January 28, 2022
SERVICE SUSPENDED IN THE WHISTLER, SQUAMISH AND PEMBERTON TRANSIT SYSTEMS
BC Transit issued an update to its riders in the Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton Valley transit systems, that the Unifor Local 114 union operating under Whistler Transit Ltd. and Diversified Transit has indicated they will take strike action as of 5 a.m. Saturday, January 29.

This action will suspend transit services and our customers’ ability to use the public transit services. At this time BC Transit cannot be certain as to the length of the job action. However, handyDART service in Squamish, which is deemed an essential service, will operate with full-service hours on weekdays.

“The District of Squamish is keeping in close contact with BC Transit on the labour dispute between BC Transit's contractors and their unionized employees. We share in the frustration of our community’s transit riders as we know this will be inconvenient and potentially very difficult for individuals. We hope that the parties will continue their dialogue to find a resolution quickly. Please note that handyDART service is deemed an essential service and is therefore continuing on weekdays.

During the pandemic, we have asked the community many times to focus on kindness and helping others. This job action will impact the ability of essential workers to get to their jobs, people trying to get groceries and to appointments, and young people who use transit to get to school. Please reach out to your neighbours to ask for or offer help during this transit disruption.” 

~ Karen Elliott, Mayor.

Sign up to receive alerts or follow @BCTransit on Twitter for updates. 
MUNICIPAL HALL LEASE VERSUS BUILD: THE FACTS AND CONTEXT
It is true that the District is considering a lease for municipal office space as part of an overall strategy to replace, expand or renovate over $150M+ in built assets. A series of articles and posts have been published on this topic, however many of the assertions made in some posts are incorrect. We want to set the record straight.

A series of articles and posts have been published about the District considering a lease for municipal office space to replace Municipal Hall. It is true that the District is considering a lease for municipal office space as part of an overall strategy to replace, expand or renovate over $150M+ in built assets. Many of the assertions made in some posts are incorrect, however, and we want to set the record straight with the following information.

3 main points to clarify:

  1. The question is not: “Should the District lease versus build municipal hall?”. The question is: “How can the District afford to upgrade two firehalls, the Public Works buildings, Brennan Park (with a new rink, pool and wellness centre), expand the Squamish Public Library, and build new municipal offices?” The District cannot afford to do all these projects in a timeframe that is needed. Leasing municipal office space is being analyzed as a way to afford all these projects over the next decade.
  2. No final decision has been made on lease versus build, no location has been selected, and no preferred developer has been identified or awarded a contract/agreement. The District advertised an Expression of Interest in February 2020 to identify private developer options/opportunities, and multiple proposals were received. A shortlist was prepared, and proposals will be evaluated against the cost of owning before any final decision is made
  3. The District has not discounted the possibility of either building/owning or leasing a new Municipal Hall, potentially in collaboration with other parties. No doors have been closed to any opportunity. Partnership opportunities identified to build/own will be weighed against the costs and benefits of a lease.
DROP-IN CHAT WITH THE MAYOR
Mayor Karen Elliott and Acting Mayor Armand Hurford invite you to the first Mayor’s Drop-In of 2022, Monday, February 7 at 12 p.m. Whether you are new to the community or have called Squamish home for years, these one-hour sessions are an opportunity to ask questions, meet like-minded residents, learn about community projects and initiatives, or simply say hello. This event will be held virtually.

Please RSVP to [email protected].
NOTICE OF ELECTOR ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS SUBMISSION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 4
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 finance the projects through borrowing. Borrowing is a valuable mechanism for municipalities to spread out the cost of a project over its useful life and allows infrastructure costs to be paid not just by today’s taxpayer, but by future users as well. Borrowing is used in addition to grants, cash from reserves, Development Cost Charges and property taxes. 

The Loan Authorization Bylaws include:

  • Bylaw 2845 – Public Works Facility
  • Bylaw 2846 – New Firehall 2
  • Bylaw 2847 – Pioneer Way Extension
  • Bylaw 2848 – Xwu’nekw Park Sea Dike Upgrade
  • Bylaw 2489 – Fire Replacement Pumper Truck
  • Bylaw 2850 – Technology Transformation Project

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 before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 4. Council will consider each bylaw separately.

RECYCLING TIP OF THE WEEK
Glass containers such as bottles and jars are the #1 curbside recycling contaminant.

Glass is not accepted in the curbside collection program because it is prone
to breakage which creates a hazard and impacts the ability to sort and divert other recyclables. Bring your glass to the GFL Recycling Depot or the Squamish landfill
Recycle Depot for safe and proper handling and help us reduce recycling contamination
in our community.

Remember: The only materials in your curbside recycling tote should be paper or packaging.
DOG LICENCE RENEWAL DISCOUNT ENDS JANUARY 31
There are only a few days left to qualify for the discounted rate! Call Animal Control on 604.815.6866 and renew your dog licence over the phone before January 31 to save. In-person payments can be made at Municipal Hall on Second Avenue.

All dogs must be registered within 30 days of moving to Squamish and all dogs over eight weeks must be licensed.
  
FIRESMART HOME IGNITION ZONE ASSESSMENTS
Spaces are still available to interested residents of Garibaldi Highlands, Valleycliffe and District of Squamish residents of Paradise Valley for a free Firesmart Home Assessment.

Firesmart Representatives will operate under the guidance of current Provincial Health Orders (PHO) and ensure health and safety protocols are maintained. Spaces are running out so please visit our website to see available dates and times and book your appointment soon.
COMMUNITY NOTICES AND EVENTS
Residents – do you have storm-damaged branches on your property?

Public Works crews will be chipping storm-damaged branches (up to a maximum of 12 inches in diameter) for residents throughout the community as part of continued winter storm cleanup efforts. Residents are asked to place branches curbside on Monday, February 14. Chipping may take place over several weeks until all homes have been visited. If your storm-damaged branches are not picked up on February 14 a crew will return the following week.
Infrastructure Repairs

The District of Squamish is currently undertaking repairs to a broken watermain on Third Avenue near the bridge to Squamish Terminals. Work is expected to take two to three weeks to complete.

Work will take place on the shoulder of the roadway so impacts to traffic flow are expected to be minimal, however, parking will be impacted in some areas during construction.
Smoke Bluffs park brushing work underway

BC Hydro is currently conducting brushing work in Smoke Bluffs Park in the areas indicated on the maps. Signage will be posted around the park to indicate the areas of work and personnel will be on-site for the duration of the work. The park will remain open to the public during this time, please pay close attention to signage and flagging personnel if using the park.

Work is expected to be completed by Thursday, February 3. 
North Crumpit Community Survey 

Diamond Head Land Company Ltd. is in the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for the area in Squamish referred to as North Crumpit. 

As part of the application, the North Crumpit Project Team is hosting a second community survey to help inform the development of future land-use options at North Crumpit.

To participate in the survey, please visit the project website before February 25 and provide your feedback. 
Request a garbage tote exchange

Requests to change garbage tote
size for delivery in Spring 2023 are
now being accepted. Solid Waste Utility fees will vary based on the garbage tote size you choose. A $50 exchange fee will apply.
 
Please note only garbage tote size changes are possible; organics and recycling tote size changes cannot be accommodated at this time.

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


Tuesday, February 1, at 3 p.m.

Tuesday, February 1 at 6 p.m.

Did you know? All Council Meeting videos are now available with closed captioning. Closed captioning is available through Chrome browsers as a built-in feature that allows users to turn on Live Caption for media within the Chrome environment. Live Caption is only available in English and only in Chrome.

To turn on Live Caption:
LATEST DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
LATEST BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES


• Crosswalk Improvements & Discovery Trail Upgrades - Request for Quotation

• Squamish Municipal Airport Strategic Plan - Request for Proposals

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WHAT'S ON IN RECREATION
Proof of vaccination is required to attend certain programs and activities held at District of Squamish recreation facilities. Visit our website to see Public Health Information and Vaccine requirements.
Come play, explore and move your body in our indoor playground at the 55 Activity Centre filled with slides, soft blocks, balls, tunnels, and more! This unstructured program requires active parent participation. Reduced rates available for the second and additional child in the same family. Drop-ins are permitted for $6.50 if space permits. Children under one are free.

It’s not too late to stretch out your new year’s resolution! Our yoga classes are back up and running at The 55 Activity Centre.

Squamish Recreation Services is excited to
announce the return of the popular Senior Bus Trips! Follow the link to view all the great destinations beginning February 5.
COMING UP AT THE LIBRARY
The library is scheduled to re-open on Monday, January 31. For more information and library hours, visit squamishlibrary.ca
Wednesday, February 2, 7 p.m. (online)
Come make art together! This program is for you if you’re looking to flex your creative muscle, get inspired, and spend time with one another virtually.

Tuesday, February 8, 7 p.m. (online)
Stress is a natural feature of life. Fish, like us, are exposed to stressors and show a stress response, not unlike humans. In this talk, Dr George Iwama will describe how fish respond to stressors.

Thursday, February 17, 6 p.m. (online)
Join the Squamish Public Library, Under One Roof, and the Sea-to-Sky Community Action Team for virtual screening of the film “The Wisdom of Trauma” followed by a community conversation.
Upcoming Events: