HomeMy WebLinkAboutEAC 2021-04-14 agenda.pdf City of Maple Ridge Environmental Advisory Committee AGENDA Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 7:00 pm Held via Zoom teleconference Meeting Access Information To practice social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic we will be holding the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) meeting via Zoom teleconference. Members of the EAC and the public are asked to join the meeting from home using the following access information: Join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone https://mapleridge-ca.zoom.us/j/94778310117?pwd=QThTOWNTR24yYjlma3ZOVkZtOUN4Zz09 Or join the meeting using your phone Dial: 1-778-907-2071 Meeting ID: 947 7831 0117 Passcode: 991976 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES – December 9, 2020 4. DELEGATIONS 5. QUESTION PERIOD 6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1 Chair and Vice Chair Selections 6.2 Advisory Committee Overview 6.3 Anti-Discrimination Policy 6.4 Respectful Workplace Policy 7. LIAISON UPDATES 7.1 Staff Liaison 7.2 Council Liaison 8. SUBCOMMITTEE & TASK FORCE UPDATES 8.1 Green Infrastructure Subcommittee 9. CORRESPONDENCE 9.1 2021 Business Planning, Maple Ridge Climate Hub Response 10. ROUNDTABLE 11. ADJOURNMENT Next Regular Meeting: May 12, 2021 Agenda Items Submission Deadline: April 26, 2021 QUESTION PERIOD Question Period provides the public with the opportunity to ask questions or make comments on subjects that are of concern to them. Each person will be given 2 minutes to speak. Up to ten minutes in total is allotted for Question Period. /sc ------ HAPLI;; R l □GE Dr-.1J1h Cah.nr.1111 map endg;e.,ca City of Maple Ridge Environmental Advisory Committee MEETING MINUTES The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) held via Zoom teleconference on December 9, 2020 at 7:00 pm. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Councillor Judy Dueck Council Liaison Bill Hardy, Chair Member at Large Jessie Lees, Vice Chair Member at Large Ross Davies Member at Large Dennis Kinsey Member at Large Simon Matthews Member at Large Janice Jarvis Environmental Professional STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Rodney Stott Staff Liaison/Environmental Planner Josh Mickleborough Director of Engineering Joe Dingwall Manager of Utility Engineering Sabina Chand Committee Clerk GUESTS Anne Marie Whittaker Eco Plan International Laurel Morgan Kerr Wood Leidal Consulting Engineers Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT Gary Letts Environmental Professional 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA R/2020-015 It was moved and seconded That the December 9, 2020 Environmental Advisory Committee agenda be amended to revise item 4.3 to be added subsequently as item 4.2.1 and be approved as amended. CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES R/2020-016 It was moved and seconded That the minutes of the Maple Ridge Environmental Advisory Committee meeting dated September 23, 2020 be adopted as circulated. CARRIED MAPl.~ R l □GE tlr-JJ1h Cah11r:111 map endg;e ,ca Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes December 9, 2020 Page 2 of 4 At this time, the Chair welcomed the delegations to the meeting and began with item 4.2 as the presenter for item 4.1 was yet to join. The Chair clarified that the Delegations will be for information only and are limited to 10 minutes to present and 5 minutes for question/comments. Note: Anne Marie joined the meeting at 7:24 pm. 4. DELEGATIONS 4.1 Green Infrastructure Strategy Overview – Anne Marie Whittaker, Eco Plan International The Staff Liaison provided a brief background and introduction and noted that Anne Marie Whittaker presented on Green Infrastructure at the November 17, 2020 Council Workshop. http://media.mapleridge.ca/Mediasite/Play/a55fbb4240b840e5860aa1cb28694c851d The delegation provided a presentation on Green Infrastructure Management Strategy that has been endorsed by Council and answered questions and comments from the Committee. 4.2 Integrated Stormwater Management Plan for North Alouette River Blaney Bog and Fraser River (ISMP) – Laurel Morgan, Kerr Wood Leidal Consulting Engineers Joe Dingwall, Manager of Utility Engineering, City of Maple Ridge Joe Dingwall provided information on the above stated ISMP and noted that the purpose of the presentation is to provide a high level overview and recommendations from the Draft Report. Laurel Morgan presented on the ISMP and invited the Committee to provide feedback and comments. Presentation link: https://kwl.app.box.com/s/8e4vrpsy8f4mworhpuhts1re6gu4vvol 4.2.1 ARMS Presentation and Feedback Presenters provided a detailed report on behalf of Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) on feedback and recommendations for item 4.2 Integrated Stormwater Management Plan for North Alouette River Blaney Bog and Fraser River (ISMP). 5. QUESTION PERIOD – NIL Note: members of the public and delegations left the meeting at 8:41 pm 6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1. COVID-19 Update EAC will continue to meet virtually via Zoom teleconference until further notice. Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes December 9, 2020 Page 3 of 4 6.2 2021 Meeting Schedule The Committee received the proposed 2021 Meeting Schedule via email and approved the following dates:  January 13  March 10  May 12  September 8  November 10 R/2020-017 It was moved and seconded That the 2021 Environmental Advisory Committee meeting schedule be adopted as presented. CARRIED 7. LIAISON UPDATES 7.1. Staff Liaison - NIL 7.2. Council Liaison Councillor Dueck noted that Council is on break until January 4, 2021. 8. SUBCOMMITTEE & TASK FORCE UPDATES 8.1 Chairperson for Green Infrastructure - NIL 8.2 Chairperson for Ecological Network Management Strategy - NIL 8.3 Chairperson for Environmental Communications - NIL 9. ROUNDTABLE - NIL 10. NOTICE OF CLOSED MEETING R/2020-018 It was moved and seconded The meeting will be closed to the public pursuant to Sections 90 (1) and 90 (2) of the Community Charter as the subject matter being considered relates to the following: Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes December 9, 2020 Page 4 of 4 Section 90.(1)(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 appointment by the municipality. Any other matter that may be brought before the Committee of Council that meets the requirements for a meeting closed to the public pursuant to Sections 90 (1) and 90 (2) of the Community Charter or Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. CARRIED 11. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Environmental Advisory Committee will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 7:00 pm. Bill Hardy, Chair /sc mapleridgeclimatehub.ca January 5, 2021 To: Maple Ridge Mayor & Council Cc: Al Horsman, Chief Administrative Officer Trevor Thompson, Chief Financial Officer Christine Carter, General Manager, Planning & Development Services Josh Mickleborough, Director of Engineering Laura Benson, Senior Policy and Sustainability Analyst Lisa Zosiak, Manager, Community Planning Mark Halpin, Transportation Manager Rod Stott, Environmental Planner Adam Rieu, Planner Bill Hardy, Chair, Environmental Advisory Committee and Agricultural Advisory Committee Vijay Soparkar, Chair, Transportation Advisory Committee Re: 2021 Business Planning Dear Mayor Morden, Council, Staff and Committee members: As the municipal business planning cycle draws to a close, the Maple Ridge Climate Hub would like to comment on achievements related to climate change in 2020 and plans and opportunities for 2021. We are pleased and proud that this Council, ably supported by City staff, have chosen to adopt ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the IPCC report of 2018, in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change in the future. Council has recognized the urgent need for action, and requested that staff provide recommendations for immediate steps, which they have done. We see these steps embedded in the 2021 work plan. Highlights include: ● Targeting GHG emissions reductions to net zero by 2050 ● Energy retrofits for existing housing stock ● Step codes for new buildings ● Strengthen development requirements for EV charging infrastructure ● the Green Infrastructure strategy ● Integrated Stormwater Management plans ● Municipal Ecological Network Management strategy ● Improved awareness and preparedness of the Maple Ridge agricultural community with regard to climate change. These are all important strategies and plans that will have a positive impact on emissions throughout the city. However, what is missing is an overarching strategy that defines the future vision of a low carbon future in our community. Once the vision is defined, each department’s work plans can be developed based on the contribution they will make to achieving the vision. Without a guiding vision, plans may be mis-aligned to the urgent need for climate action. MAPLE RIDGE Climate Hub Email: mapleridge@climatehub.ca pg. 2 Across the province communities like ours are taking on this challenge. Just across the river the Township of Langley has done an outstanding job of setting ambitious targets based on four “Big Moves” designed to change the way ToL residents will live and move in the next 10, 20 and 30 years. The Township engaged their citizens to co-create a plan with 140 actions across eight priority areas, from buildings and land use to transportation and mobility. This plan took 18 months to develop, with numerous opportunities for public engagement and check-ins with Council. Now they have a tangible roadmap for the future. The City of Vancouver took a different approach. They too identified Big Moves, priority areas and action plans. But rather than waiting until all the analysis and public engagement were complete, they identified 81 activities they could quickly launch to get a jump-start on action. While the 81 activities were underway, the broader strategy was developed. Finally, on November 17, 2020, Vancouver City Council approved a comprehensive Climate Emergency Action Plan that focuses on cutting carbon pollution from their two biggest local sources: burning fossil fuels in vehicles and buildings. These are just two of many examples of communities in BC and across the country that have created a strategic vision to guide their fight to combat climate change. As this urgent issue requires a significant amount of work, and recognizing that staff have existing work plans and duties, we encourage Council to consider using CARIP funds to hire a temporary staff member or consultant who is qualified and able to lead this important project during 2021. This can be a hopeful time for Maple Ridge residents, if they are able to see a vision of how we will meet the challenges ahead—a vision that will guide planning, development and transportation in our community as we move to a low-carbon future. We believe that an important part of defining that vision is to engage our citizens in learning about and better understanding climate change. Ultimately we will need to create a made-in-Maple-Ridge solution that fits our community. We encourage Council and staff to seek opportunities during the next year to share with the public how climate change is impacting the community and to gather feedback on priorities and ideas. Reaching the necessary target of zero emissions by 2050 will require ongoing vision and commitment. We have seen that Council has the commitment. Now we are calling on you to create this strategic vision in the coming year. Sustainably yours, Kirk Grayson, Sunny Schiller, Steve Ranta for the Maple Ridge Climate Hub The Maple Ridge Climate Hub is a community organization dedicated to helping Maple Ridge move to a low-carbon economy through advocacy, communication, education and action.