2019 Annual Report

Annual Report 2019 7 Message from the Mayor On behalf of Council, it is my pleasure to present the 2019 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 of our collective achievements, as well as a road map for where we plan to go next. Looking back, 2019 was a big year for our city. We opened some amazing new parks, including Lexw Qwò:m and Kensington, completed the Lickman Interchange Project and established the Integrated Community Safety Task Force. We also focused our efforts to combat litter and illegal dumping. We increased fines for illegal dumping and the burning of pallets and other garbage, and developed an online landfill cost estimator to help residents find inexpensive or free responsible disposal options. Teamwork played a major role in our 2019 achievements. We completed the 20 kilometre Vedder Rotary Loop Trail, thanks, in part, to the Rotary Club of Chilliwack, and the Chilliwack Chiefs helped us sell out the grand opening of the Sardis Sports Complex. Thanks to the Province and BC Housing, two modular housing facilities opened in Chilliwack to house 92 individuals from one of our most vulnerable populations. With Skwah First Nation, Shxwh á :y Village and the Federal Government, we announced the $45 million Town Dyke Upgrade project to enhance flood protection infrastructure for each of our communities. Our team accomplished many goals in 2019, and these successes would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of Council, advisory committee members, volunteers, City staff, and you. I’d like to end by thanking you, the citizens of Chilliwack. To anyone who has called, emailed, taken a survey, attended a Public Hearing or engagement meeting – thank you. You have all helped to keep Chilliwack a great place to work, live and play, and we will make sure to continue working strategically to best serve you. Enjoy the read! Mayor Ken Popove