May 12 Council Notes: Crime Prevention Committee and Subdivision

Yesterday, I posted about the Council's approval of the 2024 Year-End Consolidated Financial Statements. Today, I wanted to cover some of the other items from the May 12th Langley City Council meeting.

On December 9th, Council deferred voting on a proposal to convert 20525 and 20541 46A Avenue into eight smaller lots. The proposed subdivision includes both an environmentally sensitive area and a natural hazards area. At the time Council had concerns about the project. As I noted in a previous post, it "led Council to refer this rezoning and subdivision proposal back to City staff as its current form is likely something that Council would not approve."

On Monday, Council considered the proposed eight-lot subdivision rezoning. While City staff did provide more information, there was no change to the application. As a result, Council unanimously denied the rezoning application.

Later in the meeting, Council approved its Crime Prevention Committee Work Plan. The committee, which includes volunteer members, will focus on promoting crime prevention tips, block watch and business watch, Crime Stoppers, the 529 Garage bike ID program, secure bike parking, and public safety theme murals.

Regarding public safety theme murals, Council approved the following mural, which will be installed on the north-facing wall of the City Hall/Timms Community Centre.

“Green, Red, Blue, and Yellow” by Carla Maskall. Select the image to enlarge.

Langley City Receives Clean Bill of Financial Health

Every year, every municipality in BC must prepare year-end consolidated financial statements. Langley City Council approved its 2024 statements last night.

Kristine Simpson from BDO Canada, the City's external auditor, found that our year-end statements fairly present the City's financial position.

Overall, the City received more revenue than expected. While property taxes were lower than expected, user fees from water and sewer usage, gaming proceeds, interest payments, and transfers from other levels of government were higher.

For expenditures, the City was under budget. One of the large drivers was lower debt servicing costs, as the City did not receive its loan until halfway through the year. Labour costs were also lower due to staff vacancies caused by new positions, people seeking other opportunities, and delays in re-hiring those positions.

The City transferred an additional $7.4 million into reserve accounts due to the difference between revenue and expenditures. These will be used to fund future capital projects or debt servicing costs.

One of the indicators of investment into community assets such as public buildings, roads, sewers, and water mains is the "equity in tangible capital assets," which grew from $293 million to $310 million.

At the end of 2024, the City had $21.7 million in long-term debt.

The City collects development cost charges from each new development. The City allocates these funds for specific projects. At the end of 2024, the City had $40.6 million in these charges, which will be used for specific future capital projects required to accommodate population growth.

The City also had $64.7 million in reserve accounts at the end of 2024, which will be used for capital projects per the City's Capital Improvement Plan.

You can download the 2024 Year-End Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Official Release: City of Langley Responds to Termination of Shared Policing Agreement

I wanted to repost the following official media release from Langley City.

As expected, on May 10, 2025, the Township of Langley terminated the City of Langley and Township of Langley Police Capital and Operations Cost Sharing Agreement, which has been in place since 1993. This agreement specifically addresses the co-owned RCMP detachment building and shared municipal staff.

It is important to clarify that the agreement on the detachment building is not the same as the Township’s call for de-integration. Any de-integration of policing requires approval from the provincial government, which has not happened.

“Langley City Council is unanimous in its belief that de-integration of the Langley RCMP Detachment will not improve the quality, efficiency, or effectiveness of policing in Langley,” stated Mayor Nathan Pachal.

Mayor Pachal continued, “We have consistently been willing to work with the Township of Langley to ensure all the facts are on the table and together come up with a path forward that is in the best interest of all Langley residents and businesses.”

Langley City remains open to a mediated process — as recommended by the Province — to work toward a fair, modernized agreement that ensures effective, coordinated policing for both communities.

Mayor Pachal reaffirmed: “Our goal is a strong, stable public safety model that reflects our shared responsibility and protects taxpayer dollars. We look forward to continuing conversations that support both communities and put public safety first.”

Over the past several years, the City has demonstrated a strong and consistent commitment to public safety — including strategic investments in fire services, emergency management, and policing — to ensure reliable service delivery now and into the future.

It continues to seek constructive dialogue with the Township, the Province, and the RCMP to support a coordinated, modern public safety model.

With both Langleys growing and SkyTrain on the horizon, the case has never been stronger for an integrated, coordinated, and financially responsible public safety model that reflects the needs of both communities.

Langley City's 70th Anniversary: “Not a Nickel for Street Lights for Langley Prairie.”

Last night, I was at a Langley City Emergency Program Volunteer Appreciation Event with other Council members. The work of the Langley City volunteer responders is critical when there is an emergency in our community.

Anyway, I was talking with a few volunteers after the formal award ceremony when one of the younger volunteers asked me why there was a Langley City. An old volunteer said it was something about streetlights.

This year is Langley City’s 70th Anniversary, and we’ve recently displayed some historical artifacts about our community, including this article from the Langley Advance newspaper from March 13, 1985, when Langley City was celebrating its 30th Anniversary.

Langley Advance Article from March 13, 1985, “City incorporated 30 years ago.” Select the image to enlarge.

“We said, ‘Okay, we’ll do without the water and the sewer. Just give us the street lights so we don’t have to keep tripping over in the dark.’”

“The only light came from the store windows, if you can believe that,” Jeffery said. “But the [mayor] was very adamant and he stonewalled us.”

When the merchant made one last pea for amenities, the [mayor] George Brooks, was immovable. He said, “Not a nickel for street lights for Langley Prairie.”

It was, said Jeffery, the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Langley Prairie business owners and residents felt that their taxes weren’t being reinvested into the community and that they weren’t well represented. 85% of Langley Praire voters choose to form their own community, which is how Langley City came into being.

I’m proud to say that Langley City now has all the streetlights and that we continue to invest every nickel of tax back into our community.

If you would like to learn more about the Langley City Emergency Program, including how to become a volunteer, please visit Langley City’s website.