FEBRUARY 2024

COMMUNITY UPDATE

This electronic copy of the Community Update is emailed (via Constant Contact) to those who subscribe. We encourage you to share this with others and encourage them to sign up to receive the Update electronically, as distribution will be fully electronic starting January 2025. Visit lantzville.ca to sign up to receive updates by email.

Council Meetings

February 7^th @ 6:00 pm - Regular Council Meeting

February 21^st @ 6:00 pm - Regular Council Meeting

February 28^th @ 6:00pm - Committee of the Whole Meeting (if required)

Visit lantzville.ca and click on the meeting date on the calendar to access Council agendas, minutes, link to livestream, Zoom registration and video recordings. The start time of open meetings may vary if a closed portion is required at the beginning of the meeting.

Municipal Hall Hours

Monday to Friday (except holidays)

By phone or email: 8:00 am–4:00 pm

In-person payment & document drop off: 8:30 am–4:00 pm

Closed Monday, February 19, 2024

After-hours Public Works emergency call: 1.888.826.8271

All other emergencies call: 911

Five Year Financial Plan 2024-2028

Council’s development of the 2024-2028 Financial Plan continues and proceeds to consideration of the bylaw in February. The public is invited to provide feedback either in writing or by providing public input in person or remotely at the February 7, 2024, Council meeting. Members of the public who wish to provide input regarding Council meeting agenda items can submit written comments by email to district@lantzville.ca mail or drop off at Municipal Hall, and MUST be received before 12:00 noon on the Council meeting date, providing your name, civic address, agenda item number/name, and comment. Council does not accept anonymous submissions (this includes e-mails with an e-mail address only). All written submissions, including names and addresses, will become part of the public record, be shared with Council, and posted at lantzville.ca.

Emergency Planning

If you see a downed power line, you should:

• Stay back at least 10 metres (that's about 35 feet, or the length of a transit bus) from the power line, and any object that the line touches;
• Call 9-1-1 to report the downed powerline; and
• Keep others at least 10 metres away from the downed line.

Here’s a few tips to help you and your family prepare for power outages:

• Have a battery-operated radio so you can listen in to local radio stations for warnings and instructions.
• Stow flashlights with extra batteries somewhere easy to grab.
• If you have a wood or gas fireplace, regularly inspect your chimney or flue to ensure smoke and other potentially harmful gases are properly ventilated.
• Never use barbecues or camp stoves indoors. These can give off harmful gases that can hurt you if not properly ventilated.
• Register for Voyent Alert, to keep up to date with emergency alerts and information, by visiting www.rdn.bc.ca/emergency-alerts. You can sign up to receive emails, phone calls (automated), or text messages, whichever you prefer.

Don’t forget to check out www.bchydro.com/safety-outages.html for more information on power outages and electrical safety!

Recreation Opportunities

Lantzville Community Facilities

• Seaside Community Society Movie Night at Costin Hall, Friday, February 9^th. Grab your pyjamas and something cozy to sit on for a movie night to see “Trolls Band Together”. Doors open at 5:45 pm and the movie starts at 6:00 pm. There will be a small cash-only concession available. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Regional District of Nanaimo

• Be active every day! There is still room to register in spring programs. Visit rdn.bc.ca/recreation and register today.
• Join us for a free Family Day Swim and Skate on Monday, February 19^th at the Ravensong Aquatic Centre from 10:00 am-2:00 pm and at Oceanside Place Arena from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. Session maximums will be in place.

City of Nanaimo

• Registration for January-March programs with Parks, Recreation and Culture is ongoing, with many programs still available. See the online Winter 2024 Activity Guide for all available programs: https://www.nanaimo.ca/ActivityGuide/.
• Join the Family Day event at Oliver Woods on Monday, February 19^th from 10:00 am-3:00 pm. The event will be free and includes arts, crafts, gym activities, a StoryWalk and more. This event will be FREE!
• Harbour City Seniors host a monthly “Meet and Greet” at Oliver Woods for other seniors. Coffee and goodies are provided, and it is a great way to meet others in the community. Cost is $9. The next one will be held on Wednesday, February 7^th, from 10:00 am-11:00 am.
• A pottery studio is available for drop-in pottery sessions at Bowen Park for $12 per session. For the schedule, please click on the link below: https://www.nanaimo.ca/parks-recreation-culture/recreation-facilities-schedules/potterystudio

Ditches Can Be Dangerous!

Although ditches can appear harmless, it’s important to teach your children that ditches are not a safe place to play. The purpose of ditches is to move runoff from roadways and private property. At times of heavy rainfall, the water in ditches can move very quickly! Whether dry or filled with water, many ditches have garbage or debris that could pose a hazard. And when filled with water, the banks of ditches are very slippery – if someone falls in, they can’t easily get out! Encourage your children to find a safe place to play.

Backyard Burning Season

Open Air and Incinerator fires are permitted until April 15^th ONLY IF every reasonable alternative for reducing, reusing or recycling debris has been pursued first, and if conditions permit! If you must burn, follow the rules! Burn only clean, dry organic materials, fire must be less than 1.2 m high x 1.8 m in diameter, and only on days when the Provincial Ventilation Index says venting is GOOD. Land clearing fires or fires on any beach are NOT permitted at any time. Small campfires used for cooking, heating or ceremonial purposes are allowed (except on beaches) subject to conditions. Only portable propane campfire apparatus (CSA or ULC approved) are permitted on the beach from 11:00 am-8:00 pm. Visit lantzville.ca/outdoor-burning to view Provincial Venting Index, Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 185, 2019 and the Outdoor Burning brochure or email nrukus@lantzville.ca.

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