July 22 Council Meeting: Christmas at Innes Corners. Supporting Vulnerable Women. Other matters addressed.

Today will be my final post about Monday night’s Langley City council meeting. This is the last public council meeting until September 16.

Even though it is July, planning for the Christmas season is already underway. The City has been upgrading its Christmas displays over the last several years. This year, the focus will be on Innes Corners Plaza.

Concept for new Christmas display at Innes Corners Plaza. Select image to enlarge.

The plaza will be outfitted with double-bow wreathes on the lighting poles, crisp white lights on the interior trees, large illuminated snowflakes in the fountain, projected snowflakes on the plaza floor, and alternating red and green floodlights on the trees fronting Glover Road.

This new display will help transform Innes Corners into an inviting space for residents and visitors alike, where people can enjoy the Christmas lights and even take some holiday photos.

Council approved this $44,000 project which also includes evening security to make sure that the display will not be tampered with. Gateway Casino is contributing $23,000 to this project with the total taxpayer funded cost being $21,000.

I’m happy that we are livening up Innes Corners Plaza for the upcoming Christmas season.

On another Christmas topic, council approved allocating $11,500 to cover additional costs for the Langley Christmas Parade within this year’s budget. Previously, this was funded through a community grant, but it was determined to be better funded as a budget item as this is a City run event. This shift frees up funding within the community grant program to support other organizations that benefit our community.

The United Way currently has a Period Promise Campaign to encourage local governments to provide free menstrual products in City-owned washrooms. Council passed the following motion in support of this campaign.

That City council direct staff to provide a report regarding the cost and implementation of providing city facilities, including recreational spaces and libraries, working with homeless, street-involved, and low income and vulnerable girls, women, trans individuals and non-binary people access to free menstrual products in a manner that reduces menstrual stigma. AND that the City endorse the United Way Period Promise campaign as a locally-built solution that promotes health, well being, security and dignity in our community.

Council approved a 30-metre cell tower to be located at 20361 Duncan Way. This tower is for Rogers Communication.

Location of new cell tower at 20361 Duncan Way. Select image to enlarge.

Council also approved a new council policy about how correspondence is circulated to members of council.

Finally, council approved the Fire Chief to attend the Canadian Association of Fire Chief’s Conference, and the Deputy Fire Chief to attend the Metro Fire Planners Conference.

For a full review of all the matters addressed at this council meeting, please read the posts I wrote yesterday and on Tuesday.