Jan. 23, 2023

This Week...

Learn more about Council's commitment to a safer community, report road maintenance concerns and several trail closures are in effect starting this week. Read on for more!

Building a Safer Community

Over the next few years, Council has committed significant tax dollars to enhancing public safety in our community. As the Downtown Safety Action Plan outlined, the City is now providing:

  • Community Safety Officers are on patrol daily to proactively address concerns and provide support and responses for businesses, residents and vulnerable citizens.
  • City Clean Teams provide debris and garbage pick up downtown. This service is expected to expand to seven days per week with the addition of a second Clean Team.
  • Emptying of garbage receptacles twice a day.
  • Sweeping downtown sidewalks and streets three times per week.
  • Spot checking areas frequenly
  • Providing an on-call response for after-hours issues.
  • Pressure washing downtown sidewalks.
  • Removing graffiti on City infrastructure. 

PUBLIC SAFETY

Road Maintenance 

Did you know? The City maintains over 567 km of paved roads in Nanaimo. Crews will start pothole patching, repairs, updating traffic markings and more when the weather improves in the spring. In the meantime, you can report a concern by clicking on the Report a Road Issue button below.

REPORT A ROAD ISSUE

The City of Nanaimo coordinates streetlight maintenance and repair on City-owned streetlights and forwards any reported issues to BC Hydro if their lights require repair. If you've noticed a street light flickering or a light bulb out, please report it. 

REPORT A STREETLIGHT PROBLEM
Westwood lake part phase 1 amenity improvements begin January and last until late spring 2023

Property Tax Questions

Many property owners saw an increase on their BC Property Assessment this year as the value of a typical family home in Nanaimo has increased. Are you wondering how this will impact your property taxes?

An increase in the assessment (property value) does not necessarily mean a significant increase in property tax. The important factor is how the assessed value changed relative to the average change in the property class. 

LEARN MORE 
use our parks search tool to find new parks, playgrounds or trails to explore

Explore A New Park

If you are staying active outdoors this winter and looking for new areas to explore, try our Nanaimo Parks Search tool. 

Visit the website and type in a park name to get directions, or use it to find new parks to explore.You can use it to search for different amenities too. For example, if you type "trails" in the search bar, a list of all parks that have "trails" in the description will pop up. You can do a search for other things, such as playgrounds, off-leash dog parks or even parks with a view. 

Take extra caution this time of year as boardwalks, stairs and equipment can be slippery and some areas can flood. 

PARKS SEARCH
residents may create a boulevard garden, learn how!

Burn It Smart, Nanaimo

Burning wood is a major contributor to poor air quality as well as chimney fires. You can reduce pollutants and stay safe by following some simple steps:

  • Don't smoulder - burn wood at a high temperature to prevent excess smoke and creosote build up in your chimney.
  • Use only seasoned firewood. Never burn garbage, plastics, painted or treated wood, plywood, particle board, cardboard or salt water driftwood.
  • Have your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly.

Find more information on the Burn It Smart page on the City website.

BURN IT SMART
become a member on the board of variance

Become a Member of the Board of Variance

Residents interested in becoming more involved with local government have the opportunity to apply to the Board of Variance. The City of Nanaimo is currently recruiting one member for a three-year term.

The Board of Variance is an independent body that can grant variances to relax zoning regulations; extend non-conforming uses; and, reconstruct non-conforming buildings.

LEARN MORE

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

  • The City of Nanaimo’s Midtown Water Supply Project is now in Phase 2. Crews are conducting site preparations, equipment will be entering and exiting Highway 19 (Nanaimo Parkway). Drivers must slow down in work zones and pay close attention to signage. Work continues along the parkway, south of East Wellington to Jingle Pot Road. Work will also be visible north of College Drive adjacent to the Nanaimo Parkway.
  • The trails between Black Diamond/VIU/Jingle Pot/Third Street are closed to cycling and pedestrian traffic for the Midtown Water Supply site preparations. The trail closure will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the end of April.
  • Midtown Water Supply Project Phase 1 Trench Preparations will create visual distractions and minor delays along Northfield Road, between the Nanaimo Parkway and Northfield Marsh before Boxwood Road. Commuters should expect minor delays along Boxwood Road between Meredith Road and Tulsa 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.
  • Prideaux Street and sidewalk, between Fitzwilliam and Wentworth, will be closed Jan. 16 to 27, 24/hours a day.
  • Metral Drive is substantially complete! Road markings will continue as weather and temperatures allow.
  • Prideaux Street and sidewalk, between Fitzwilliam and Wentworth, will be closed Jan. 16 to 27, 24/hours a day. 
  • Metral Drive is substantially complete! Road markings will continue as weather and temperatures allow.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Work With Us!

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

  • Assistant Manager, Revenue Services
  • Two Lifeguard/Instructors
  • Roads Management Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
  • Recreation Coordinator - Aquatics
  • Building Official
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Custodian - Relief Pool
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS

Meetings This Week

Monday, Jan. 23: Governance and Priorities Committee at 1 pm.

Thursday, Jan 26: Design Advisory Panel Meeting at 5 pm. 

MEETINGS

If you are not able to attend or tune in live, you can always review decisions made at each Council meeting simply by reading the Council Meeting Summaries. These summaries are typically posted the day after each meeting.

COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARIES

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events