Parksville & Qualicum Beach
Joint Fire Service Review
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Through a partnership agreement announced in June 2019, the Town of Qualicum Beach and the City of Parksville began sharing the services of the Parksville Fire Chief.
The Councils of the City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach subsequently directed staff to work with a consultant to conduct a comprehensive fire service review (FSR). The FSR focused on an assessment of each fire rescue department’s operations and administration as well as the identification of governance structure options for the possible amalgamation and joint operations of the Qualicum Beach and Parksville Fire Rescue Departments. The review was completed in December and the findings presented to the municipalities by Behr Integrated Solutions.
Several options presented in the report were considered by both Councils at meetings held on April 7, 2021. Both the City of Parksville and the Town of Qualicum Beach Councils authorized the release of the FSR. Following the considerations of both Councils, the outcome is to return to separate and distinct fire departments.
The Town of Qualicum Beach will fill the vacant fire chief position and finalize the structure in the Qualicum Beach Fire Rescue Department. Once the vacant fire chief position is filled, the Fire Chief Secondment agreement between the City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach will come to an end and Fire Chief Norris will return to full duty with the City of Parksville.
As directed by the both Councils, the two fire chiefs will assess elements of the FSR specific to their respective fire departments and make recommendations to each Council for implementation. In the future, the two fire chiefs will work together to identify and communicate to their Councils, opportunities for shared implementation of elements of the FSR. They will continue to foster and grow the close working relationship already in place between the two departments.
Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne and Qualicum Beach Mayor Brian Wiese in a joint statement said, "We look forward to building on the collaboration between our two organizations to benefit the fire departments and our communities. Both the Town of Qualicum Beach and the City of Parksville are fortunate to have a working relationship which supports this innovative arrangement. We thank Chief Norris for his dedication, demonstrated leadership and excellence in service to our residents. We also thank the members of both departments for their ongoing support and commitment as we examined this opportunity.”
The Parksville and Qualicum Beach Joint Fire Service Review may be viewed at
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Traffic Calming on Crescent Road |
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Speed tables are being installed along Crescent Road East and West (and Elizabeth Avenue if required). These tables will help offset the increase and speed of traffic resulting from the Memorial Avenue Roundabout construction.
Speed tables are similar to speed humps, but are elongated with a flat section in the middle, to minimize impact to buses, trucks and fire trucks. They are ideal between intersections, and have no effect on cyclists or parking.
Traffic data will be collected during this period to assess the effectiveness of the measures, and help Council determine their permanent adoption or removal, following the roundabout completion.
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Waterfront Expansion Grant Received |
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The Town has been awarded $700,000 for its Waterfront Expansion project, to create additional parking and community gathering places along the waterfront.
Proposed works include:
- 100-150 new parking stalls along the central waterfront by infilling approximately 640 meters of roadside ditch along the south side of Highway 19A.
- Traffic calming measures, including two pedestrian activated crossings.
- ‘Servicing kiosks’, with water and power hook up for mobile vendors/food trucks. Includes covered seating areas.
- Parking meters to regulate overnight use (10pm – 8am), to manage parking and limit it to designated areas.
- 6-8 RV sized spaces along the central waterfront, equipped with power and water hook up. This provides legitimate overnight parking (10pm – 8am), and utilizes off-peak hours for tourism accommodation. Payment and enforcement to be monitored by a third party, such as Robbins Parking.
“The Qualicum Beach waterfront is integral to the identity of the Town, and vital to the health of the local community, environment and economy. This is a key project for the Town, which will further utilize our prized waterfront, stimulating tourism in peak and shoulder seasons, in times of healthy community gatherings, and in times of current COVID-19 social distancing.”- Mayor Brian Wiese.
The Town gratefully acknowledges the Province of British Columbia for funding the project through their Tourism Dependent Community Fund.
The project is set to commence preliminary construction in late summer 2021, and be completed by early 2023.
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Chesapeake Shores Returns |
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Chesapeake Shores has returned to Town with new COVID-19 requirements.
Filming had to be postposed last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, but now with vaccines available, and strict protocols in place to keep everyone safe, crews are back in full swing!
Chesapeake headquarters is located at the old Bus Garage site, and filming will take place in many of the usual locations, including Leigh House (aka Sally's Cafe), and Town Square (aka Chesapeake Shores Town Centre). Keep an eye out for new locations too, which might be getting a little facelift (see image below of the Community Hall off Veteran's Way).
The Town is pleased to welcome back the cast and crew for this production. The series is one of the most-watched original series on the Hallmark Channel and has contributed significantly to the area’s economy by hiring a large percentage of their crew locally.
In the coming days, you will see the signs of activity, with some areas temporarily closed. Signage will be posted, and any road closures will be clearly communicated. Veteran's Way is one such location that will be closed, on Monday, April 12, from 7am to 7pm.
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Vaccine registration is open for people who are eligible.
Step 1
First, you register and get a confirmation number. You need that number to later book your vaccination appointment.
Registering also helps health authorities request the right amount of vaccine doses for each community
Step 2
You will be contacted to book a vaccine appointment when you are eligible based on your age and our Immunization Plan phases.
You will book your appointment online or by phone. You will select a location, date and time.
Step 3
Visit the vaccine clinic to get your vaccine dose.
People who get their first vaccine dose will be notified by email, text or phone call when they are eligible to book an appointment for their second dose.
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Voting Dates & Locations
Voting will be open to qualified electors on the following dates:
ADVANCE VOTING DAYS:
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
GENERAL VOTING DAY:
Saturday, May 15, 2021
The polls are open on the above noted days between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones Street, Qualicum Beach, BC.
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Mail Ballot Voting
All voters may vote by mail. To request a mail ballot, register either online via the link below or visit Town Hall from 9am to 1pm.
Non-Resident Property Electors must call Town Hall at 250-752-6921 to receive additional instructions.
Mail ballot packages will be mailed out, or ready for pickup the week of April 26, 2021.
Further instructions will be available when receiving a mail ballot package.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be advance voting opportunities?
Yes. From 8 am to 8 pm at the Civic Centre, 747 Jones Street, Qualicum Beach, BC, on:
- Wednesday, May 5, 2021
- Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Will there be curbside voting?
Yes. On all voting days, signage will be posted at the voting place (Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones Street) with a phone number to call and request an Election Official to bring you a ballot.
When will nominations be accepted?
Nomination packages will be accepted until April 9 at 4 pm. To make an appointment to file your nomination please call 250-738-2207.
How do I find out who is running?
Candidate information will be posted on the Town’s website, as the nominations are received. A formal announcement of all the candidates running will be announced after the close of nominations on April 9.
How can I find out more about the candidates running?
Candidate information will be posted on our website as the nominations are received, including candidate contact information. It is the responsibility of the candidates to publish campaign information about themselves on their own platforms.
Can I vote by mail, telephone, or online?
You may cast your ballot in person on any of the advance or general voting days, or by mail. You may only vote once, regardless of the method you choose.
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The Spring Chipping Program is now well under way!
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Residents EAST of Memorial Avenue to have their chipping out by 8 am, March 22 (finishing soon)
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Residents WEST of Memorial Avenue to have their chipping out by 8am, April 12
Follow the guidelines below for a smooth pickup:
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- ONE pile per property
- Small trees, branches, woody shrub
- materials
- Maximum pile of 8ft x 8ft x 5ft high
- Wood under 4 inches in diameter
- Neatly stacked at the roadside with butt ends facing the same direction
NO
- Grass clippings, leaves, soft plant materials
- Piles in excess of 8ft x 8ft x 5ft high
- Piles with gravel, dirt, or roots with dirt
- Wood in excess of 4 inches in diameter
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The Town has restarted its Public Open House meetings with a member of Council in a new electronic format.
Join us on the second Wednesday of the month, at 10am.
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The Town invites photographers of all ages and abilities to enter the “Our Town - Photo Contest”.
Residents and visitors will have all year to submit their best shots, taken within the Town boundaries.
There are five photo categories to enter:
- My Community: show us what unique elements you love about our community.
- Hidden Gems: is there a location you have discovered that is a secret gem?
- Going Green: show us how you are going green - biking, composting, using alternative power sources or watering systems?
- Youth: for those under 19 yrs, show us what you enjoy about living in the Town.
- Seasons: show us the beauty you see in each changing season.
The top photo in each category will win a gift card to a local business, a framed copy of their image, and have their work exhibited at The Old School House (TOSH) Arts Centre in January 2022.
The contest is open throughout the year, closing on November 30, 2021, and the winners will be announced in December 2021.
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Grants-in-Aid for COVID-19 |
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The Town will be providing a grants-in-aid program to be used for community groups that have been negatively affected by COVID-19.
The total grant-in-aid budget will be $75,000, with a maximum award for an organization or group being $5,000.
Applications and guidelines are available on our website. The deadline to apply is April 9, 2021.
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No Dogs on the Beach - March to April |
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Dogs are not permitted on any public beach between March 1 to April 30 (on-leash or off-leash). Dog owners may be subject to a fine of $100, as per Animal Control Bylaw No. 649. |
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Council Meeting Summaries |
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Missed what decisions Council made at one of their meetings? Don’t worry. We have you covered. Check out our Council Corner for quick overviews now!
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Notice of Parcel Tax Review Panel
Notice is given that the Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel will meet to hear complaints and correct the Assessment Rolls on April 28, 2021, at 9:30 am via Zoom. The panel will hear complaints as to:
- Ensure names and addresses of the owners are correct
- Whether or not the parcels of land abut the water and/or sewer mains, and
- Errors or omissions respecting the inclusion of property on the roll
The Parcel Tax Assessment Rolls for water, sewer, and regional parks will be open for inspection at Town Hall, 9 am - 1pm, Mon to Fri, from April 7 to April 26. Notice of complaint must be received by the Town at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. Written notices may be sent to qbtown@qualicumbeach.com or dropped off at Town Hall. To register to comment via Zoom, go to www.qualicumbeach.com/council-live-streaming.
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Notice of Disposition
The Town of Qualicum Beach gives notice, pursuant to Section 26 of the Community Charter, that the Town intends to sell land, located as follows:
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504 Juniper Drive, legally described as PID 031-032-532; Lot B, DL 78 and 112; Nanoose District; Plan EPP96410, to Harbour Mill Holdings Inc. for a sale price of $341,000 plus GST; and
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189 Sunningdale Road West, legally described as PID 004-190-513, Block 17, District Lots 57 and 58, Newcastle District, Plan 2005, to 1100916 BC Ltd. for a sale price of $745,000.
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Committee of the Whole - Wed, April 21, at 10am via Zoom. Go to qualicumbeach.com/council-live-streaming
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Regular Council Meeting - Wed, April 28, at 10am via Zoom. Go to qualicumbeach.com/council-live-streaming
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Parcel Tax Court of Revision - Wed April 28, at 9:30 am. Go to qualicumbeach.com/council-live-streaming
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Advance Voting Dates: Wed, May 5 & Wed, May 12, 2021, at the Civic Centre.
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General Voting Day: Sat, May 15, 2021, at the Civic Centre.
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