A weekly roundup of noteworthy news in municipalities across B.C.
IN an effort to breathe life back into the District of West Vancouver‘s community engagement committee, former and current members of the CEC have asked council to revisit how the citizen/council group works. The CEC and its offshoot working groups are designed for keen citizens to take part in discussions and debates with the goal of influencing or creating new policies for elected officials to review.
Nanaimo city council approved the addition of four buildings and one site to the Community Heritage Register Monday. Now included on the register are the Nanaimo military camp on Fifth Street; the John Johnstone residence at 407 Machleary St.; Beevor-Potts residence at 627 Millstone Ave.; Leynard residence at 442 Milton St.; and Robins Park at 620 Park Street.
Burnaby‘s total infrastructure asset value sits at $3.9 billion and requires ongoing investment, according to a staff report. At an April 8 meeting, council heard many cities across Canada – including Burnaby – are facing the same challenges of repairing and maintaining aging infrastructure put in during the 1950s and 1960s building boom.
Lax Kw’alaams Mayor Garry Reece and Metlakatla Chief Harold Leighton have some big plans for their communities. The two North Coast leaders closed out the 2013 National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference on April 17, talking about not only current economic activities but goals for the future of their nation. While there are plans for a new school in Lax Kw’alaams that would keep students in the community through graduation and a deal pending on Watson Island, mayor Reece said his biggest goal is simply access to the community.
There could be big changes in store for Port Moody if the draft official community plan is adopted, so the city is making it easy for residents to provide their feedback with a new online tool. The OCP is getting updated to reflect the effects of the two Evergreen Line stations that will be built in PoMo, with the draft showing extensive, transit-oriented development in Moody Centre and town centre areas.