JANUARY 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

January 10^th @ 6:00 pm - Regular Council Meeting

January 17^th @ 9:00 am - Special Council Meeting

January 24^th @ 6:00 pm - Regular Council Meeting

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

By phone or email: 8:00 am–4:00 pm

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

Closed Monday, January 1, 2024

After-hours Public Works emergency call: 1.888.826.8271

All other emergencies call: 911

Five Year Financial Plan 2024-2028

You are invited to share your input on the 2024-2028 Financial Plan in January.

You can share your input either in writing or in person or remotely during the

6:00 pm regular Council meetings on Wednesday, January 10^th or 24^th. Written comments can be submitted by mail, email (district@lantzville.ca), or dropped off at Municipal Hall, BEFORE 12:00 noon on the meeting day. The District does not accept anonymous submissions (e.g., emails with an email address only), so written comments must include your full name, civic address, and relevant agenda item number/name to become part of the public record. Visit the District website to register in advance via Zoom to speak during the Public Input on agenda items section. Advance registration is not required to view the livestream or recording, or to attend in person.

2024 Lantzville Firefighter Calendars

Support your local Firefighters Association! Stop by Municipal Hall to buy your copy of the 2024 Lantzville Firefighter Calendar OR email lvffa1955@gmail.com to place your order and receive your calendar in the mail. $25.00 each.

On-line Building Permit Applications

Launch January 2^nd

The District of Lantzville is launching a digital building permitting software, Cloudpermit, on January 2, 2024. After January 2^nd, all building permit applications should be made through Cloudpermit. You may register for an account through the following link: ca.cloudpermit.com/registration. For more information, please visit lantzville.ca/building-permit. If you have any questions, or if you require support making an on-line Building Permit application, please contact building@lantzville.ca or 250.933.8091.

Council's Corner

1) Village Core Improvement Phase II Landscaping: The current areas of soil in Phase II are set aside for landscaping. The original design prescribes grass in these areas. Council is seeking feedback on other landscaping, such as types of plantings, trees, or features that will best represent the unique Village character and charm of this area.

2) Legion Plaza: The brick plaza in front of the Legion 257 building is available for unique and creative ideas that will benefit the community, while preserving the area as a walking and gathering place. This may include creative and unique features/planters/benches/street furniture/sculptures/lighting and other community-oriented elements.

Thank you for your feedback and ideas! Again, please email your feedback to

the District of Lantzville at district@lantzville.ca by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

2024 Grants in Aid Applications

Council considers applications in February for discretionary 2024 Grants in Aid. Funds available for grants are limited. Preference is given to locally based organizations whose efforts are community based. The primary purpose is to provide financial assistance to an organization for a specific project or event that benefits the residents of the District of Lantzville. ‘For profit’ organizations are not eligible. Application deadline: Thursday, February 1, 2024. Visit Municipal Hall or lantzville.ca for a Grants in Aid application form and policy.

Recreation Opportunities

Regional District of Nanaimo

• Be active every day! There is still room to register in winter programs. Visit rdn.bc.ca/recreation and register today. Registration for spring programs opens on Tuesday, January 30^th at 8:00 am.

City of Nanaimo

• Register for your January-March programs with Parks, Recreation and Culture. See the online Winter Activity Guide for all available programs: nanaimo.ca/parks-recreation-culture/recreation-facilities-schedules/activity-guide
• Join us for a Glow in the Dark Skate taking place on Tuesday, January 2^nd, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm, and the Lions Club of Nanaimo sponsored FREE skate every Sunday from 12:00 pm-1:30 pm at Frank Crane Arena.
• Join us for the Starlight Skate on Sunday, January 14^th, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm at Nanaimo Ice Centre.
• Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada will be putting on a free session on Thursday, January 25^th, 10:30 am-12:00 pm at Bowen Park to help citizens understand the benefits and credits they may be eligible for, ways to do taxes and how to avoid scams.
• Glen Foster Group will be entertaining at the Thursday Musical Entertainment on Thursday, January 18^th at Bowen Complex starting at 1:30 pm. Admission is only $4, and all ages are welcome.

Watch for your Property

Assessments in the Mail!

BC Assessment Authority (BCAA) sends notices to all BC property owners in January each year that shows the assessed value of your property as of July 1^st of the previous year. You can search e-ValueBC to compare your assessment with neighbouring properties. Review your notice carefully and contact BCAA immediately if you feel your assessment is incorrect. Deadline to appeal to BCAA: January 31, 2024. Property taxes are calculated based on the assessment values set by BCAA. Your property taxes are based on this formula: Net Assessed Property Value/$1,000 multiplied by Property Tax Rate equals Property Tax Bill.

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.

Salish Sea Gull Project 2024

Thank you to our community volunteers, citizens, Firefighters Association, and Lantzville Rotary who volunteered, decorated, donated, collected, delivered, and filled our community with holiday spirit! From holiday lights in the Legion Plaza and Huddlestone Park, to hot cocoa and Santa in the Park, the Santa Drive-by, food donations and delivery of hampers...you make Lantzville special!

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