Two Coquitlam city councillors who asked for leaves of absence until the new year have now formally quit their civic jobs.
On Monday, city clerk Jay Gilbert confirmed letters of resignation had been received from Linda Reimer, who was elected as the BC Liberal MLA in Port Moody-Coquitlam, and from Selina Robinson, now the BC NDP MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville.
Last week, city council voted 4-2 to deny their leaves until January - which would have prevented a byelection - and instead hold a byelection to replace the pair of vacancies. A date for the fall byelection is expected to be set on July 29, the last council meeting before the summer break.
Other Coquitlam news:
Middle students walking or cycling to their Coquitlam school will see better roads, signals and markings to get to class in a few years.
On Monday, city council unanimously approved a study to look at improved walkability/cycling components around middle schools. The city "needs study" is set to start in 2015.
Currently, Coquitlam's school walkability program that started three years ago focuses on traffic upgrades around elementary schools. Among the improvements now at 15 schools are: crosswalks, curb bulges, enhanced signage and pedestrian countdown timers.
More work is to be done at 12 elementary schools this year while sidewalks will be installed at nine schools, costing $315,000; so far, sidewalks have already been built around Glen, Miller Park, Parkland and Roy Stibbs elementaries.
Mayor Richard Stewart said the school walkability program has "probably saved lives" but he voiced his frustration with the slow pace to get the infrastructure.
A bid to build five townhomes behind a seniors' complex was green-lighted this week - seven years after the first application came before Coquitlam city council.
In 2007, the Earl Haig Society had planned four townhouses on its vacant lot at 491 Laurentian Cres., of which the proceeds of the market sales would support the seniors' housing next door.
However, when its proposal was unsuccessful, the society sold the land to a new owner, who tried to get seven multi-family units on the property but that plan was turned down by council last November.
On Monday, council voted 4-3 to approve a development permit, with councillors Craig Hodge, Mae Reid and Lou Sekora opposing because of its large size.
"I'm glad to see we are finally getting something built here," Coun. Neal Nicholson countered.
