At our Jan. 30 meeting, Abbotsford City Council kicked off the second year of our term by approving an update to our Strategic Plan.
The directions identified in the Strategic Plan are the strategic focus for all of the work being done at the City during our 2022-2026 term. It’s the City’s roadmap for the delivery of services, projects and programs. We value the needs of our residents and the Strategic Plan acts a as to-do list for us to make sure that we are delivering on our vision of Abbotsford as the cultural and economic Hub of the Fraser Valley.
Our Strategic plan is based on four guiding principles: Inclusive and Connected Community, Sustainable and Safe City, Vibrant and Growing Economy and Organizational Excellence and Integrity. Every staff report we see articulates how our Strategic Plan is considered in the delivery of City services and in the delivery of Council policies.
As part of the update for our first year of service delivery, the City Manager advised us that a number of the priorities identified in the four-year plan have already advanced or been completed.
Completed items include introducing the McKee Neighbourhood Plan and securing funding for the Montrose Transit exchange, which will be completed by the end of the summer, as well as conducting a review of Council Committees. The City also developed Community Amenity Contributions and a Density-Bonus policy as part of the Affordable Housing Strategy and applied for and received $3 million in federal funding from the Reaching Home Designated Community homelessness program.
Some priorities that saw advancement include the Culture Connect Strategy, Urban Forestry Strategy, Homelessness Action Plan, Affordable Housing Strategy and Intergovernmental Advocacy Strategy. The City also continues to advocate for transit connections to the Skytrain extension to Langley, funding for the Flood Mitigation Strategy and Agritech investment support and opportunities.
From the progress we have made it is clear that we’ve had a positive first year together. Like other neighbouring city councils, we have some challenging issues to address. But as a committed team, we got right to work, and with the incredible support of our great staff we have at the City we have found our stride.
We look forward to what this year holds and we look forward to continue making progress on the priorities and issues that matter to you.
Abbotsford City Council