February 13 Council Notes: $1,000 Cheque, SkyTrain Update, Langley Emergency Program

I attended the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in Regina last summer. I had a conversation with the former Mayor of Edmonton, Don Iveson, who now works for the Co-operators. His role is to encourage municipalities to reduce insurance risk by building climate adaptation projects and climate-resilient infrastructure. We exchanged contact information, and he sent me a survey to complete. For those that completed the survey, he entered their names into a draw. The winners would have $1,000 donated to the non-profit of their choice. My name was one of five drawn. Last night, Bethany Heppner, the owner of one of the Langley Co-operators locations, presented a cheque to Encompass Support Services Society. Encompass operates the Langley Foundry, which provides a one-stop location for young people to access mental health and substance use support, primary doctor care, peer support and social services.

Cheque presentation to Encompass Support Services Society. Left, Nathan Pachal. Center, Bethany Heppner. Right, Christine McCraken from Encompass.

Council also received an update from Transportation Investment Corporation, the provincial crown corporation building the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension. They stated that the project is full steam ahead and expect to have all the contracts awarded this year for major construction to start in 2024. To date, over $130 million in projects are completed or in process to support the SkyTrain extension. These projects include widening Fraser Highway in Green Timbers and relocating underground utilities and BC Hydro poles. They also noted that the SkyTrain project would include a safe active transportation corridor along the SkyTrain extension from King George to 203rd Street in Langley City. One of the trickiest areas to construct SkyTrain will be the Serpentine River Valley, where it will cross Highway 15. They have been doing geotechnical work and will drive some SkyTrain guideway columns up to 100 meters into the ground in the valley.

Later in the meeting, Council gave final reading to a rezoning bylaw and issued a development permit for a 113-unit apartment project at 20040-20070 53A Ave & 20041-20071 53 Ave. You can read more about this project in a previous post.

Council also adopted a new policy on using the City’s Corporate Identity & Brand. The new policy requires people to seek approval before using the City’s logo, Coat of Arms, and other brand assets.

With the Township leaving the former joint Langley Emergency Program, the City will now be setting up its own program. Council approved Langley City Fire Rescue Service to apply for a $29,864.94 grant from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to help offset the cost of setting up the Langley City Emergency Program.