Council report--Monday afternoon, Oct. 15, 2007
Notes from Township Council's afternoon meeting on Monday, Oct. 15.
We had a series of presentations from Blue Thorn Research, BC Lotteries, and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch on issues of gaming and specifically, the Langley Bingo Palace application for 50 slot machines. I'll be blogging about this separately--because it was huge news, and made my decision on slots in Langley Meadows a thousand times easier.
Council voted unanimously (moved by Ward, seconded by Vickberg) to endorse the Water Demand Management strategy, including a study on water meters, expanded public education, more programs like low-flow toilets and rain barrels, water auditing for large users, and municipal water pressure management.
We received a report (moved by Bateman, seconded by Ferguson; passed unanimously) on the Murray's Corner Roundabout. It found that four accidents happened in the first quarter the roundabout was open. This was pretty much the same average as the Five Corners used to have, but these accidents were considered lower-impact. We are confident--but will keep watching--that the number of accidents at that roundabout will drop as people become more used to it.
Council voted unanimously (moved by Bateman, seconded by Ward) to sole source a $630,000 contract to Bel Contracting to move a watermain under the Golden Ears Bridge. They are already on site, doing work, and the trickiness of the timing made them the best choice.
We unanimously rejected TransLink's request for tax exemptions for the Golden Ears Bridge (moved by Vickberg, seconded by Long). They need to go to the province and get legislation changed in order for municipalities to exempt them.
Council voted unanimously to grant the Kwantlen First Nation $7,500 toward their family longhouse project (moved by Vickberg, seconded by Richter).
Council voted unanimously to allow the local Legions to sell poppies until Nov. 11, and to advertise their ceremonies on the Township Page (moved by Long, seconded by Ward).
We voted unanimously (moved by Fox, seconded by Vickberg) to endorse a Council Priorities Committee resolution to clarify to Minister Kevin Falcon that the 50-year regional transportation plan we seek include a look at rail movements.
Council unanimously endorsed (moved by Bateman, seconded by Long) an Economic Development Commission motion to expand the jurisdiction of Fort Langley's film coordinator to include the surrounding village. Right now, the coordinator (who has done a fantastic job of balancing the needs of the film companies with the sensitivities of Fort Langley) only has jurisdiction over the commercial core. This will help mitigate some issues that could pop up in the residential areas.
A Parks and Recreation motion to "support the proposal of a botanical garden" at the Wetland Arboretum was unanimously referred to staff for a report and cost analysis (referral moved by Bateman, seconded by Richter). I was uncomfortable with the language of the original motion to "support" a garden that had no price tag attached to it. Thankfully, Council agreed and will get more information before voting.
Council will hold separate joint meetings with both Surrey and Abbotsford councils on Nov. 6. Unfortunately, I'm away but I trust these will be fruitful.
The controversial trail sign on the 8th Avenue trail will be relocated to a higher-traffic location after a unanimous vote (moved by Long, seconded by Richter).
We had a series of presentations from Blue Thorn Research, BC Lotteries, and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch on issues of gaming and specifically, the Langley Bingo Palace application for 50 slot machines. I'll be blogging about this separately--because it was huge news, and made my decision on slots in Langley Meadows a thousand times easier.
Council voted unanimously (moved by Ward, seconded by Vickberg) to endorse the Water Demand Management strategy, including a study on water meters, expanded public education, more programs like low-flow toilets and rain barrels, water auditing for large users, and municipal water pressure management.
We received a report (moved by Bateman, seconded by Ferguson; passed unanimously) on the Murray's Corner Roundabout. It found that four accidents happened in the first quarter the roundabout was open. This was pretty much the same average as the Five Corners used to have, but these accidents were considered lower-impact. We are confident--but will keep watching--that the number of accidents at that roundabout will drop as people become more used to it.
Council voted unanimously (moved by Bateman, seconded by Ward) to sole source a $630,000 contract to Bel Contracting to move a watermain under the Golden Ears Bridge. They are already on site, doing work, and the trickiness of the timing made them the best choice.
We unanimously rejected TransLink's request for tax exemptions for the Golden Ears Bridge (moved by Vickberg, seconded by Long). They need to go to the province and get legislation changed in order for municipalities to exempt them.
Council voted unanimously to grant the Kwantlen First Nation $7,500 toward their family longhouse project (moved by Vickberg, seconded by Richter).
Council voted unanimously to allow the local Legions to sell poppies until Nov. 11, and to advertise their ceremonies on the Township Page (moved by Long, seconded by Ward).
We voted unanimously (moved by Fox, seconded by Vickberg) to endorse a Council Priorities Committee resolution to clarify to Minister Kevin Falcon that the 50-year regional transportation plan we seek include a look at rail movements.
Council unanimously endorsed (moved by Bateman, seconded by Long) an Economic Development Commission motion to expand the jurisdiction of Fort Langley's film coordinator to include the surrounding village. Right now, the coordinator (who has done a fantastic job of balancing the needs of the film companies with the sensitivities of Fort Langley) only has jurisdiction over the commercial core. This will help mitigate some issues that could pop up in the residential areas.
A Parks and Recreation motion to "support the proposal of a botanical garden" at the Wetland Arboretum was unanimously referred to staff for a report and cost analysis (referral moved by Bateman, seconded by Richter). I was uncomfortable with the language of the original motion to "support" a garden that had no price tag attached to it. Thankfully, Council agreed and will get more information before voting.
Council will hold separate joint meetings with both Surrey and Abbotsford councils on Nov. 6. Unfortunately, I'm away but I trust these will be fruitful.
The controversial trail sign on the 8th Avenue trail will be relocated to a higher-traffic location after a unanimous vote (moved by Long, seconded by Richter).