City of Fort St. John
10631-100 Street V1J 3Z5 Fort Saint John, BC, Canada

Good morning Winter Citizens! Today, your Snow Fighters are windrowing haul off routes then moving to residential areas in the northwest portion of town. Additional crews are sanding icy sections and clearing priority sidewalks and trails. We will be hauling off snow from 100 Street and 100 Avenue tonight, so please find alternative routes and allow the crews plenty of space to work. Contracted crews are also working in the northwest portion of the city before moving to the D...uncan Cran area of town. Learn more about snow removal at www.fortstjohn.ca//transporta/winter-road-maintenance.html.

Councillor Byron Stewart and Councillor Tony Zabinsky discuss the 2021 Community Awards categories! Nominate someone today by visiting https://www.fortstjohn.ca//annual-ci/community-awards.html.

A Special Open Council Meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 4 pm to discuss the RCMP Building Construction - Letters of Intent for the Mechanical and Electrical Contractors. The complete agenda can be found at www.fortstjohn.ca//loca/mayor-council/agendas-minutes.html. Based on the recent order from the Provincial Health Officer, Council meetings will no longer be open for the public to attend; however, you can watch them live or as recordings at www.fortstjohn.ca//local-/mayor-council/council-video.html, on the City’s Facebook Page or the City’s Youtube channel.

UPDATE 3:15 pm: Telephone and internet services have been restored. We are currently experiencing an outage affecting our telephone and internet services. Visit our website at www.fortstjohn.ca for answers to most questions.

We continue to highlight some of the bright spots from 2020! Today, we look at the Festival Plaza which broke ground last summer. This project will construct a flexible and adaptable structure where the community can go to enjoy arts and culture, public events, and community events while having surety around weather and amenities. The design of the plaza has strong influences from local ecology, landforms, culture and events. The following describes the primary design featur...es planned for Festival Plaza: - Eight leaning wood poles around the main performance oval mimicking the placement of natural wood poles as the skeleton structure of a teepee. Four of the poles will include upward facing lights that intersect approximately 75m off the ground, providing a lit impression of teepee poles converging high in the sky that can be seen from afar; - An open-air building with a capacity of 300 people that can accommodate a variety of functions such as markets, performances, social events and exercise classes. The building is very transparent with primarily clear glazing around all four walls, with roll-up doors on two facades allowing for free movement of people in and out of the building; - Artistic paving patterns throughout the site with a variety of coloured concrete surfaces. One feature includes a river passing through the entire site that, in plan-view, mimics the exact alignment of the Peace River as it passes through the Fort St. John region; - Bronze paw prints impressed directly into the concrete surfaces, with life-like representations of black bear, moose and wolf prints randomly placed along the concrete river feature. Prints will be placed in precise configurations to exactly replicate true gaits and spacing of each animal; and - Fire obelisks that include a large gas-fueled fire cauldron within an enclosed steel structure. Bases are constructed of pre-cast concrete and masonry material. Each of the four structures will include black painted steel above the bases, featuring imagery created by local artists that is inspired by one of four themes. Learn more about the project at www.fortstjohn.ca//rec/centennial-park-festival-plaza.html.

There are some changes to the garbage and recycling collection schedules for the holidays. If your collection falls on either Friday, December 25 or Friday, January 1, your collection will occur the following Monday. Find your schedule and get reminders at https://www.fortstjohn.ca//community/garbage-recycling.html.

Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Garth Frizzell, President of Federation of Canadian Municipalities, announced $11.5 million in funding for the net-zero replacement Fort St. John RCMP Detachment project through the Green Municipal Fund (GMF). The funding includes $1.5 million as a grant and $10 million as a loan. Read more at https://www.fortstjohn.ca//canada-and-fcm-announce-support.

Topics include: - Recognition of 2020 Long Service Awards - Recognition of Educational Achievement - Ashley Murphy, Registered Professional Planner - Staff Memo regarding FCM Membership Invoice 2021-2022 - School District 60 letter regarding Rural Student Connectivity... - Truck Loggers Association letter regarding Community Member Initiation - NDIT 2021 Business Façade Improvement Grant - Ratification of Council Survey Poll - Contribution to Urban Matters for Service Needs Assessment - Non-profit Organizations Classifications - BC Assessment - ALR Exclusion Process Update - Bill 15-2019 Legislation Changes - Centennial Park Festival Plaza Funding Agreement - Appointment of Officers Bylaw View the complete agenda at https://www.fortstjohn.ca//mayor-coun/agendas-minutes.html.

Good morning Winter Citizens! Today, your Snow Fighters continue to clear main and collector streets, including windrowing haul off routes. Additional crews are sanding icy sections and clearing trails and priority sidewalks. Contracted crews are working in residential areas in the northwest quadrant of the city. To learn more about winter road maintenance, visit www.fortstjohn.ca//transporta/winter-road-maintenance.html.

Topics include: - Dormant and Orphan Well Legacy Project by the BC Oil and Gas Commission - Best Value Procurement - Kin and Surerus Parks... View the complete agenda at https://www.fortstjohn.ca//mayor-coun/agendas-minutes.html.

BC Hydro and local Indigenous communities have created a travelling cultural exhibit showcasing several artifacts found during the construction of the Site C Project. Learn about the rich history and cultural heritage of the Indigenous communities in the Peace Region through stories, visuals and artifacts. This self-guided and interactive exhibit encourages you to walk through and see artifacts, hear from local Indigenous community members and more. The exhibit is currently a...vailable daily between 10 am and 8 pm in the Visitor Centre inside the Pomeroy Sport Centre. Additional COVID-19 safety precautions and measures are in place.

The agendas for the December 14, 2020 Committee of the Whole and Regular Council meetings have been published; you can view them at www.fortstjohn.ca//loca/mayor-council/agendas-minutes.html. The Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 1 pm in Council Chambers inside City Hall for presentations on the Dormant and Orphan Well Legacy Project by the BC Oil and Gas Commission, Best Value Procurement, and Kin and Surerus Parks. The Regular Council meeting begins at 3 pm also in... Council Chambers, topics include: - Recognition of 2020 Long Service Awards - Recognition of Educational Achievement - Ashley Murphy, Registered Professional Planner - Staff Memo regarding FCM Membership Invoice 2021-2022 - School District 60 letter regarding Rural Student Connectivity - Truck Loggers Association letter regarding Community Member Initiation - NDIT 2021 Business Façade Improvement Grant - Ratification of Council Survey Poll - Contribution to Urban Matters for Service Needs Assessment - Non-profit Organizations Classifications - BC Assessment - ALR Exclusion Process Update - Bill 15-2019 Legislation Changes - Centennial Park Festival Plaza Funding Agreement - Appointment of Officers Bylaw Based on the ministerial order from the Provincial Government and Council Resolution No. 378/20, Council meetings will no longer be open for the public to attend; however, you can watch them live or as recordings at www.fortstjohn.ca//local-/mayor-council/council-video.html, on the City’s Facebook Page or the City’s Youtube channel.

Public Meeting - November 23, 2020 Topic: - Christian Life Centre Removal of Highway Dedication Bylaw... View the complete agenda at www.fortstjohn.ca//loca/mayor-council/agendas-minutes.html.

While everyone has felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant challenges have been realized by local seniors and their related service providers. Recognizing these challenges, the City of Fort St. John has engaged Urban Matters to conduct a gap analysis of services provided by local agencies and then create logistical efficiencies with these organizations to support our seniors better. Read more at https://www.fortstjohn.ca//city-supports-senior-service-pr.

Effective at midnight tonight, a new province-wide Provincial Health Order will come into effect. Some of the changes, include: Masks mandatory in indoor public spaces No social events or gatherings... No non-essential travel No spectators for indoor or outdoor sports Read more at https://www2.gov.bc.ca//covid-19-provincial-s/restrictions

Regular Council Meeting - November 23, 2020 Topics: - Memo regarding Canada Post Community Mailboxes - TEAAM Aeromedical - Request for Letter of Support... - Festival Plaza - FTE Reallocation - Communities in Bloom and Winter City Strategies - Fire Department Apparatus and Station Decon System - Sidewalk Regulations Bylaw View the complete agenda at www.fortstjohn.ca//loca/mayor-council/agendas-minutes.html.

The agendas for the November 23, 2020 Committee of the Whole, Regular Council and Public meetings have been published; you can view them at www.fortstjohn.ca//loca/mayor-council/agendas-minutes.html. The Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 2 pm in Council Chambers inside City Hall for a presentation from the Seventh Day Adventist Church regarding their 2021 Grant-in-Aid in Lieu of Permissive Tax Exemption. The Regular Council meeting begins at 3 pm also in Council Cham...bers, topics include: - Memo regarding Canada Post Community Mailboxes - TEAAM Aeromedical - Request for Letter of Support - Festival Plaza - FTE Reallocation - Communities in Bloom and Winter City Strategies - Fire Department Apparatus and Station Decon System - Sidewalk Regulations Bylaw There is also a Public Meeting beginning at 6 pm regarding the Christian Life Centre Removal of Highway Dedication Bylaw in Council Chambers. We have re-opened Council Chambers, for the public to attend in person. Can’t make it or would rather watch online? Visit www.fortstjohn.ca//local-/mayor-council/council-video.html, the City’s Facebook Page or Youtube channel for live or recorded Council meetings.

Committee of the Whole Meeting - November 23, 2020 Topic: - Presentation from Seventh Day Adventist Church regarding their 2021 Grant-in-Aid in Lieu of Permissive Tax Exemption... View the complete agenda at www.fortstjohn.ca//loca/mayor-council/agendas-minutes.html.

While this year's Santa Claus Celebrations will look different, our Recreation Staff put together a week-long program of activities to celebrate winter and the holiday season beginning December 1. Learn more at www.fortstjohn.ca//modified-santa-claus-celebrations-relea.

The City of Fort St. John has ratified agreements with the BCGEU and IAFF. These agreements ensure stability and certainty for our community while recognizing our dedicated and hardworking employees. Read more at www.fortstjohn.ca/EN/main/news-events/latest-news.html.

Outstanding Utilities Billing balances must be paid by December 31 to avoid being transferred to your Property Taxes. Learn more about Utilities Billing at www.fortstjohn.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-billing.html.

Good morning Winter Citizens! Today, your Snow Fighters are clearing main and collector streets, sanding intersections, clearing bus stops, and clearing priority sidewalks and trails. Contracted Snow Fighters are working in the CM Finch area, clearing residential streets. Yes, this changed from yesterday when we announced they would start in the northeast due to garbage and recycling collection in that area. Learn more about snow clearing operations at www.fortstjohn.ca//transporta/winter-road-maintenance.html.

Good morning Winter Citizens! Today your Snow Fighters are conducting haul off operations in the downtown core, meaning there will be road closures and delays. Please remember to park off the street, give yourself an extra few minutes to get where you are going this morning, and find alternative routes if required. Additionally, crews continue to clear priority sidewalks and trails, sand slippery sections, and contracted crews are working in the CM Finch and Bert Ambrose areas north of 112 Avenue on residential streets. Learn more about snow clearing at www.fortstjohn.ca//transporta/winter-road-maintenance.html.

Councillor Tony Zabinsky and Councillor Byron Stewart provide some information on how to get involved with the 2021 Community Awards! Nominate someone today or become a sponsor by visiting www.fortstjohn.ca//annual-city-events/community-awards.html.

*UPDATE: Contracted Snow Fighters will begin work in the CM Finch area due to garbage and recycling collection occurring in the northeast quadrant of the city. Due to the amount of snow we have received over the past 24 hours, contracted Snow Fighter will begin snow removal on residential roads. They will begin near Northern Lights Drive and 86 Street. Remember to park off the street and remove any hazards such as basketball hoops from the road.

Crews have started preparations for our outdoor ice surfaces; however, due to the warming temperatures over the next week or so, they cannot start making ice yet.

Good morning Winter Citizens, today your Snow Fighters are clearing roads in the Mathews Park area, sanding slippery sections, and clearing sidewalks and trails. Learn more about snow clearing at www.fortstjohn.ca//transporta/winter-road-maintenance.html.

Remember in place this Remembrance Day and watch the Fort St. John Service from your own home. Please refrain from visiting the Cenotaph on 105 Avenue and 102 Street tomorrow morning.

Today at the Committee of the Whole meeting, Council was provided with an update on the New RCMP Detachment's construction status. This project uses a design technique called an Integrated Design Team, which brings together a team of professionals, including architects, engineers, and project managers, to collaboratively design the building. Instead of a cost-based approach seen in typical construction projects, this value-based approach leads to greater efficiencies, improve...d designs, and higher quality projects. As part of this process, construction starts before the design is fully completed, and therefore scopes of work are modified. This is accounted for in the Design Contingency portion of the budget, representing $2.2 million or 4% of the entire project budget. In the update to Council, it was noted that 71% of the Design Contingency has now been allocated, and represents the project nearly completing the design phase. In total, the project remains on budget, with only 31% of the $6.1 million total contingencies utilized to date. While there have been some delays in the project, the project remains on target to open in early 2022. RCMP Detachments are one of the most expensive buildings a municipality builds and owns, and this project is jointly funded between the City of Fort St. John and the RCMP. Through yearly lease payments, the RCMP will pay for 37.5% of the project with the City responsible for the remainder through reserve funds and grants, including the Peace River Agreement. Stay up to date with the progress of the project and learn more at www.fortstjohn.ca//facilities-buildin/rcmp-detachment.html.

Calling all Graphic Designers! We have issued a Request for Qualifications to create a pool of qualified proponents to provide graphic design services on future projects. For more information, visit www.fortstjohn.ca//request-for-qualifications-graphic-desi

Regular Council Meeting - October 26, 2020 Topics include: - Proclamation - Respiratory Therapy Week - Development Variance Permit - Ditmarsia Holdings Ltd. - Request to Vary Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw... - Base Budget Grant Council Policy - Extension of the City’s Temporary Outdoor Patio Program - 2021 Council Meeting Dates - Income Statement Forecast for 2020 - Tender Award - 2020 - 2023 Residential Refuse and Recycling Collection Contract - North Peace Airport Society - Appointment to the Board of Directors - Fort St. John Curling Club - Sole Source New Chiller - Animal Control Bylaw - Water Regulation Amendment Bylaw - Sewer Use Regulation and Charges Amendment Bylaw - Solid Waste Management Amendment Bylaw - Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw View the complete agenda at www.fortstjohn.ca//loca/mayor-council/agendas-minutes.html.

Today, we launched the Light up your Business Grant! This grant, available for downtown businesses, is supported through the Mayor’s Standing Committee on Economic Recovery and Resiliency, to support businesses and encourage residents to shop locally. Read more at https://www.fortstjohn.ca//city-launches-light-up-your-bus.

Committee of the Whole - October 26, 2020 Topics: - Presentation from the Municipal Insurance Association of BC - RCMP Building Construction Update... View the complete agenda at https://www.fortstjohn.ca//mayor-coun/agendas-minutes.html.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 Community Awards. With the success of the online 2020 Community Awards Gala, we are already planning for the 2021 Community Awards. The 2020 Community Awards Gala reached over 5,600 viewers on various social media platforms. This year's theme is Acts of Kindness: A Reflection on Covid-19 and the virtual gala will take place on April 29, 2021. Read more at www.fortstjohn.ca//2021-community-award-nominations-now-ac.

October 26, 2020 has been proclaimed "School Library Day" in the City of Fort St. John. The proclamation was requested at the October 13, 2020 Regular Council meeting by Stacey Nimmo of School District 60. Libraries are partners in fostering lifelong learning and fulfill a vital role in helping people of all ages and from all backgrounds access the information and services they need to learn, work and thrive. School Library Day celebrates the central role that school librarie...s play in the education and development of young people. To further raise awareness, we lit up Centennial Park in the colours of the Fort St. John Public Library. To find out more about making a proclamation request or presenting to Council visit www.fortstjohn.ca//mayo/submit-information-to-council.html.

Yesterday, crews successfully installed this almost 3 foot diameter High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) sewer pipe through the horizontal drill they have been working on near the Alaska Highway. This pipe will increase the sewer capacity in the Mathews Park, Toboggan Hill Park and Totem Mall areas of the city. Learn more about Capital Projects at www.fortstjohn.ca/EN/main/community/projects.html.

The Rural Water Dispensing Station located in Charlie Lake will be closed tomorrow due to scheduled maintenance. The Rural Water Dispensing Station on 116 Street will remain open. Learn www.fortstjohn.ca//wa/rural-water-dispensing-stations.html.

Together with BC Transit, the City of Fort St. John transit services are free tomorrow, October 24, 2020, as part of election day! Free transit will be available all day on all routes in the Fort St. John Transit System. handyDART services will also be free for those who will be using these services to go vote. Visit bctransit.com/fort-st-john for route and schedule information.

Milo MacDonald, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Fort St. John provides an update on the North Peace Arena and why the City has delayed the opening until January 2021.