Mandatory Mask Bylaw repealed Council approved a recommendation to repeal the Town’s Mandatory Mask Bylaw 31-20 and will follow Alberta government guidelines to lift mandatory mask requirements, effective July 1. The Town’s bylaw required that the number of active COVID-19 cases be below 15 for 30 consecutive days before being repealed, and the Town reached the milestone on June 18. If the bylaw had not been repealed, mandatory masks would be required until July 17. Learn more | | Town flags lowered to half-mast in honour of 751 children Flags at Town facilities have been lowered to half-mast to honour the 751 children whose remains were found at the former Marieval Indian Residential School on the Cowessess First Nation, 140 km east of Regina, Sask. We know that this terrible tragedy will continue to unfold as more discoveries will likely be made at other residential schools. The Town will continue to honour, recognize and grieve for the lives lost. Read more | | Stay safe in the heat Over the next several days, Okotoks is going to be experiencing extremely hot temperatures with a potential historic heat wave, and heat warnings will be in place. There will be little reprieve overnight, with lows remaining between 15-20 degrees. The duration and magnitude of this heat wave may lead to increased risk of heat related illness. Learn more about safe practices during heat waves, including staying inside, drinking plenty of water and watching for signs of heat stress. Learn more | | Operations and Environmental Education Centre reopens With the easing of provincial restrictions, the Operations and Environmental Education Centre has reopened in alignment with all provincial guidelines and requirements. The Centre is open from Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., including the Education Centre. Find reopening details | | Encouraging civil discourse Council recently approved amendments to the Good Order and Civil Conduct Policy that will promote greater civil discourse between members of staff, Council and community members. The changes clarify the expectations for civil conduct expected from residents and anyone using Town facilities who interact with staff or other members of the community. These amendments reflect the Town’s commitment to establishing a Civility Charter where all residents can provide constructive input and opinions on decisions that affect them. Find out more | | Council approves new Land Use Bylaw Council approved a new comprehensive and updated Land Use Bylaw (LUB) for the Town of Okotoks during the regular meeting June 14. This bylaw simplifies rules and processes to achieve clarity, simplicity, ease of doing business, and reduces red tape, which will ultimately improve business retention and growth.
The approved LUB implements the long-term vision defined in the Municipal Development Plan for the future growth of Okotoks to ensure that any potential growth supports economic development and a liveable, walkable, and sustainable community. Find out more | | Kick Off to Summer celebration Join in the fun of the Kick Off Summer Celebration with a Backyard Activity Kit, Dawgs Baseball at 7:05 pm and fireworks following the game! Reserve your backyard kit at the link below. Get your backyard kit | | Supporting Okotoks Pride A Pride Crosswalk is being painted on June 30 in downtown Okotoks to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, as a culmination to Pride month and to symbolize that Okotoks is an inclusive community year-round. This initiative also supports the Town’s strategic plan, which includes being a welcoming and inclusive community. The crosswalk will be painted across from Elks Community Hall on Elizabeth Street leading into Town Square Plaza. | | Teddy bears are taking over downtown! Can you find them all? On July 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Foothills Children’s Wellness Network partners, non-profits, Town services, and local businesses that serve children and families will set up outdoor displays of teddy bears engaged in a variety of adventures. Walk, bike, or drive around downtown Okotoks to discover the bears. Learn about the resources available to families in the community, take photos and enter the contest. Good luck and happy hunting! Join the hunt | | Spreading kindness with new mural at the Municipal Centre Youth painters, under the guidance of Robin Thibodeau, have again created a beautiful mural on the Municipal Centre windows. This summer’s theme is kindness and each panel illustrates different ways that everyone can perform an act of kindness for others and sends congratulations to the graduates of 2021. Madeline Maher, Aileen Maher, Ashley Jordan, Aoife Visser and Erica Spencer worked over several weeks, in between school and other activities, to complete the mural, which also reflects inclusivity and diversity. Be sure to stop by and have a look while visiting the downtown. | | Stay active & healthy with Recreation Fee Assistance With recreation facilities opening again, did you know there are recreation subsidies available for qualifying residents experiencing low income or financial stress? The Recreation Fee Assistance program supports families who want to participate in Town-operated recreational programs and activities offered through Active Okotoks by providing a maximum subsidy of $200 per person, per year for qualifying residents of Okotoks, Turner Valley, Black Diamond and Foothills County. Program details | | String trimming behind your fence Residential fence, initially installed by the developer, is installed approximately four inches within the property boundary. Residents are responsible for maintaining landscaping up to their property line (which includes both sides of the fence). The Town or its contractors will string trim this fence when the property owner/occupant cannot reasonably access the back of fence themselves (i.e. no rear yard gate or not immediately adjacent park access point). Contact Parks at 403-938-8958 for more information. Contact Parks | | Important river safety reminder The Sheep River current is running fast and the water is very cold, which presents a real danger to those trying to cool off in the hotter days of June. Okotoks Fire Department recently responded to a river rescue where a teenager, looking for relief from the heat, was floating on a tube and found herself stranded and unable to make it across the river to safety. Thankfully she was rescued by the Okotoks Fire Department. River conditions are unpredictable and dangerous situations can happen very quickly. Watch the safety video | | Slow down and be road wise! Watch out for pedestrians and bicycles! When warmer weather arrives, drivers will find they are sharing the road with more pedestrians and bicycles, which are vulnerable road users. A greater level of vigilance and care is required by drivers to reduce injury or death that may occur during a collision. - Motorists should be careful when approaching intersections. Watch for cars slowing in the lane next to yours because other drivers may be yielding to a pedestrian.
- Both pedestrians and motorists are responsible to abide by all signs, signals, and traffic laws.
- Pedestrians should cross the road at designated crosswalks, make eye contact with motorists before crossing the street and be aware of any challenging road conditions that motorists may be experiencing.
Learn about traffic safety | | Property Taxes due June 30, 2021 2021 Town Tax Notices were mailed the week of May 25, 2021 and all assessed property owners are deemed to have received their Tax Notice. Ways to pay your property taxes: - TIPP (Tax Installment Payment Plan)
- By mail: PO Box 20 Station Main, Okotoks AB, T1S 1K1
- 24-hour drop-off at the Municipal Centre, 5 Elizabeth Street
- In person at the Municipal Centre, 5 Elizabeth Street
- Local banks, credit unions or any TD Canada Trust
- Online
Full details | | | | Temporary patio map! Did you know the Town has a map of registered temporary outdoor patios, fitness areas and retail spaces in Okotoks? Pick a spot for your fun-filled daycation in Town! The map is being updated as applications are received. Check out the map | | | | Watch your butt! Smoking safety The place where we feel safest — at home — is where most smoking-materials structure fires, deaths, and injuries occur. Smoking materials are the leading cause of fire deaths but are preventable. Learn more | | | | Deer safety during fawning season Deer are fawning right now and are very protective of their young. Give deer their space, keep dogs on leash and never walk between a doe and her fawns. Found a fawn? It's normal for does to leave fawns for extended periods. Leave it be and mother will likely return! Report aggressive deer encounters at 1-800-642-3800 or call 9-1-1 if you are in immediate danger. Learn more | | | Next Council meeting 3 p.m. Monday, July 19| Live-streamed Agenda packages are available Thursday evenings prior to each meeting on the Town website. Watch the live stream | | | | | |
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