HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil this Week 2014-10-20.pdfMichael Krenz, Director of Coastal
Offices, Spectrum Operations
Branch for Industry Canada made a
presentation to Council outlining
the role that his team plays in the
process whereby towers are built to
support various communications
needs of citizens.
Mr. Krenz noted that the greatest
growth in Canada’s telecommuni-
cations infrastructure has been in
the cellular and wireless sector,
and that citizens are demanding
even greater access to services
across the nation. He outlined the
responsibilities of Industry Canada
and noted that enhancements to
the public consultation process
have been rolled out in the last few
years.
He noted that the new protocols do
require that service providers look
at co-location opportunities and
described the enhancements
around public notice and consulta-
tion.
He noted that Maple Ridge’s proto-
cols were consistent with best prac-
tices across the nation.
His presentation outlined the ex-
emptions for consultation and not-
ed that some of the safety codes
are under review and revisions are
expected to roll out soon.
One of the interesting statistics
from Mr. Krenz’s presentation was
that 25% of BC households now
use a cellular device as their home
phone and that 85% of households
now have at least one cellular de-
vice. This speaks to the demand
that exists for enhanced coverage
for mobile communications.
Council asked Mr. Krenz a number
of questions relating to the Industry
Canada role in the siting and con-
struction of mobile communica-
tions structures. Council thanked
him for the presentation and re-
ceived the staff report and presen-
tation as information
Managing Cellular and Radio Tower Installations
City of Maple Ridge
Council This Week
Maple Ridge
11995 Haney Place
Maple Ridge, BC
V2X 6A9 Canada
Tel: 604-463-5221
Fax: 604-467-7329
Website
Enquiries Email
October 20, 2014
Inside This Issue:
Managing Cellular
and Radio Tower
Installations
Recommendations:
Council Advisory
Committee
Public Works &
Development
Services Resources
Silver Valley Area
Plan Update
Business Property
Class & Major
Industry Property
Class Reports
Council This Week Page 2
Recommendations: Council Advisory Committees
Ceri Marlo, Manager of Legislative Services & Emergency Program, made a brief verbal report
outlining the recommendations of the Advisory Committee Task Force. The report, prepared by
Mayor Daykin, Councillor Dueck and Councillor Hogarth made recommendations regarding the
standing committees and commissions of Council, funding and scope of work. The report also
recommended that the Bicycle Advisory Committee scope of work be revised to become the
‘Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee’ and that a new committee be established as the
‘Environmental Advisory Committee.’
Council reviewed the recommendations and made suggestions regarding the language and
some of the budget implications for the new and revised committees. The Task Force will bring
this item before Council once the recommended changes have been made.
Public Works & Development Services Resources
Jim Rule, Chief Administrative Officer, made a verbal presentation outlining the report on Public
Works & Development Services staff resources. The report outlines the need for increased hu-
man resources in the Public Works & Development Services area based on the work volumes of
the division and Council’s goals around service delivery times and customer service expecta-
tions. Mr. Rule advised that the City develops budgets and business plans that balance service
levels with a goal of minimizing impacts on taxpayers.
The report looks at a number of indicators and comparisons of the timing of development and
comparisons of workloads from other communities to support the recommendation to add re-
sources to the Public Works & Development Services division. The report also outlines the fund-
ing sources for the additional staff, with the first two years being funded by reserves and subse-
quent years being funded by various methods including the increase of some development fees.
Council directed a number of questions to the department managers in Planning and Engineer-
ing and discussed their expectations around service levels and the impacts of programs such as
the Employment Investment Incentive Program and how that might impact the workload of the
department.
Council voted to move the item forward to the next Council meeting for final consideration.
Council This Week Page 3
Please Note!
Council This Week is an informal summary of the reports and discussion of Council’s work at
Workshop. This document will provide links to all reports and presentations that were provided
to Council as part of their deliberations.
The comments are not the official minutes of the meeting. These notes are intended to capture
the essence of the discussion so that citizens can keep in touch with the work of Council in this
public meeting. This version of Council This Week has been modified to a more accessible ver-
sion that better meets the needs of our citizens with visual impairments.
Silver Valley Area Plan Update
Diana Hall, Planner 2, made a brief presentation outlining the material from her report on the
Silver Valley Area Plan Update. Ms. Hall walked Council through the development of the Silver
Valley Area Plan and the history of development in the area.
The report outlined the pace of development and key demographics of the Silver Valley area.
She noted that the average household size and incomes in the area were higher than Maple
Ridge averages. She also provided Council with the counts for the existing versus potential de-
velopment in Silver Valley. She reported that the plan has been underway since 2002 and mov-
ing forward as planned. She noted that the full development of the area will happen over the
next two decades.
One area of concern was the plan for each of the hamlets to have a small school, based on the
model of education facilities that was prevalent when the original plan was conceived. The new
formula for school development in BC seems to have swung back to the large school format,
which differs from the plan. Members of the Planning team spoke about how other facilities,
parks and amenities, would be able to keep the concept of the civic heart of each of the ham-
lets. They also spoke of how the commercial nodes would come when the hamlets reach key
population numbers. The example of the commercial node on 102 Avenue in Albion was cited as
a comparison.
Council directed a number of questions to Ms. Hall and her colleagues relating to the develop-
ment of the area. The item was received as information.
Business Property Class & Major Industry Property Class Reports
Council received the Business Property Class and Major Industry Property Class Reports as infor-
mation.