June 2015
More City info inside! The City of Port Coquitlam produces Update newsleƩers to inform the community about City news, services and opportuniƟes to get involved. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/update for back issues, and find out how to stay connected with the City at www.portcoquitlam.ca/connected.
LIVE MUSIC AND DANCE
F R E E! Crews install new spray features at Lions Park.
VILLAGE VIBE
Join us for another summer of local arts and entertainment! Info and performance updates:
www.portcoquitlam.ca/leighsquare
CINEMA UNDER THE STARS Sun Valley July 10, 9 pm: Maleficent (PG) Park July 24, 9 pm: Big Hero 6 (PG)
F R E E!
Gates Aug. 7, 8:45 pm: Tomorrowland (PG) Park Aug. 21, 8:45 pm: Avengers Age of Ultron (PG 13) In the event of rain, the film will be moved to the following Friday. Films subject to change: check website or call 604.927.8400.
Saturdays, 2-4 pm in Leigh Square, July & August • Move to the Beat – opening and dance showcase: July 5 • Dancing in the Square – professional dancers and free lessons: July 11, 18 and 25 • Music in the Square – emerging musician series featuring various genres: August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
MUSIC IN THE PARK Sundays, 2-4 pm in Lions Park, July & August Professional musician series featuring various genres.
FARMERS MARKET Thursdays, 3-7 pm until Sept. 25 in Leigh Square Drop by for locally grown, made and baked items, plus entertainment, kids’ activities, weekly themes and more. Admission is F R
E E!
Also: visual art exhibits, kids’ art camps and more!
See inside for more summer fun info! www.portcoquitlam.ca
Spray features coming soon to Lions Park More improvements are coming to Lions Park this summer. New spray features will be installed by June 29, in time for Canada Day (see next page). New picnic shelters will follow in August, completing a major renovation that has included a new children’s playground, washroom, promenade pathway and gathering plaza. For details, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/lionspark.
Got
beetle mania ?
Want to reclaim your lawn from the European Chafer Beetle? Consider applying nematodes – microscopic worms that feed on Chafer grubs. Nematodes can be applied in late July and are available from gardening centres and professionals. The City is waiving the $30 fee for sprinkling permits for nematode applications, some of which need to be watered more frequently than permitted by the sprinkling restrictions (see next page). Ultimately, the best defence against the Chafer Beetle is a healthy lawn. The City bans pesticide use but promotes natural lawn care techniques. For info and videos about maintaining your lawn, dealing with Chafer Beetle and sprinkling permits, go to www.portcoquitlam.ca/chaferbeetle.
June 2015
Cultural Plan: Thanks for having your say Mark your calendar
July 1 – Canada Day: Lions Park 8-11:30 a.m. and Castle Park noon to dusk. www.portcoquitlam.ca/canadaday Aug. 16 – Downtown Car Show: hosted by the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Port Coquitlam. www.pocobia.com
More than 600 people provided their insights this spring for the development of the City’s new CITY OF P RT COQUITLAM Cultural Plan. Entitled Imagine Port Coquitlam, the plan will define the community’s culture and guide our investment in arts and cultural services over the next decade. Input from stakeholders – including residents, businesses and groups – was collected through an online survey, interviews, focus groups, a postcard project and other methods. The draft plan reflecting the input will be presented to Council in September. Info: www.portcoquitlam.ca/culturalplan.
Put the gadgets away and play! From preschoolers to youths, there’s something for kids of all interests at the City’s summer day camps. Pick up a summer camps booklet at City facilities or go to www.portcoquitlam.ca/camps for information. Register at www.experienceit.ca or 604.927.PLAY.
Plan a Throwing a block party is a terrific way to meet your neighbours, build a sense of neighbourhood, show your PoCo Pride, and just plain have fun. The City provides barricades to block off City streets, along with information and resources. Info: www.portcoquitlam.ca/blockparty.
HOT SUMMER NIGHTS
Invite the local fire crews to your next block party or neighbourhood event through the Hot Summer Nights program. Meet local firefighters, check out the fire equipment and learn about fire and helmet safety. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/fire for details and to fill out a Public Education Request Form.
Sort it Right!
Sort waste properly to avoid paying double in disposal fees
The City is now closely monitoring the contents of green carts to prevent major spikes in disposal costs. Service may be suspended for households that continue PlasƟc bags are not to put the wrong things in their green carts after receiving warning notices and permiƩed in green carts – even if marked letters. Learn what can go in green carts biodegradable or at www.portcoquitlam.ca/greencart. compostable.
Make a splash
Lock it Right!
Beat the heat at one of our spray parks or indoor and outdoor pools this summer. Outdoor pools open on June 26, but may open June 20 if weather permits. For information and schedules, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/pools.
Recent changes to Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw 3880 mean properties now have a greater incentive to comply with fire safety regulations. Higher fees have been introduced for properties that fail the inspections that are required to maintain their business licence and meet the BC Fire Code. The initial inspection is free, but sites that fail and require re-inspections will pay fees based on a sliding scale. Additionally, some buildings will be inspected less frequently to reflect the added fire protection offered by sprinkler systems. Info: www.portcoquitlam.ca/firebylaw.
Help keep wildlife away with new waste cart locks
New wildlife-resistant cart locks are being g delivered to homes that receive City waste services. Help keep bears away by using the locks on your garbage and green cart. Just follow the easy instructions delivered with the locks or at www.portcoquitlam.ca/lock. More bear safety tips: www.portcoquitlam.ca/bears. s.
Tel: 604.927.5411 • Fax: 604.927.5360 • Email: info@portcoquitlam.ca
Changes for fire inspecƟons
Sprinkling rules June 1- Sept 30 • •
NO EV EN IN G SP R IN K LI N G JU N 1ͳSE P
30
Even-numbered homes may sprinkle 4-9 a.m. Mon, Wed, Sat. Odd-numbered homes may sprinkle 4-9 a.m. Tue, Thu, Sun.
Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/sprinkling for information about rules for commercial properties and permits for new turf and for nematode applications (for Chafer Beetle infestations).
www.portcoquitlam.ca
CITY OF P RT COQUITLAM
Where do your property tax dollars go? our children attend, and the police and fire services that keep us safe. Similar to last year’s PoCo at Work Week, we’ll be documenting our journey on video as we explore the City’s services. Drop by www.portcoquitlam.ca/pocoatwork or watch the City’s Facebook feed to see for yourself where your tax dollars go. To learn about how your taxes will be spent in 2015, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/budget. Mayor Greg Moore
MESSAGE FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL Next week, Council will once again go behind the scenes to take a closer look at some of the City’s services during PoCo at Work Week June 15-19. Cities are the closest level of government to citizens and provide many of the services we rely on every day, such as the water for our morning coffee, the roads and sidewalks that take us to work or school, the after-school programs
From leŌ: Cllr. Glenn Pollock, Cllr. Brad West, Cllr. Dean Washington, Mayor Greg Moore, Cllr. Mike Forrest, Cllr. Darrell Penner, and Cllr. Laura Dupont.
The average singlefamily dwelling (valued at $527,408) in Port Coquitlam pays only $243.54/month for a wide range of City services.
Administrative: $23.83/month
Infrastructure Funding: $21.26/month
Waste Collection: $15.19/month
Debt Repayment: $9.64/month
Engineering Services: $8.46/month
2015 property taxes are due July 2 • Skip the line – pay online through your financial institution or check out other options at www.portcoquitlam.ca/taxes. • Manage your City bills and licences online – sign up for MyPortCoquitlam at www.portcoquitlam.ca/online. • Apply for your annual homeowner grant online at www.portcoquitlam.ca/e-hog.
www.portcoquitlam.ca: City services, news and more: • PoCoMAP interactive mapping tool. • Community Calendar – events, meetings, etc. • Council meeting agendas, minutes, and live and archived meeting videos. • Home Owner Grants – claim online. • MyPortCoquitlam – manage your my P rtCoquitlam City bills and licences online. • Online Payments – renew dog and business licences, pay ticket and more.
www.portcoquitlam.ca
Water & Sewer: $61.08/month
Policing: $39.18/month
How to stay connected www.experienceit.ca: register online for recreation programs. www.pocomotion.ca: Info for an active and healthy lifestyle.
Parks & Recreation: $36.65/month
Fire & Emergency: $28.25/month
Get waste collection reminders, tips and more with the PoCo Waste-Line App. Download it free at www.portcoquitlam.ca/wasteline.
e-Update
Sign up to get City news by email at www.portcoquitlam.ca/e-update.
Follow us! Links at www.portcoquitlam.ca/connect.
Activities and events for youth.
2580 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2A8