May 8, 2023

This Week...

Prepare yourself during emergency preparedness week, register to attend a public works open house and water restrictions are now in effect. Read on for more!
photo of family putting together an emergency preparedness kit

Emergency Preparedness Week May 7 to 13

This year's focus is Natural Resources Canada’s Earthquake Early Warning system – what it does, how it helps and how you can safely respond to an alert.

By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere. It is important to:

  • Know the risks – Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community can help you better prepare.
  • Make a plan – It will help you and your family know what to do.
  • Build an emergency kit – During an emergency, we will all need some basic supplies. We may need to get by without power or tap water.

The City of Nanaimo encourages residents to take concrete actions to be better prepared.

EMERGENCY MANGEMENT PROGRAM
People attending a workshop for FireSmart Awarness

FireSmart Workshop

Get ready for the summer wildfire season by learning the principles of FireSmarting your home. These FREE awareness workshops will be of particular interest to people living near the wildland-urban interface or other greenspaces. We will cover simple steps you can take to manage your property and landscape to prevent the risk of loss due to wildfire.

  • May 18, 6 to 8 pm at the Nanaimo Ice Centre Lounge 2
  • May 25, 6 to 8 pm at Oliver Woods Community Centre Monarch 1 room

REGISTER TODAY
Photo of kids learning how the line painting machine works at Public Works

Public Works Day

Have you ever wondered how a city runs? How does clean drinking water flow through your tap? What happens after the toilet flushes? Who plans and builds the roads, sidewalks and bike lanes to ease your commute? Where does your recycling go after it is picked up?

All these things that make your day run, start with a city’s Public Works department and its employees. Through interactive activities, residents are able to gain an understanding into the many services provided by the Engineering and Public Works Department and the impact of Public Works on their daily lives.

Register online at Nanaimo.ca using course code 97873, under "special events".

REGISTER TODAY
photo rendering of two new turf fields to be built at Harewood Centennial Park

Artificial Turf Field

The building of two artificial turf fields at Harewood Centennial Park is part of the adopted Harewood Centennial Park Improvement Plan. These two fields meet the growing need of high-quality sports facilities for the community and are supported in the City Plan. Read about the funding and next steps in the report. 

TURF FIELD REPORT
photo of family fishing day last year in colliery damn park

Family Fishing Day

Fish on! May 14 between 10 am and 2 pm, bring the whole family and a picnic and join us for a free, fun event at Colliery Dam Park.

Both sessions of the "Learn to Fish" have space on the waitlist but you are welcome to come and fish as a family. There are community group activities from 10 am to 2 pm, a trout release scheduled at 11:30am and entertainment by Lauren Kelsey will take place from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.

FAMILY FISHING DAY
Logo that confirms it is BPI Compostable and able to go into green carts

Zero Waste Reminders

Secure Carts - Please ensure your carts are in a secure location like a shed or garage, especially if you live near wildlife.

Green Cart - Even if a plastic product says it's compostable, it likely can't be composted at our local facility. Only BPI-certified plastics can. Please look for the BPI-certified label before tossing into the green cart. If it doesn't have that label, it will need to go into the black cart as waste. 

ORGANICS
photo of the drop zone a place to bring invasive species yard waste

Yard Waste - We do not upsize green carts. We realize you might have more yard waste than normal this time of year but if it all doesn't fit, you may need to wait until the next scheduled pick up. 

If you have invasive species yard waste like ivy, broom, blackberry or daphne you can bring it to the DROP ZONE on Saturday, May 27. Bring it to the Bowen Park lower parking bagged or tarped between 10 am and 2 pm for safe disposal. 

INVASIVE SPECIES DROP ZONE
kids and dad washing their car

Water Restrictions

As of May 1, region-wide stage 2 watering restrictions are in effect. 

There are some exemptions to restrictions such as newly seeded areas, vegetable gardens and fruit trees that may be watered at any time. 

To view the details of the current Water Restriction Stage for Nanaimo, and how you can conserve water, visit Team WaterSmart.

WATERING RESTRICTIONS
photo of candles burning to promote art agora may activity

Art Agora

May's Art Agora activity is En-light-ened Island. Participants are asked to make an arrangement of candles, look into the flames for five minutes and reflect on the thoughts and emotions experienced. Share the experience on a handwritten note. Along with a photo of the note, include a picture of the candles and email to enlightenedisland@artagora.ca. Submissions are due by May 26. The jury will judge submissions based on creativity and depth of reflection. Top three entries will also get Indigo gift cards worth $100, $50 and $25.Winners will be announced on June 2.

ART AGORA ACTIVITIES
Construction photo taken at Northfield road

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

  • Country Club Drive (from Wassell Way to Colwood Road) will be closed during the day for a water main upgrades. Access will be limited to residents, and emergency services. Other commuters should plan an alternate route.

Albert/Fourth Complete Streets and Utility Upgrade project:

  • Single lane alternating traffic on Pine Street between Albert and Albion Streets due to sanitary sewer and watermain construction. Traffic delays can be expected and drivers should plan an alternate route if possible.

Midtown Water Supply and Midtown Gateway Projects:

  • All main parking lots, facilities and park amenities within Beban Park are open during construction. Certain areas of the park are fenced off and closed to the public for safety reasons. Detours will be in place to access all amenities within the park. Please obey all signage placed for your safety and follow the directions of any flag persons on duty.
  • Traffic flow is adjusted along Northfield Road between the Parkway (HWY19) and Boxwood Road for this critical infrastructure project. Traffic should avoid this area if possible and delays are to be expected. The speed limit is reduced to 30 km/h. Drivers must slowdown in work zones and pay close attention to signage.
  • Commuters can expect minor delays along many streets in the City while construction crews work on this project. The construction will create visual distractions and minor delays for commuters. Drivers, pay close attention to signage and construction traffic as workers and equipment enter and exit these sections of the project:
    • Boxwood Road, between Meredith Road and Tulsa Road.
    • Griffiths Road, end to Madsen Road.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
photo of recreation coordinator job posting

Work With Us!

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

  • Customer Services Representative - Temporary Full-Time
  • Civil Design Technologist
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • Tax Clerk - Temporary Full-Time
  • Financial Analyst - Temporary Full-Time
  • 2023 Seasonal Recreation Leader Vacancies
  • Temporary Recreation Leader II - Inclusion
  • Active Transportation Project Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
  • Transportation Planning Specialist
  • Recreation Coordinator - Cultural Services
  • Municipal Services Inspector - Temporary Full-Time
  • Buyer
  • Casual Police Information Clerks
  • Roads Management Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
  • Building Official
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Custodian - Relief Pool
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS
Photo of council seating at a council meeting

Meetings This Week

Monday, May 8: Special Council Meeting at 12:30 pm.

Monday, May 8: Governance and Priorities Committee at 1 pm.

Thursday, May 11: 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
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Recap of City News

CITY NEWSROOM

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