HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-06 Workshop Meeting Agenda and Reports.pdfDistrict of Maple Ridge
1.ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
2.MINUTES –December 2, 2013
3.PRESENTATIONS AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCIL
3.1
4.UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Ridge-Meadows RCMP, Superintendent Dave Fleugal
•Real Time Intelligence Centre
4.2 City Designation
Staff report dated January 6, 2014 recommending that staff be authorized to
initiate the legislative process to change the municipal designation of Maple Ridge
from a District Municipality to a City and that approved of the electors be obtained
through the alternative approval process.
COUNCIL WORKSHOP AGENDA
January 6, 2014
9:00 a.m.
Blaney Room, 1st 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 staff for more
information or clarification.
REMINDERS
January 6, 2014
Closed Council following Workshop
Committee of the Whole Meeting 1:00 p.m.
January 14, 2014
Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Council Workshop
January 6, 2014
Page 2 of 3
4.3 Noxious Weed Strategy
Presentation by the Manager of Parks and Open Spaces
4.4 Whonnock Lake Capital Update
Presentation by the Manager of Park Planning and Development
4.5 Website Update
Verbal update by the Director of Corporate Support
5. 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:
a) Acknowledge receipt of correspondence and advise that no further action will be
taken.
b) Direct staff to prepare a report and recommendation regarding the subject matter.
c) Forward the correspondence to a regular Council meeting for further discussion.
d) Other.
Once direction is given the appropriate response will be sent.
5.1
Recommendation:
6. BRIEFING ON OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST/QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL
7. MATTERS DEEMED EXPEDIENT
8. ADJOURNMENT
Checked by: ___________
Date: _________________
Council Workshop
January 6, 2014
Page 3 of 3
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:
(a) 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;
(b) 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;
(c) labour relations or employee negotiations;
(d) the security of property of the municipality;
(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that
disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;
(f) 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;
(g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality;
(h) 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;
(j) 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;
(l) discussions with municipal officers and employees respecting municipal objectives, measures and
progress reports for the purposes of preparing an annual report under section 98 [annual municipal
report]
(m) a matter that, under another enactment, is such that the public may be excluded from the meeting;
(n) the consideration of whether a council meeting should be closed under a provision of this subsection of
subsection (2)
(o) the consideration of whether the authority under section 91 (other persons attending closed meetings)
should be exercised in relation to a council meeting.
(p) information relating to local government participation in provincial negotiations with First Nations, where
an agreement provides that the information is to be kept confidential.
District of Maple Ridge
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
December 2, 2013
The Minutes of the Municipal Council Workshop held on December 2, 2013 at
9:00 a.m. in the Blaney Room of the Municipal Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple
Ridge, British Columbia for the purpose of transacting regular Municipal business.
PRESENT
Elected Officials Appointed Staff
Mayor E. Daykin J. Rule, Chief Administrative Officer
Councillor C. Ashlie K. Swift, General Manager of Community Development,
Councillor C. Bell Parks and Recreation Services
Councillor J. Dueck P. Gill, General Manager Corporate and Financial Services
Councillor A. Hogarth F. Quinn, General Manager Public Works and Development
Councillor B. Masse Services
Councillor M. Morden C. Marlo, Manager of Legislative Services
Other Staff as Required
C. Carter, Director of Planning
J. Charlebois, Manager of Community Planning
D. Hall, Planner
S. Blue, Manager, Strategic Economic Initiatives
L. Holitzki, Director of Licences, Permits and Bylaws
D. Cramb, Senior Recreation Manager
S. Wheeler, Director of Community Services
T. Cotroneo, Recreation Manager, Youth, Seniors and
Neighbourhood Services
F. Armstrong, Manager of Corporate Communication
Note: These Minutes are posted on the Municipal Web Site at www.mapleridge.ca
The Manager, Strategic Economic Initiatives introduced Bruce Livingstone, the new
Business Expansion and Retention Officer
1.ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was adopted as circulated.
2.0
Council Workshop Minutes
December 2, 2013
Page 2 of 5
2. MINUTES
R/2013-513
Minutes It was moved and seconded
November 18, 2013
That the minutes of the Council Workshop Meeting of
November 18, 2013 be adopted as circulated.
CARRIED
3. PRESENTATIONS AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCIL – Nil
4. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Industrial/Commercial Review
The Manager, Strategic Economic Initiatives, the Director of Planning, the
Planner and the Manager of Community Planning gave a PowerPoint
presentation providing background on work carried out to date on the
commercial and industrial strategy and outlining future work to be discussed
and carried out.
The Commercial and Industrial Strategy Recommendations and Decision
Making Chart was reviewed.
Map Index 1 – Ministry of Transportation Lands
R/2013-514
Map Index 1 It was moved and seconded
That staff be directed to obtain a more detailed site analysis of
Ministry of Transportation lands to determine feasibility as
employment generating lands; and further
That a letter from Mayor and Council be forwarded to the
Minister of Transportation requesting consideration of a
change of use of Ministry of Transportation lands.
CARRIED
Councillor Hogarth - OPPOSED
Council Workshop Minutes
December 2, 2013
Page 3 of 5
Map Index 2 – 128th Street and 232 Street Lands
R/2013-515
Map Index 2 It was moved and seconded
That staff be directed to obtain a more detailed site analysis of
128 Street and 232 Street lands to determine feasibility as
employment generating lands.
CARRIED
Map Index 3 – Lougheed Highway East and West of Kwantlen First Nations
Land
R/2013-516
Map Index 3 It was moved and seconded
That staff be directed to obtain a more detailed site analysis of
Lougheed Highway East and West of Kwantlen First Nations
Land to determine feasibility as employment generating lands.
CARRIED
Map Index 4 – Urban Reserve
R/2013-517
Map Index 4 It was moved and seconded
That staff be directed to obtain a more detailed site analysis of
the Urban Reserve to determine feasibility as employment
generating lands.
CARRIED
Note: The meeting was recessed at 10:53 a.m. and reconvened at 3:35 p.m.
The Industrial/Commercial Review discussion by Council will be continued in
January 2014.
Council Workshop Minutes
December 2, 2013
Page 4 of 5
4.2 Compassionate Cities Update
Presentation by Marika Sandrellia, Fraser Health and Allison Pooley, Assante Centre
Ms. Sandrellia gave a PowerPoint presentation providing an overview of the
Compassionate Cities project. She highlighted activities carried out and
advised on the next steps for the project.
Note: Councillor Masse left the meeting at 3:50 p.m.
4.3 Recreation Facilities Update
The Senior Recreation Manager gave a PowerPoint presentation providing
statistics on the usage of the recreation facilities in Maple Ridge and Pitt
Meadows.
4.4 Placemaking in the Town Centre
The Director of Community Services and the Recreation Manager Youth,
Seniors & Neighbourhood Services provided a PowerPoint presentation
outlining initiatives toward marking the downtown core a safer and more
appealing place to be.
4.5 Smoking Bylaw Update
Staff report dated November 18, 2013 providing information on amendments
to the current smoking regulation bylaw.
The Director of Licences, Permits and Bylaws reviewed the report
R/2013-518
Smoking Bylaw It was moved and seconded
Update
Received
That the report dated November 18, 2013 titled “Smoking
Bylaw Update” be received for information.
CARRIED
Note: Item 4.6 was not dealt with.
4.6 Invest North Fraser Update
Council Workshop Minutes
December 2, 2013
Page 5 of 5
5. CORRESPONDENCE – Nil
6. BRIEFING ON OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST/QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL – Nil
7. MATTERS DEEMED EXPEDIENT – Nil
8. ADJOURNMENT – 5:15 p.m.
_______________________________
E. Daykin, Mayor
Certified Correct
___________________________________
C. Marlo, Corporate Officer
District of Maple Ridge
TO: His Worship Mayor Ernie Daykin DATE: January 6, 2014
and Members of Council FILE NO:
FROM: Chief Administrative Officer ATTN: Council Workshop
SUBJECT: City Designation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is to provide information regarding the 2014 Business Plan item ‘explore
the pros and cons of changing the municipal classification of Maple Ridge from a District to a City.’
Staff has researched the implications of such a change, including the process and costs, and that
information is provided here for the information of Council. Completing the process could take 9-12
months.
RECOMMENDATION:
That staff be authorized to initiate the legislative process to change the municipal designation of
Maple Ridge from a District Municipality to a City; and
That approval of the electors be obtained through the alternative approval process.
DISCUSSION:
There are 188 municipalities in BC ranging in geographic size from 60 hectares to 155,000 hectares
with Maple Ridge at 28,740 hectares. Population numbers also vary widely across BC municipalities
–for example Vancouver population is 603, 502 while Cache Creek is just 1,040. The population of
Maple Ridge is 77,402. According to the Local Government Act, a municipality must have a
population over 5,000 to be considered a City. The majority of BC municipalities are classified in four
categories: City (49); District Municipality (48); Village (42); and Town (14).
Reasons for considering the change:
Perhaps the strongest reason for considering a change of designation to ‘city’ is the perceived image
people have of the terminology of City vs District (e.g. the connotation associated with ‘small town’
vs ‘big city’).
In the case of Maple Ridge, which is characterized by rural charm and urban sophistication, and
where more than 750 businesses are located in our distinctive, revitalized, vibrant Town Centre, one
might expect the municipality to have a City designation.
A change in designation to ‘City’ would help alleviate confusion, particularly for prospective investors
and companies from other jurisdictions. Here are a couple of examples:
4.2
• Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are ranked ‘2010 – 2015 # 5 Top Canadian Investment City’ by
the Real Estate Investment Network. A City designation would reduce confusion that sometimes
occurs among prospective investors, developers and companies with our smaller neighbour Pitt
Meadows being a City while Maple Ridge is not.
• ‘City Hall’ and ‘City Manager’ are commonly used terms.
• There may be confusion between School District 42 and the District of Maple Ridge when the
term ‘District’ is used on its own.
Process:
On the request of Council, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by letters patent, change the
classification of the municipality. This request may be made only after the municipality has obtained
the approval of electors either through assent of the electors or the alternative approval process.
Approval of the electors through the assent process is very similar to that of a Local Government
election with advance voting opportunities and a general voting day with polling stations set up in
convenient public locations. Costs would be similar to an election. The budget for an election is
$75,000.
Under the alternative approval process the municipality would be able to proceed with its request if,
at the end of the time for receiving elector responses indicating that Council may not proceed unless
assent of the electors is obtained, the number of responses is less than 10% of the number of
electors. The cost of the alternative approval process is estimated at $1,500.
In summary, should Council wish to pursue the City designation the steps will include:
1. Direct staff to initiate the process using the alternate approval process.
2. Initiate alternative approval process.
3. If alternative approval process is successful, send a letter to the Ministry of
Community, Sport and Cultural Development submitting the resolution of Council
and confirmation that approval of the electors has been attained.
Timing:
The alternative approval process would take about two months to complete. Approval from the
Province could take 6-9 months to complete.
Some municipalities have chosen a change of designation to mark an historic milestone. This allows
them to showcase their status / name change as part of the milestone itself (ie birthday celebration
or hosting a major event such as Summer Games). By way of example, Salmon Arm became a City in
2005 to celebrate their 100th birthday and to help ‘elevate their image’.
In 2014 Maple Ridge will celebrating a major milestone when it turns 140. Accordingly, 2014 would
be timely to make this change – ‘Maple Ridge’ a city 140 years in the making’.
Business Plan / Financial implications:
This item is included in the 2014 – 2018 Business Plan for the Strategic Economic Initiatives,
Communications and Clerk’s departments.
The estimated cost to make the change is minimal ($3,000) and includes the following:
• Public process: alternative approval process including staff time, printing and advertising costs of
approximately $1,500
• Signage:
o The largest expense would typically be changing vehicle logos. Fortunately our fleet
features the generic logo which has ‘Maple Ridge British Columbia’ and our
mapleridge.ca address which eliminates the need to make changes.
o There are also a few areas where signs, door lettering and stencils would need to be
changed. Estimated cost $1,500
o Note: signs that say ‘Municipal Hall’ such as the metal lettering above the main entrance
doors and on the directional signage inside the foyer area would not need to be changed.
We would focus on changing only those signs that say ‘District of Maple Ridge.’
• Stationery: letterhead, business cards etc. for the most part would be phased-in on reorder to
reduce costs
CONCLUSIONS:
The District of Maple Ridge could pursue a city status if desired. Being a ‘city’ would be perceived by
some as presenting a stronger image for the community.
Maple Ridge is both an urban and rural community that values its ‘small town’ feel. At the same time
the community is seeking to attract commercial and industrial investment that will diversify the tax
base, create high value local jobs, and provide the services and amenities of an urban centre.
While a review of the pros and cons of a designation change have merit on both sides (status quo vs.
change of designation) it is felt that the benefits of a city designation are positive. .
“Original signed by Sandy Blue”______________________
Prepared by: Sandy Blue Ec.D ABC
Manager Strategic Economic Initiatives
“Original signed by Ceri Marlo” ______________________
Prepared by: Ceri Marlo
Manager of Legislative Services and Emergency Program
“Original signed by J.L. (Jim) Rule”_____________________
Approved by: J.L. (Jim) Rule
Chief Administrative Officer
Ec/scb.