March 27, 2024

Happy

Easter!

Parksville's 2024-2028 Financial Plan

In March, Council approved the 2024-2028 provisional financial plan bylaw. Both the five-year financial plan bylaw and property tax rates bylaw must be adopted by May 15 of each year. The next steps at upcoming meetings are outlined here:

• April 8 - Committee of the Whole meeting to revisit the provisional 2024-2028 financial plan and provide updated and new information and confirm 2024 property tax and utilities’ rates.
• April 29 - Special Council meeting for consideration of amended financial plan bylaw, tax rates bylaw and water and sewer rates bylaws.
• May 6 - Adoption of bylaws considered at the April 29 Special Council meeting.

Parksville residents and taxpayers are encouraged to provide input and feedback on the financial plan by attending meetings, reviewing information on Let’s Talk Parksville and providing comments by email to Council@parksville.ca or on Let's Talk Parksville.

Thank you to those who participated so far in the City’s transportation master plan project; two open houses and one survey. We appreciate that many people have shared ideas and experiences related to transportation in the City. The information presented to the public at the March 5 open house may be viewed on Let’s Talk Parksville. As part of phase 2 engagement, we are again asking for your feedback. We invite Parksville residents to share their feedback on what’s been accomplished so far and to ensure the new transportation master plan accurately reflects the needs of the community. This survey is open until April 5.

We encourage residents to review details on Let’s Talk Parksville which includes information presented at the open houses, the results from the first phase engagement, What We Heard Report, as well as the base conditions report prepared by consultant, McElhanney Ltd. 

Earlier this year, we announced the City will host Canada Day celebrations in Parksville. We are planning a great family-friendly event which we hope will bring together Parksville and surrounding region residents and visitors to celebrate on July 1.

Our free festivities begin with the Shriner’s breakfast and the traditional parade along Island Highway East and all other activities will be held in the Parksville Community Park. Here’s what is being planned: 

Things we’d like you to know about Canada Day in Parksville

• Parksville Outdoor Theatre will feature Bobs & Lolo for the young and young at heart, and the band, Apollos, will provide afternoon dance music.
• Buskers will entertain in the new gathering plaza from 1 pm to early evening.
• There will be a variety of food trucks in the parking lot by the sport fields, 11.30 am through early evening. No other vendors in the park with activities planned to finish around 7 pm.
• The park will be open for vehicle parking and Sandcastle Drive to Arbutus Point will close to vehicles for the day.
• Parade and food truck application forms, along with details are on Let’s Talk Parksville. Email questions to canadaday@parksville.ca.

Annual Wood Chipping Program                   

The City’s 2024 wood chipping program will take place April 2 through April 25 and will be the only wood chipping program offered this year. The City is divided into two zones - west of Craig Street and east of Craig Street. Properties located west of Craig Street will receive collection between April 2 and April 12 and collection for properties east of Craig Street is scheduled between April 15 and April 25. Materials must be at curbside by 8 am. Map and more information will be posted to our website. 

REMINDERS AND THINGS TO KNOW…

Watermain flushing which runs through April, is an important part of our ongoing maintenance program, ensuring the integrity of the water supply system. Flushing occurs mainly between 7.30 am and 3.30 pm, weekdays. Residents can expect some discolouration of water and intermittent drops in pressure and should keep a fresh supply of drinking water in your fridge. Check for discolouration of water before doing laundry and if discoloured, run an outside tap (after 3.30 pm) until it runs clear. ops@parksville.ca.

No dogs on beaches please - to limit disturbance of migrating Black Brant geese, our beaches are subject to temporary seasonal “no dog” restrictions. This applies to on-leash and off-leash within the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area. Rathtrevor Beach and Parksville Bay Beach are closed until April 30.

Stage 1 water restriction in April allows for watering of lawns between 7 pm and 7 am, any day. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from water restrictions.

Recycle BC pop-up depot in Parksville will continue this year, accepting free of charge, flexible plastic packaging, white and coloured foam packaging, glass packaging and paper packaging and cardboard. Materials may be dropped off from 10 am to 3 pm at 1080 Industrial Way, Parksville. For dates and more info visit Recycle BC website.

Next Council Meeting - Wednesday, April 3 at 1 pm

Our next regular Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 3 at 1 pm. Here’s some general information for you:

• Meeting agendas are posted to the website on the Thursday before a Monday meeting. 
• Meetings may be viewed from webstreaming on our website, both live and archived. 
• We post meeting highlights to the website the day after the Council meeting, a great way to catch up on decisions made by Council at the meeting. 
• The public is welcome to attend meetings in person. Meetings are held in the Forum, 100 Jensen Avenue East.
• Comments may be emailed to council@parksville.ca. Residents wishing comments to be considered by Council prior to the meetings, should be received by 4 pm on the working day before the meeting.

CITY DATES

For more information:

Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications

250 954-3073; communications@parksville.ca

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