2020 Annual Report

Annual Report 2020 9 Message from the Mayor On behalf of Council, it is my pleasure to present the 2020 Annual Report for the City of Chilliwack. In this report you will find important information about City operations, including a financial overview, accomplishments and progress made on Council’s strategic goals. I hope you will think of this report as a summary of all our collective achievements, as well as a road map for where we plan to go next. 2020 was an extremely difficult year for everyone. As the COVID-19 pandemic began to heavily impact BC, we had to temporarily close leisure centres, rinks, playgrounds, sports courts, and more. To help residents stay connected with the City, we shifted our public hearing process online, established ticket windows at City Hall, launched a new reporting app, e-newsletter and an engagement website, engagechilliwack.com . We also developed the Together Apart Grant, joined the Chilliwack Economic Recovery Network, offered utility bill relief and delayed late property tax payment penalties to support residents and local businesses during this time. Fortunately, equipped with new safety measures, many City projects continued. We installed Coast Salish artwork in the Vedder roundabout, added a Halq’eméylem welcome to our highway entrance signs, established an accessible playground at Promontory West Park, and started construction on a new pump track facility at the Landing. We extended the Valley Rail Trail from Airport to Hocking, approved 23 locations for rectangular rapid flashing beacon crosswalks, upgraded the Five Corners intersection, and continued work to widen Vedder and Promontory Roads. The successes we achieved in 2020 would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of Council, advisory committee members, volunteers, City staff, and you, the citizens of Chilliwack. To anyone who called, emailed, took a survey, left a comment, or attended a virtual meeting this year – thank you. Even during a pandemic, your participation helps us make Chilliwack an even better place to work, live and play, and we look forward to another year of progress with you. Enjoy the read! Mayor Ken Popove 24 COUNCIL MEETINGS 11 PUBLIC HEARINGS