In this edition of My Nanaimo This Week, review the City's 2020 Financial Plan, get ready to drop off your invasive plants, learn how the City is repurposing old tires and do the wellness wave with Parks, Recreation &
Culture.
COVID-19 Moving Into a New Phase
For now, our doors remain closed, but the City is definitely open for business! Check out our Online Services page. As of Thursday, May 14 tennis courts, pickleball courts, gated off-leash dog parks and the Steve Smith Bike park will re-open. There are a number of guidelines to follow to ensure they remain open and to keep people safe. All other City services and operations continue to run, with the exception of Parks, Recreation and Culture programming, drop-in sports, pools, arenas, gyms, skate parks and playgrounds which remain closed for now. The City is taking a step-by-step approach and will announce the future re-opening of facilities as the BC Restart Plan is rolled out. Stay tuned!
The Provincial government has created a path to reopening BC and wants to hear from you to help guide their decisions on what steps to take. Take this survey to provide your feedback!
Find more information about the City's response on the COVID-19 information page
Council sets 2020 Property Rate & Budget
The final 2020 Financial Plan approved by Council on May 11, 2020, set the property tax rate at 4.5 per cent and allows the City flexibility going forward. Council has decided to reduce pressures to residents and businesses by pushing back the penalty for late property tax payments to October 1, 2020. If you have the ability, please pay your taxes before the due date of July 2, 2020. View the financial plan document or check out some quick facts. Mayor Krog hosted a press conference regarding the budget that aired live on Facebook, May 12.
Invasive Plant Removal & Drop Zones
May is Invasive Plant Awareness Month. Maintaining natural areas and restoring the integrity of the native ecology depends on everyone. Help "free the trees" of English Ivy, remove Broom, Blackberry or any other invasive plants and bring them to the Drop Zone for safe disposal. Staff will be on site May 30, between 10 am and 2 pm at the Bowen Park Upper Picnic Shelter. Staff will be practicing safe physical distancing.
Serauxmen Stadium New Lights
Have you been near the Third Street sport zone recently? If so, you might have noticed some construction near the historic Serauxmen Stadium. New LED lighting is being installed! This upgrade will provide youth and adult baseball clubs with the very first 90 foot lit baseball field in Nanaimo. The new lights will also attract spectators (when safe to do so) to cheer on a new level of baseball with the expansion of the West Coast Baseball League.
Stage 2 Watering Restrictions
Just a reminder! As of May 1, 2020, the City of Nanaimo residents are to follow Stage 2, or odd and even day, watering restrictions. This means odd number houses may water on odd numbered days and even number houses on even numbered days for two hours
maximum between the hours of 7 am to 10 am or 7 pm to 10 pm. For those of you with gardens, you may water those vegetables at any time! For more information on watering restrictions visit the Water & Sewage tab..tmb-full-width.png?Culture=en "Copy of Graphics sized for Newsletter (6)")
Wave with Parks, Recreation & Culture
For more programs such as wellness bingo, #isolationrecreation ideas, a scavenger hunt, who did it better and the harbourcity photo challenge follow @nanaimoparksandrec on Instagram or visit the Isolation Recreation web page.
Repurposing Old Tires for Maffeo Sutton Playground
Nanaimo received $27,901 from Tire Stewardship BC's 2020 Community Grant Program to use for new rubber safety surfacing as part of Maffeo Sutton Park's new playground. It is being redeveloped as a space that is inclusive and accessible. The art within the playground design is the work of artist Noel Brown and reflects the rich history and culture of Snuneymuxw First Nation. Phase one of the redevelopment is scheduled to be complete in early summer.
What's Building in My Neighbourhood
Did you know you can view up-to-date information about applications and permits in the City of Nanaimo? If you're curious, you can filter results by application type and neighbourhood. You can also subscribe and stay up to date, check it out under the
what's building in my neighbourhood website page. 
- Thurs, May 14 Special Mayor's Task Force on Recovery & Resilience, 1 pm
- Wed, May 20 Special Advisory Committee on Accessibility & Inclusiveness, 3 pm
Visit the Meetings, Documents and Videos page
on the City website to view upcoming meetings, agendas and past meeting videos or visit the Council Meeting Summaries page to read a recap of decisions made in previous meetings.
Here's a recap of City news: