During April’s Board meeting we discussed numerous items that were relevant to Area B residents, or might be of interest. To see the full agenda, as well as watch a recording of the meeting (which was conducted via Zoom) click here. I provide a few highlights here:
The Board supported my Motion to temporarily prohibit homeless camping in the 707 community park until park conditions and wildfire risk due to homeless camping is assessed, and a recommendation received as to whether or not, based on park conditions and wildfire risk, homeless camping should be prohibited in all or some areas of the park either permanently or seasonally, and a mitigation plan developed and implemented if recommended
The Board also supported my Motion to support the participation of Regional District of Nanaimo emergency staff in Emergency Management Recovery and Response Committee meetings when available to answer questions and provide updates to the committee, as staff availability permits [for more information on the ERRC see the link on the Gabriola, Mudge and DeCourcy Emergency Response Group link under COVID-19]
For upcoming billings for waste pickup (as well as water and sewer in areas of the RDN that receive those services), the Board voted to extend the payment deadline by 90 days
In recognition of ongoing work, the Board also endorsed the use of virtual public engagement for collecting input for projects and initiatives during the COVID emergency - recognizing that timelines for public engagement may need to be extended and efforts made to reach residents who are not online
Also motions coming from the EASC on the RDN submitting a grant application for evacuation route planning for Area B as well as re-signing a funding agreement with the Museum were approved
The Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities (I’m on the executive as the electoral area director representative) conference which was scheduled to occur in Nanaimo and be co-hosted by the City of Nanaimo and RDN this year but was cancelled due to COVID-19, will occur in Nanaimo next year instead, with the RDN co-hosting.