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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-13 Workshop Agenda and ReportsCorporation of the District of Maple Ridge COUNCIL WORKSHOP A GENDA December 13, 2004 9:00a.m. Blaizey Room, t t Floor, Municipal Hall The purpose of the Council Workshop is to review and discuss policies and other items of interest to Council. Although resolutions may be passed at this meeting, the intent is to make a. consensus decision to send an item to Council for debate and vote or refer the item back to stafffor more information or clarfIcation. REMINDERS December 13 Closed Council . . Following Workshop December 14 Council 7:00 p.m. ADOPTION OF THE A GENDA MINUTES— December 6, 2004 PRESENTA TIONS AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCIL UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS 4.1 Presentation of Pesticide Reduction Video Presentation of video unable to be shown as part of a delegation by Maria Raynolds and Sheila Pratt at the November 9, 2004. Council meeting. 4.2 OCP Workshop - Summary Discussion t - Council Workshop December 13, 2004 Page 2 of 3 4.3 Update on Maple Ridge Grow Operation, Health, Nuisance and Safety Bylaw No. 6274-2004 3 CORRESPONDENCE The following correspondence has been received and requires a response. Staff is seeking direction from Council on each item. Options that Council may consider include: Acknowledge receipt of correspondence and advise that no further action will be taken. Direct staff to prepare a report and recommendation regarding the subject matter. Forward the correspondence to a regular Council n7eetingforfilrther discussion. Once direction is given the appropriate response will be sent. 5.1 LMMA, Request for Provincial Government to Reinstate the Flood Protection Assistance Fund Letter dated November 8, 2004 from Sharon Gaetz requesting that the District write to the Provincial Government and request the FPAF be reinstated at an annual amount of S 10.000,000 for a minimum of five years. Staff recommends Council consider Option b). 5.2 City Of Port Coquitlam, Increaséin Legal Consequences Association with Grow Ops Copy of a letter dated December 1 2004 sent by the City of Coquit1m to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada asking that the legal consequences associated with having a grow-op be increased. 6 BRIEFING ON OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST/QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL 7. MA TTERS DEEMED EXPEDIENT ADJO URNMENT Date. - I'-, '4- Council Workshop December 13, 2004 Page 3 of3 Rules for Holding a Closed Meeting A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to one or more of the following: personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality: personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for a municipal award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the municipality on condition of anonymity; labour relations or employee negotiations; the security of property of the municipality; the acciuisition disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality; law enforcement, if the council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the conduct of an investigation under or enforcement of an enactment; litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality; an administrative tribunal hearing or potential administrative tribunal hearing affecting the municipality, other than a hearing to be conducted by the council or a delegate of council (I) the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; U) information that is prohibited or information that if it were presented in a document would be prohibited from disclosure under section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public; (1) discussions with municipal officers and employees respecting municipal objctives, measures and progress reports for the purposes of preparing an annual report under section 98 [annual municipal report] a matter that, under another enactment, is such that the public may be excluded from the meeting; the consideration of whether a council meeting should be closed under a provision of this subsection of subsection (2) the consideration of whether the authority under section 91 (other persons attending closed meetings) should be exercised in relation to a council meeting. information relating to local government participation in provincial negotiations with First Nations, where an agreement provides that the information is to be kept confidential. Z?3o D DE #60 •- 10551 Shellbridge Way., Richmond, B.C. V6X 2W9 MAYOR FL LOWER MAINLAND MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION 01 Z004 A Phone: (604) 270-8981 Fax: (604) 270-9116 President: Terry Smith, Councillor, City of Langley Executive Coordinator: Eydie Fraser November 8, 2004 Member Communities of the LMMA Flood Control and River Management Committee Dear Member Community: RE: Reauest for Provincial Government to Reinstate the Flood Protection Assistance Fund The Provincial Government s recent announcement of their estimated $865,000,000 budget surplus provides an opportunity to request the reinstatement of the Flood Protection Assistance Fund (FPAF). I am asking all member communities of the LMMA Flood Control and River Management Committee to write to the Provincial Government and request the FPAF be reinstated at an annual amount of $10,000,000 for a minimum period of five years. As you know, many communities in the Lower Mainland and throughout the province have benefited greatly from the FPAF in the past. With so many communities experiencing increased flood risk and inadequate flood protection infrastructure, it is imperative that the provincial funding program be reinstated. A sample letter is attached for your consideration. Please feel free to use this template in preparing your request to the Province. If you have any questions, please contact the undersigned at (604) 793-2900. Thank you for your assistance. . .S.incereIy--..- .---- -- -..- - Sharon Gaetz Chair, LMMA Flood Control and River Management Committee KM. Email: info@lmma.bc.ca 5--1 L M LOWER MAINLAND MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION #60 - 10551 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, B.C. V6X 2W9 1 Phone: (604) 270-8981 Fax: (604) 270-9116 President: Terry Smith, Councillor, City of Langley Executive Coordinator: Eydie Fraser November 5, 2004 Honourable Gordon Campbell Province of British Columbia P0 Box 9041 , Stn Prov Govt, BC V8W9EI Dear Premier: Re: Reinstatement of the Flood Protection Assistance Fund The Provincial Government recently announced an estimated $865,000,000 budget surplus. In light of this surplus, the City of Chilliwack is seeking the reinstatement of the annual Flood Protection Assistance Fund (FPAF), in the amount of $10,000,000, for a minimum period of five years. Many communities in the Lower Mainland and throughout the province have benefited, greatly from the FPAF in the past. The elimination of the FPAF earlier this year came as a great disappointment to the numerous communities living with increased flood risk and inadequate flood protection infrastructure. Although communities had earlier been advised that a new federal, provincial and local government cost-sharing program was being developed, the establishment of such a program has yet to be confirmed. The required flood protection infrastructure upgrades are generally too costly for individual communities, and this infrastructure often protects not only local interests, but regional, provincial and federal interests as well. As such, funding from senior governments is imperative. Thank you for your attention on this matter.' If you require any further information, please contact the undersigned at (604) 793-2900. Sincërely, Terry Smith, President Lower Main land Municipal Association Copy LMMA Flood Control and River Management Committee Email: info@lmma.bc.ca PIORT COQUITLAM DEC 0 6 2004 ej ot c//itayovcco4oun9 MAYOR December 1, 2004 The Honourable Irwin Cotler Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada 284 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0118 M&C_"AO. Other Action Dear Minister Cotler: Re: Increase in Legal Consequences Associated with Grow-Ops At the Finance and Intergovernmental Committee meeting, a committee of all members of Council, held on November 25, 2004 at the City of Port Coquitlam, 2580 Shaughnessy Street; the committee members discussed proposed changes to the City's Grow -Op Bylaw and the related crime and public safety issues associated with grow-ops in the community. In a province wide study prepared earlier this year, by Daryl Plecas, Professor at the University College of the Fraser Valley, a number of community risk factors resulting from the existence of grow-ops existing in communities were identified: • risk of house fires - 9% all house fires are a result of grow-ops; risk of home invasions; risk of drug endangered kids both indirectly (sale of drugs) and directly (3% of grows had kids living in them); and risk of expansion of the operation to methamphetamine labs (notably on the rise). We understand that the current legal penalties for those that operate grow-ops do not provide any significant deterrent, with minimal fine levels in-relation to the profit potential of a grow-op and little or no jail time, resulting in a "revolving door" scenario for our local RCMP Officers, and consequently wasted municipal tax dollars! Further, we understand that grow-ops are the primary source of funds for organized crime. The costs to the City, and all other communities in the Province, associated with dealing with the noted risk factors and for related policing costs are very significant. It is unfortunate that the judicial system does not treat this crime in a much more serious manner. The situation is at a crisis level and we ask that you take action to increase the legal consequences associated with having a grow-op, including the legislation of minimum significant fines and/or minimum jail time for convicted persons. KM 2580 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada, V3C 2A8 Tel: 604-927-5410 Fax: 604-927-5331 www.cityport-coquitlam.bc.ca 500. December 1, 2004 Increase in Legal Consequences Associated with Grow-Ops Page 2 We look forward to you consideration of, and response to, this mort important issue. Respectfully Submitted, Mayor Scott Young Chair, Finance and Intergovernmental Committee cc: Premier Gordon Campbell, Province of British Columbia Office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of BC The Honourable Carol Baird Ellan, Provincial Court of BC Karn Manhas - MLA Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain UBCM - Community Safety Committee Warren Jones, CAO, City of Coquitlam Mayor & Council, all GVRD Municipalities Councillors, City of Port Coquitlam Tony Chong, CAO, City of Port Coquitlam Nancy Gomerich, Director of Corporate Services, City of Port Coquitlam Gary Forbes, Lower Mainland Commander, RCMP Acting OIC - Inspector Saigle, RCMP - Coquitlam Detachment MAPLE RIDGE OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN REVIEW Wrap-up District of Maple Ridge • Total area 25700 ha (63,500 ac) • Area in OCP 14, 986 ha (37,037 ac) Base Overlay: • rural area • defined urban area boundary • Urban Reserve - Natural Features - -- • Significant portion of District is covered by natural features: • - watercourses • - forested areas - hazard lands - steep slopes - floodplain 1 Environmental Issues • Recognized as an environmental leader • Opportunities to expand current approach and to implement comprehensive strategies Key Environmental Policies to adopt strategies, guidelines and standards to protect significant ecological features and functions to adopt an environmental management framework to identify location of environmental assets and physical constraints to require appropriate information prior to development Parks • Provincial and Regional Parks • Community and research forests • District parks are not identified 7 2 C • - Agricultural Issues • agricultural land is being taken out of production • agriculture is losing intellectual capital & fixed assets declining • encroachment by other land uses • two-thirds of the ALR is not being used for farming • rural-urban conflicts • uncertain land use policies Key Agricultural Policies • Supporting land base by: mwntaining Urban Area Boundary; clear OCP polimes; agricultural - impact studies; balanced growth - • Promoting agricultural as an economic development tool by: -- - farmers market; local purchasing; agro-tourism • Mitigating conflicts by: Establisfung DPA; buffers between uses; suppoiling Provincial . regulations Transportation Issues -- -- - • disconnected east-west mobility • increasing traffic demand and automobile travel • all levels of government involved • other modes of transportation need to be incorporated ( 3 Key Transportation Policies , • work with all levels of government to implement initiatives • concentration of development in Town Centre • ': • support transit, pedestrian and cycling • supporting proper planning and incorporating other modes into design • • road safety - . Commercial Issues • role of Regional Town Centre • • • competition from neighbouring municipalities • big box retail and power centre • role of commercial on Lougheed Highway - - • role of commercial on Dewdney Trunk Road Key Commercial Policies • Town Centre: encourage residential, distinct town centre, needs time to evolve • Dewdney Trunk Road (east): community -: commercial nodes / residential in between • Lougheed Highway (west): general commercial streamlining uses/regulations - • Other opportunities: tourism, home based business, power centres 4 4 'p Industrial Issues • expanding range of uses in business park • time to plan for future industrial area • Albion Industrial Park will mature • Whonnock, Ruskin will become primary locations for resource based industry Key Industrial Policies • evaluate alternate locations for future industrial land • gravel policy remains the same • maintain northern industrial area • expanded range of uses in Business Park (office and big box) Residential Issues • projected 108,900 population by 2031 • current OCP capacity 93,000 • need to accommodate population growth • requires 310 hectares of land and moderate intensification • neighbourhood planning required 5 S Key Residential Policies • encouraging higher residential density in Town Centre - neighbourhood planning • • infihl through guiding policies . accommodating population growth in short- term & long-term timeframes Potential Urban Area Boundary Adjustments - Housekeeping - To include: - properties currently in Fraser Sewer Area - adjacent ALR excluded properties - Albion Industrial Park Potential Urban Area Expansion Adjustments - Growth Options • • Option 1 (Sheltair) - moderate intensification within Urban Area - phased northward- eastward expansion - expansion to Thornhill after 2031 Option 2 (Status Quo -Thornhill) • - moderate intensification within Urban Area - maintain Thornhit as future expansion area at appropriate time • MAPLE RIDGE OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN REVIEW Wrap-up Next Steps • compile draft OCP • public consultation in February • liaise with Agencies (ALC, GVRD, GVSDD) • firt reading of OCP Bylaw 7