Youth voice absent downtown
A councillor is imploring Mission youth to get involved after he noticed the lack of young people at the recent downtown revitalization forum.
"We need your input — this is your future," said Coun. Tony Luck, after hearing an update to council on the downtown planning process from Sharon Fletcher, director of Long Range Planning and Special Projects.
About 120 people turned up to the district-hosted open house last week to share ideas with consultants and planners from HB Lanarc, the company at the helm of the project.
Fletcher said 60 people stuck around for the planning workshop that explored urban design, transit movement through and around the downtown, public spaces and streetscapes, arts and culture, and land use.
The next downtown planning open house is scheduled for Jan. 17 from 6-8 p.m. at a yet-to-be-determined location.
Full steam ahead for Silverdale substation
Construction will begin next week on the estimated $46-million BC Hydro Silverdale Substation Project.
BC Hydro capital projects spokesperson Samantha Howard reaffirmed to council the need for the new hydro hub, saying the local substation is at capacity.
She also provided details on the scope of the project. The fully-enclosed Silverdale Substation will stand 1.5 levels high, with low-profile outside equipment.
Some minimal vegetation clearing will be required, along with landscaping to limit any visual impacts from Lougheed Highway, Nelson Street and Silverdale Avenue.
On the subject of aesthetics, Coun. Dave Hensman requested shrubs be placed around the Mission substation in the centrally-located area of Seventh Avenue and Cedar Street.
BC Hydro is projecting an in-service date of October 2014 for the new Silverdale substation.
Mission bans shark fins
Coun. Tony Luck successfully moved to ban the possession, sale, trade and distribution of shark fins in Mission at Monday night's council meeting.
"I think this complements some of the things that some of the other cities are doing in the province and around the world," said Luck. "This isn't just a B.C. issue, it's a global issue."
Luck even went so far as to call for a boycott of the shark fin trade.
Coun. Jenny Stevens questioned if it was a political exercise, adding that she was not aware of shark fin soup being served in Mission.
"I'm a little bit concerned about creating a bylaw that would perhaps be impossible to enforce," said Stevens.
Mayor Ted Adlem supported the motion.
"I think if you listen to what the United Nations is saying, the world's oceans will be fished out by the year 2050," said Adlem.
Council also voted in favour of amending Mission's ticket information bylaw to include a $500 fine for contraveners of the ban.
Mission to donate $250,000 to Clayburn Legacy Maintenance Building project
The municipality will provide $250,000 to the Mission Heritage Association for the Clayburn Legacy Maintenance Building project at Fraser River Heritage Park.
The funds, which will be taken from the district's gaming reserve, will be distributed incrementally based on project progress reports from the MHA.
The estimated contracted cost of the project is approximately $1 million; the MHA figures they can deliver the Clayburn Legacy Maintenance Building for 60 per cent of that through community partnerships and sponsorships.
A public washroom alongside 2,400-square feet of maintenance space would anchor the bottom of the building, while the 2000-square foot top floor would be designated as classroom or meeting space. As well, a proposed greenhouse would be attached to one of the sides.
"I'm certain that we are going to have a fabulous addition to Fraser River Heritage Park," said Mayor Ted Adlem, following a presentation by MHA at Monday's council meeting.