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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-27 Workshop Meeting Agenda and Reports.pdfDistrict of Maple Ridge 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 2. MINUTES –July 16, 2012 3. PRESENTATIONS AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCIL 3.1 4. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS 4.1 Maple Ridge Library Update Presentation by Caro O’Kennedy, Library Manager 4.2 Kwantlen Polytechnic University Proposal – A Food System Design and Implementation Plan for Southwest British Columbia Staff report dated August 27, 2012 recommending that the request for commitment to a proposal by the Sustainable Food Systems Working Group at Kwantlen Polytechnic University to design and implement a region wide food system be endorsed. COUNCIL WORKSHOP AGENDA August 27, 2012 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Blaney Room, 1st Floor, Municipal Hall The purpose of the Council Workshop is to review and discuss policies and other items of interest to Council. Although resolutions may be passed at this meeting, the intent is to make a consensus decision to send an item to Council for debate and vote or refer the item back to staff for more information or clarification. REMINDERS August 27, 2012 Closed Council following Workshop Committee of the Whole Meeting 1:00 p.m. August 28, 2012 Public Hearing 6:00 p.m. Council Meeting (start time dependent on Public Hearing) 7:00 p.m. Council Workshop August 27, 2012 Page 2 of 4 4.3 Downtown Social Issues Discussion of social issues in the downtown core as requested by Councillor Masse 5. CORRESPONDENCE The following correspondence has been received and requires a response. Staff is seeking direction from Council on each item. Options that Council may consider include: a) Acknowledge receipt of correspondence and advise that no further action will be taken. b) Direct staff to prepare a report and recommendation regarding the subject matter. c) Forward the correspondence to a regular Council meeting for further discussion. d) Other. Once direction is given the appropriate response will be sent. 5.1 Premier’s UBCM Meeting Request Coordinator – 2012 UBCM Convention Memo dated July 30, 2012 from Katherine Bergen, Premier’s UBCM Meeting Request Coordinator, providing information on the submission of requests for meetings with Ministers during the 2012 UBCM convention. 5.2 Province of British Columbia, Office of Minister Ida Chong – 2012 UBCM Convention Letter from Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, providing information on the submission of requests for meetings with herself and other government, agency and commission staff during the 2012 UBCM convention. A 2012 Provincial Appointment book is attached. 5.3 BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) – Privatization of the BC Liquor Distribution Branch Warehouse and Distribution System Letter dated July 5, 2012 from Darryl Walker, President, BCGEU, requesting the adoption of a motion requesting a moratorium on the privatization of the Liquor Distribution Branch. Recommendation: a) Council Workshop August 27, 2012 Page 3 of 4 5.4 John Kelly – MP’s Pension Plan Funding E-mail from John Kelly requesting support for changes to the Federal Members of Parliament’s pension plan funding. Recommendation: a) Note: Item 5.5 was deferred from the July 9, 2012 Council Workshop Meeting 5.5 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (“FCM”) Update: Government of Canada LTIP Roundtables E-mail dated June 28, 2012 from Brock Carlton, Chief Executive Officer, FCM providing clarification on the Government of Canada LTIP Roundtables and encouraging endorsement of FCM’s Target 2014 campaign. 6. BRIEFING ON OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST/QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL 7. MATTERS DEEMED EXPEDIENT 8. ADJOURNMENT Checked by: ___________ Date: _________________ Council Workshop August 27, 2012 Page 4 of 4 Rules for Holding a Closed Meeting A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to one or more of the following: (a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the mun icipality; (b) personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for a municipal award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the municipality on condition of anonymity; (c) labour relations or employee negotiations; (d) the security of property of the municipality; (e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality; (f) law enforcement, if the council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the conduct of an investigation under or enforcement of an enactment; (g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality; (h) an administrative tribunal hearing or potential administrative tribunal hearing affecting the municipality, other than a hearing to be conducted by the council or a delegate of council (i) the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; (j) information that is prohibited or information that if it were presented in a document would be prohibited from disclosure under section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ; (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public; (l) discussions with municipal officers and employees respecting municipal objectives, measures and progress reports for the purposes of preparing an annual report under section 98 [annual municipal report] (m) a matter that, under another enactment, is such that the public may be excluded from the meeting; (n) the consideration of whether a council meeting should be closed under a provision of this subsection of subsection (2) (o) the consideration of whether the authority under section 91 (other persons attending closed meetings) should be exercised in relation to a council meeting. (p) information relating to local government participation in provincial negotiations with First Nations , where an agreement provides that the information is to be kept confidential. 1 District of Maple Ridge TO: His Worship Mayor Ernie Daykin MEETING DATE: August 27, 2012 and Members of Council FROM: Staff Liaison, Agricultural Advisory Committee MEETING: Workshop SUBJECT: Kwantlen Polytechnic University Proposal – A Food System Design and Implementation Plan for Southwest British Columbia. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: On July 26, 2012, an invitation for participation was received from the Sustainable Food Systems Working Group at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (Institute for Sustainable Horticulture). The project proposal involves a collaboration of community groups, government agencies, industry groups, and educational institutions to engage in the design and implementation of a region wide Food System. This proposal is consistent with the District’s strategic initiatives. Enhancing the agricultural sector is part of the overall strategy of the Maple Ridge Economic Advisory Commission. This proposal from Kwantlen has been anticipated for some time. Funds to support this project have been earmarked in the business plan of the Maple Ridge Agicultural Advisory Committee. The anticipated outcome of this project will be the expanded capacity of our agricultural sector to satisfy local demand for food. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the request for commitment to the proposal for a region wide Food System be endorsed. a) Background Context: The District has been involved in the development of this project since before the Fall of 2011. In September 2011, the District provided a letter of support for Kwantlen’s proposal in order to secure funding. Other supporting agencies included the Agricultural Land Commission and Metro Vancouver. The attached document outlines details of this proposal. Municipalities are requested to provide the following: 1. A municipal commitment by mid-September 2012 to engage in the design of and implementation planning for the southwest BC Food System; 2. A financial contribution to the project. The District’s portion would be $4,000 per year for 3 years; 3. Assigning a District staff member to act as a liaison to the project team, who is able to both represent the District’s interests and provide Council updates on the project. b) Discussion / Strategic Alignment Agriculture is being recognized as an emerging economic sector. Currently, the District is involved in related initiatives, such as:  An agri-food branding project to launch in the Fall of 2012.  Federal funds to produce a local growers guide have been received from Invest Canada Community Initiatives (ICCI). 4.2 2  An agricultural inventory and water demand model for Maple Ridge is underway, a collaboration between the District and the Ministry of Agriculture, with an expected completion date of Spring 2013,  A working farm school in collaboration with Kwantlen Polytechnic University is in its planning phase. As noted, this request has been anticipated for some time. The Agricultural Advisory Committee recognizes the alignment between this project and the Committee priorities. Residual funds from the Agricultural Plan have been earmarked for implementation projects of this nature. Most specifically, the Kwantlen Polytechnic proposal is noted as a desirable recipient of these funds. The Committee will be meeting on September 27, 2012. This request for funds will be presented to them at this time. As the Kwantlen are seeking a stated commitment prior to that date, Council’s endorsement in the interim is requested. CONCLUSION: This report has been in response to a request by Kwantlen Polytechnic University for municipal commitment to their project, a Food System Design and Implementation Plan for Southwest British Columbia. This project has been anticipated and welcomed by the District for some time now. There is a strong strategic alignment between the objectives of this project and the priorities as outlined by the Agricultural Advisory Committee. Funds are available for this purpose, and committee endorsement of the project will be sought at the next committee meeting. In the meantime, Council endorsement of the project is requested. "Original signed by Diana Hall" Co-Prepared by: Diana Hall, Planner 2 Staff Liaison, Agricultural Advisory Committee "Original signed by Sandy Blue" _____________________________________________ Co-prepared by: Sandy Blue Manager of Strategic Economic Initiatives "Original signed by Charles R. Goddard" ______________________________________________ Approved by: Charles R. Goddard, MA BA Manager of Development & Environmental Services "Original signed by Frank Quinn" _______________________________________________ Approved by: Frank Quinn, MBA, P.Eng GM: Public Works & Development Services "Original signed by J.L. (Jim) Rule" _______________________________________________ Concurrence: J. L. (Jim) Rule Chief Administrative Officer Attachments: District letter of support; Proposal Details, Kwantlen Polytechnic University MAILING ADDRESS 12666–72 Ave, Surrey, BC Canada V3W 2M8 T 604.599.2100 kwantlen.ca July 26th, 2012 Mayor Ernie Daykin District Municipality of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place Maple Ridge, B.C V2X 6A9 Dear Mayor Daykin, Southwest British Columbia residents annually spend approximately $5.5 billion on food, most of which is imported. The Sustainable Food Systems Working Group at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Institute for Sustainable Horticulture believe that we can build a robust regional food system that captures a significant portion of this huge market and in doing so more substantially supports and promotes a robust regional economy. Utilizing our considerable expertise and building on previous successful work with municipalities to enable and support local food systems we are now are now leading a three year initiative to develop a Food System Design and Implementation Plan for southwest British Columbia that aims to substantially enhance our local- regional economies and communities, create jobs, and manifest other important sustainability attributes. The regional food system design and implementation plan will provide a clear, comprehensive vision of and basis for a regionally based food system as well as a roadmap of prioritized, sequential actions that can be taken by farmers, food-sector entrepreneurs, consumers, communities, institutions, Provincial Government, Regional Districts, Municipal Governments, and First Nations to create a regionally based food system that reflects aspirations for increased food security and self-reliance, greater economic vitality, and ecological integrity. The project will clearly and concisely delineate the potential benefits of a regional food system for all southwest B.C. communities and jurisdictions. For the better part of two years the Kwantlen research team has been conceptualizing and delineating design methodologies for the southwest B.C. food system project as well as for an identical project for the Yukon Territory (already fully funded) which will be executed concurrently with the southwest B.C. project. The project will be conducted in three phases: 1) baseline assessment of regional resources, attributes, limitations, and potentials; 2) food system design per designated objectives delineated by stakeholder and researcher interaction and 3) development of plans, tools and strategies, with stakeholders, for implementation. Substantial stakeholder engagement will occur throughout the design and planning process. We have identified leading researchers, from six universities in B.C. and internationally, who have committed to this ambitious, precedent setting initiative as well as a compliment of top rate research associates; all of whom will ensure the research and design goals are fully realized. We are in the process of getting participation commitment from all levels of government and appropriate community and industry stakeholders. Discussions with the B.C. Minister of Agriculture, regional district and municipal government leaders indicate substantial and broad MAILING ADDRESS 12666–72 Ave, Surrey, BC Canada V3W 2M8 T 604.599.2100 kwantlen.ca support for this work. The total cost for this project is $1.5 million. The Real Estate Foundation of B.C. has awarded $300,000 for the project and the collaborating universities are contributing $627,000. Broad, ongoing engagement of communities, industry, local governments and other stakeholders is inherent in and critical to a successful food system design and implementation planning process. Thus we are soliciting the engagement of every municipality and each of the Regional Districts in the southwest B.C. bio-region in three ways: 1. A commitment to engage in the design of and implementation planning for the southwest B.C. Food System; 2. A financial contribution to the project calculated to minimize the fiscal impact on the municipality’s limited resource base. For your jurisdiction this contribution would be $4,000 a year for three years; and 3. Identification of a staff person who will act as liaison to the project team, to ensure the municipality’s perspectives and interests are represented, and who will brief the municipality on the progress of the project. Our goal is to have full roll-out of the project, with secure funding, by fall 2012. To that end, with this letter, we invite the District Municipality of Maple Ridge to engage in the project. Confirmation of Maple Ridge’s commitment within the next six weeks would be greatly appreciated. We look forward to the opportunity to provide a full briefing and background information on the project to you and staff. And subsequently we will work with your designated liaison to facilitate engagement Please find enclosed a document that more fully explains the objectives of the Food System Design and Implementation Plan project, generally describes project methodology, and delineates our funding plan. For additional information please feel free to contact either Dr. Kent Mullinix (604.612.1252) kent.mullinix@kwantlen.ca or Dr. Arthur Fallick (604.992.9493) arthur.fallick@kwantlen.ca . We look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Kent Mullinix Arthur Fallick