Wednesday, May 10, 2017

May 8th, 2017 Council Meeting Notes: City crews busy renewing community, traffic calming, and more events coming

Yesterday, I posted about items on Monday’s Langley City council agenda where members of the public could provide feedback. I also posted about a development permit that was issued. Today, I will cover the remaining items from that agenda.

If you’ve walked, cycled, scootered, or drove around our community lately, you’d have noticed that there are many City projects on the go. Council received an update on City projects by Rick Bomhof who is the Director of Engineering, Parks and Environment.

Traffic calming, and making walking and cycling safer is a major priority for our community. The 203rd Street project is nearing completion. It is now open, and the grand opening will be held on June 9th at 11:00am.

Finishing touches on 203rd Street. Painting bike lane and crosswalk markings at an intersection. Select image to enlarge.

The City is also traffic calming four other areas in the community. 50th Avenue at Conder Park, 198th Street at Brydon Park, Michaud Crescent at Linwood Park, and 201A Street at Linwood Park. All traffic calming must have the majority support of residents in the area. Not surprisingly, all traffic calming proposals have received community support. Open houses are being scheduled, with the first meeting scheduled for the end of this month. More information will be posted to the City’s website.

Other projects on the go include:

  • A waterpark expansion at City Park
  • New playground equipment at Lynwood Park
  • A new picnic shelter at Portage Park
  • The new Penzer Action Park
  • Newland Drive – 210 Street storm sewer and watermain renewal
  • 56th Avenue Improvement Project
  • 48th Avenue Improvement Project
  • Innes Plaza Renewal

A presentation to City council about Penzer Action Park. Select image to enlarge.

Council increased the operating funding for maintaining our parks, trail network, and roads this year. Because of this, crews are extra busy. If you go along 208th Street, you’ll see one of the projects that was recently completed.

New wayfinding is installed along Langley City's extensive trail network. Select image to enlarge.

One of the things that I've noticed is that the City is doing a much better job of ensuring accessible access during road construction projects for people with limited-mobility. I commended City staff for ensuring that accessible access is maintained during projects at the meeting.

One of the key things to creating a strong community, and driving out negative activity, is to use our public spaces for positive activity. This year, Council approved addition funding for more events and activities in our community. Council received a Recreation Update at Monday’s meeting.

Some of the upcoming events include the Food Truck Festival on June 3rd and the Try-it Triathlon on June 11. The McBurney Plaza Summer Series will be starting next month as will other events in Downtown Langley. Events will be posted on the City’s website.

At the meeting, Council also gave final reading to the tax rate bylaw which helps fund the 2017 Financial Plan which was approved earlier this year.

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