A high-level document aimed at guiding Coquitlam's growth over the next three years was unveiled this week.
The draft 2012-'15 Strategic Plan, which is expected to go before city council in December for approval, updates the 2009 directions and priorities for city hall. The report outlines the pressures Coquitlam will face as the population swells in four years to 150,000 people.
And it cites as among its goals public transportation, increased density, the need for economic development and jobs, preserving the environment and embracing multiculturalism.
At Monday's council-in-committee meeting, the city's corporate manager, Michelle Hunt, said information in the report was gleaned from Statistics Canada, Ipsos Reid polls, online surveys, stakeholder meetings and city staff.
But Coun. Selina Robinson suggested the city also consider external data from sources such as the Tri-Cities' Chamber of Commerce, Share Family and Community Services, and School District 43, which she said could add context to the city's outlook.
In other Coquitlam news:
Coquitlam residents wanting to shape their community next year can sign up for a civic committee.
The city is accepting applications for volunteers to serve on committees such as arts and culture, family court and youth justice, multiculturalism, sport, sustainability and environment, universal access-ability, and the library board.
Candidates are asked to fill out a form and submit a resume by Friday, Nov. 9. For more information, visit www.coquitlam.ca or email the clerk's office at [email protected].
Pet lovers wanting to bury an animal or its ashes in a designated cemetery in Coquitlam won't get any sympathy from the city.
This week, the city's council-in-committee turned down a suggestion to have a piece of municipal land converted for a pet graveyard or memorial site.
Last year, during a discussion about cemetery services and fees, Coun. Mae Reid raised the topic of a pet cemetery, saying owners need a place to lay their animals to rest.
But on Monday, Lori MacKay, general manager of parks and recreation, said there has been no community demand to build such a facility. As well, provincial legislation bans animal remains from being interred in a human cemetery.
MacKay said the city is aware many owners scatted the cremated ashes of their pets in city parks. Still, "it's not something that's managed," she said.
Currently, there are no municipal pet cemeteries in B.C. although a private operator has applied to the Fraser Valley Regional District to set up a pet cemetery and crematorium in Chilliwack.
