Port Moody city hall is open again.
Beginning Monday, three customer service counters on the first floor will be open for drop-in service from 9 a.m. to noon and then from from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The counters, as well as the galleria, will be closed from noon to 1:30 p.m. for cleaning.
The open counters are: reception/legislative services; planning/building/bylaws; and finance.
Walk-in service had been suspended since March 18 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
City manager Tim Savoie said floor markers and signs will be in place to allow visitors and staff to move safely through the building, as well as hand sanitizer stations.
“We have site-specific safety plans in place, as required by WorkSafeBC,” he said. “These will be reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis to reflect the most up-to-date municipal and provincial requirements.”
Savoie said even with the reopening, members of the public are still being encouraged to make appointments or communicate with staff electronically through email and video calls as about 50% of employees continue to work remotely.
Savoie said some of the adjustments the city has made to its abilities to keep providing services during the public health emergency will likely continue permanently, such as in-person and online options for permitting and inspections as well as payment of city fees.
“The city has expedited many of our online service delivery plans,” he said. “Projects that had a multi-year implementation target have been put into place very quickly.”
Meanwhile, council meetings will also return to Inlet Theatre beginning Tuesday. Public attendance in the theatre and galleria will be restricted, though.
Anyone planning to attend is encouraged to register in advance at portmoody.ca/meetings, or call 604-469-4500 during business hours. Visitors are also encouraged to wear a face mask.
Meetings will still be livestreamed and comments can be email to [email protected].
