Last Monday was the final council meeting until August 23, and as such, there were a significant number of items on the agenda. You can read about our new community vision which was approved last week, as well as the City’s position on rail rapid transit.
Due to the pending legalization of the use of non-medical cannabis this fall, as well as updates to provincial legalization around smoking and vaping, Langley City council gave three readings to an updated Smoking Regulation Bylaw. The following major changes are part of the bylaw:
- Including cannabis in the definition of smoking
- Increasing the buffer from three metres to six metres away from all doorways, air intakes and open windows where people can smoke or vape
- Prohibiting smoking or vaping of tobacco in a vehicle with children under the age of 16
- Prohibiting smoking or vaping of cannabis in a vehicle
- Restricting smoking or vaping in all parks and plazas, expect for smoking tobacco which will be allowed only in designated smoking areas.
Designated smoking areas will be clearly marked. The next step for this bylaw will be for it to be approved by Fraser Health before it can come back to City council for final adoption.
Langley City has a policy of providing a portion of the proceeds we receive from the casino back to community-based groups that provide programs and events that make our community a better place. This year, $168,000 was made available for community grants. Council approved $125,976 in grants to organizations back in February.
A second intake for community grants was opened, and last Monday council approved another $21,400 in grants to the following groups and organizations:
| Organizations | Grant |
|---|---|
| Boys and Girls Club of Langley | $3,200.00 |
| Canadian Animal Rescue & Extended Shelter Society(CARES) | $500.00 |
| Children’s Wish Foundation | $1,000.00 |
| HD Stafford Middle School | $1,500.00 |
| Langley Cares Foundation - Langley Lodge | $2,500.00 |
| Langley Children Committee - Data Research Day | $600.00 |
| Nicomekl Elementary School | $5,000.00 |
| Southgate Christian Fellowship | $4,500.00 |
| Weekend FuelBag | $2,600.00 |
Since the inception of the Community Grant Program in 2006, council has contributed over $1.7 million to non-profit and community organizations that benefit Langley City.
Tomorrow, I’ll be posting about the remaining items addressed at last Monday’s council meeting.
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