The two cities on either side of the Pattullo Bridge have met to discuss transportation concerns.
Council members from New Westminster and Surrey met Dec. 7 to discuss the Pattullo Bridge.
"We had a really good meting with Surrey," said Coun. Chuck Puchmayr. "I am optimistic we are going to be heard down the road."
Puchmayr said New Westminster officials made it clear that the city doesn't support a Pattullo Bridge project that increases capacity on local roads.
GETTING INVOLVED
Royal City residents will get a chance to chat with city council on a more regular basis. New Westminster city council has adopted revised guidelines for local residents' associations. The guidelines are meant to clarify the roles of the city and the 11 residents' associations currently operating in the city.
"We used to have a number of meetings a year with residents' associations altogether," said Coun. Bill Harper. "We put that back into place. We think it's really important to communicate in a way that is more of a relationship."
Although the City of New Westminster sends out council agendas by email to a representative of each of the residents' associations, Harper believes this is a better way of improving dialogue between the city and residents' groups.
CHANGING INFO
New Westminster city council has directed staff to investigate adding community event announcements to the public hearing agenda.
Community members are able to appear as open delegations at regular council meetings, but there are currently no provisions to address council at public hearings, other than to discuss matters being considered at the public hearing.
Coun. Betty McIntosh suggested council add a community announcements section to the public hearing meetings. She said there are a lot of good things happening in the city, but people need to know about them.
