HERE'S A QUICK LOOK at what to expect at Tuesday's council meeting, kicking off at 5:30 p.m. at the Maury Young Arts Centre.
WILDFIRE PROTECTION PROGRAM REVIEW
Council will hear an update on work done in 2019 to protect Whistler from wildfire, which included fuel-thinning projects in Kadenwood, around Spruce Grove, at the Cheakamus Lake Forest Service Road and around critical infrastructure sites.
Council will also consider giving first three readings to a new fire and life safety bylaw at the Dec. 17 meeting, which aims to consolidate all existing fire bylaws to centralize local fire service regulations.
Of particular note in the new bylaw is a fireworks ban, which will restrict the use of fireworks to four days a year (January 1, October 31, November 1 and December 31).
High hazard fireworks displays and pyrotechnics (like those used in the Fire and Ice show) will still be allowed with a permit.
Read more about Whistler's wildfire efforts at www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/planning-wildfire-mitigation-in-whistler/Content?oid=14494209.
SOLID WASTE TIPPING FEE INCREASES
Council will consider an increase to solid waste tipping fees at the Waste Transfer Station in the Callaghan Valley at the Dec. 17 meeting.
Under the new bylaw, the fee for landfill waste would rise to $170 (from $155) to match the fees charged at the Squamish landfill; fees for loads with more than 25-per-cent contamination would rise to $375 a tonne (from $325); fees for biosolids would rise to $150/tonne (from $140); fees for clean, unchipped wood waste would rise to $80/tonne (from $30); fees for dirty wood waste would rise to $135/tonne (from $80); and fees for bulky items like furniture would go up to $170/tonne (from $155).
The fees were last increased at the beginning of 2018, and "costs to manage and dispose of waste [have] increased since then," according to a staff report.
FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN BYLAW
Council will also consider first three readings for the 2020-2024 Five-Year Financial Plan bylaw, which sets out the proposed revenues, expenditures and transfers for the coming years, and guides all municipal operating and capital spending.
The budget is to be based on a 2.8-per-cent property tax increase in 2020, along with two-per-cent increases to sewer, water parcel and solid waste fees.
The 2020-2024 proposed projects list includes 164 projects, with a total possible spend of $41 million in 2020 (including up to $10 million carried over from 2019).
The total municipal budget is worth $90.4 million next year, up from $87 million in 2019.
Read more here: www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/whistler-budget-guidelines-presented-to-council/Content?oid=14745343.
Find Whistler's budget documents at www.whistler.ca/budget.
Find the full council package at https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-gov/council/meeting-agendas-and-minutes.
Pick up Thursday's Pique for more from council.
