November 15, 2021

This week...

It's not too late to send in your budget questions for tonight's eTown hall, now is a good time to prepare for storm season and this is the last week to submit your application for the Board of Variance. Read on for more!

Get Vaccinated

Message from Island Health

Island Health is consolidating two clinics in Nanaimo that are critical in the fight against COVID-19.

The Beban Park COVID-19 immunization clinic and the Vancouver Island University testing and collection clinic are relocating to the Nanaimo North Town Centre at 4750 Rutherford Road. Both clinics will be in the same unit (Unit #114, former location of Urban Planet), but with a wall between them and separate entrances/exits to ensure everyone’s health and safety.

The COVID-19 testing and collection site opened at Nanaimo North Town Centre on Tuesday, November 9, and accepts appointments daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The immunization clinic will begin operations in the new location on Tuesday, November 16 and is large enough to accommodate everyone who is eligible for the vaccine, including younger patients in a comfortable, kid-friendly space. Appointments are recommended to ensure you don’t have to wait in line, and are required for booster doses.

ISLAND HEALTH COVID-19

eTown Hall Tonight

Don't delay! Ask questions about the 2022 Budget to be answered at the eTown Hall tonight! Here's how you can participate:

✔️Post your questions in the eTown Hall Facebook event page

✔️Submit them on the City website at www.nanaimo.ca/etownhall

✔️Tweet them using #NanaimoTH

✔️In person at the Shaw Auditorium beginning at 7 pm, November 15

BUDGET DOCUMENTS & PRESENTATIONS

Neighbourhood Associations Survey Closes Tonight

The City of Nanaimo is reviewing how we work with 20+ neighbourhood associations. Please help us by completing a 5 min survey telling us how you like to participate in neighbourhood issues that interest you. The survey is open until the end of today, November 15.

NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION SURVEY

Scheduled Maintenance

Hey Nanaimo, please note that on November 16 between 6-7 pm there will be scheduled maintenance work on our network that will disrupt access to the City's website and online services such as:

Board of Variance

The City of Nanaimo is currently recruiting three members for a three-year term on the Board of Variance. 

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

The successful applicants for the Board of Variance will have a basic understanding of building and zoning regulations such as the City’s Zoning Bylaw and BC Building Code, as well as familiarity with interpreting architectural plans and documents. Board of Variance members cannot be members of an advisory planning commission, elected officials or employees of the local government that appoints them.

Interested residents can submit a completed application form to the Legislative Services Department by 3:30 pm on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE BOARD OF VARIANCE

Prepare for Upcoming Storm Season

Cold and rainy weather, icy roads and possible snow is on its way. If you haven't already started, now is a good time to prepare for winter weather and storm conditions.

Around the Home - To help avoid flooding during heavy rain or melting snow, residents are asked to clear leaves and debris from catch basins at storm drains near their properties. In the event of snow, property owners or occupants are required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their properties within 24 hours so that pedestrians have a safe place to walk and can stay clear of oncoming traffic. The City will clear sidewalks around parks, bridges, commuter trails and major City facilities as quickly as staff can get to them. Residents should also ensure they have supplies in the event of a major snow fall or power outage.

When in Nanaimo's Parks - Please use caution in Nanaimo's parks during stormy weather. Trails, boardwalks, bridges, stairs and playground equipment can become slippery and hazardous when there is rain, snow and ice. They can be littered with debris and even tree branches during and after windstorms. After a rain storm or a snow melt, rivers can experience high flow conditions, so please exercise extreme caution when using trailways along riverbanks. To report any concerns or issues in Nanaimo's parks and trails, please call 250-756-5200 or email parksandrecreation@nanaimo.ca.

On the Roads - During a snowfall, the City's priority is to plow and maintain priority 1 routes, which are emergency routes and all major roads. Residential areas are typically plowed and maintained within 96 hours unless snow and icy conditions return plow crews back to priority 1 routes. Roads can become narrower as plows clear snow to the sides. To help, residents can park in their driveways, or on even sides of the road on even days, and on odd sides of the road on odd days.

NEWS RELEASE: PREPARE FOR STORM SEASON

 

NEWS RELEASE: NANAIMO PUBLIC WORKS RESPONDS TO ATMOSPHERIC RIVER EVENT

Emergency Alert System

In the case of extreme storm weather that may warrant an emergency response, alerts will be sent out on the City's emergency alert system. Learn about Voyent Alert! and sign-up for emergency notifications.

 SIGN UP FOR VOYENT ALERT

The Rotary Bowl is now open!

Come check out the new track surfacing that was just completed this fall. There is still fencing around parts of it, but that will be removed shortly. Enter the track by the washrooms.

ROTARY BOWL TRACK ETIQUETTE

McKinnon Park 

New playground equipment is being installed at McKinnon Park November 17-26. During this time, the area will be fenced and not available for play.Be sure to come visit when it's complete! 

McKinnon Place Park is located at 153 McKinnon Place. It was acquired in 1970 and is surrounded by mature trees. 

 USE THE PARKS SEARCH TOOL

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, so please expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area. All businesses remain open and accessible, but commuters are asked to use alternate routes whenever possible.
  • Hammond Bay Road (between Bonnie Drive and Overlook Drive) will be single-lane, alternating traffic 24 hours a day into November.
  • 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.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Work With Us!

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

  • Custodian Relief Pool - open until filled
  • Municipal Services Inspector - open until filled
  • Enhanced Digital Field Technician - apply by November 26
  • Building Official - open until filled
  • Engineering Services Technologist - open until filled
  • Casual Police Information Clerks - open until filled
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors - open until filled

JOB POSTINGS

Meetings This Week

Monday, November 15: Regular Council Meeting eTown Hall at 7:00 pm

Wednesday, November 17: Finance and Audit Committee Meeting at 9:00 am

Thursday, November 18: Public Hearing at 7:00 pm

Friday, November 19: Special Finance and Audit Committee Meeting at 9:00 am

Did you know?

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

MEETINGS

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