April 6 Council Meeting: Strata insurance changes needed. Businesses call for tax relief.

Yesterday afternoon, Langley City council met virtually over a video conferencing solution. This is the second council meeting held virtually since the introduction of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Langley City council and staff meet virtually. Select image to enlarge.

The council meeting was brief.

The first item on the agenda was a motion by Councillor Albrecht relating to the rapid increase in strata insurance rates. I know most stratas are seeing significant increases in their insurance premiums. Some stratas are seeing insurance deductibles so high that they essentially need to self-insure. There are even some stratas that can’t get insurance. In the strata I’m a part of, we saw a massive increase in our premiums and deductibles.

The Insurance Brokers Association of BC is calling on the province to put a $50,000 cap on loss assessment coverage for each strata unit owner. Currently, some stratas are seeing deductibles of $250,000 or higher. If a loss higher than the deductible occurs, and it is caused by one unit, that owner would be on the hook for $250,000. Many individual owner insurance plans do not provide loss assessment coverage that high. By putting a cap on loss assessment coverage, it would protect strata owners and allow them to be fully covered.

The second recommendation by the association is for the province to create a standard definition of a strata unit. This would remove confusion about what is a strata corporation’s responsibility for insurance compared to an individual owner.

Langley City council passed the following motion:

THAT City of Langley write to Premier John Horgan and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson to urge them to take immediate action to consider the two reform proposals put forward by the Insurance Brokers Association of BC (IBABC) to provide stability for the strata insurance market in BC and protect millions of strata owners by mitigating insurance market cycles.

Council also received letters from the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business calling for reductions in property tax, for moving property tax and municipal utility payment due dates to the fall instead of summer, and on the province to expand its property tax deferral program.

As reducing or changing the tax due date would have significant implications to the City’s cash-flow and ability to provide services, these letters were referred by council to City staff for followup.

This virtual council meeting will be posted to Langley City’s website for viewing.

A Walk Through History in Langley City

Practicing physical distancing is one of the critical measures that we must all take to help slow down the spread of COVID-19. According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, we should “stay home as much as possible.”

If you go outside, “keep about two meters (six feet) or the length of a queen-sized bed apart when possible.”

One of the many good things about Langley City is that we have a high density of trails, parks, and sidewalks that can be useful to get to the grocery store, or for a walk to get exercise, while maintaining physical distancing.

I took an indirect route from my apartment to the grocery store this weekend which also revealed some interesting facts about the history of the area.

If you travel along 51b Avenue or 208th Street, you might notice they were designed like highways. You might also find it odd that 208th Street does not align north and south of Fraser Highway.

208th Street Causeway and Nicomekl Park. Select image to enlarge.

These two sections of 208th Street used to connect with each other. If you go through Nicomekl Park, you will notice that its parking lot is actually an old section of 208th Street. This section of road would have been subject to flooding.

208th Street Causeway Bridge plaque. Select image to enlarge.

The 208th Street Causeway was opened in 1985 making this section of 208th Street no longer subject to flooding. You will notice that 51b Avenue was built in the same era. Both these roads were meant to be bypasses around Langley City’s urban area; they did not end up that way.

Just east of the intersection of 208th Street, Fraser Highway, and the Langley Bypass is the Old Yale Road Bridge. This was an original part of the Trans-Canada Highway, and is only open for walking and cycling.

Old Yale Road Bridge/Old Trans-Canada Highway Bridge. Select image to enlarge.

If you continue walking northeast along Old Yale Road, you will see the Derek Doubleday Arboretum.

Derek Doubleday Arboretum. Select image to enlarge.

One of the facts about this Township of Langley park is that a section of it is in Langley City.

It was interesting to see the history and quirks of our community literally right under my feet.

Report suspicious activities to the RCMP. Report potholes and vandalism to Langley City.

For the past three weeks, I have been working from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve only gone outside to get food and other essentials, or to walk for exercise while maintaining physical distancing.

Because of this, I’ve been much more aware of the activities around my strata building. I’ve also become more aware of activities close to my building. I’ve started to see the patterns of what are typical activities, and activities that are out of place, throughout the whole day.

I’m currently the chair of Langley City’s Crime Prevention Task Group. One of our objectives is to encourage people to report suspicious activities to the RCMP.

With less activity in general occurring in Langley City, suspicious activity has become more obvious to me.

I’ve called the Langley detachment of the RCMP a few times over the years to report suspicious activity, including recently. It can feel intimidating to call the non-emergency line of the RCMP to report suspicious activity, but it is a simple and easy process. I’ve always had a RCMP member call back after to gather more details about the suspicious activity I called in to report.

Even if it feels like calling isn’t doing anything, it is. Reports of suspicious activity help guide where policing resources are deployed.

If you see suspicious activity, please report it to the RCMP at 604-532-3200.

Also, if you see vandalism, potholes, sidewalks that need repair, or burnt out street lights (among other things) in Langley City, please use the City’s Request for Service online tool. This will help make sure that things can get repaired.

Do not alter your current routine to find suspicious activities, or City infrastructure that needs repair. I’ve noticed things more because I’ve been spending significantly more time at home.

Physical distancing shouldn’t mean social isolation. What you can do to stay connected. How you can help others.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the lives of people in our community. Having to work from home, no longer having work, or dealing with the reality of school closures has placed added stress on people.

Not being able to visit friends, family, or go out for social activities has also had a negative impact on people's lives. We are social by nature.

Addressing the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the greatest challenges that we’ve faced in Langley City, but I know that we will overcome this challenge together.

We must still follow the guidance of the BC Centre for Disease Control:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Practice physical distancing (2 metre rule)

How can we maintain social contentions while practicing physical distancing?

In my household, we have made a conscious effort to set dates with friends to meet with them on video chat. We plan the get-togethers to be as close as possible to in-person.

So far, we’ve had a virtual brunch where both sides of the chat shared a meal together (even if the menu was different.)

We’ve also had afternoon drinks with friends over video chat.

We will be attempting to play the card game “Joking Hazard” with some friends in a few weeks time over video chat as we both own the physical game.

We’ve made a conscious effort to check in with family and friends more often.

These things have helped us stay connected with other people in our lives.

For some people, they may not have people that they can connect with on the phone or online. I know in Langley City, there are many seniors who may now find themselves socially isolated. You may be one of those people.

There is support. You can also help support someone.

As an example, the Langley Senior Resources Society has Outreach Services including a “Seniors Telephone Buddies” program. I suggest that you visit their website for more information, or call 604-530-3020 Ext 302 or 306.

The Langley Youth Hub is also still offering services in our community.

If you can, make an effort to connect with someone online or over the phone that you haven’t in awhile. It will make a world of difference for you and for them.