February 24 Council Notes: Regional Sewage, Motions, and Provincial Advocacy

Yesterday, I posted about the housing items from Monday's Langley City Council meeting. Today, I will post about the remaining items from that meeting.

Council received a presentation from Jerry Dobrovolny, the Chief Administrative Officer for the Metro Vancouver Regional District, and Cheryl Nelms, who is part of their major project delivery office. They gave a presentation and answered questions from Council on the North Shore Waste Water Treatment Plant. As you may know, there have been some serious challenges with the construction of the project, which resulted in a 3.5 times increase in price from its 2020 budget. These costs are reflected in this year's sewer rates, including those of Langley City. Council asked several questions about the project, the distribution of costs across the region, and lessons learned to prevent cost overruns like this from happening for future projects. You can learn more about the North Shore Waste Water Treatment Plant on Metro Vancouver's website.

Council also gave third reading to our 2025 - 2029 Financial Plan. You can learn more about the budget and proposed project in previous posts.

Council also considered a motion to record who moves and seconds motions in our minutes. City staff noted that this would be against best practices as minutes are supposed to reflect the collective actions of a council and are not transcripts. Council elected to maintain our current policy.

One of the ways local governments can advocate to the province is through the Lower Mainland Local Government Association. This organization represents local governments from Lillooet to Hope. Local governments submit motions to debate at the annual conference and, if approved at the conference, are forwarded for debate at the annual Union of BC Municipalities conference in the fall. If approved at that conference, they are submitted to the province, which responds, including noting any action they might take.

Langley City Council approved submitting the following two motions to LMLGA.

Enhancing Housing Stability through Preventive Measures and Supportive Programs

WHEREAS the housing crisis in British Columbia is influenced by both insufficient housing supply and escalating demand pressures, leading to affordability challenges and housing insecurity that forces many individuals and families into unsafe and precarious living conditions, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and victimization; and

WHEREAS preventive strategies, including the provision of adequate supports and access to portable rental subsidies, are essential to maintain housing stability and prevent homelessness;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia, in partnership with local governments and non-profit housing providers, expand programs to reduce housing vulnerability by expanding portable rental subsidies, enhancing support services, investing in preventive strategies, and providing direct grants to municipalities.

Enhancing A Collaborative, Sustainable, and Inclusive Approach to Food Security and Well-being

WHEREAS food insecurity remains a critical issue in British Columbia, exacerbated by climate change, economic instability, and supply chain disruptions, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, Indigenous communities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged regions; and

WHEREAS a resilient and inclusive food system requires sustained investment, cross-sector collaboration, and policies that integrate infrastructure development, technological innovation, cultural food systems, and community-driven approaches to ensure equitable access to nutritious food, economic resilience, and regional food security;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia collaborate with municipalities to develop and implement a comprehensive food security and well-being strategy that ensures sustainable investment in local food systems, strengthens regional and provincial food networks, promotes innovation in agriculture and food technology, and enhances access to culturally appropriate, affordable, and nutritious food for all communities.

February 24 Council Notes: Housing Projects Considered

On Monday night, Langley City Council addressed two housing redevelopment applications.

Council gave first and second reading to a rezoning bylaw to enable the construction of 10 new townhouses at 5080 & 5096 208 Street. This proposed project is "phase two" for a 26-unit townhouse complex just south, which received third reading of its rezoning bylaw last summer. The project applicant noted that they would be building both phase one and phase two at the same time if the Council grants final reading of the rezoning bylaws and issues development permits for these projects.

Rendering of proposed 10-unit townhouse complex at 5080 & 5096 208 Street. Select the image to enlarge.

All the units in this proposed townhouse project will have double-wide garages and three-bedroom + flex room units.

This proposed project is subject to Langley City's Townhome & Plex-Home Best Practices Guide due to its locations along 208th Street. Council had a good discussion about outdoor space, such as yards, centralized greenspace within a project (when it should be provided), and access and applicant-funded enhancements to existing or new public parks and green spaces. This project will have direct access (via phase one) to Nicholas Park.

At the same meeting, the Council gave final reading of a rezoning bylaw and issued a development permit to enable the construction of a 5-storey, 132-unit apartment development at 20719-20731 Eastleigh Crescent. You can read more about this project in a previous post.

How is Hiring of RCMP Officers and Firefighters Going in Langley?

I don't usually like to compare Langley City and the Township of Langley. Still, some information has been circulating online suggesting that the City isn't investing in policing or our fire service.

At the beginning of this current election term, Langley City Council passed a motion to hire nine firefighters over the election term. The Township of Langley Council passed a motion to hire 44 firefighters (11 per year) over the same period.

Langley City Council approved two new firefighting positions in 2023, three in 2024, and we gave third reading to our 2025 budget last night to add another two. The numbers add up to seven new firefighting positions, or 77% of what we promised to deliver, with another year to reach 100% of our promise.

If Langley City Council continues on our current path next year, we will have increased our full-time suppression firefighting staff by 40% in four years.

The Township of Langley approved 11 firefighting positions in 2023 and zero in 2024 and is proposing to add 11 firefighting positions this year. These numbers add up to 22, or 50% of what they promised to deliver with a year to go.

We share the Langley RCMP detachment with the Township of Langley. The Township of Langley approved five new RCMP positions in 2023, two in 2023, and is proposing another two this year. That is a total of nine new positions. Langley City Council approved three new positions last year. Factoring in population and population growth, Langley City and Township have contributed proportionately to additional RCMP hires over the current election term so far.

We must invest in frontline policing and firefighting. We also know that to improve community safety over the long term, we need to deal with the root challenges, which include poverty, mental health, addiction, and cycles of violence.

For example, Langley City Council has partnered with the Langley School District on Project Black Feather to help young people before they enter a life of crime. We have also created two new City positions to work with the province government, health, and social service provider sector to better advocate for, support, and coordinate the delivery of support services for our community. We have launched our Citizens Assembly on Community Safety.

Ensuring we increase frontline positions, as appropriate, while also working to address the root causes of safety impacts is how we move the needle to improve community safety in Langley City. What we are doing isn't flashy, but over time, it will positively impact current and future members of our community.

Preparing for Wildfire Smoke Season, Taking Care of Your Health

It is still winter, so you might wonder why I'm writing a post about wildfire smoke season. It is always better to be prepared than to deal with something in the middle of an event. For example, finding an air conditioner in the middle of the summer is more challenging and more costly than getting one right now.

Wildefire Smoke over Downtown Vancouver. Source: Nick Dobbing

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has provided guidance on preparing for and protecting yourself during wildfire smoke season.

The BCCDC provides data that show not only does smoke impact your health in conventional ways, such as increased risk of asthma, reduced lung function, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke, but there is growing evidence that it can cause reduced mental function and increased risk of dementia later in life. If you are pregnant and exposed, smoke can also have an impact on your baby.

The good news is that we know simple ways to clean indoor air and protect yourself if you need to spend significant time outdoors during a wildfire smoke event. We learned many of these things during the pandemic.

If you have a forced-air heating or cooling system, purchase MERV 13-rated filters and change them regularly. You can also purchase a portable air filter with a HEPA filter or even search the internet for how to DIY an air filter. You'll also want to seal any gaps and cracks around windows and doors. Your favourite home improvement store can help you find the right products.

You should also pick up some N95 masks if you have to spend significant time outdoors.

For more information, please visit the BCCDC's webpage on Wildfire Smoke to learn more and get planning today!