HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDC 2021-02-11 minutes.pdfCity of Maple Ridge
Economic Development Committee
MEETING MINUTES
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Committee (EDC)
held via Zoom teleconference on February 11, 2021 at 4:03 pm.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Councillor Ahmed Yousef Council Liaison
Tom Meier Business Improvement Association Representative
Al Hogarth Chamber of Commerce Representative
Camilla Brown joined at 5:20 pm Member at Large
Dominic Kotarski Member at Large
Chrislana Gregory Member at Large
Mehdi Vezvaei Member at Large
STAFF PRESENT
Wendy Dupley Director of Economic Development
Bruce Livingstone Business Retention and Expansion Officer
Sabina Chand Committee Clerk
Ms. Wendy Dupley, Staff Liaison chaired the inaugural meeting of the Economic Development
Committee.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2021-001
It was moved and seconded
That the February 11, 2021 Economic Development Committee meeting Agenda be approved
as circulated.
CARRIED
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2021-002
It was moved and seconded
That the minutes of the Maple Ridge Economic Development Committee meeting dated
November 5, 2020 be adopted.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS – NIL
5. QUESTION PERIOD – NIL
6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Economic Committee Minutes
February 11, 2021
Page 2 of 4
6.1 Member Introductions
The Committee members introduced themselves and welcomed new Member at Large,
Mehdi Vezvaei.
6.2 Advisory Committee Overview
The Committee Clerk and Staff Liaison provided an advisory committee orientation to the
members and responded to questions and comments. Highlights included an overview of the
City’s governing guidelines, committee meeting procedures and background information on
the Economic Development department that will help drive the work of the Committee.
The Staff Liaison displayed a short video that was made by Economic Development Winnipeg
on how economic development works and discussed core functions of business retention and
expansion, community resources and marketing: What is Economic Development? - YouTube.
6.3 2021 Meeting Schedule
The Committee reviewed the proposed 2021 Meeting Schedule that was included in the
agenda package.
R/2021-003
It was moved and seconded
That the 2021 Meeting Schedule of the Economic Development Committee be adopted as
presented.
CARRIED
6.4 2021 EDC Work Plan
Ms. Dupley provided a brief update on the status of the draft 2021 Work Plan that will
require a task force to complete the work.
R/2021-004
It was moved and seconded
That a Task Force including Councillor Yousef, Chrislana Gregory and Al Hogarth with the Staff
Liaison and Karen Hansen, Administrative Assistant, be created to develop the 2021 EDC
Work Plan.
CARRIED
6.5 Chair and Vice Chair Selection
Ms. Dupley opened up the floor to nominations for Chair and Vice Chair of the Economic
Development Committee.
The newly elected Chair and will preside at the next meeting for a seamless transition and
therefore Ms. Dupley continued to chair the rest of the meeting.
R/2021-005
It was moved and seconded
That Councillor Ahmed Yousef be elected as Chair of the Economic Development Committee
for 2021.
CARRIED
Economic Committee Minutes
February 11, 2021
Page 3 of 4
R/2021-006
It was moved and seconded
That Mehdi Vezvaei be elected as Vice-Chair of the Economic Development Committee for
2021.
CARRIED
7. LIAISON UPDATES
7.1 Staff Liaison
The Staff Liaison provided an update on the following items:
• 2021 Economic Development Department deliverables/strategies;
• Engagement of a consultant in March 2021 to develop an economic development
strategy for City of Maple Ridge;
• Virtual Intelligent Community Forum February 22, 2021;
• New GIS site selector tool on the City’s website;
• Assistance programs to help local businesses; and
• Update on the Hotel Feasibility Study for City of Maple Ridge.
The Committee inquired about the City’s property crime prevention to which Ms. Dupley
provided. It was noted that staff will reach out to Chad Cowles, Manager of Community Social
Safety Initiatives to provide an update on Community Social Safety Initiative (CSSI) program at
the next meeting.
7.2 Council Liaison
Councillor Yousef provided an update on the new three-month pilot project launched by the
Ridge Meadows RCMP to enhance visibility, facilitate outreach and support services and assist
enforcement in downtown Maple Ridge.
Note: Camilla Brown joined the meeting at 5:20 pm.
8. TASK FORCE UPDATES
8.1 EDC Task Force
Camilla Brown advised that the Task Force continues to engage with the business community
to highlight opportunities to improve interactions with the City and gather recommendations
from local business owners on how to streamline regulations. A final report will be provided to
the Committee at the next meeting.
R/2021-007
It was moved and seconded
That EDC Task Force be extended until Thursday April 8, 2021 to submit its final report on
the local business survey findings to the Economic Development Committee.
CARRIED
9. ROUNDTABLE
Members provided verbal reports on relevant events and activities.
Economic Committee Minutes
February 11, 2021
Page 4 of 4
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Economic Development Committee will be held on
Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 4:00 pm.
Ms. Wendy Dupley, Staff Liaison
Acting-Chair
/sc