This week (and month) we are sharing messages to assist with emergency preparedness. Register for the Great BC ShakeOut, sign up for Nanaimo's emergency alert program and a reminder that the information collected during REIMAGINE NANAIMO will guide six significant plans for the City. 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 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 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 - 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 and hand washing. Just a reminder that registration is open for fall programs. You can also register for drop-in programs (swimming, skating, pickle ball) as early as 72 hours in advance. Drop-in schedules are available for viewing:

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

Construction is scheduled at Diver Lake ParK October 15-17 (weather permitting). Parking lot repairs are being done to reduce winter flooding and ensure more parking stalls are available during winter months. 

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. 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

Emergency Preparedness

Where and when a disaster may hit isn't predictable, but there are steps we can take to be ready. These include preparing an emergency kit and stocking enough food and water to last you and your family for a week, developing an escape plan with a muster point outside of your home and workplace, signing up for the City's Voyent Alert! emergency alert system and knowing how to react in an emergency such as an earthquake (drop, cover and hold on).

The Great BC ShakeOut

There are a few emergency related events this month including the Great BC ShakeOut on October 15, 2020 at 10:15 am. Visit www.shakeoutbc.ca for details. During the pandemic, we encourage businesses and residents to ensure all COVID-19 health and safety protocols are followed as part of the Great BC ShakeOut drill.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 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.

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, has been paved, but please drive slowly and respect temporary road markings. Over the next couple weeks the crews will be completing concrete work, road markings, and landscaping. Most work will be done at night from 7 pm to 7 am, however, commuters are still encouraged to avoid the area until construction is complete. 
• 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 and transit only. Plan additional time to navigate the area.

COUNCIL & COMMITTEES

Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings

• Wednesday, October 14: Health and Housing Task Force at 3:00 pm
• Friday, October 16: Special Mayor's Task Force on Recovery and Resilience at 1:00 pm

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

Council in Action

Missed what decisions Council made during a Special Council Meeting or a Regular Council Meeting? Don’t worry. We have you covered! Check out our Council Meeting Summary page for quick overviews.

CITY NEWS

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

• City to review building permit function, due to strong development activity
• City recreation facilities following province-wide COVID-19 safety protocols
• Emergency kits. ShakeOut. Call alerts. It's Emergency Preparedness Month
• Ready...set...drop, cover and hold on