My Nanaimo This Week - October 5, 2020

This week, Fire Prevention provides tips on cooking up fire safety in the kitchen, REIMAGINE NANAIMO is nearing the end of its idea gathering phase, so don’t miss out on having your say and Seabold stair replacement is underway. Read on for more!

Soon we will be shifting over from posting this weekly newsletter on our blog to sending it straight to your email inbox. If you would like to begin receiving this newsletter by email, subscribe here now. Did you know? We have other newsletters you can sign up for! You can  find a list of newsletters and subscribe to them on the City website.

The City has a COVID-19 Recovery Plan to provide a path forward for resumption of City operations in a safe and economically viable way. The plan outlines four steps that the City will take toward a gradual, safe and measured reopening of municipal facilities and resumption of City services and programs that have been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corporate Services - Please check out our  Online Services page to see how we can help you. Safety protocols are now in place to help keep both visitors and staff safe when visiting our facilities. City Hall (455 Wallace Street) and the Service and Resource Centre (411 Dunsmuir Street) are once again open for in-person business, from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Public Works - City staff continue regular garbage, recycling and organics collection. More information on recyclables can be found at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/recycle.

Parks, Recreation & Culture - Playgrounds, parks, trails, skateboard parks, bike parks, pickle ball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, lacrosse boxes, sports fields and dog parks are open with a number of guidelines to follow.  Recreation facilities, pool and arenas have reopened with new procedures in place. Drop-in schedules are available for viewing:

• Community Recreation Programming - Fall 2020
• Pool Activities - Fall 2020
• Arena Activities - Fall 2020

REIMAGINE NANAIMO

The plans we create together will guide the decisions that shape our community over the coming years. Each topic based questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete. Surveys are open until October 30, 2020. Have your say today!

How we Live - ideas for our neighbourhoods today and tomorrow

Did you know? You can participate in this important project by registering at Get Involved Nanaimo. Make sure to subscribe to the REIMAGINE NANAIMO project to stay in the know on new topics, contests and other activities through email updates.

AROUND THE CITY

Fire Prevention Week

Nanaimo Fire Rescue now has an online form where you can request a member from the Nanaimo Fire Department come to your home (wearing PPE) and install one. Visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/smokealarms and submit the form or call 250-753-7311 for assistance. If you already have a smoke alarm in your home, please remember to change the batteries every six months.

Will Your Commute be Affected?

Check out the City's Current Construction Projects page for up-to-date information on City construction projects. Here are a few projects that may affect your commute:

• Bowen Road, between the Old Island Highway and Labieux Road, is being prepped for paving. Paving had to be postponed due to the rain and is rescheduled for October 5-9th. During this time, drivers can expect uneven pavement and loose gravel. Most work will be done at night from 7 pm to 7 am; however, commuters are encouraged to avoid the area if possible. During construction hours, additional detours may be in place to accommodate the paving equipment and production. 
  
• Metral Drive, between Turner Road and Godfrey Road, has been reduced to gravel and underground utility work has begun. Commuters are encouraged to avoid the area completely and to detour on the Island Highway. Traffic on the gravel road will be limited to residents only and transit. Plan additional time to navigate the area.

Park Projects

• Stair replacement at Seabold Rotary Park is scheduled to begin September 29 and will be completed in December.
• Part of the walkway in Maffeo Sutton Park will be closed October 5-23 for surface upgrades. 
• Utilities staff are currently out winterizing facilities and parks.

COUNCIL & COMMITTEES

The Union of BC Municipalities Annual General Meeting was held September 19-23. Mayor Leonard Krog provide us with an update on the AGM and what members of Council were able to accomplish.

Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings

• Monday, October 5: Governance and Priorities Committee at 1:00 pm
• Monday, October 5: Regular Council Meeting at 4:30 pm
• Wednesday, October 7: Special Economic Development Task Force at 8:00 am
• Wednesday, October 7: Special Environment Committee at 3:00 pm

Visit the Meetings, Documents and Videos page on the City website to view upcoming meetings, agendas and past meeting videos. 

Council in Action

Here is a recap of last week's City news:

• Member of City's Culture Staff receives "Above & Beyond " award
• Business with the City continues online, by phone and now in-person