COQUITLAM, B.C., June 15, 2020 – Coquitlam is now accepting appointments for meetings with staff and in-person services at some facilities, with more to come as the City moves forward with its phased reopening.
After being closed since March to protect public health, Coquitlam will partially reopen some of its civic facilities for appointments as the City moves into Stage 2 of its reopening framework in alignment with BC’s Restart Plan. These include City Hall, the Austin Works Yard and the Animal Shelter on June 15, and the Archives on June 22.
Bookings must be made in advance through www.coquitlam.ca/appointments and strict health and cleaning protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.
At this time public hearings are being conducted virtually through Zoom Webinar. To register or find out more about future public hearings, visit www.coquitlam.ca/publichearings.
Look Online First to Save Time
With limited time available for in-person appointments, residents and businesses are encouraged to consider options such as calling, emailing or video-conferencing (see www.coquitlam.ca/contact) or the many online services listed at www.coquitlam.ca/eservices, including:
- Business licence renewals;
- Bylaw enforcement ticket payments and disputes;
- Council meeting minutes, agendas and videos;
- An interactive QtheMap with zoning, facilities, parks, aerial photos and property details;
- The Property Inquiry System for property assessments, legal descriptions, utility and tax levies;
- myCoquitlam for secure online access to utility, tax and dog licence accounts; and
- Inspection scheduling through the WebPermits tool.
Options for Property Tax Payments
There will also be limited availability for in-person property tax appointments, but many payment options exist, including:
Booking an Appointment with the City
Appointments for meetings at City Hall, the Austin Service Centre and the Animal Shelter will be booked through the same registration system used for City recreation programs. New accounts can be set up through www.coquitlam.ca/appointments; appointments may be booked through that page or by calling 604-927-3555 (an account will still be required).
Appointments at City Hall will be available for services such as:
- Coquitlam City Kennels dog boarding drop-off and pick-up; and
- Animal adoptions.
For a full list of available services, go to www.coquitlam.ca/appointments.
Appointments can also be made at:
Coquitlam RCMP is also expected to finalize its plan soon to allow for appointments at the Detachment and Community Police Stations.
Health Protocols in Place
Visitors for appointments at City Hall will be required to enter from Buchanan Square off Burlington Drive and follow the direction of staff and posted signs. One-way foot travel will be established in some areas to ensure safe distancing. Visitors to the Austin Works Yard are asked to report to the main reception desk as usual.
Common touchpoints such as door handles will be cleaned throughout the day, and staff and visitors will be required to follow strict health protocols, including:
- Washing or sanitizing hands;
- Maintaining physical distancing of two metres (six feet) or more at all times;
- Covering coughs and sneezes; and
- Staying home and rescheduling if sick or experiencing symptoms.
Visitors should expect queues and arrive early for their appointments, but may not be admitted to the building until their designated appointment time.
Coquitlam’s Gradual Reopening Framework
The safe and gradual reopening of Coquitlam amenities and facilities is guided by the City’s phased reopening framework, developed in alignment with BC’s Restart Plan. Stage 2, which begins in mid-June, includes the partial reopening of selected facilities on an appointment basis, including City Hall, the Austin Service Centre, the Animal Shelter, Archives and Community Police Stations.
Expanded outdoor activities during Stage 2 include the opening of spray pads June 15, drop-offs at the Town Centre Recycling Depot starting June 17, registered swimming at outdoor pools starting June 27, and registered outdoor recreation, fitness classes and children’s camps.
Stage 3 would see indoor recreation facilities open for limited registered activities and most non-recreation facilities open for limited hours, while Stage 4 calls for the full resumption of services. The timing of both of these stages will rely on direction from the Provincial Health Officer and BC’s Restart Plan. More information can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/covid19.
Supporting Our Community During the Pandemic
The City of Coquitlam is here to help, with these resources:
- Visit www.coquitlam.ca/csrp to learn about the City’s Community Support and Recovery Plan, which is providing immediate and long-term support for the non-profit sector, businesses and residents;
- Visit www.coquitlam.ca/spirit for a free library of activities for all ages, including fitness, arts and culture, outdoor activities and ways to connect with your community; and
- Visit www.coquitlam.ca/covid19 for updates on City services and initiatives and COVID-19 health resources.
Coquitlam residents and businesses are also encouraged to follow the City of Coquitlam on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and download the CoquitlamConnect mobile app for up-to-date City information.