COVID-19 Updates

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City Hall

July 31, 2020

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The City of Terrace is committed to ensuring citizens are kept informed of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are taking direction from the federal government, provincial government, Northern Health, and the BC Centre for Disease Control in order to do our part to help minimize the spread of this virus. This includes recommendations for physical distancing, a tactic to minimize close contact with others in the community by avoiding crowding and cancelling public gatherings, among other measures.

Latest News

See all City of Terrace news

Business News

Videos

Find all of Mayor Leclerc's video updates here

City Facilities Status - Updated Friday, July 3, 2020, at 12:15 pm

If you have questions related to COVID-19 specifically, please email us at covid19@terrace.ca instead of contacting the departments listed below. Thank you!

Facility	Status	How to stay in touch
City Hall	Open to the public.	Phone: 250-635-6311 Email: cityhall@terrace.ca In person: 8:30 am–4:30 pm If possible, please have only one member of your household enter City Hall to help maintain physical distancing. Anyone who has been outside of the country recently or who has COVID-19–related symptoms will not be permitted to enter. Plexiglas shields and floor markings have been installed to keep both staff and visitors safe while completing transactions. Hand sanitizer is available inside the door.
Fire Department Administration Office	Closed to the public with limited in-person access on request.	Phone: 250-638-4734 Email: firehall@terrace.ca In person: Please call or email first if possible; in-person meetings will be limited.
Sportsplex	Closed to the public. Essential services only: please contact us for details.	Phone: 250-615-3000 Email: leisureservices@terrace.ca In person: Please call or email first.
Terrace & District Aquatic Centre	Closed to the public. Essential services only: please contact us for details.	Phone: 250-615-3030 Email: leisureservices@terrace.ca In person: Please call or email first.
Public Works/Development Services	Open to the public.	Phone: 250-615-4000 Email: pw@terrace.ca or developmentservices@terrace.ca In person: 8:30 am–4:30 pm Anyone who has been outside of the country recently or who has COVID-19–related symptoms will not be permitted to enter. Plexiglas shields and floor markings have been installed to keep both staff and visitors safe while completing transactions. Hand sanitizer is available inside the door. The number of visitors inside the facilities at any one time will be limited.
Emergency Services (fire, police, EMT)	Unaffected.	Please call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions – Updated Friday, July 31, 2020, at 10:30 am

General Questions

Can I visit the City of Terrace offices in person?
In line with the guidelines for Phase 2 of the Province’s Restart BC plan and WorkSafeBC, the City of Terrace opened City Hall and the Public Works/Development Services building as of Monday, June 1. The Sportsplex and Terrace & District Aquatic Centre remain closed to the public until such time that they can be opened safely, cost-effectively, and in line with all regulations.

Please read our news release for details.

In all offices, staff members are also available to assist you by phone and email. Please check https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/department-contacts for a list of all contact information. If you’re not sure who to call, please call our main switchboard at 250-638-4700 and we will point you in the right direction.

Don't see your question answered here? Please email covid19@terrace.ca.

Mayor and Council

Now that City Hall is open again, can I attend Council Meetings and Committee of the Whole Meetings?
Following the latest recommendations from the Federal and Provincial governments, City Hall is open to the public, and that means the public may attend our public meetings in person again.

OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION:

Watch in Council Chambers

Public attendance in Council Chambers will be limited to just two individuals due to the size of this room and our commitment to maintaining physical distancing.
No open beverages will be permitted in Council Chambers at this time—closed water bottles and mugs are permitted.
The Council Chambers are cleaned before and after a meeting and high touch surfaces such as the podium will be cleaned between speakers.
As normal, you have the opportunity to speak directly to Council during a public hearing or during the Questions from the Media and Audience section at the end of a regular council meeting. Be prepared to switch out of the room with other members of the public who may wish to speak. (See below.)

Watch at City Hall via livestream (available during public hearings and regular council meetings)

We are also opening up a room downstairs in City Hall where we will livestream the webcast for anyone interested in attending (room will be set up to maintain physical distancing). Anyone watching in this room may also participate by rotating with those members of the public viewing the meeting in Council Chambers when they have a comment to make, which is permitted either during a public input hearing or during the Questions from the Media and Audience section at the end of a regular council meeting. A staff member will be onsite to assist with this.

Watch via livestream (available for public hearings, committee of the whole meetings, and regular council meetings)

Public meetings continue to be livestreamed through the City of Terrace Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CityofTerrace/) and webcasted on the City of Terrace website (https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/council-webcasts).

Watch or read later

Regular council meeting livestreams are also archived on our website. Find past meeting videos at https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/council-webcasts.
Find minutes from past meetings and agendas for future meetings at https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/council-agendas-and-minutes.

Present to Council

If you’re interested in being a delegation on a council agenda, please contact Ashley Poole at apoole@terrace.ca or 250-638-4724.

If attending a meeting in person, be sure to follow all guidelines in place at City Hall upon your arrival. Please do not consider attending a meeting in person if you are unwell.

We will continue to review our open meeting procedures to ensure best efforts are continuing to be met. If you have any concerns or suggestions regarding open meeting procedures, you are invited to contact Alisa Thompson at athompson@terrace.ca or 250-638-4721.

We look forward to having you join us—virtually or in person!

Don't see your question answered here? Please email covid19@terrace.ca.

Administration and Finance

Will there be an extension for property tax deadlines?
Property taxes are due July 2, as usual. However, the 10% penalty associated with non-payment will be deferred until October 1, 2020. Those who do not pay by 4:30 pm on September 30, 2020, will be charged a 10% penalty on any unpaid current taxes. Those who can meet the usual deadline of July 2 are encouraged to do so. This will help the City maintain its cash flow so it can continue to provide the many services that the community depends on.

Visit our Property Tax page for more information.

Is the City going to reconsider the proposed 7.4% tax increase for 2020?
The City of Terrace has reduced the proposed tax increase from 7.4% to 4.5% in order to help provide relief to both residents and businesses facing the challenging financial implications of COVID-19.

Read the news release here.

Will any due dates be extended for current water and sewer bills for businesses?
Due to the closure of municipal buildings, the 10% interest associated with unpaid 2019 4th quarter billings, due March 31, 2020, will be waived until end of day September 30, 2020.

Background: Businesses are billed for water and sewer on a quarterly basis. The October–December 2019 bill was issued at the end of January 2020. As per our bylaw, customers have 60 days to pay (by March 31, 2020), and if payment is not received by the due date, a 10% interest charge is applied.

The 10% interest charge has been waived until end of day September 30, 2020, allowing for an additional three months to pay. City of Terrace Council recommended this bylaw amendment at the April 23, 2020, budget meeting. See more here.

Are refunds available for BC Transit passes purchased for March and April 2020?
BC Transit is offering a pro-rated refund on March fare products of 42% of the face value based on 13 service days in which fares were not collected. In addition, the full month of April is available for refund. The City of Terrace will be accepting requests for refunds until August 31, 2020. Please visit City Hall in person or contact us by phone at 250-635-6311.

Don't see your question answered here? Please email covid19@terrace.ca.

Economic Development and Business Support

What is the City doing to support local businesses?
To respond to local business needs and help businesses navigate through and make use of available opportunities, the City of Terrace established the Terrace & District Economic Response Team along with the Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures 16/37, Kermodei Tourism, and the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, with input from the Terrace Downtown Improvement Association. Learn more in the news release and also in our main business support section: https://www.terrace.ca/covid19/biz

Where can I find information about business support available at the federal, provincial, and community level?
Check our business support page for a great list of business supports: https://www.terrace.ca/covid19/biz

Don't see your question answered here? Please email covid19@terrace.ca.

Public Works/Development Services

Can I get extra garbage bag tags?
Yes—with the Public Works and City Hall buildings open to the public again as of June 1, you may pick up tags in person. As always, please consider our crews and keep any additional bags to 50 lbs at most. Crews will use gloves and practise physical distancing with the public when picking up curbside bags. Do NOT place any yard waste in these bags. Please DO ensure the bag tag is clearly visible on the bag—stapling it on is best. Bags placed in garbage cans or other containers will not be collected—just place them beside your city-provided garbage bin.

Find more details about our curbside pickup program at https://www.terrace.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling

Is my garbage, recycling, and organics pickup currently affected by the pandemic?
No; curbside pickup is continuing as normal.

Do Your Part Recycling is also open and ready for your recycling drop-offs. The depot is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. Please note that only one person may be in the facility at a time, so you will need to wait outside until it’s your turn to enter. In addition, Do Your Part has informed us that the gates close half an hour before closing time to allow those waiting the time to get in. During the week, gates close at 4:30 pm and on Saturdays, gates close between 3:15 and 3:30 pm as they are usually the busiest days. Learn more on their website.

Find reminders on curbside recycling requirements here.

Don't see your question answered here? Please email covid19@terrace.ca.

Leisure Services

What in-person fitness classes are available?
Outdoor fitness class registration is available now. These programs will be taking place in George Little Park at the stage (rain or shine, so please come prepared). Programs will run for 2 weeks at a time to begin with. If they’re successful, we will continue. Please note we are ONLY accepting pre-registrations. No drop-ins are being accepted at this point.

We hope to expand on our fitness program offerings in the future. We will announce more programming when it becomes available.

Please note that participants are required to practise physical distancing while in attendance. Please do NOT attend if you are feeling unwell. Read our Outdoor Fitness Procedures on our website.

Check class availability here

Is there a way to participate in fitness classes online?
Some of our instructors are posting videos online. Click here for our fitness videos page.

Are summer camps happening for kids?
Summer camps are running June 29 to August 27 for ages 6–12. Camps will have a maximum of 15 kids each. Due to our limited space available, we ask that each child only be registered for one session per week.

4 weekly sessions available:

Monday/Wednesday 9 am–12 pm
Monday/Wednesday 1 pm–4 pm
Tuesday/Thursday 9 am–12 pm
Tuesday/Thursday 1 pm–4 pm

We are committed to following the guidelines from our trusted health authorities and the BC Recreation and Parks Association. Physical distancing is not required, but we have tried to limit contact as much as we can. It’s important that parents and kids understand this is a new situation and although things may not be perfect, we’re all doing our best to make fun activities like this available. Please read the waivers and consent forms we’ve provided when registering online.

As always, please keep kids at home if they’re feeling sick, and do not register your children if they have been out of the country prior to the camp. If your family has been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please do not send your children to camp.

Can I use City sports courts?
The direction to close recreation facilities, including sports courts, was never mandated by provincial health authorities, yet most communities in the province made the decision to close without formal direction, and through an abundance of caution. This cautious approach has helped with flattening the curve of COVID-19; however, many municipalities across the province are now challenged with how a re-activation should happen.

In the City of Terrace, we are starting to re-activate our facilities with direction from the BC Recreation and Parks Association. Exercise and fresh air are good for you, and we want to ensure you have more ways to enjoy that fresh air and exercise while continuing to do your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With that in mind, we have now re-opened the tennis and pickleball courts with temporary Rules of Play, which are posted at each sports court, to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

Courts will be open 8:30 am–7:30 pm daily
Courts will be regularly monitored by City of Terrace parks staff
Washrooms will not be opened on these sites

Please follow the guidelines from the Provincial Health Officer, including maintaining physical distancing from those who do not live in your household, not sharing equipment, and not using these facilities if you’re sick or symptomatic.

The City of Terrace is relying on the public to respect these temporary Rules of Play so we can continue to enjoy these activities. Stay tuned for further updates on our facilities as we move forward with BC’s Restart Plan.

When will playgrounds reopen?
The City of Terrace has now reopened all municipal playgrounds, including George Little Park, Kin Park, and more. Please follow guidelines on signage onsite. Play areas will not be disinfected after use, so if you choose to visit, please help your little ones wash their hands. Kids using the playgrounds are not expected to maintain physical distancing, but we recommend caregivers follow the provincial guidelines of 2 metres or 6 feet from others, whether at playgrounds, sports courts, trails, or fields. As always, stay home if you are unwell, and if there are too many at play, please come back later.

Is the splash park open?
As of June 10, the splash park is open; hours are 11 am to 8 pm. All rules on the existing signs apply, and please also follow guidelines on the new onsite signage. Play areas will not be disinfected after use, so if you choose to visit, please help your little ones wash their hands. Kids using the splash park are not expected to maintain physical distancing, but we recommend caregivers follow the provincial guidelines of 2 metres or 6 feet from others, whether at the splash park, playgrounds, sports courts, trails, or fields. As always, stay home if you are unwell, and if there are too many at play, please stay away (and come back later instead). Park ambassadors will be monitoring numbers, and if the play area is too crowded, they will remind families of the guidelines. If required, they are permitted to turn off the water to encourage crowd dispersal.

What about other indoor facilities?
Reopening facilities is complicated and unique for all municipalities—so please stay tuned for more information and updates from our Leisure Services team coming as soon as we can.

What will happen to my existing membership or punch pass for the Sportsplex or Terrace & District Aquatic Centre?
As of April 29, we are refunding all pool and gym passes, fitness centre passes, and 10-punch passes that were still active at the time of the closure. If you paid for one of these services by credit card, we will do our best to refund the unused portion of your membership to your credit card. All other forms of payment will be credited to your account. If you wish to receive a refund for the unused portion of your membership credited to your account, please either email us at pr@terrace.ca or call the Sportsplex at 250-615-3000.

My child was registered for swimming lessons. Will they be automatically registered in the next session?
All swimming lessons that were scheduled to take place following the closure of the Terrace & District Aquatic Centre due to COVID-19 will be refunded in the coming days (week of April 27). If you paid by credit card, expect a refund to show up on that card. All other payment types will be refunded via cheque. All registrants’ names will be kept on file for when we reopen and set up new swimming lesson schedules. Thank you for your patience and understanding through this unprecedented time.

I require cemetery services. Am I able to visit the office in person?
Cemetery services can be accessed via email and telephone (fax and scan). To schedule an in-person appointment, please call or email before you come to the Sportsplex. Only two people will be allowed in the office at a time, so please consider this when arranging your visit. Please follow the recommended protocols and do not come to the office if you are sick, if you have been around sick people, or have possibly been exposed to COVID-19. To access services or schedule an appointment, please call 250-615-3024 or email lbillson@terrace.ca. Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

Can I still book a campsite at Ferry Island?
Based on the latest recommendations from the provincial government, the City of Terrace has moved to the next step in re-opening the Ferry Island Campground. Smart, safe, and respectful travel is now permitted in BC, so Ferry Island Campground is now open for all Canadian residents.

There are several other regulations you need to know about if you want to camp. View details here.

Please visit the Ferry Island Campground page for reservation info and contact information for additional questions.

Don't see your question answered here? Please email covid19@terrace.ca.