December 17, 2021
Councillor Armand Hurford is here with your look ahead at what’s coming up at the next and last Council meeting of 2021.

Limited public attendance is allowed in Council Chambers but watching and participating online is still encouraged.


TAKING CARE OVER THE HOLIDAYS: REVISED ORDERS IN EFFECT MONDAY, DECEMBER 20
To address rising COVID-19 case counts and keep people safe, the provincial health officer is issuing revised orders, which take effect on Monday, December 20, 2021. Measures will extend to January 31, 2022, at 11:59 p.m., and include:

  • Limiting indoor, personal gatherings, including in rental and vacation properties to the household/residents plus 10 individuals, or one additional household maximum if all are aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated;
  • Requiring the BC Vaccine Card for organized events of all sizes and ensuring the QR code is scanned at events;
  • Seating requirements and restricting movement between tables at food and liquor-serving premises, and reinforcing the need to wear masks when not seated;
  • Limiting venues of 1,000 individuals or more to 50% of the seated capacity with reinforced masking requirements and scanning of the BC Vaccine Card QR code;
  • Pausing all sports tournaments while the order is in effect; and
  • All New Year’s Eve organized gatherings and events will be restricted to being seated-only events, with no mingling or dancing allowed.

In addition to the provincial health officer orders, British Columbians are advised to limit indoor gatherings to those who are fully vaccinated, to ensure proper ventilation indoors, to avoid all travel if not fully vaccinated and to follow the travel advisory issued by the federal government to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada.

A Vaccination Clinic will be held at Quest University (3200 University Boulevard, Squamish) on December 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vancouver Coastal Health is reminding the public to consider our health facilities as safe places for patients. For critical, life-threatening conditions, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department. For other non-life-threatening matters, there are a number of options to seek care during the winter season.
DISTRICT B-SIDES PODCAST – EPISODE 14 OUT NOW
Central Estuary Restoration Project (CERP):/ Restore The Shore

In this episode Mayor Karen Elliott is joined by Squamish Nation Councillor Joyce Williams, CERP staff member Patricia Heintzman and District of Squamish Director of Engineering Chris Wyckham for an in-depth conversation about the history, restoration and governance of the Central Estuary Restoration Project, a multi-phase project that builds on more than 20 years of restoration work in the Squamish River Estuary.


Got an idea for a podcast topic? Send us an email at communications@squamish.ca.
BC TRANSIT SERVICE CHANGES START JANUARY 3
BC Transit and the District of Squamish continually work to match service with demand in order to ensure reliable transportation services are available to their customers. Additional trips will be added to Route 1 Brackendale/Downtown and Route 2 Highlands/Downtown on weekends beginning in January.

In addition, the handyDART service in Squamish will see an increase of service span that will now include service on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bookings for weekend service on the handyDART system must be pre-booked with the handyDART office by 3 p.m. each Friday.
WINTER STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR HOWE SOUND
A strong Pacific frontal system will move onto the B.C. south coast tonight bringing heavy snow to Sea to Sky Highway, Squamish to Whistler. Snow may change to a mixture of rain and snow near Squamish on Saturday afternoon. Total snow accumulations of 25 to 35 cm are forecast before the snow changes to rain or taper off to flurries Saturday evening.

Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.
RENEW YOUR DOG LICENCE
'Tis the season to renew your dog licence!
 
All dogs must be registered within 30 days of moving to Squamish and all dogs over eight weeks must be licensed.
 
Get your dog’s licence before January 31 to qualify for the discounted rate.
 
FIRESMART HOME IGNITION ZONE ASSESSMENTS
The District of Squamish is offering free Firesmart Home Assessments to interested residents of Garibaldi Highlands, Valleycliffe and Paradise Valley beginning February 2022.

These neighbourhoods have been identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan as having an increased risk of wildfire. Home assessments are an opportunity to receive in-person recommendations from a Local Firesmart Representative on how to help reduce your home/property wildfire risk.

Assessments will be by appointment only, take approximately one hour and will be based on the Firesmart Home Assessment Score Card and Firesmart Begins at Home Manual. A member of your household must be present during the assessment.

To book an appointment, contact firesmart@squamish.ca.
WHAT'S ON AT LETSTALKSQUAMISH.CA
Squamish Public Spaces Survey

Which public spaces in Squamish do you love and what makes them great? What areas or things could do with some improvement?

The District of Squamish, in conjunction with OurSquamish Placemaking Society, is inviting your input through a short survey. Launch the survey to help us better understand how people use our public spaces. 


Home Renovation Contractor Readiness Survey

Are you a Squamish builder, contractor, or business involved in renovating existing homes? Help us create a Home Energy Retrofit Strategy by participating in the Home Renovation Contractor Readiness Survey.

Survey results will help us better understand what training or educational support our local industry needs to ensure contractors servicing our region are prepared.
COMMUNITY NOTICES AND EVENTS
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Permits

Permit applications are now open for New Year’s Eve. The permit is free and can be applied for online in just a few minutes.

Any person applying for a fireworks permit must be at least 19 years of age. Fireworks will only be permitted for use on private property with the owner’s signed consent.

Permits are only valid between 6 p.m. Friday,
December 31 and 1 a.m. on Saturday, January 1.

Permit applications close on December 30. A map of the number of permits in each neighbourhood will be published on December 31.
Notice of elector Alternative Approval Process (AAP)

Council is considering Loan Authorization Bylaws in order to borrow funds for six upcoming projects that were approved in the 2021-2025 Financial Plan.

Loan Authorization Bylaws give the District approval to now finance the projects through borrowing.

If you are in favour of these bylaws, you do not need to submit any forms. If you object to one or more of these bylaws, please complete and submit an Elector Response Form for each bylaw you are not in favour of. Council will consider each bylaw separately.
BC Transit Holiday Service

  • December 24: Regular Service
  • December 24 - 26: Sunday Service
  • December 31: Regular Friday Service with Free Service after 8 p.m.
  • January 1: Sunday Service
  • January 2: Regular Service
DEVELOPMENT SHOWCASE ITEMS
Visit the Development Showcase to review and comment on all active development permit applications. See the latest in our Development Showcase here.
UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS


LATEST DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
LATEST BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES



  • New Reservoir Design and Contract Administration - Request for Proposals
  • Waste Water Treatment Plant Circular Suction Header Clarifier - Request for Proposals
  • Firehall 1 Furniture - Request for Proposals
  • Program Administrator Support for Heat Pump Pilot Program - Request for Proposals
  • Budget Software - Request for Information

While the Library is currently closed for renovations until early January, Library take-out is still available from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Loan periods have been extended into the new year. For Library hours and services visit squamishlibrary.ca.
COMING UP AT THE LIBRARY
Tuesday, December 21, 10:30 a.m.
Join the library for a virtual hour of holiday-themed fun. We will sing songs, do a craft, have a puppet show, and of course read a book or two. This event is geared towards children under five years of age. Craft supplies will be provided.
Upcoming Events: