January 28, 2019 Council Meeting Notes: McBurney Plaza Summer Series Back and Task Groups Approved

Last night was a lighter Langley City council agenda, but there were some significant items that moved forward.

The meeting started with Councillor Teri James, who is also the Executive Director of the Downtown Langley Business Association, presenting on the upcoming 2019 McBurney Plaza Summer Series. This summer events series is now entering its fifth year and is still going strong.

This year, the McBurney Plaza Summer Series will have three daytime events which will run with extended hours from 11am to 3pm. Besides the event programming, there will also be freebie bags. The three daytime events include Backyard Party in the Plaza which will include fun activities, BBQ sliders, and shaved ice.

Legends in the Plaza will feature tribute acts for such stars as Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, and Elvis. Magic in the Plaza will include street magic and illusionist. Mark you calendar for June 22, July 20, and August 11.

Also back by popular demand is the 19+ Dueling Pianos event which will run from 6pm to 10pm on July 13th. This is a Vegas-style show. There will be food, craft beer, and local wine. I attended this event two years ago, and it was a lot of fun. Tickets will be $15, and I know I’ll be getting mine as soon as they become available.

With more event coming to our community, I look forward to when every weekend there is an event or activity happening in our downtown core.

Council also approved the creation of three task groups, two new and one returning:

• Performing Arts and Cultural Centre Task Group
• Economic Development Task Group
• 2019 Crime Prevention Task Group

The Performing Arts and Cultural Centre Task Group mandate will be to continue the process that will hopefully result in a performing arts centre being built in Downtown Langley. Its mandate will include:

• Developing a 5 – 10 year detailed provisional business plan and a 25-year high level provisional business plan.
• Developing a fund-raising campaign plan, including identify potential partner prospects.
• Defining a governance model for the operation of the centre.
• Engaging First Nations partnership.

The Economic Development Task Group general mandate will be to plan for the arrival of SkyTrain in our community in a way that will maximize its economic potential for Langley City. The task group will be putting forward initiatives for council to consider to make sure that Langley City is open for business, including the new opportunities that rail rapid transit will bring.

The 2019 Crime Prevention Task Group, which I am chairing, will be continuing some of the successful programs such as the “Know Your Neighbour” campaign. Other items in the mandate include:

• Working with the Youth Committee and the RCMP around crime reduction strategies for youth-specific issues.
• Partnering with the RCMP, Community Police Office, Downtown Langley Business Association, and Chamber of Commerce to increase participation in crime prevention programs.
• Partnering with the Langley Seniors Resource Centre to create strategies to educate the public on how to address senior-related issues such as elder abuse.

Task groups are an important way to get thing done, and our new council is hitting the ground running.