COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates

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City Hall

April 9, 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 governement, 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 social 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

WATCH NOW: Mayor Carol Leclerc provides a COVID-19 update (April 9)

Find all of Mayor Leclerc's video updates here

City Facilities Status - Updated Friday, March 27, 2020, at 10:25 am

If you have questions related to COVID19 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	Closed to the public. Essential services only: please contact us for details.	Phone: 250-635-6311 Email: cityhall@terrace.ca In person: Please call or email first.
Fire Department Administration Office	Closed to the public.	Phone: 250-638-4734 Email: firehall@terrace.ca In person: Please call or email first.
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	Closed to the public. Essential services only: please contact us for details.	Phone: 250-615-4000 Email: pw@terrace.ca or developmentservices@terrace.ca In person: Please call or email first.
Emergency Services (fire, police, EMT)	Unaffected.	Please call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions – Updated Thursday, April 9, at 5:00 pm

General Questions

Can I visit the City of Terrace offices in person?
All City offices were closed to the public as of 4:30 pm on Monday, March 16. This includes City Hall, the Fire Department Administration Office, the Sportsplex, the Terrace & District Aquatic Centre, and our Public Works and Development Services facility. Emergency services, including fire, police, and EMT, are not affected by this closure. Read the full statement from Mayor Carol Leclerc here.

As of Tuesday, March 24, most staff are now working from home in order to do our part to maintain physical distance while still ensuring we can provide the essential services our community needs. Essential services include

RCMP and fire services,
regular garbage, recycling, and organics pickup,
road maintenance and repairs,
building inspections, and
bylaw enforcement, among others.

Staff members are still available to assist you by phone and email. If you’re not sure who to call, please call our main switchboard at 250-635-6311 and we will point you in the right direction.

Please check https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/department-contacts for a list of all contact information.

We recognize there may be instances where we have to make exceptions to ensure the public can access services, but we will do this by appointment only and only under very limited circumstances. Please contact the relevant department if this applies to you.

I am a contractor who needs to enter City facilities. Can I still do this?
Please call ahead to make arrangements.

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

Mayor and Council

Is the City going to declare a state of local emergency?
The City’s Emergency Operations Centre was activated on March 12 and we have been working to protect our community and prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Terrace is doing everything we can to support the State of Provincial Emergency declaration. We have been participating in regular conference calls with the province, which is providing CAOs and mayors with guidance on how best to respond to the many different aspects of this pandemic. The City of Terrace is not considering declaring a State of Local Emergency at this time. The Declaration of a Provincial State of Emergency that has been put in place by the Province is meeting the City’s needs and Council supports the province’s request for a coordinated response.

What meetings have been cancelled or postponed?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some scheduled meetings have been cancelled or postponed. We regret any inconvenience this causes.

Tuesday, March 17: Housing Committee meeting – Cancelled.
Monday, March 23: Public Hearing – Postponed. When the Public Hearing is rescheduled it will be re-advertised as per the original meeting notifications.
Monday, March 23: City Council Meeting – Postponed. The next regular Council meeting is Tuesday, April 14. We will endeavour to hold this meeting as scheduled while complying with the Provincial guidelines around public gatherings.

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

Administration and Finance

Will there be an extension for property tax deadlines?
Please be aware that any decisions to postpone deadlines will come from the province to us, so we will keep you updated as we learn more.

Is the City going to reconsider the proposed 7.4% tax increase for 2020?
We recognize that these are challenging and uncertain times for everyone. We are reviewing our 2020 budget and are looking for items that can be adjusted without hindering our ability to provide services. The City is facing losses in revenue, particularly due to the closure of the Aquatic Centre and Sportsplex facilities, and we are not anticipating the ability to significantly reduce the proposed tax increase.

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 June 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.

With our buildings closed, the 10% interest charge will be waived until June 30, 2020, allowing for an additional three months to pay. If our facilities remain closed at this time, this deadline will be reviewed again. City of Terrace Council supports this bylaw amendment, which will be brought forward to the next council meeting.

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 a community economic response team 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 media 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?
Call us at the Public Works office (250-615-4021 or 250-615-4000) or City Hall (250-638-4700) to let us know how many you need and arrange a time to come in for pickup. You will be asked to bring cash or a cheque in an envelope. 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

What if I have business that must be done in person?
Please contact Public Works at 250-615-4021 or 250-615-4000 to arrange a time to come to the office. If required for your transaction, please bring the correct cash or a cheque in an envelope.

Is my garbage, recycling, and organics pickup affected by the office closures?
The Do Your Part Recycling Depot in Thornhill is closed to the public as of 5:00 pm on Friday, March 20, until further notice. This will NOT affect City of Terrace recycling pickups for residential properties. Accepted materials in the curbside recycling collection program will not change, so please do not place glass, foam, plastic bags, and other prohibited materials in your bins. Find reminders on recycling requirements here.

What do I do if I need a building inspection?
Contractors/builders can call 250-615-4000 to book inspections for their projects. Staff will continue to do inspections on new construction. Additions or renos permitted in an occupied dwelling will be inspected "virtually" with the owner/contractor asked to take and email photos to the building licensing department. We will limit entry into occupied residences as much as we can. Commercial project permits will continue to be inspected.

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

Leisure Services

Can I use City parks, playgrounds, and sports courts?

In support of the provincial order for social distancing in effect in BC, all City of Terrace playgrounds, basketball courts, pickleball courts, and tennis courts are now closed. Signs will be posted at these facilities.

Will I get an extension on my weight room pass?
Current pool and weight room passes will be extended based on the length of the closure.

My child was registered for swimming lessons. Will they be automatically registered in the next session?
Children registered in swimming lessons will be automatically placed in the next session. If there are changes to this plan, we will provide updates here.

I registered for fitness class at the Sportsplex. Will I be registered in the next session?
Please stay tuned for information on refunds or extensions for those who have prepaid for classes.

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?
The Ferry Island Campground operator is accepting reservations for the campground (season begins May 15), with the understanding that they may be cancelled if recommended by our trusted health authorities. 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.

Other Community Topics

I have a health-related question. Can you help?
The City of Terrace is only able to answer questions regarding City operations during the coronavirus pandemic. Reliable information regarding recommendations and health tips can be found on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s website. Orders, notices, and guidance from the Province is available on their respective website, found here.

What do I do if I see a business that isn’t following the Provincial orders?
The Province recently enabled our compliance and enforcement officers to help with enforcement regarding public health orders. The City continues to support the Province in a coordinated approach in response to this pandemic, and we are putting our resources towards stemming the spread of COVID-19. This includes actively assisting with the public health Orders and what the Province expects of us.

If you see a business operating in a way that concerns you, we encourage you to speak to their management to understand how they are abiding by the orders and recommendations from the Provincial government. If after discussing with management, there is still a concern that the business is operating in contravention of a provincial order, please reach out to our Bylaw department by emailing bylaw@terrace.ca or by calling 250-615-4037.

How you can help

Mills Memorial Hospital is looking for personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers. If you have any unopened PPE that has not expired, please consider donating it to the hospital. Healthcare professionals need gowns, gloves, masks, and eye protection in high quantities. Without these items, the patients cannot be treated. The hospital is calling on vets, dentists, other health professionals, construction, beautician/tattoo salons, other relevant industries, and private citizens to donate. They will warehouse and inventory all of the donations and will gladly return it to you if they don't need it. Please contact the hospital for a drop-off location or to arrange for safe collection. Do not drop off any donations at the hospital.

Contact: 250-639-0018 or philipmaher7@gmail.com