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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.