Financial Planning & Reporting

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Vision   

We continue to build Maple Ridge into a liveable community that meets the needs of our diverse residents, businesses and other stakeholders through community planning, transportation and infrastructure services that benefit and strengthen our City today and in the future. 

Housing Acceleration  

As is the case across B.C., the lack of affordable housing options is an increasing challenge in Maple Ridge, resulting in unprecedented home prices and rental rates. A significant number of residents have difficulty finding secure and affordable housing, leading to homelessness, social inequality and other issues. 

Facilitating housing for all income levels is critical for people to afford to live and participate in their community, for businesses to grow and create jobs, and for attracting skilled workers and investment.  

New provincial legislation outlines new requirements and responsibilities for local governments to take steps to increase housing supply. These new responsibilities come with significant related costs that the City must incorporate in its financial planning. 

Related actions proposed in 2024: 

• Create criteria to prioritize development applications with the most benefit to the community. 
• Update the City's Housing Strategy. 
• Conduct a feasibility study on incentives for desired housing development. 
• Develop a concierge service to facilitate affordable housing development. 
• Explore the use of City-owned lands for affordable housing. 
• Update City housing plans and policies, including the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaws, to include more housing types and better define where population growth will occur. 
• Speed up application processing, including developing pre-approved site plans. 
• Review the City's density bonusing program, a tool to encourage construction of more housing units on a property and to increase the supply of affordable housing.  

Responsible City Asset Management

Maple Ridge's inventory of City-owned assets – including buildings, infrastructure, vehicles and equipment – exceed $2 billion in value and are essential to providing City services.  

As the community continues to grow, it is crucial to plan for the delivery, maintenance and replacement of these assets to ensure reliable, sustainable and equitable City services throughout Maple Ridge, now and in the future. 

Related actions proposed in 2024: 

• Improve coordination for the delivery of capital projects. 
• Enhance maintenance of parks and roads. 
• Enhance delivery of parks projects, including landscaping. 
• Review the Development Cost Charge bylaw to ensure fees collected from developers are adequate to fund growth-related infrastructure and services. 
• Develop a strategy for the development of a comprehensive Asset Management Plan. 
• Capital projects include: 
• Widen Abernethy Way from 224 to 230 Streets and extending it from 232 to 240 Street. 
• Upgrade the 225 Street forcemain and pump station to better serve Town Centre and East Maple Ridge
• Twin the Grant Mountain reservoir to increase water capacity in Albion. 

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Vision

 We provide dynamic public spaces for our residents to engage with their community and maintain an active lifestyle. Our citizens are proud to be from Maple Ridge and celebrate our history and culture. Residents feel safe and supported by their community and municipal services. 

Public Safety

Maple Ridge residents are protected by a collaborative service model that includes firefighter, Community Safety Officers and RCMP officers. Rapid growth in the community, coupled with the impact of economic and societal issues, is putting increased pressure on these services to ensure the safety of all residents.  

The Fire Protection Master Plan (formerly the Fire Services Strategic Plan) identified a critical need for investment in fire services both to meet current demands and keep pace with population growth and the evolving needs of the community.    

Additional investment in police services is also required as Maple Ridge prepares for the de-integration of the Ridge Meadows RCMP as the City of Pitt Meadows transitions to its own RCMP detachment.

The City is also leveraging the use of Community Safety officers as a tool to bridge the gap between social services and law enforcement, and ensure a feeling of safety and wellbeing in the community.  

Related actions proposed in 2024: 

• Increase fire suppression and prevention resources. 
• Increase police officer presence and victim support. 
• Provide one-time resources for required transition to a Maple Ridge RCMP detachment.  
• Ensure two-person Community Safety Officer patrol teams from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 
• Develop a comprehensive community safety plan.

Active Transportation

Providing more safe and convenient options for active transportation (such as cycling or walking) helps to encourage healthy and active lifestyles. 

Related actions proposed in 2024: 

• Add three kilometres to the length of Maple Ridge's cycling network. 
• Add key projects to the five-year Capital Program to complete an east-to-west AAA (all ages and abilities) bike route from 240 Street to the Maple Meadows West Coast Express station. 

Community Activation & Engagement

This year, Maple Ridge is celebrating its 150th anniversary of being a vibrant and diverse community. To mark this milestone, the City is striving to engage residents with accessible events, expanded access to facilities and programs, and new opportunities to provide input and feedback. 

Related actions proposed in 2024: 

• Activate a mobile stage bringing performances and entertainment to 16 events around the community. 
• Ensure at least 70% of households can access at least one free event within a 15-minute walk from home. 
• Support increased facility bookings and enhanced aquatics programming. 
• Develop a new public engagement framework and tools. 
• Conduct a budget pilot project that allows citizens to allocate one-time funds through an open, transparent public participation process. 
• Introduce a pilot heritage grant program to conserve historic amenities. 
• Audit recreation facilities for accessibility based on Rick Hansen Guideline standards. 
• Develop criteria for recreation access funding supports to increase participation in subsidized programs. 
• Implement new public art programming. 
• Work with interested parties to initiate a museum needs assessment. 
• Increase volunteerism by retaining those who volunteered at the BC Summer Games.  

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Vision

Climate change poses a tremendous risk to current and future generations. As stewards of our environmental assets, we value our natural infrastructure and seek to leverage its benefits to reduce our climate impact. We actively plan to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change as our community grows, pursue the growth of green industries, and adopt promising practices and innovation. 

Taking Action  

Maple Ridge has abundant natural resources that provide benefits to culture, recreation and infrastructure. As the City embarks on its first Climate Action Plan, it is important to understand the value provided by these natural assets and biodiversity.  

We must also take immediate steps to reduce our impact on our resilient but vulnerable ecosystem, and to identify and mitigate the risk associated with climate change on City services, assets and residents.   

Related Actions Proposed in 2024: 

• Develop a Climate Action Plan informed by risk assessments including hazards and extreme weather. 
• Upgrade the electrical service at the City Operations Centre to support electric vehicles. 
• Install more than 40 fleet electric vehicle charging stations.  
• Conduct an inventory of Maple Ridge's natural assets and assess their benefits to determine how to best preserve and manage them. 
• Conduct an inventory of the community's biodiversity and study its health to determine how to best preserve and manage them. 
• Create a strategy to ensure McKenney Creek system is preserved and managed during development in the Lougheed Transit Corridor Area.  
• Conduct a pilot project to reduce wildlife interactions and emissions from countertop food composter systems.

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Vision  

Our local economy is as diverse and vibrant as our community. We attract business investment to balance our tax base and provide employment opportunities across different sectors and our businesses are supported in their growth and innovation goals. Our community is a destination for seekers of arts, culture and outdoor adventure. 

Taking Action

Maple Ridge thrives with a diverse economy and vibrant community spirit. Businesses that bring services, jobs and innovation are important for achieving community liveability and the long-term vision for Maple Ridge. 

Businesses also contribute taxes that help fund municipal services. Promoting a strong local economy helps to broaden the City's tax base and reduce dependence on residential taxpayers.   

Related actions proposed in 2024: 

• Develop a strategy to attract business and investment. 
• Promote local businesses with funding for seasonal promotions and other campaigns. 
• Develop an employment area. 
• Refresh the agricultural plan. 
• Enhance resources to process business licences, including for short-term rentals, as required by the Province of BC. 
• Analyze data to better promote business retention and expansion. 
• Take steps to establish a post-secondary institution in Maple Ridge in conjunction with a labour market analysis. 
• Review policies for eco, adventure and agri-tourism. 
• Host pilot “big top” events to attract agri-vendors. 
• Develop a strategy to attract visitors to events in Maple Ridge. 
• Raise awareness of Maple Ridge's brand and promote the City as a place to do business.  

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Vision  

Responsive and accessible government is paramount to building public trust. We build that trust through the City's communications, transparent engagement and customer-centric service experiences. We honour our service to our community through prudent financial management, effective public policy and transparent decision-making. 

Taking Action

The launch of the new City brand in 2023 signifies a new chapter for Maple Ridge, with a commitment to innovation and community engagement and a continued dedication to meeting and exceeding the expectations of residents and partners. The journey going forward will be defined by growth, resilience and sustainability. 

Related actions proposed in 2024: 

• Update the City's Financial Sustainability Policy and review the annual business planning process to ensure the City can continue to meet the changing needs of the community. 
• Develop an Archaeological Management Plan to ensure historical and Indigenous artifacts underground are identified, managed and preserved. 
• Develop an Indigenous Relations and Engagement Strategy to identify protocols for engaging with Indigenous partners. 
• Create a customer experience strategy and framework to deliver exceptional customer service. 
• Ensure the City maintains best governance practices for managing policies, records and risk.  
• Introduce a continuous improvement centre of excellence that empowers staff to create more efficient processes and streamline service delivery. 
• Prepare the City for the unexpected by developing a business continuity program and practice activations of the Emergency Operations Centre. 
• Introduce an online performance management system to support accountability and collaboration in City operations.