My Nanaimo This Week - October 19, 2020

This week, sign up to receive My Nanaimo This week by email, submit your creative community contest creation before October 30 and take advantage of double the rebates program. Read on for more!

Soon we will be shifting over from posting this weekly newsletter on our blog to sending it straight to your 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.

We are so happy to welcome you back to our facilities and appreciate your patience as we all adjust to the new procedures and guidelines. The City has a COVID-19 Recovery Plan to provide a path forward as we resume 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 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 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 - Recreation facilities, pool and arenas are open and following province-wide COVID-19 safety protocols. Outdoor amenities remain open for use as well, however please continue to practice physical distancing, hand washing and please stay home if not feeling 100% well. Just a reminder that registration is open for fall programs. You can also register for drop-in programs (swimming, skating and pickle ball) as early as 72 hours in advance. Drop-in schedules are available for viewing.

REIMAGINE NANAIMO

The information collected during REIMAGINE NANAIMO will guide the Official Community Plan, the Parks, Recreation & Culture plan, Active Sustainable Transportation Plan, Economic Development Strategy, Nanaimo Water Supply Strategic Plan and the Climate Action Plan. Each topic based questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete. Online Surveys and contest is open until November 30, 2020. Please have your say today! 

You can also express your ideas for Nanaimo's future through photo, drawing, painting, collage, poetry, video & more! Submissions from people of all ages and abilities are welcome and you can choose any media you love. Head outside with your camera or sketchbook or sit with friends, family or students and discuss what Nanaimo's future could look like, then send us the result! Each eligible entry is entered to win a $500 gift card from your choice from a local electronics store, bike shop or grocery store. Submit HERE today! 

AROUND THE CITY

Emergency Alert

The City of Nanaimo will be sending out an emergency alert test on October 27 at 10:15 am through the Voyent Alert! system. Remember, this is only a test!  Voyent Alert! is the system the City will use to inform residents of local emergencies, such as earthquakes, in the City of Nanaimo. Residents are encouraged to register and download the app to their smartphone. In case of a real emergency, users will receive a call, text or email. If you haven't signed up for an alert yet, go to www.nanaimo.ca/goto/alerts today.

Request a Smoke Alarm Installation

Nanaimo Fire Rescue now has an online request form for fire alarm inspection and installations at your home (they will wear PPE when visiting!) Submit a form at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/smokealarms 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.

Double the Rebates

For homeowners waiting for a great time to switch their oil or other fossil fuel heating systems to a cleaner and more earth-friendly system, the time may now be right. With a new 'Double the Rebates' program in place, the City of Nanaimo is working with the CleanBC Better Homes Program to encourage homeowners to switch their home's primary heating source from fossil fuel (oil, natural gas or propane) heating to an electric air-source heat pump. For qualifying heat pump upgrades, the rebates can be substantial (up to $6000).

In addition to the CleanBC rebates, the City of Nanaimo is offering additional top-ups for qualifying upgrades. These include $350 for electric air-source heat pumps, $350 for heat pump water heaters and an additional $500 for electrical service upgrades (100, 200, and 400 amp service) that are needed to accommodate switching to an air-source heat pump or heat pump water heater. The City also has top-ups for homes that undergo a pre- and post-upgrade EnerGuide home evaluation.

Small Business Week

Did you know 67% of Nanaimo’s businesses are locally owned and operated? They are the foundation of our community and we celebrate them during small business week October 18-24, 2020. They provide well paying, local jobs, new vibrancy and uniqueness throughout our community. During COVID-19, they’ve had to persevere and innovate like never before. We celebrate and appreciate the contributions of these community builders during and encourage residents to shop local, supporting these amazing businesses! 

If you are part of a BC based business, non profit, social enterprise or charity, there is a free consulting program in response to the challenges faced by businesses adjusting to the pandemic environment. To learn more visit www.investnanaimo.com/covid19.

Waste Reduction Week

We are celebrating Waste Reduction Week in Canada which takes place the third week of October every year. The goal is to raise awareness while encouraging new innovative ideas and solutions. Join us as we recognize environmental efforts and achievements during this week-long celebration. Each day on Facebook we'll be posting tips, ideas and links. Start with becoming familiar with the City's Waste Wizard to find a drop-off centre near you!

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 will be reduced to one lane in both directions from October 18th- 28th to install concrete bus slabs. This will cause congestion and delays. Drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid the area, particularly at rush hour. Please drive slowly and respect temporary road markings. 

• Metral Drive, between Turner Road and Godfrey Road, has been reduced to gravel and underground utility work has begun. Traffic on the gravel road will be limited to residents only. Commuters are encouraged to plan additional time to navigate the area or preferably, to avoid the area completely by detouring on the Island Highway. Beginning October 16th, the contractor will be working Monday-Saturday, 7am-7pm. 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEES

Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings

• Monday, October 19: Regular Council Meeting at 4:30 pm
• Wednesday, October 21: Finance and Audit Committee Meeting at 9:00 am
• Thursday, October 22: Design Advisory Panel Meeting at 5:00 pm
• Thursday, October 22: Special Council Meeting at 7:00 pm

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

Council in Action

•  Pop! Reimagine Nanaimo booths are popping up to engage with you!
• Rebates offer better indoor air quality while reducing GHG emissions from homes