Increasing the number of opportunities for Port Moody residents to provide feedback to the city’s update to its official community plan (OCP) could cost up to an additional $50,000.
In a report to be presented to council at its meeting tonight, Jan. 9, staff is recommending two in-person townhall meetings — one with members of council committees as well as the city's citizen advisory group and another for residents, businesses and property owners — along with a third virtual townhall.
As well, middle and high school students would get their own chances to learn about Port Moody’s vision for its future at two engagement sessions to be conducted at schools.
The townhalls and youth sessions would feature presentations by staff followed by opportunities for further discussions on an individual basis or in small groups.
There would also be an online survey.
According to the report, preparation and facilitation of the new plan, along with summarizing its findings would cost up to $75,200.
In a presentation of the draft official community plan on Dec. 5, 2023, an engagement process involving a two open houses — one in-person and another virtual — bolstered by an online survey at a cost of $37,000 to $41,500 had been envisioned.
The revised engagement plan is a response to a motion passed by council looking to ensure a broader representation of interests, backgrounds and neighbourhoods in the city is given the opportunity to weigh in on the new OCP.
“If we can hear people’s fears, hopes and desires for their neighbourhoods, then we can mitigate where needed or enhance where we can,” said Coun. Amy Lubik, adding more engagement will “help build understanding and shared values.”
However, city manager Tim Savoie cautioned an initial idea to strike a new citizen’s committee to lead the engagement process would delay adoption of the new OCP by “a significant amount of months.”
Instead, the report suggests tapping into existing committees, including the 250-member citizen’s advisory committee that already exists to provide input to council on various city issues from budgets to master plans and community development.
“So many of our volunteers in the city are really dying to dig into something,” said Coun. Kyla Knowles. “Our residents are looking for reasons to get involved.”
Coun. Haven Lurbiecki hailed the idea.
“We want to make sure to reach as many people as possible,” she said.
Coun. Samantha Agtarap said making it easier for youth to provide feedback is especially important, suggesting their ideas could help create “a stronger community for everyone.”
Almost three years in the making, Port Moody’s new draft official community plan is a 175-page document that serves as a blueprint for the city’s direction over the next 25 years.
Mary De Paoli, Port Moody’s manager of policy planning, said the plan “defines and brings meaning to what is important” to the city’s future.
The document envisions increased density in several neighbourhoods, including Moody Centre, the former Flavelle cedar mill site, Westport Village, parts of Murray Street and the northern section of Coronation Park.
But, De Paoli added, those requirements would be balanced by the overall goal of creating a safe waterfront community of connected, complete neighbourhoods that values its natural environment, heritage character and commitment to the arts.
If the revised engagement plan is adopted by council, the townhall meetings would likely take place in March/April, while the school sessions and online survey would occur in a similar timeframe.
A summary of the feedback received from the public, as well as any updates to the draft plan, would be expected in late May or in June.
