Village Way project updates
The Village Way Path project is underway! Windley Contracting is bringing over equipment this week to get started, with completion by mid-December. Construction will occur between the corner of North and South roads through to Tin Can Alley. Please be prepared for slow traffic during construction (flaggers will be on site). To create the path, a few trees (as few as possible) will need to be removed along the route - Windley Contracting will be working with the Gabriola Lions to see if the trees can be used for their firewood program. Windley will also coordinate with the school about any tree removals in that area. For more project information see https://www.rdn.bc.ca/gabriola-village-trail.
Parks
· The RDN was successful in receiving a grant of $162,222 from the provincial CleanBC Communities Fund to install 10 public level-2 electric vehicle charging stations. One of the chargers will be located at Descanso Bay Regional Park. Because this is a new service for the RDN, residents will be asked whether they approve creating this new service through an alternate approval referendum.
· The Board approved a park amenity donation program policy, which allows residents to make a donation to be able to place a plaque (memorial/celebratory etc) on a bench or other amenity (eg a new bench, tree, playground etc) in a regional or community park.
· The committee received a draft tree management policy for regional and community parks. The committee referred it to the Regional Parks and Trails committee for more discussion.
Emergency Management
· The RDN is moving to a new emergency alert system as of October 1st. Voyent Alert! allows residents, businesses or visitors to receive messages through an app, text message, voice call or email for critical events such as extreme weather or wildfires at a variety of locations (eg home, school, or work locations Learn more and register here: rdn.bc.ca/voyent-alert For assistance registering call 250-390-4111 or 1-877-607-4111 or email emergencyservices@rdn.bc.ca
· RDN staff will be applying for FireSmart funding to develop updated community wildlife resiliency plans for each electoral area as well as funding to do a fuel management prescription for a section of the 707 Community Park and the Nanaimo Arboretum.
· Are you interested in learning more about the Neighourhood Emergency Preparedness program on Gabriola? I’m compiling a list of people that would like to learn more and connect with already- organized neighbourhoods on the island to better understand how we can prepare for emergencies. To learn more about the NEPP program see: https://www.rdn.bc.ca/neighborhood-emergency-preparedness . If you’d like to be notified of events such as emergency preparedness seminars or have the opportunity to connect with fellow Gabriolans around emergency preparedness please send an email to gabriolanepp@gmail.com. Your email would only be used to contact you about emergency preparedness opportunities.
Waste collection
· The new waste collection carts have been delivered and can be used starting October 1st. The system is designed to encourage residents to recycle and use the green waste containers as much as possible. The annual waste collection fee is tied to the size of the garbage container – the larger the garbage container the higher the annual fee, but you can use a larger recycling cart for no additional fee.
· Approximately 68% of waste in the RDN is diverted from the landfill. In an effort to further reduce this amount and move towards its target of 90% diversion, the RDN is working on a new mandatory source-separation program which will require that businesses and multi-family units sort waste into the garbage/recycling/compost streams and have their waste collected by a private licensed waste hauler.
Other updates
· Thank you to Trustees Colbourne and Langereis for working with me and the RCMP and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to address the issue of parking at El Verano boat ramp and Green Wharf. We will be moving to the next phase of the project, where owners of uninsured vehicles are notified that their vehicle will be removed, in the next couple of weeks.
· The Board gave first and second reading to an OCP amendment for Area A (Cedar area) and a revised Bylaw on land use and subdivision in Area A specific to the Nanaimo airport. The revised OCP section and Bylaw will now move to a public hearing which I have been asked to Chair.
· I was acclaimed as the Electoral Area representative on the executive for the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities. The AVICC represents and advocates on behalf of its members (which includes municipalities and regional districts along the coast, including the Islands Trust) on specific issues of interest.
Upcoming
· RDN Board, Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) and Committee of the Whole (CoW) meetings are being held virtually at this time and can be viewed online – links to the video are on the RDN website.
· The next Board meetings are on October 27th and November 10th starting at 1 pm. The next EASC meetings will be held October 8th and November 20th (1 pm start), and the next CoW meeting will be held October 13th (1 pm start).
· The next Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for October 5th. Please contact me if you have any questions or items to add to the agenda.
At this time I won’t be holding in-person office hours. However, you can reach me by email at vanessa.craig@rdn.bc.ca or click the big CONTACT button at the top right of my website.