HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Citizens Report2015 CITIZENS REPORT as of December 31, 2015
THE CITY OF
www.mapleridge.ca
P14
THE NEWNORMAL
British Columbia, Canada
P9
ADAPTING TO
WINDSTORMS
& DROUGHTS
PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES
Local Film & TV Production Boom
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Whonnock Lake Upgrades
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2015 Financial Spotlight
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The Year in Photos
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VISION 2025
The City of Maple Ridge is among the most
sustainable communities in the world. As a
community committed to working toward achieving
carbon neutrality, residents experience the value
of a strong and vibrant local economy and the
benefits of an ongoing commitment to environmental
stewardship and creation of stable and special
neighbourhoods. Maple Ridge is a world leading
example of thoughtful development and a socially
cohesive community, especially as it relates to the
use of leading edge “environmental technologies,”
social networks and economic development. Other
municipalities consistently reference the City of
Maple Ridge for its innovative approaches to dealing
with seemingly intractable challenges.
MISSIONA safe, livable and sustainable community for our present and future citizens. VALUE STATEMENTS Leadership:To encourage innovation, creativity and initiative.Service: To be fair, friendly and helpful.Reputation: To stress excellence, integrity, accountability and honesty.Human Resources: To recognize that our people are our most valuable resource.Community: To respect and promote our community.Stewardship: To consider the long-term consequences of actions, think broadly across issues, disciplines and boundaries and act accordingly.
Introduction 4
Meet Your Mayor 6
Meet Your Council 7
Administration 8
Corporate & Financial Services 10
Community Development,
Parks & Recreation Services 12
Public Works & Development Services 14
Spotlight on Homelessness 16
Financial Spotlight 17
2015: Your Maple Ridge 29
Maple Ridge Fire Department 36
RCMP: Police Services 38
Maple Ridge Bucket List 40
Remembering: Anita Josephine Hauck 42
Contacts 43
COVER
Frank Gratzer from our Roads Section
volunteered to help us illustrate the
challenges around climate change.
Photo by Oliver Rathonyi-Reusz
OPPOSITE PAGE
The Blanshard Needle (1550m) after
a fresh snowfall in December 2015.
Photo by Fred Armstrong
CONTACTS PAGE
The Albion dock at the south end of
240th Street at River Road.
Photo by Fred Armstrong
Citizens Report 2015 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Our New CAO
Ted Swabey joined the City of Maple Ridge on December 1, 2015 as your new Chief Administrative Officer.
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Home Town Hero
Larissa Franklin’s journey from the baseball diamonds of Maple Ridge to the Gold Medal Game of the 2015 Pan Am Games.
Back Cover
Photo Credits
4 Citizens Report 2015
On behalf of Council and the citizens of Maple Ridge I am proud to present the 2015 Citizens Report. This document
contains an overview of the financial
performance of the City of Maple Ridge for the year ending December 31, 2015.It was a year that saw change at the very
top of our organization. Jim Rule, who served as the City’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) retired in May of 2015. Jim
joined the City of Maple Ridge in 2002 and served five Mayors in his thirteen years as CAO. Under his leadership our
community has navigated explosive
growth and developed a strong planning and policy framework that underlies all of the work done by our staff.
Jim was a pleasure to work with. His understanding of local government, the operation of our City and the challenges
of political life were an asset to Council
and the community he served. I would like to dedicate this year’s Citizens Report to Jim Rule.
After a six month search our community was introduced to Ted Swabey who took the helm on December
1, 2015. Ted’s experience and energy ensures that Maple Ridge has strong leadership as we move to the future.
Please enjoy this look back at what we
accomplished as a community in 2015.
INTRODUCTIONS
Message From Our Mayor
Message From Our CAO
December 1, 2015 was my first day as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Maple Ridge. This day was also the
first of three full days of presentations to Council respecting the proposed 2016 – 2020 Financial Plan. What struck me
immediately was the exemplary job staff had done in preparing and presenting the business plan to Council and the
community.
The City of Maple Ridge, like most municipalities, is a complex organization that delivers a large variety of services
to its citizens. Business Planning provided an excellent venue to explain and identify priorities for Council’s
consideration. What was also obvious during these presentations was the remarkable job former CAO, Jim Rule,
had done in leading this organization.
This left a legacy of fiscal responsibility and sustainable service delivery that has resulted in an employee culture that is
customer service driven and has a strong sense of ensuring there is value for services we deliver to our taxpayers.
I also would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of the senior leadership team who, in addition to their
regular duties, shared the role of Acting
CAO for six months following Jim Rule’s retirement. On behalf of Council I want to thank Frank Quinn, Paul Gill
and Kelly Swift for the stewardship of our community during that period of transition until I arrived. This report
reflects the General Managers’ strong commitment to the business plans they developed that were adopted by Council
for 2015.
Maple Ridge has a diverse population and I have come to understand how very passionate they are about making Maple
Ridge the most desirable place to ‘live, work and play’ in Metro Vancouver. I am so pleased to be part of this community
and to help guide our development in this regard.If there are ever any comments or
suggestions that members of the public
would like to make about this document or the community in general please do not hesitate to contact me at tswabey@
mapleridge.ca or 604-463-5221.
E.C. (Ted) Swabey
Chief Administrative Officer
Nicole Read
Mayor
2015 CITIZENS REPORTMAPLE RIDGE
The Government Finance Officers’ Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has given an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) to Maple Ridge for its Popular Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting is a prestigious international award recognizing conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state/provincial and local government popular reports. In order to receive an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting, a government unit must publish a Popular Annual Financial Report, whose contents conform to program standards of creativity, presentation, understandability, and reader appeal.
The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting is valid for a period of one year only. Maple Ridge has received a Popular Award for the 19th consecutive year and is very fortunate to be one of only eight municipalities in Canada awarded a PAFR for 2014. We believe our current
GFOA
report continues to conform to the Popular Annual Financial Reporting requirements, and we are submitting it to GFOA.
Citizens Report 2015 5
The print version of this report is 100% recyclable.
The 2015 Citizens Report is part of a suite of publications that include the Financial Plan and the Annual Report. These publications allow citizens to examine the business of Maple Ridge to the level of detail that they desire. This report incorporates tools that allow citizens to more quickly access information on our website mapleridge.ca. The goal is to ensure that our work remains transparent and accessible to all.
This publication is a collaboration between Maple Ridge staff and some very talented local citizens. We would like to acknowledge Oliver Rathonyi-Reusz of InView Images and Ray Urner of Dakota Maverick Photography for their photography which enhances many of the articles in this publication. In our Year In Photos section there are a number of photographs that have been supplied by our local community newspapers. We would like to thank the Maple Ridge News and the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Times for supplying photos that graced the front pages of their newspapers. In this context we all get to appreciate the amazing talent that serves our community every day. We would also like to thank our publication designer Cindy Farnsworth for pulling all of the content together. Her passion for the community and this project is evident in the final product.
Internally, we are very grateful for the help of many of our fellow staff members who have provided information for this publication. We are very proud to be able to highlight the work of our colleagues who quietly go about their work with professionalism, dedication and passion each and every day.
Finally, I have the honour of working with two very wonderful colleagues, Cindy Dale and Tracy Camire, whose professionalism and enthusiasm are an inspiration. Their fingerprints are all over this document. I thank them for their wonderful ideas, suggestions, corrections and cajoling. They are amazing.
We hope that you enjoy the 2015 Citizens Report and will share this with your family and friends. We are all very proud to serve this community.
Fred Armstrong Manager Corporate Communications famstrong@mapleridge.ca Phone 604-467-7452
This publication is available both in print and in digital format. The digital version is available in ‘Flipping Book’ format and as a PDF download at mapleridge.ca under the Business Plans/Financial Reports section in the Your Government menu.
Maple Ridge is active on social media. You can follow us on Twitter @yourmapleridge and on Facebook at facebook.com/yourmapleridge. We look forward to your comments on the 2015 Citizens Report.December 31, 2014
AWARDS & CREDITS
6 Citizens Report 2015
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Our Council was sworn in on December 1, 2014 and as of December 31, 2015 all of us have served the community for a full year. To say the year has flown by would be an understatement. In our first year as a Council we have dealt with some significant issues that have impacts far beyond our borders. The transit referendum in the spring of 2015 highlights some of the challenges we face as a growing community. Our citizens would like to park their cars and use transit but we need to have a level and style of service that makes that goal possible. The referendum was defeated with 77% of Maple Ridge residents rejecting the proposal. This issue will continue to be on the regional agenda until we can come up with a way to deal with the fundamental flaws in the governance model.Like many communities in BC we are struggling to deal with issues of homelessness and I met some amazing people on all sides in 2015. The residents along Cliff Avenue, who lived with this issue for six long months, were a great source of inspiration. There were unsheltered people who we got to know personally and thankfully due to our intervention some of them have begun a journey away from life on the streets. We didn’t celebrate the fact that our community is the only one in BC that had a homeless camp that voluntarily dispersed, but that was a major achievement. This issue is far from resolved and until we find a way to connect these citizens with a continuum of care we will continue to see people slip through the cracks.Managing our growth was a recurring topic in 2015. We had very important conversations about how we fund the development of more complete neighbourhoods. We made substantial movement on the development of a new Hammond Area Plan, our Commercial and Industrial Strategy and we passed our Environmental Strategy and bylaws to protect the environment. All of these issues are intertwined. Our citizens want us to find a way to have sustainable development that will see strong neighbourhoods emerge where people can raise their families and achieve their dreams.
In 2015 we launched our Open Government Task Force and our Citizens Advisory Committee delivered incredible recommendations that will come before Council in 2016. The volunteers on this group really captured the aspirations that we on Council have around this issue.For me there are so many poignant moments in 2015. One incident that touched me deeply was the death of one of our homeless citizens, Anita Hauck who I met early on in the Cliff Avenue camp. She was a kind and generous person who advocated for homeless citizens even as she dealt with homelessness herself. Anita was a mother and a daughter who had periods of sobriety, but in the end drugs took over her life. Sadly, she died a couple of weeks before the temporary shelter opened. Anita is my inspiration on the issues around homelessness, addiction and mental health.On the next page each of my fellow Council members will share their highlight of 2015. I thank them all for their passion and service to our community and I thank you for your support and for taking the time to read this report. This is a snapshot of 365 days of our community. Enjoy.
Mayor Nicole Read
Corisa Bell Kiersten Duncan Bob Masse
Gordy Robson Craig SpeirsTyler Shymkiw
It's such an honour to have been
elected President of the Lower Mainland
Local Government Association. LMLGA
represents 2.4 million people who reside in
the association’s 33 municipalities. I kicked
off the "Presidents Tour" with Mayor Greg
Moore in Port Coquitlam. I'm an advocate
for open dialogue and communication,
firmly believing the more we work together
the stronger local government’s voice is
when building relationships and negotiating
with other levels of government. Life is
hard enough, my passion in life through
volunteering and government is to improve
the quality of life for us all. #transparency
#accountability #publicengagement
#community #peace #love
Citizens Report 2015 7
YOUR COUNCIL 2014-2018
My highlight of 2015. That’s pretty easy. My
wife and I found out that we were going to
be grandparents. It’s exciting news for any
family, but we found out that we were going
to be grandparents of twins! Much of the
last part of 2015 involved getting ready for
these new additions to our family. I know
it’s cheating, but the photo I’ve included
is my wife and I holding the twins taken
earlier this year. We are blessed.
Last year was a busy one with lots of
excellent challenges both politically and
personally. One of the best things I did last
year was read my father’s letters home from
the war (WW2) at the monthly Local Voices
event at our library. I read excerpts from the
letters chronologically and was struck by
the story of a boy going to war and coming
back as a man, fully grown. It was a very
emotional and satisfying experience. Local
Voices tells the community’s stories one
person at a time and it’s always interesting.
Check it out.
My professional highlight was the support
of my colleagues on a bylaw to limit the
expansion of payday loan companies in
our community. These operations often
prey on citizens who are already struggling
with financial hardship. The bylaw that
we passed here in Maple Ridge created a
conversation in the region and it is my hope
that the Provincial and Federal Governments
will step in to regulate this industry and to
protect citizens who are vulnerable to these
often predatory practices.
2015 was a big year for me both
personally and professionally. I started my
dream job as a City Councillor, a career
choice I've been pursuing since attending
my first Council meeting at the age of 11,
and my highschool sweetheart and I got
engaged. Together we bought our first
home and adopted a lovely rescue dog
named Satchi from S.A.I.N.T.S. (Senior
Animals In Need Today Society). It's been
an amazing year, I can't wait to see what
2016 brings!
In 2015 City Council was given the
opportunity to refresh the management of
the City and selected Ted Swabey as the
new CAO. That was one of Council’s biggest
decisions in 2015. On the personal side,
Mary and I welcomed the news of another
grandchild. Our growing family gives us great
pride and joy. In late 2015 the call went out
for help to settle Syrian refugees across
the nation. Mary and I decided to open our
home and in early 2016 we welcomed two
families and found 13 more grandchildren.
Talking with these new citizens, hearing their
experiences and seeing the world though
their eyes as they establish themselves in
their new home makes me realize that, as
Canadians, we are truly blessed.
Local Film & TV Production at Record Levels
When the Canadian dollar started to drop in value against the American currency an already busy local film and television production schedule ramped up to record levels.In spring of 2015 John Wittmeyer leased space on 224 Street and created ‘Ridge Film Studios.’ The building was renovated with production offices and special sets to replicate courtrooms and forensic labs. By the end of the year the studio was fully booked for film and television projects and there was a demand for even more space.Statistics show that 2015 was a record year with 263 permits issued generating close to $150,000 in revenue. That doesn’t include the location fees paid to the owners and operators of places like Chameleon Café and The ACT Arts Theatre that are very popular with the location directors in the region.
In total there were 417 ‘shoot days’ in the community, up 23% over 2014 and almost double the 2013 numbers.While the productions pull into the City with a large caravan of support trucks and dressing rooms, there is a local economic benefit. Not only is Maple Ridge the place where many people in the film and TV production industry live and raise their families, there is an additional spin off to the local
business community, especially with the new ‘Ridge Film Studios’ up and running. The studio has connected with local high schools to help create a work experience outreach for students who are interested in careers in the film industry. The students have the opportunity to rub elbows with production crews and see, firsthand, what skills and education they will need to excel in this field.Attracting film and TV productions to Maple Ridge is just part of the work that the City’s Economic Development department does everyday to encourage investment in the community. Our City is well respected in the film and television industry and the diversity of locations and beautiful natural settings have made us a preferred destination for this industry.
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ADMINISTRATION
Administration
Citizens Report 2015 9
AT A GLANCE
Division Head:
E.C. (Ted) Swabey,
Chief Administrative Officer
The Administration Division is responsible
for the overall administration of the
City’s departments, developing corporate
policy, providing leadership and direction
for senior staff in the day-to-day and
long-term business affairs of the City
in accordance with Council’s Strategic
Plan and providing advice to Council
about City organization and operating
procedures. The division consists of five
departments: Communications, Economic
Development, Emergency Program,
Human Resources and Sustainability &
Corporate Planning.
Department Heads:
Fred Armstrong
Manager of Corporate Communications
Laura Benson
Manager of Sustainability & Corporate
Planning
Patrick Cullen
Emergency Program Coordinator
Frances King
Director of Human Resources
Lino Siracusa
Manager of Economic Development
Emergency Planning Takes the
Spotlight in 2015
Maple Ridge was one of only seven communities to host the ‘Quake Cottage’ simulator that provides citizens with an opportunity to experience what it would feel like in an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. 450 people took a turn in the simulator at the Ridge Meadows Home Show and the volunteers from Emergency Support Services took advantage of the opportunity to share information on emergency preparation and planning.On Saturday, August 29, a severe windstorm brought an abrupt end to the long summer drought of 2015. In our community there were over 100 trees that came down, and thankfully no one was injured. The real impact was on the power which took almost four days to restore to all citizens of Maple Ridge. Road closures restricted people to their neighbourhoods as downed power lines made roads impassable.Local restaurants that had power started to run out of menu items by Sunday morning. This was a small sample of what would happen in a larger scale emergency and it should be a wakeup call to everyone.Following the August windstorm,
Patrick Cullen, the City’s Emergency Program Coordinator, hosted two sessions to demonstrate how to create a personal emergency plan including assembling supplies to ensure that your family can survive, in place, for a minimum of 72 hours. There’s a link on the home page of the City website where you can learn more about emergency planning.On December 29 at approximately 11:00 pm many citizens thought that a truck had crashed into their home. The jolt was not the result of a traffic accident; it was an earthquake that was estimated at a magnitude of 4.7 which struck about 50 kilometres north east of Victoria.This earthquake was a final reminder for 2015 about the importance of personal emergency planning, a message that Patrick had been preaching all year. The City of Maple Ridge has a robust Emergency Response Plan. That’s one of the roles of local government. It’s our hope that you will develop a plan for and your family. The windstorm and earthquake in 2015 were reminders of the work we need to do.
10 Citizens Report 2015
Back in 1884 the Clerk for the then ‘Municipal District of Maple Ridge, needed to have superior calligraphy skills and the ability to summarize decisions of the first Councils. Today, that skill set is very different. Our Clerk’s Department has skills in video and audio recording and processing, website posting, document management, Freedom of Information expertise, knowledge of the Local Government Act and a full understanding of the intricate processes of running a meeting. In 2015 SHAW Cable ended their video coverage of City Council meetings. In response, the City expanded the video recording and live streaming capacity by adding the Committee of the Whole and Workshop meetings. In addition, a new camera was installed to provide a higher quality video production to ensure that the audience can see the people speaking at the meeting with greater clarity.
Once a meeting is over the video recording is merged with the associated presentations and support documents and put online along with the agendas, reports and minutes of the meeting. The City website, mapleridge.ca, then becomes a full archive of the work that our Council is doing. In addition to the expansion of video recordings the Clerk’s Department has been working on bringing digital document management to the City.
The Evolving Role of Our
Clerk’s Department
CORPORATE & FINANCIAL SERVICES
LaserFiche was rolled out to ensure that all important documents involved in the operation of the City are captured and archived. In the earliest days of our City minutes of the meetings and the payment of taxes were kept in ledger books with beautiful pen and ink handwriting. In the digital age emails have replaced hand written notes and typed memos. LaserFiche will allow the Clerk’s Department to capture all the correspondence and reports to ensure that Maple Ridge’s document management system meets the highest standards of transparency and accountability.Council and all of the committees and advisory panels hold close to 200 meetings a year. Our Clerk’s Department ensures that there’s a record of all of these meetings for today and for the historians who will look back on this era the way we look back on the City founders.
Peak Performance at Tax Time
In 2015 the Finance Department collected over $130 million with over $40 million billed on behalf of other levels of government. Each year at the end of May over 30,000 tax notices are mailed out. While the number of customer billings increase each year, staffing levels in the department have remained the same for over a decade. We’ve been able to do this by leveraging technology while ensuring that customers who prefer the face-to-face transactions are dealt with efficiently and effectively.In 2015 almost half of all tax payments were done online. One third of our citizens use online payment systems such as online banking to make their payment. The Pre-Authorized Withdrawal System, which is used by 12% of our citizens, allows property owners to make payments into their account. Over 40% of Home Owner Grants are claimed online and we have seen some great traction amongst seniors using the online claim system. This will continue to be a focus for our team in the
Citizens Report 2015 11
Corporate & Financial Services
AT A GLANCE
Division Head:
Paul Gill, General Manager:
Corporate & Financial Services
The Corporate & Financial Services
(CFS) Division is responsible for making
recommendations to merge and align
strategic planning, best practices,
performance measures and budget
priorities that guide decision making in
our organization. The division consists
of three departments: Clerk’s, Finance
and Information Technology. Corporate &
Financial Services also provides support
to the RCMP, Police Services and the
Fire Department and is responsible for
maintaining and improving the website.
Department Heads:
Christina Crabtree Director of Information Technology
Kathleen Gormley Manager of Business Systems
Maureen Jones, Senior Manager of Police Services
Ceri Marlo Manager of Legislative Services &
Emergency Program
Catherine Nolan
Manager of Accounting
Silvia Rutledge
Manager of Revenue & Collections
Trevor Thompson
Manager of Financial Planning
Dane Spence
Fire Chief, Director of Community Fire Safety (see page 36)
Superintendent David Fleugel RCMP Officer in Charge (see page 38)
coming years. A small number of people opt to use the third party credit card payment system.That leaves a large number of taxpayers who choose to use the mail, the drop box at City Hall or to pay their bill in person. Last year over 10,000 people decided to come and see us. Even with extended office hours each Thursday, there were some periods when citizens had to line up, but staff volunteers from other departments were there to help.
Whonnock Lake is a gem in Maple Ridge’s network of parks and open spaces. In fact, this is a destination park in our community that hosts thousands
of visits from local users and people who
come from surrounding communities to discover this treasure. The beach area is a tranquil place to bring the family for picnics and swimming. In addition the Whonnock Community Centre is a gathering place
and popular facility for weddings and special celebrations. The lake is a well-known spot for kayaks and canoeing, especially for athletes who are training for provincial, national and international paddling programs.
In April of 2015 work began with changes to the parking configurations to better serve the park users. Over the next six months the old gazebo was
removed and a new covered gathering
space was constructed as well as new modern playground facilities and overall improved site drainage for families who like to spread out a picnic as the kids play around the beach area.
The summer drought had an impact
on the construction schedule and the landscaping work had to be moved into the fall when the rainfall levels would ensure that new plantings would take root. While the construction work was underway the Public Art Steering
Committee worked on a tender for a public art piece to be installed as part of the park facelift. The successful design titled ‘Bloom’ will be installed in early
2016.
This is the first step in a multi-year plan to upgrade the facilities at this park. Each year Council is presented with the long-term capital plan that identifies priorities for upgrades and new park development.
Whonnock Lake Park was scheduled
into the Capital Plan a number of years ago and after an extensive community consultation Council gave the go ahead for this phase of the park upgrades. We look forward to hearing citizen feedback on the project.
12 Citizens Report 2015
A New Look for a Beloved Park
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, PARKS & RECREATION SERVICES
Community Development, Parks & Recreation Services
Citizens Report 2015 13
AT A GLANCE
Division Head:
Kelly Swift, General Manager:
Community Development,
Parks & Recreation Services
The Community Development, Parks &
Recreation Services (CDPR) Division’s role
is to ensure planning and coordination
of resources in the management and
development of parks, facility operations
and delivery of recreation and cultural
services. In addition this division is also
responsible for providing opportunities
that build individual, neighbourhood
and community capacity. By connecting
citizens and groups, sharing information,
developing resources and facilitating
planning that supports community-
driven efforts this division is building on
community capacity and assets. Identified
community needs are addressed by a
variety of approaches from the direct
provision of services to establishing
partnerships that leverage expertise
and funding from other sources. The
division consists of three departments:
Community Services, Parks & Facilities
and Recreation.
Department Heads:
David Boag
Director of Parks & Facilities
Wendy McCormick
Director of Recreation
Acting Director of Community Services
Each year there’s an annual shutdown of the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre at the end of the summer to allow the facilities team the opportunity to do upgrades and maintenance. Last year the work focused on refinishing the gymnasium, updates to the equipment and layout of the fitness centre and a spruce up of the multi-purpose room.Leisure Centre staff are always assessing community needs in relation to the use of facilities and equipment. Each year the team makes a plan to replace equipment at the end of its life cycle, but they also look at opportunities to change the configuration of the facility and replace older equipment and services to ensure customers can achieve their fitness goals.A key part of the consideration is accessibility for people with mobility challenges and ensuring that the facility is family-friendly. You will often see parents working out on the Stairmaster or stationary bike looking down at their children taking swimming lessons or enjoying a casual swim with their friends. This is what the Leisure Centre is all about.
In 2015 the Leisure Centre team rolled out a special Summer Pass aimed at youth between the ages of three and twelve years of age. The fact that 3,000 passes were sold reflects the success of the program. More importantly, the number of visits by this age group increased by 25% year-over-year. In a time when we are trying to encourage youth to get out from behind screens this program was a win for our community.The link between these two items is that when our youth ask their parents to take them to the Leisure Centre to swim and participate in programs it creates an opportunity for families to get active together. The Maple Ridge Leisure Centre hosts approximately 400,000 customer visits a year and each year 10,000 area youth and adults participate in swimming lessons. Our Leisure Centre is a community gathering place and the staff is committed to ensuring that the facility is bright, friendly and welcoming. That’s at the core of the City’s customer service commitment. This is your invitation to bring your family to your Leisure Centre!
Adapting to the Changing Needs
of the Community
On August 29 the worst summer drought in a decade came to a dramatic end with a giant storm that hit the Lower Mainland hard. These large windstorms have increasingly become the ‘new normal’ and the drought conditions that we saw in 2015 are also something that needs to be planned for.The windstorm that howled through the Fraser Valley knocked out power to over half a million households. Here in Maple Ridge the Fire Department and Operations Centre set up a joint command centre to deal with the influx of calls. BC Hydro’s website went down so area residents turned to the City website and social media channels for information.Over the next 24 hours the Fire Department handled close to 100 calls for service including a number of transformer
14 Citizens Report 2015
and power pole fires. Operations crews worked around the clock ensuring that the water and sewer systems continued to operate by deploying generators to critical locations due to the power outages. Over the next few days BC Hydro crews worked tirelessly to restore power to all citizens. A small number of homes were without power for almost three days reflecting the extent of the damage community wide. For the first time in a decade Stage Three watering restrictions were imposed in late July. Throughout these restrictions water use was still approximately 1.2 billion litres per day in Metro Vancouver. In 2016 the Stage One restrictions will be implemented earlier in the year to encourage greater conservation and to protect the reservoir levels.In response to the ‘new normal’ the City
has already deployed technology to better conserve water. Computerized watering systems allow us to ensure that sports fields and plants get the amount of water they need, but no more. Our Parks & Facilities staff are assessing planting areas to use more drought tolerant plants and in our buildings low flow fixtures are in place to conserve water in toilets and sinks.The increasing frequency of windstorms has resulted in a stronger operational plan to respond quickly to ensure public safety and support for BC Hydro crews. Citizens have a role to play as well. Being prepared for an emergency includes having all the necessities of life to survive a prolonged power outage. Your City is adapting to the ‘new normal’.
Dealing with the ‘New Normal’
PUBLIC WORKS & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
AT A GLANCE
Division Head:
Frank Quinn, General Manager:
Public Works & Development Services
The Public Works & Development
Services (PWDS) Division is responsible
for carrying out corporate initiatives as
directed by Council. The division manages
the City’s activities with respect to the
administration and implementation of
municipal policies, bylaws and services.
These services include development
processing, the issuance of building
permits and business licences and the
construction, operation and maintenance
of municipal infrastructure. In addition,
the division attends to enquiries and
requests for assistance from the public.
The division consists of four departments:
Licences, Permits & Bylaws, Engineering,
Operations and Planning. The Ridge
Meadows Recycling Society liaises with
Council through the division.
Department Heads:
Russ Carmichael
Director of Engineering Operations
Christine Carter
Director of Planning
Stephen Cote-Rolvink
Manager of Inspections Services
Robin MacNair
Manager of Bylaws & Licences
David Pollock
Municipal Engineer
Citizens Report 2015 15
Public Works & Development Services
One of the largest capital projects in a decade broke ground in 2015 when Phase One of the four lane expansion of 128 Avenue began in the early summer. With a budget of over $9 million, this project is part of a multi-year plan to create a better east/west connection for citizens in north and east Maple Ridge. Citizens may not realize that the land acquisition for this project began almost five years ago. Phase One spans the area between the intersection of 210 Street through to 216 Street to the east. This section of the project is the most complicated because two water courses, McKenney Creek near Laity Street and an unnamed creek close to 216 Street are both significant riparian areas. The project started with major excavations on the right of way on the south side of the existing road.
Of particular interest was the installation of large culverts for both of the creeks. These new modern connections along the creek will enhance the fish habitat. As with a number of projects in 2015, we went from drought conditions all summer into a very wet fall which pushed some of the final construction work into early 2016.This project expands the capacity of the roadway for commuters, but also creates important connections for pedestrians, cyclists and the equestrian community to link to the extensive network of trails on the area dykes. The new road alignment has improved the drainage capacity of the area and created dramatic improvements to the wildlife corridor.We look forward to providing the update on the next phase of this project in our next Citizens Report.
Moving People from
East To West
16 Citizens Report 2015
Maple Ridge Faces a Test of Resilience
SPOTLIGHT ON HOMELESSNESS
Maple Ridge is the only community in BC that had a voluntary dispersal of a camp where no court order or forced teardown was required. This is a significant milestone. The credit goes to the coordinated approach across all service providers and the patience and compassion of the area businesses and residents who provided the ‘space’ to solve this issue with dignity and respect. Not everyone who was part of the camp made it to the shelter. On page 42 we talk about Anita, a woman who became the face of the challenges of homelessness in our community. No look back on 2015 would be complete without a discussion of how our City has been facing some of the challenges of homelessness in our community. Homelessness is not a new issue. For over a decade there have been people who have no reliable housing. The most obvious are the people camping in ravines and gullies who are largely hidden from public view. Invisible are the adults and youth who are couch surfing, staying with a friend or acquaintance, because they have no place to go. Why are they homeless?Each person has a unique path to the streets. Abuse, mental health, poverty and addiction are one or more of the reasons that someone ends up on the street. The longer you live in this world the harder it is to journey back from that life.
In the late spring of 2015 a ‘homeless’ camp formed on Cliff Avenue, in close proximity to the City’s only shelter at the Salvation Army Caring Place. In response to this situation the City established the Maple Ridge Resilience Initiative and developed a series of teams tasked with deploying a multi-pronged approach to deal with the short and long term issues. The City made a decision to invest in four front line outreach workers (two mental health and two addiction specialists) to work with City staff from Bylaws, Parks, Maple Ridge Fire Department, Community Services and the RCMP. As the summer went on some of the original campers were connected with housing and health care. The challenge was that for every person we helped off the street there was another person to take their place.At the peak there were 60 to 65 people in the camp. As the long hot summer wore on, the patience of the residents and local business was tested. Police, Fire, Bylaws and Parks had the challenge of keeping the area safe and managing the growing amount of personal
possessions of the campers. In late August Council asked BC Housing to end its shelter contract with the Salvation Army Caring Place and review the operational model for the Alouette Heights Transitional Housing. Council acknowledged that the Salvation Army runs a number of great programs in the community and was only concerned with the shelter operation. BC Housing came forward with funding to open a temporary shelter to deal with the Cliff Avenue camp and reviewed the Caring Place and Alouette Heights operating models. In addition, BC Housing authorized a number of new rental supports to help create a flow in transitional housing to market housing and create opportunities to move people from the camp into regular rental housing. At the beginning of October a temporary shelter operated by RainCity Housing opened in the old Sleep Shop location just east of 222 Street on Lougheed Highway. Over the next three weeks people transitioned from the Cliff Avenue camp into the shelter or other housing options. On October 19 the final camper packed their belongings and made their way to the new shelter.The story does not end here, but Maple Ridge made significant steps in understanding the multi-faceted nature of homelessness and the supports and agencies that need to work together to make a lasting impact on this issue locally and regionally.
We decided to
approach the work
in a way that balanced the
rights and dignity of citizens
who are homeless and the
impacts on the local
businesses and residents.
Citizens Report 2015 17
BEHIND THE NUMBERS
Every year the City of Maple Ridge
mails out a tax notice and when you
open the envelope you look at the
bottom line number and, depending
on your expectations you’re either
shocked or determine that it’s about
what you expected.
For people who pay their taxes using
the Pre-Authorized Withdrawal System
or for citizens who pay their annual
taxes as part of their mortgage, the
annual tax notice is less of a surprise
because they are paid alongside your
other bills. On page 26 we show the
average you are paying each month
for such items as your cellular phone
or cable service in comparison to what
you pay for police service or water.
For what most people pay for an
iPhone with a 6G data plan, the
average household gets water and
sewer service. Given a choice between
clean drinking water and your raw
sewage disappearing when you flush
the toilet or the ability to play ‘Candy
Crush’ we think we’re offering pretty
good value.
But there’s a broader discussion to
be had here. Each year you need to file
your Federal Income taxes by the end
of April. Most people have the majority
of their Federal and Provincial taxes
deducted from their pay cheques by
their employer. So when you file your
taxes some people actually get a small
rebate.
The thing is that you actually
Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?
pay a lot more in taxes than your
payroll dedications to the Federal
and Provincial governments. The
most obvious are the sales taxes
from both levels of government on
the majority of your purchases. The
Federal government collects revenues
on liquor, duty, Corporate taxes,
employment insurance, CPP and taxes
that are hidden in the cost of your fuel
purchases.
The Province collects taxes when
you sell your home, on gasoline and
tobacco, Medical Service Plan fees,
all the gambling revenue, Federal
transfers and Provincial liquor taxes. In
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
fact the province makes the City collect
the taxes for education as part of our
annual bill.
Local governments in BC are
regulated by the province. The
Community Charter limits the revenue
sources for local government to property
taxes and user fees. The Community
Charter also makes it illegal for a
local government to run a deficit and
places restrictions on borrowing levels
and the processes around borrowing
authority. The Federal and Provincial
governments can run deficits and have
greater powers to borrow money on
your behalf.
The Canadian Federation of
Municipalities estimates that of every
tax dollar you pay, 50% goes to the
Federal government, 42% goes to the
Provincial government and 8% goes to
your Municipal government.
Your City government is familiar,
visible and accessible to you. Citizens
have access to Mayor and Council and
well the email addresses and contacts
of all the management team are
posted online. The services we offer
are the ones that are fundamental to
your life – water, sewage, police, fire
protection, parks, recreation, roads,
streetlights and more.
While your local tax bill may be the
smallest of the total taxes you pay we
recognize the need to be accountable
and transparent about decisions we
make and how they impact your budget.
Local Government collects 8¢ of every tax
dollar paid in Canada
50% FEDERAL
42% PROVINCIAL
8% MUNICIPAL
Accumulated Surplus - Represents net economic resources, the amount by which all assets, both financial and non-financial, exceed all liabilities. It indicates that a government has net resources available to provide future services, but does not represent aailable cash.
Amortization - The cost of using an asset over time.
Annual Surplus/Deficit - The difference between annual revenues and annual expenses. If positive it is refered to as Annual Surplus, if negative, it is referred to as Annual Deficit
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $10,146,294 $14,098,635
Portfolio investments 159,495,941 140,752,034
Accounts receivable 18,923,067 18,910,387
Recoverable local improvments 1,573,096 1,772,386
Other assets 758,106 739,180
Inventory available for resale 4,251,189 374,343
195,147,693 176,646,965
Liabilites
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 17,918,881 17,215,076
Deferred revenue 10,667,777 9,516,042
Restricted revenue 41,686,047 44,195,434
Refundable performance deposits and other 13,850,225 12,006,924
Employee future benefits 4,908,000 5,086,600
Debt 34,063,639 36,828,024
123,094,569 124,848,100
Net Financial Assets 72,053,124 51,798,865
Non Financial Assets
Tangible capital assets 910,891,167 881,235,810
Undeveloped landbank properties 15,580,027 14,385,160
Supplies inventory 350,805 336,897
Prepaid expenses 948,425 568,450
927,770,924 896,526,317
Accumulated Surplus $999,824,048 $948,325,182
The Consolidated Statement of Financial Position is the Public Sector version of the Balance Sheet, listing the government entity’s
financial assets, liabilities and non-financial assets as at December 31. Key things to note on this statement are Net Financial Assets
and Accumulated Surplus. Net Financial Assets are the excess of financial assets over liabilities and provides an indication of financial
flexibility. Accumulated Surplus is the total of Net Financial Assets and Non-Financial Assets.
Reporting Entity and Basis of Consolidation These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian Public Sector accounting standards using guidelines developed by the Public Sector Accounting Board (“PSAB”) of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.They consolidate the activities of all of the funds of the District and the District’s wholly owned subsidiaries C.D.M.R. Developments Ltd. and Maple Ridge Municipal Holdings Ltd. Transactions between the District’s funds and wholly owned subsidiaries have been eliminated and only transactions with outside entities are reported.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at December 31, 2015
2015 2014
Glossary
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
18 Citizens Report 2015
Consolidated Statement of Operations
The Consolidated Statement of Operations is the Public Sector version of an Income Statement, showing the government entity’s revenues
and expenses realized over the course of the fiscal year. The difference between annual revenues and expenses is referred to as the
annual surplus. The key point to keep in mind with this statement is that the annual surplus does not represent a cash surplus as the
amounts reported under expense includes general operating costs and the annual depreciation of tangible capital assets used in service
provision, but does not include the amount of cash invested in infrastructure during the year.
Financial Assets - Assets that could be used to discharge existing liabilities or finance future operations, such as cash receivables and portfolio investments.
Net Financial Assets - The excess of financial assets over liabilities
Non-Financial Assets - Assets that are acquired, constructed or developed that do not normally provide resources to discharge existing liabilities, but are normally employed to deliver government services or may be consumed in the normal course of operations.
Tangible Capital Assets - Assets of long-term character that are intended to continue to be held or used, such as land, buildings, machinery, furniture, and other equipment. These assets have a sigificant value and a useful life of greater than one year. Capital assets are also called fixed assets.
Actual Budget Actual
2015 2015 2014
Revenue
Taxes for municipal purposes $74,042,945 $73,923,852 $71,350,132
User fees and other revenue 41,699,739 39,048,881 38,572,819
Government transfers 3,637,552 5,071,436 2,511,485
Development revenue 12,855,808 38,732,134 8,693,788
Interest and investment income
Investment income 2,752,240
Interest income 199,075
Less: Restricted amount (533,913)
Interest and investment income 2,417,402 1,868,000 2,424,879
Gaming revenues 1,161,956 1,050,000 1,056,511
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets (1,668,305) 4,250,000 (1,353,953)
Contributed tangible capital assets 36,744,306 16,500,000 23,232,212
170,891,403 180,444,303 146,487,413
Expenses
Protective services 34,452,583 37,146,888 31,988,914
Transportation services 17,651,339 19,582,665 17,323,495
Recreation and cultural 21,562,840 22,572,713 21,183,974
Water utility 15,615,936 17,856,192 15,375,275
Sewer utility 9,837,523 10,130,292 9,341,867
General government 14,357,496 17,329,253 14,517,314
Planning, public health and other 5,914,820 5,730,392 4,917,259
119,392,547 130,348,395 114,648,098
Annual surplus 51,498,866 50,095,908 31,839,315
Accumulated surplus - beginning of the year 948,325,182 948,325,182 916,485,867
Accumulated surplus - end of the year $999,824,048 $998,421,090 $948,325,182
For the year ended ended December 31, 2015
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
The 2015 Annual Report contains more detailed
information on the financial position and results
of operations. Copies can be obtained from the
Fraser Valley library, Maple Ridge hall and online
www.mapleridge.ca/163/Annual-Report.
Citizens Report 2015 19
Expenses
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Protective Services 29¢
Recreation and Cultural 18¢
Transportation Services 15¢
Water Utility 13¢
General Government 12¢
Sewer Utility 8¢
Planning, Public Health 5¢ and other
Total Expenses in 2015: $119,392,537
This graph shows you how much
of each dollar Maple Ridge spends
goes to fund specific services and
projects.
This chart shows you the total of all Expenses as well as the Developer Contributed Assets and Capital Investments classified as
‘Expenditures For Accounts.’ The combination of these items collectively is known as Expenditures & Expenses by Object.
20 Citizens Report 2015
Expenses & Expenditures By Object 2011-2015
24% 26% 22% 27% 24%Labour
11% 12% 10% 10% 17%Capital
1% 1% 1% 2% 2% Debt Servicing
32% 34% 30% 36% 31%Goods & Services
21% 15% 26% 12% 14%Contributed Infrastructure
Amortizaion Expense
Total Expenses & Expenditures
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
$177.0 $157.4 $176.4 $138.3 $148.9
11% 12% 10% 13% 12%
Revenues
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Revenues by Source 2011-2015
43% 49% 41% 50% 45%Taxes
8% 6% 6% 4% 3%Development Revenue
21% 15% 27% 12% 15% Tangible Capital Assets*
24% 26% 22% 27% 25%User Fees & Other Revenue
2% 2% 2% 3% 10%Government Transfers
Interest & Investment Income
1% 1% 1% 1% 0%Gaming Revenue
Total Revenue
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
$170.9 $146.5 $165.1 $129.2 $134.3
This chart breaks down the total revenues collected from 2011 to 2015.
*Definition: Tangible Capital Asset. These are assets that have a physical form. Examples include machinery, buildings and land. Each year
the accounting team do an extensive review of all assets to ensure that the value of our community’s assets are accurately reflected.
Citizens Report 2015 21
1% 2% 2% 3% 3%
2015 Financial Plan
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
22 Citizens Report 2015
2015 Projected Funding Sources
Property Taxes and Parcel Charges $73.9 Million
Development Fees $55.2 Million
Fees & Charges $39.1 Million
Reserves (Net) $28.0 Million
Reduce Book Value of Assets (Amortization) $20.1 Million
Interest, Grants & Other $8.0 Million
Borrowing Proceeds $7.0 Million
Sale of Property $4.3 Million
Total Revenues $235.6 Million
2015 Projected Uses of Funding
Police Services $101.8 Million
Parks, Recreation & Gen. Govt Properties $20.9 Million
Public Works & Development Services $15.9 Million
Water $20.1 Million
Fire Protection $9.7 Million
Corporate & Financial Services $8.6 Million
Sewer $7.9 Million
Administration $5.6 Million
Total Other $107.3 Million
This chart shows where the money is coming from to
support Council’s 2015 Financial Plan. The graph shows the
breakdown based on a percentage of the Total Revenues.
This chart shows where the money is used to deliver the 2015
Financial Plan. The graph shows the breakdown based on the
percentage of the Total Uses of Funding.
Capital Program $101.8 Million
Amortization $20.1 Million
Debt Payment $6.4 Million
Total Uses of Funding $235.6 Million
Capital Additions
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Citizens Report 2015 23
2015 Capital Additions
Transportation 66% $38.12 Million
Recreation & Cultural 12% $6.74 Million
Sewer Utility 11% $6.50 Million
Water Utility 8% $4.93 Million
General Government** 2% $0.95 Million
Protective Services <1% $0.35 Million
Planning: Public Health & Other <1% $0.01 Million
Total Capital Additions $57.61 Million
This graph shows the breakdown of the Total Capital Additions by percentage. The chart below represents
the investment that we made in Capital Assets. Additions to our water system, sewer system, road
construction, park acquisitions and development are all examples of Capital Additions.
Land moved to Undeveloped Land Bank $1,194,867
Land moved to ‘Land Held for Resale’ $4,226,923
Additions as per Schedule 5 of the Finals $52,188,726
** General Government reduced as follows:
Population & Demographics
40.2
44.6
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Population by Age
Ages 0-14 18% 14%
Ages 15-24 14% 9%
Ages 25-34 12% 11%
Ages 35-44 15% 16%
Ages 45-54 17% 15%
Ages 55-64 12% 13%
Ages 65-74 7% 12%
Ages 75+ 5% 9%
AgeGroup 2011Census 2031 Projection
Median
Age
2011 Median Age
for Maple Ridge
1921 1941 1961 1981 2001 2011
2031 Median Age
Estimate for
Maple Ridge
Definition:
The Median Age is the
age at which 50% of the
population are younger
than this age and 50%
are older.
Why is this important?
The Median Age helps
all levels of government
plan for the delivery of
services. We use this
data to plan for policy,
program and service
delivery to ensure that
citizens have the
amenities to live
comfortably.
This graph illustrates the growth in
Maple Ridge’s population during the
last century. The blue bars represent
20 year periods starting in 1921. As
you can see, the population virtually
doubled every 20 years. The orange
bar represent the growth in the 10
year period from 2001. The Maple
Ridge Official Community
Plan projects a
population of
118,000 by
2041.
Maple Ridge’s Historical
Population Growth
76,052
63,169
16,748
32,232
6,476
3,772
Source: Statistics Canada,
prepared by BC Stats
24 Citizens Report 2015
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Employment & Debt
Top 10 Maple Ridge Employers
Industry
School District No. 42 Education
Ridge Meadows Hospital Health Care
City of Maple Ridge Government
Overwaitea Food Group Grocery
Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living Health Care
Arcus Community Resources Health Care
Fraser Regional Corrections Corrections
West Coast Auto Group Vehicle Sales
Advantec Global Innovations Wood Products
Safeway Maple Ridge Grocery
Based on Number of Employees
Source: City of Maple Ridge – Economic Development
Debt Per Capita
Based on estimated population of 81,247
Council incorporates the use of
borrowing when it makes sense.
The debt per capita is reduced
as the debt is repaid.
Year Unemployment Employment Employed Rate Rate Persons
2011 Census 6.8% 64.2% 39,435
2006 Census 4.6% 66.4% 35,935
2001 Census 6.2% 64.9% 31,310
1996 Census 7.6% 63.7% 28,910
Maple Ridge
Employment Rate
British Columbia
Employment Rate
64.2%
59.5%
Source: Statistics Canada 2011 Census
Citizens Report 2015 25
2013
$496
2012
$535
2014
$458
2011
$498
2015
$419
Source: City of Maple Ridge –
Finance Department
26 Citizens Report 2015
Property Taxes vs. Household Costs
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
The monthly costs are based
on the taxes paid for a home
valued at $474,199. This was
the ‘Average Single Family
Home’ for 2015. The Standard
Monthly Household Costs
are a combination of Statistics
Canada Census Data and a
survey of service providers.
Your 2015 tax bill is comprised
of the elements listed on the chart to
the left. Below are comparisons to
standard household operating costs
using monthly averages.
As with other household bills, you can
pay your taxes using our monthly
‘Pre-Authorized Withdrawal Program.’
Look for more information in the Online
Services menu at mapleridge.ca.
Monthly Cost of Municipal Services
Police Services $46.29
Water (Includes Capital Costs) $44.82
Community Develpment, Parks & Recreation $36.51
Capital (Includes Debt) $29.84
Sewer (Includes Capital Costs) $26.94
Fire Services $23.61
Development Services $21.66
General Government $18.77
Recycling (Includes Capital Costs) $5.85
Standard Monthly Household Costs
Principal Accommodation $1541.42
Transportation $959.25
Food Expenditures $684.83
Clothing & Accessories $258.42
BC Hydro (Electricity) $89.00
Cell Phone (Basic) $79.08
FortisBC (Gas) $77.50
Home Insurance $58.05
Cable Television (Basic) $53.95
Internet (Basic) $38.91
Telephone Landline (Basic) $31.10
Home Security System $28.00
Source: City of Maple Ridge – Finance Department
Citizens Report 2015 27
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Taxable ValuesBy Property Class
2015 Total Value of All Property Types
$13,171,967,880
2015 Total Property Tax Levies
General TaxationBy Property Class
VERSUS
Property Values
In 2015, 91.1% of the
value of property was in the
Residential Class. That’s
91.1% of the over $13
billion figure supplied by BC
Assessment.
Property Taxes
While 91.1% of the value
is in the Residential Class,
only 77.9% of the tax
collected comes from
Residential.
22.1% of tax collected
comes from Business
Classes, which account for
8.9% of the total property
value. This type of ratio
is common in Metro
Vancouver.
Total property tax levied in
Maple Ridge during 2015
was just over $69 million.
Definition: The term Business Class on
this page refers to Utilities, Industrial,
Business, Seasonal Recreation and
Farm properties.
(for general purposes, NOT school, GVTA, BCA, etc.)$68,873,727
Property Values vs. Taxation
The 2015 Annual Report contains more detailed information on the financial position and results of operations. Copies can be obtained from the Fraser Valley library, Maple Ridge hall and online www.mapleridge.ca/163/Annual-Report.
Residential91%
Business Classes9%
Residential78%
Business Classes22%
Understanding Your Tax Notice
What are you paying & who gets the money?
Total Municipal TaxesThese are the funds collected to pay for the operation of the City of Maple Ridge. We would recommend that you look at the Financial
Overview Report at mapleridge.ca for a more detailed breakdown
of what these ‘categories’ fund. Your local taxes consist of:
1. General, Debt & Library
2. Drainage Improvements Levy
3. Parks & Recreation Improvements Levy
4. Parcel Charges
Total Utility ServicesThese funds are collected for specific uses. In the case of the Water and Sewer levies, a significant portion goes to Metro Vancouver to fund the infrastructure to deliver these services. The Blue Box Service Levy goes to the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society who provide this service in our community. Some communities bill their Water, Sewer and Recycling separately, often at the beginning of the year. We have opted for the single bill, both to save mailing and transaction costs, and to be more transparent with an ‘all in’ number.
School TaxesThe Provincial Government determines how much is required for School Taxes. School Taxes are paid to the Province, not the local
School District.
Total Other Government TaxesVarious government organizations havethe authority to collect money usingproperty taxes. We are required to collect
money for:
1. Greater Vancouver Regional District
2. TransLink
3. BC Assessment
4. Municipal Finance AuthorityThese organizations use this money tofund their organizations.
2015 MAPLE RIDGE FINANCIAL SPOTLIGHT
28 Citizens Report 2015
Karina LeBlanc - Home Town Hero P29
2015
YOUR MAPLE RIDGE
Karina LeBlanc is an Olympic Bronze Medalist. She’s a Maple Ridge ‘Home Town Hero. She is also an incredible ambassador for
our community and our country. In 2015 Karina retired from international play after the Women’s World Cup.
“The chance to end my career on home soil, in front of friends and family, felt like the perfect way to end my international career,”
said the 35-year-old goalkeeper. “It would be pretty special to look out into the crowd and see the faces of all those people who
have supported me over the past 17 years.”
We could think of no better way to honour this amazing citizen than to have her lead off our ‘Your Maple Ridge’ photo gallery for
2015. Photo Courtesy The News
P30
Take a stroll along the Port Haney
Wharf on any given night and you too
will be able to capture the beauty of a
stunning sunset along the Fraser River.
Photo Courtesy The Times
Lucky dog, Willow, went to the home of Kenya
in March after being found abandoned and
malnourished. Willow is now enjoying life with her
new family. Photo Courtesy The News
On almost any night from October
through March you will find our arenas
filled with citizens playing hockey.
From league play to Old-timers hockey,
Canada’s sport is thriving in Maple
Ridge. This photo was taken in January
during a game between the Maple
Ridge Midget Tier 1 Rustlers and their
rivals from Abbotsford. Yes, we won!
City of Maple Ridge Photo
The Golden Ears Winter Club was host for the BC Finals
of the Scott Tournament in January. Women from around
the province battled it out to represent the province in
the Nationals. It was a fantastic tournament with perfect
ice conditions and a team of volunteers who were great
ambassadors for our community. City of Maple Ridge Photo
LOOKING BACK ON 2015
P31
This year we saw an early spring with
the cherry blossoms creating a canopy
along 224 Street. Al and Cathy Albrecht,
who have celebrated 57 years together,
enjoy an afternoon stroll with their dog,
Maya. Photo Courtesy The Times
Meridian Meats new corporate headquarters and Farm Market
located at the corner of 227 Street and Dewdney Trunk Road broke
ground in April. The Penner family were joined by Councillor Robson for
the traditional sod turning. The new location will open in May of 2016.
City of Maple Ridge Photo
Earth Day started with a blessing from Dean
Sam, a beloved elder of the Katzie First Nation.
His message inspired us all that day. Dean
passed away later in the year and the post of
his passing was shared by thousands of citizens.
We mourn his loss, but celebrate the seed of
wisdom and knowledge that he planted in the
youth of our community. He is immortal in our
hearts. City of Maple Ridge Photo
This photo was taken at a story telling on the bandstand.
There’s nothing like having a story read to you by a
princess. Earth Day is the official start of the Festival
season in Maple Ridge. City of Maple Ridge Photo
YOUR MAPLE RIDGE
P32
The Home Show is a great place for grown-ups to check
out all the latest innovations in home improvement, but
the kids love to come for the carnival. Our photographer
caught a special moment between mother and daughter.
City of Maple Ridge Photo
Country Fest is the award winning celebration of Maple Ridge’s
agricultural roots. The event has run for over a century and
provides an opportunity for area residents to get back to the
farm and educate their kids on what it takes to stock the pantry
in their home. Here a couple of young people discover that milk
does not come from bottles. City of Maple Ridge Photo
National Aboriginal Day took place in
Memorial Peace Park this year and the
crowds enjoyed dancing, crafts, food and
the many vendors this event brought in.
Photo Courtesy The Times
Hammond is known for it historic feel and that certainly
bodes true with the addition of this historic home that was
moved in August from Vancouver to Hammond.
Photo Courtesty The News
LOOKING BACK ON 2015
P33
Canada Day was another great
community celebration in the bright
sunshine and warm days that stayed
with us until the end of August.
Photo Courtesy The News
The Caribbean Festival moved to the Albion Fairgrounds for the first
time. The August sunshine created incredible sunsets as huge crowds
came out for the evening concerts on Saturday and Sunday.
City of Maple Ridge Photo
As a result of the drought the Province
banned angling in most streams and smaller
rivers across the South Coast region. Ross
Davies and the Kanaka Education and
Environmental Partnership Society (KEEPS)
said that the ban was essential to keep
salmon stocks healthy.
Photo Courtesy The News
Visit the east side of 224 Street just south of
Dewdney Trunk Road and you will be able to see
the work of Jason Craft along the side of one
of the buidlings. His work is part of the Maple
Ridge Business Improvement Area’s Back Alley
Mural Program. Photo Courtesy The News
YOUR MAPLE RIDGE
P34
As the morning mist settles on the
Fraser River it lights up the Golden
Ears Bridge and you can feel that fall
is just around the corner.
Photo Courtesy The News
Sophie Smith of the Alouette River Management
Society (ARMS) inspects one of the thousands of
chum salmon as it returns to the south Alouette River.
Photo Courtesy The News
This year’s Volunteer Day celebration
occurred as part of the September 22
Farmers Market. We caught two of our
most dedicated community volunteers,
Lorraine Bates and Tom Cameron,
getting a fun photo as part of the
celebration. City of Maple Ridge Photo
Meadow Ridge Knights football players had a special visit
from BC Lions offensive guard T-Dre Player and his teammate
defensive lineman Dave Menard at Samuel Robertson Technical
School in the late fall. Photo Courtesy The Times
LOOKING BACK ON 2015
P35
Maple Ridge’s annual Remembrance
Day event is one of the largest and best
attended events in the Lower Mainland.
Thousands of local citizens line the streets
to honour those who have served our
nation in war and in peace. Lest We Forget.
City of Maple Ridge Photo
The Golden Harvest event brings local restaurants, the culinary
students from local high schools and the farmers and food
producers of our community together to celebrate the bounty of
nature and the fall harvest. Maple Ridge has become quite the
‘Food City!’ City of Maple Ridge Photo
Just in time for the Christmas
rush, Walmart had its soft launch
in downtown Maple Ridge. You
can visit the new Walmart that is
situated in the Haney Place Mall.
Photo Courtesy The Times
While the weather was wet the crowds came
out in force for the Santa Claus Parade.
Nothing speaks to our community spirit more
than this photo which was taken at 6:00 pm
just as the parade started its journey through
the downtown. City of Maple Ridge Photo
YOUR MAPLE RIDGE
A Morning
That No One Will Forget
36 Citizens Report 2015
On Saturday, March 21 someone made a 9-1-1 call to the Maple Ridge Fire Department at about 6:00 am reporting an explosion at the Sunrise Apartments located at 22292 122 Avenue. The Fire Department responded quickly and the call soon escalated as the fire spread in the old three-storey apartment building.Fire Department crews had to rescue three residents trapped on their third storey balconies. One resident who was in a wheelchair was evacuated by firefighters using a staircase. The most harrowing rescue came when firefighters heard a faint cry for help from the rear of the building. They found an elderly woman trapped under some debris on her third floor balcony. Two ladders were raised and firefighters carefully carried her down to safety as flames lapped out the patio door. Chief Dane Spence noted that it was as close a call as he had seen in his 30 years of service on the department.Miraculously no one lost their life, and while a number of people were taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation, there were no other injuries.In the height of the response the street was filled with vehicles from the Maple Ridge Fire Department, RCMP and BC
Ambulance Service as well as a TransLink bus to provide refuge for the victims and transportation to the emergency reception centre at the Greg Moore Youth Centre.As this is one of the older apartment buildings in the City, it was built before the building code required the installation of a fire sprinkler system. Had this building been so equipped, this would have been a non-event and the 106 residents would not have had to find a new home.While the huge fire at the Sunrise Apartments was certainly a news worthy event, this was not the first time the Fire Department crews attended this structure. One of the many duties of firefighters,
when they are not responding to calls, is the inspection and pre-planning of high occupancy buildings. Firefighters routinely ensure that building fire codes are being adhered to and that fire alarms and emergency systems such as fire sprinklers, are in working order. Pre-incident planning plays an important role in emergency response and the fire trucks are equipped with computers that hold a database of information on each of these high occupancy buildings. Even as the first fire truck arrives on scene, the Incident Commander is able to formulate the initial plan of attack to deal with an emergency.This particular fire underscores the benefits of the composite model that the Maple Ridge Fire Department utilizes and the importance of having mutual aid agreements with our neighbouring communities, in that it provides a larger pool of firefighters and equipment to draw from during a major event. At this incident, the Pitt Meadows Fire Department answered the call and allowed our Incident Commander to put more resources into the initial attack on the fire.
Chief Dane
Spence noted
that it was as
close a call as
he had seen in
his 30 years of
service on the
department.
MAPLE RIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Maple Ridge Fire Department
Protecting Life, Property and the
Environment
Citizens Report 2015 37
AT A GLANCE
Maple Ridge Fire
Department Staffing
64 Paid-On-Call Firefighters
52 Career Firefighters
6 Chief Officers
3 Civilian Administrative Staff
1 shared IT support person
Hall No. 1
Address: 22708 Brown Avenue
8 Career Firefighters on duty 24/7
Supported by Paid-on-Call Firefighters
Hall No. 2
Address: 27503 112 Avenue
Staffed by Paid-On-Call only
Supported by Career Firefighters
from Hall No. 1 and No. 3
Hall No. 3
Address: 11777 203 Street
4 Career Firefighters on duty 24/7
Supported by Paid-On-Call Firefighters
Emergencies call 9-1-1
Non – Emergencies
604-463-5880
(Monday to Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm)
www.fire.mapleridge.ca
The Maple Ridge Fire Department was founded on this principle. Started in 1946 as a volunteer service the organization has evolved to serve the changing needs of our fast growing City. Early in the last decade Maple Ridge began an evolutionary change from a volunteer-based department to a composite model that uses a combination of career firefighters and paid-on-call personnel to respond to larger incidents.There are 52 career firefighters who serve the community full time. All of these men and women once served as volunteers or paid-on-call firefighters. As this publication was being prepared the Fire Department honoured a number of personnel with long service recognition. Four officers received their 25 year pins and Fire Chief Dane Spence was honoured with his 30 year pin. Each of these leaders has transitioned from the volunteer era to their roles as career firefighters. Deputy Chief Howard Exner made a presentation to Council in 2015 as part of the December Financial Planning meetings. His presentation outlined that the department had over 4,000 calls for service in 2015 and 50% of those calls were for the highest level of medical emergencies. There were 548 responses
to serious motor vehicle accidents, 278 responses to fires and ten rescues made last year. It is important to note that the department arrived on scene 82% of the time within seven minutes, their response target in the urban area of our City.When firefighters are not responding to calls they are involved in building inspections, training, public education programs, community outreach and in their time off, they are often fundraising for local charities. Every year the Fire Department is a prominent supporter of the CP Rail Holiday Train visit, the Christmas Hamper Society, Friends In Need Food Bank and Muscular Dystrophy Canada.In 2015 the Fire Department was an important member of the Community Standards Enforcement Team working with the homeless camp on Cliff Avenue. The professionalism and compassion of the Fire Department personnel working with homeless citizens helped build trust and personal connections that made the voluntary decampment in October possible. The Fire Department worked closely with the Licences, Permits & Bylaws Department to develop and implement a strategy to deal with derelict structures
in the community. The demolition of over 20 structures in 2015 reflects the focus of the team on this project.In a busy year the Fire Department achieved ‘Superior Tanker Service’ certification which demonstrates their ability to get a steady supply of water to suppress a fire in areas that are not serviced by fire hydrants. This resulted in fire insurance savings for some residents in rural areas of the community.Maple Ridge is well served by our combination department, utilizing career and paid-on-call firefighters, a model which allows the department to draw from a large pool of highly skilled and dedicated firefighters in a major emergency. What matters to citizens is that the Fire Department lives up to their motto, the title of this article, in every way.
At the May 28 launch of the Maple Ridge Resilience Initiative (MRRI)
Superintendent David Fleugel spoke to the issue of homelessness, mental
health and addiction and the impacts on policing. He noted that police cannot
‘arrest our way out of this problem.’ He told the crowd he was proud that our
community was working on a more sustainable method – actually dealing
with the problem head on with a multi-faceted approach.
At that meeting he introduced the community to Sgt. Casey Baker, who
would be the Chairperson for the newly formed Community Standards
Enforcement Team. It is not an exaggeration to say that without the
leadership of Sgt. Baker, his steady hand and the presence of his colleagues
from the detachment and other municipal services that the voluntary decampment would not have been possible.Casey was the embodiment of a statement made by Supt. Fleugel at the launch of the MRRI that the Canadian Charter of Rights applies to ALL citizens regardless of income or social status. Over the six month encampment he earned the trust of all people involved in this issue – the campers, the residents of the neighbourhood and his colleagues from the Fire Department, Licences, Permits & Bylaws and Community Development, Parks & Recreation Services and the outreach workers. Casey’s personality, his diplomacy, his respectful manner and soft spoken
38 Citizens Report 2015
Protecting the Rights of All Citizens
approach helped keep a volatile situation from turning bad. The way he
dealt with this situation harkened back to the early history of the North West
Mounted Police where one or two members would be dispatched from
the fort to a remote community to deal with a situation. As noted in the article
on page 16, Maple Ridge is the only community in BC where there was a
voluntary decampment.The red serge of the RCMP is a symbol
respected around the world because of the men and women who carry out
their duties in a way that reflects our highest ideals as a nation. In the most
difficult possible circumstances Sgt. Casey Baker reflected the compassion
and strength of the RCMP and our community.
RCMP - POLICE SERVICES
RCMP – Police Services
Citizens Report 2015 39
AT A GLANCE
RCMP – Police Services
Ridge Meadows RCMP Detachment
11990 Haney Place
Emergency Phone Number: 9-1-1
Non Emergency Phone Number:
604-463-6251
www.ridgemeadows.rcmp.ca
Like us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/sgt.good.will
Follow us on Twitter: @RidgeRCMP
Maple Ridge RCMP Detachment Staffing
96 RCMP Members
19 Auxiliary Officers
45 Full-Time Equivalent Civilian Employees
Fleet Size
56 vehicles: 27 fully marked, 27 unmarked,
2 motorcycles and 1 Zodiac boat
RCMP Integrated Teams
• Integrated Homicide Investigation Team
(IHIT)
• Emergency Response Team (ERT)
• Air 1 and 2 (Traffic Air Services)
• Police Dog Services (PDS)
• Integrated Forensic Identification Services
(IFIS)
• Integrated Collision Analyst Reconstruc-
tionist Services (ICARS)
Community Policing Programs
• Speed Watch
• Citizens on Patrol
• Citizens Bike Patrol
Shining the Light on Crime
In 2015 the Ridge Meadows RCMP and the City of Maple Ridge technology team partnered up to develop a new tool to create awareness around crime. The City of Maple Ridge makes extensive use of ‘Geographical Information Systems’ (GIS) to do the day-to-day work of the City. Online maps contain information on property zoning, the location of water and sewer systems, the location of storm sewers and a host of other information.The RCMP also uses technology and data in their work. Crime Mapping is a key tool that’s used by the leaders of our RCMP detachment to plan enforcement strategies and determine where to deploy resources.A project came together, to explore the possibility of establishing an online crime map similar to a project that had been rolled out in Nanaimo. Rather than reinventing the wheel, our team reached out to their colleagues to see how they put the project together. The City GIS Coordinator, David Cooke, set to work taking the concept from Nanaimo and building the
software interface to accept the data supplied by the RCMP. The data was merged and a ‘beta’ version was put on the City website for comments from the community. Based on feedback there were modifications made and the formal presentation took place at the October 13 Council Meeting.Last year the community experienced vandalism targeted at cars parking around Ridge Meadows Hospital. There were 72 calls for service in a tight geographic area in a very short period of time. By looking at the mapping of these crimes the police developed an enforcement strategy and late last year they announced they had captured a suspect and that 64 charges were being laid. One of the cornerstones of Open Government is making data and information available to citizens to have an impact on behaviour. This project leveraged data, GIS expertise and the City website to allow citizens to see the nature of the over 30,000 calls for service that our detachment deals with each year.
40 Citizens Report 2015
The Maple Ridge Bucket List
Last year the Parks & Recreation Services team asked the
community to name some of their favourite activities and
places to go in the region. We’ve decided to build on that and
provide you with a bucket list that you need to experience in
your lifetime. Here we go:
Tubing the Alouette River
Our Museum & Community Archives has photos of the early settlers enjoying a picnic at an
area called ‘Hot Rocks’ just east of Maple Ridge Park. This is also one of the popular launch
points for people riding an inner tube to escape the summer heat.
Horseback Riding
Maple Ridge has one of the best equestrian trail
networks in British Columbia. You can bring your
own horse or arrange for a rental and explore
the trails that were first cut a century ago by the
Abernethy & Lougheed Lumber Company as part
of their incredible railroad logging operation.
Kanaka Creek Regional Park Fraser Waterfront
There is no time of year where a visit to this section of the park is not breathtakingly beautiful. From the
west end of River Road your walk takes you along the estuary of Kanaka Creek to the Fraser River. Pack a
picnic and enjoy this jewel in our City. It’s only ten minutes from downtown Maple Ridge.Cliff Falls Trail One of the treasures of Metro Vancouver’s park network is Kanaka Creek Regional Park and one of the most beautiful hikes is a section that runs from the Bell-Irving Salmon Hatchery south to Cliff Falls. Bring your family and bring a camera. It’s exquisite.
Albion Bike Skills Park
This is one of Maple Ridge’s newest parks and represents a
partnership between the bike community, local business and City
Parks staff to create a place for people to develop their bike skills
and mentor the next generation of riders. Located on the south
side of Albion Park on 102 Avenue this has become a destination
for beginner to advanced mountain bike riders.
Citizens Report 2015 41
Geocaching Where you have a great trail network you have some fun geocaching opportunities. Maple Ridge has over 200 kilometres of trails along dykes and deep into the forest. Geocaching is a great opportunity to bring the whole family together for a fun outdoor adventure.
WildPlay Element Parks
Located just east of Maple Ridge Park on Fern Crescent,
WildPlay Element Parks allows you to explore nature
by tackling obstacles and apparatus that will allow you
to build confidence and explore your boundaries as
you immerse yourself in the nature that surrounds this
majestic park. This is a popular family-friendly activity
that will allow you to get up into the forest canopy and
get your heart pounding.
The Maple Ridge Grind
A 10 kilometre (return) trek takes you from Albion Park up through the trail network
to the top of Grant Hill. There are some steep sections as you make your way up the
hillside, but that’s why they call it a ‘grind.’
Whonnock Lake
In the summer this is a wonderful place for a picnic and swimming to beat the heat. While
it is a rare event, in the winter after a couple of weeks of sub-zero weather the lake freezes
solid and kids of all ages bring out the skates and hockey sticks for an impromptu pickup
game. This park is a gem.
Watching Sunset from the Dykes
On the north end of 216 Street there’s a connection that will take you north
along a section of dyke between blueberry and cranberry fields. To the north east
there’s an amazing view of the Golden Ears Mountains. To the west the setting sun
silhouettes Burnaby Mountain and SFU’s campus at the peak. The ‘golden hour’
for photographers is the period just after sunrise and just before sunset. Add
some mist or fog in the spring or fall and the views are magical. You need to see
this with your own eyes.
42 Citizens Report 2015
Remembering
Anita Josephine Hauck
1970 – 2015
Having the courage to advocate for the homeless in Maple Ridge.
Poem by: Anita Hauck
In the early days of the homeless camp on Cliff Avenue Anita Hauck arranged to meet with Mayor Nicole Read and senior staff to advocate on behalf of the people who were living on the street and in other areas of the City.Anita’s journey to our streets started a long time ago.Anita was born in Vancouver on May 4, 1970. Her father left her mother before she was born and her mother Loretta raised Anita and her four siblings on her own. In a tribute in MacLean’s magazine in October of 2015, Loretta, shared stories of Anita’s youth. It is clear that she was a bright and energetic child who adored her family and loved poetry, writing songs and singing. Anita at one point had expressed an interest in going into social work.An incident in Anita’s youth changed the trajectory of her life. Anita went to the summer fair with friends and on the way home, late in the evening, she became separated from them. Finding herself alone at a bus stop she was abducted by a group of men in a van and sexually assaulted.After being dumped from the van Anita walked to a police station and after waiting in line she finally reached the front of the line and told the police officer at the night desk that she had been raped. She then passed out. Anita was only 15 years old.She wasn’t the same person after this trauma. Loretta talks about this being the point where Anita’s journey to the streets began. Anita started hanging with an older crowd and at 16 she was introduced to crack cocaine by an older musician.This was the beginning of her addiction and also the beginning of a series of abusive relationships. She had five children; the oldest was 26 years old and the youngest was eight when Anita died. Anita struggled with addiction for the rest of her life, but managed to
get clean during her pregnancies and for other periods of time. There was a period of sobriety where she worked as a volunteer at the Salvation Army Caring Place trying to help other people get clean.Everyone who knew her talks about her positive energy and compassion even as she struggled with the weight
of her past. Addictions are not easy to conquer, and Anita found herself back out on the streets of Maple Ridge doing drugs and trying to find a place to sleep at night.Anita was present at the all candidates meeting in October of 2014 telling all the candidates about the high cost of housing and the lack of housing supports for people on the streets. Even as she dealt with personal hardship, she was an advocate for those who have no voice.In late August of 2015 BC Housing announced funding for a temporary shelter that would open at the beginning of October. Outreach workers and City staff held a meeting in the camp on September 24 announcing the opening of the shelter and at that event Anita expressed her pleasure that her dream would soon come true. She even agreed to sit down and be part of a video presentation to help educate the community about the issues of homelessness.On September 27, Anita was rummaging in a clothing donation bin near the Real Canadian Superstore in Meadowtown Centre. She was known for pulling items out of theses bins and distributing them to people who needed a jacket or warm blanket. She always liked to dress well herself. This time she got stuck and a passerby saw her limp body hanging from the bin and called the first responders.Anita died the next day in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Four days later the shelter opened. Her death had a deep impact on the campers on Cliff Avenue and created a momentary pause in the community conversation as everyone reflected on her life and the complexity of homelessness.Every person on the streets has a story. Anita, with the totality of what she was dealing with, wanted to help people. She did.
“I cannot undo the things I’ve done wrongThey happened so very long ago,I cannot live down what others have doneBut somehow I have to carry that loadAll I can do is live each and every dayTrying to prove in every wayMy old self and old ways have changedAnd I did it all for your love
City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9 Canada
General Information Tel: 604-463-5221 Fax: 604-467-7329 Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm enquiries@mapleridge.ca mapleridge.ca
Mayor & Council Tel: 604-463-5221 mayorandcouncil@mapleridge.ca
Clerk’s Tel: 604-463-5221 Property & Risk Management: Tel: 604-467-7477 clerks@mapleridge.ca
Communications Tel: 604-467-7452 farmstrong@mapleridge.ca
Economic Development Tel: 604-467-7320 invest@mapleridge.ca
Emergency Program
Tel: 604-467-7301
Nights & Weekends: 604-463-9581 emergencyprogam@mapleridge.ca
Engineering Tel: 604-467-7339 engineering@mapleridge.ca
Finance Accounts Payable: 604-467-7388 accounts.payable@mapleridge.ca Accounts Receivable: 604-466-4334 Property Taxes & Utilities: Tel: 604-467-7336 revenue.collections@mapleridge.ca
Fire Department Non-Emergency: 604-463-5880 Emergency 9-1-1 fire@mapleridge.ca
Human Resources Tel: 604-467-7350 hrenquiries@mapleridge.ca
Licences, Permits & Bylaws Building: 604-467-7311 permits@mapleridge.ca Bylaws & Licensing: 604-467-7305 licencesandbylaws@mapleridge.ca
Operations Centre Tel: 604-463-9581 Public Works Emergency – 24 hours: Tel: 604-463-9581 operationscentre@mapleridge.ca
Parks & Leisure Services Direct Info Line (24 hours): Tel: 604-467-7322 Cemetery: 604-467-7307 Facilities: 604-465-2499 Greg Moore Youth Centre: Tel: 604-467-7354 Leisure Centre: 604-467-7322 Planet Ice: Tel: 604-467-2883
Volunteer Services: 604-467-7459 Youth Services: 604-467-7354 parksandleisure@mapleridge.ca
Planning Tel: 604-467-7341 Environmental Enquiries: Tel: 604-467-7499 planning@mapleridge.ca
Property & Risk Management Tel: 604-467-7477
Purchasing Tel: 604-466-4343 procurement@mapleridge.ca
RCMP – Police Services Non-Emergency: 604-463-6251 Emergency 9-1-1 rm.inquiries@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Tourism Tel: 604-467-7320 tourism@mapleridge.ca
Non-Municipal Services Arts Centre & Theatre (ACT): Tel: 604-476-2787 Garbage (Metro Vancouver): Tel: 604-466-9277 Library: Tel: 604-467-7417
Recycling: Tel: 604-463-5545
Schools: Tel: 604-463-4200 Seniors’ Programs: Tel: 604-467-4993 SPCA: Tel: 604-463-9511
SERVICES & CONTACT INFORMATION
Citizens Report 2015 43
My Home Town - Maple Ridge
Pan Am Gold Medalist As often happens, Team Canada and Team USA
were once again facing each other in a gold medal
game. This time it was Women’s Softball and the
venue was the 2015 Pan American Games. A
Twitter hashtag had surfaced earlier in the week:
#feartheleaf. It was the rallying cry for a group of
women who were facing a team that had not lost a
gold medal game in decades.
In a few hours on a hot summer day in
Scarborough, Ontario a group of Canadian women
believed in themselves and defied the odds to
beat Team USA 4-2 in extra innings.
A young woman from Maple Ridge was part of
that history. Larissa Franklin has the gold medal
and a very special team ring as a memento of that
game, the culmination of many years of training
and dedication.
Larissa attended Yennadon Elementary School
and Maple Ridge Secondary School. She started
playing softball at age five, but was also an
accomplished figure skater. In Grade 11 she
decided that softball held more opportunities
and she switched from the Maple Ridge Softball
Association onto the elite White Rock Renegades.
Her skills attracted US university scholarships
and she started her post-secondary education
in Indiana. She transferred to Western Kentucky
University to finish her education and National
Collegiate Athletic Association playing career. Her
first Canadian national team experience was in
2011 and over the next few years established her
credentials with outstanding personal statistics
and strong team play.
In that gold medal game in July of 2015 Larissa
made some key catches in field to keep her team
in the game. One newspaper account has her
making a clutch catch right at the fence to keep
Team USA from scoring a run. She blushes when
you ask her about it.
In early 2016 Larissa became one of Maple
Ridge’s newest Home Town Heroes. Her modesty
and humility were evident as she talked about the
support of her family and the many coaches that
have helped guide her journey to that gold medal
game. She spoke about moving closer to home
for post graduate studies and the opportunity to
coach the next generation of athletes. She will
remain active with Team Canada and hopes that
Women’s Softball is one of the sports that Japan
chooses for demonstration in the 2020 Tokyo
Olympics.
Gold medal dreams come true for an incredible
Maple Ridge citizen.
LARISSA FRANKLIN