTIVITIES

City Supports Brechin Hill Neighbours

City of Nanaimo staff provided support to a team of volunteers from the Nanaimo RCMP Community Policing Program, Brechin Hill Neighbourhood Association, Lantzville Rotary Club and parents and their children from École Océane in a cleanup event in and around the Waddington tunnel on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Up to 30 people painted, picked up garbage and cleaned up overgrown plants in the tunnel and along the walkways leading up to the tunnel. Country Grocer was on hand to provide lunch and refreshments to the volunteer work party.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS CLEANUP

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

  • Ninth Street is closed between Bruce Avenue and Plecas Crescent. Detours will be in place and commuters are asked to plan their travel accordingly and account for extra time when navigating the area.
  • Metral Drive is still an active construction site and Enterprise Way to Turner Road is now LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY, so please detour on Highway 19a. If you live in the area or are visiting a business, drive slowly, respect the new 3-way stops, and please expect delays while navigating the construction zone.
  • Watermain upgrades are underway on Laguna Way east of the intersection with Lost Lake Road. Commuters can expect minor delays.
  • Nottingham Drive is closed between Hammond Bay Road and Cumberland Place. Commuters should plan to access Nottingham from the north end.
  • Utility upgrades are taking place on Cottleview Drive and Hillside Avenue between Caldwell Street and Pacific Edge Way. Commuters can expect minor delays.
  • Fourth Street between Bruce Avenue and Pine Street is closed in both directions to through traffic, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hamilton Avenue at Pine Street will be closed to southbound right turning vehicles. Local traffic is permitted. All businesses remain open and accessible. Road closures will remain in effect until May 2022 when the Fourth Street Complete Street Phase 1 project is completed.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Work With Us!

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

  • 2022 Seasonal Recreation Leader Vacancies
  • Water/Wastewater Systems Operator in Training - Casual
  • Head Lifeguard/Instructor - Temporary full-time
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Engineering Services Technologist
  • Custodian - Relief Pool
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS

Meetings This Week

Wednesday, April 20: Finance and Audit Committee Meeting at 9:00 am 

Thursday, April 21: Special Governance and Priorities Committee at 3:30 pm

Did you know? 

A Safety and Security Review has been completed, in response to the ongoing challenges with social disorder in the downtown. A Downtown Nanaimo Action Plan will be presented at the Finance and Audit Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 20.

You can watch live meetings, view a list of upcoming meetings, read agendas and watch recordings of past meetings all in one place on the City website.

MEETINGS

Here's a recap of last week's City News

CITY NEWSROOM

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