The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutSPAC 2011-02-02 minutes.pdf Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 1 of 6 District of Maple Ridge SOCIAL PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Social Planning Advisory Committee, held in the Blaney Room at Maple Ridge Municipal Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Road, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. ____________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Councillor Cheryl Ashlie Council Liaison Councillor Linda King Council Liaison Candace Gordon Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network Ineke Boekhorst Business Improvement Association Lyn Taylor-Scott Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living Mike Huber School Trustee, School District No. 42 Staff Sgt. Andrew Martin Ridge-Meadows RCMP Treena Innes Community at Large Linda Morgan Community at Large Alanna Robson Community at Large Andrea Walker Community at Large GUESTS Joanne Olsen Friends in Need Food Bank STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Sue Wheeler Director of Community Services Shawn Matthewson Christine DiGiamberardine Recreation Coordinator Tracy Camire Committee Clerk REGRETS/ABSENTS Inspector Derren Lench Ridge-Meadows RCMP Eleanor Palis School Trustee (alternate), School District No. 42 Grover Telford Ridge Meadows Seniors Society Valerie Spurrell Fraser Health 1. Call to Order and Introductions The meeting was called to order 7:02 p.m. 2. Agenda Approval R11-003 Motion was moved and seconded That the Agenda for February 2, 2011 be adopted with the following amendments; Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes February 2, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 2 of 6 • Add Item 6.4 Salvation Army Request • Add Item 8.5 Neighbourhood School Garden • Defer Items 6.1 and 6.3 • Minutes being approved are dated January 5, 2011 CARRIED Please note that Item 4.1 was dealt with prior to Item 3. 3. Minutes of January 5, 2011 Meeting R11-004 Motion was moved and seconded That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 5, 2011 be adopted as circulated. CARRIED Please note that Item 4.1 was dealt with prior to Item 3. 4. Delegations & Presentations 4.1 Friends In Need Food Bank – Joanne Olsen, Executive Director Joanne Olsen gave a presentation on the “Friends in Need Food Bank” which started in 1989. Joanne reviewed the services and programs that the food bank offers and thanked the District of Maple Ridge for the ongoing support provided to the Food bank. Ms. Olsen reviewed the Food Banks Canada Hunger Count 2010 numbers that were captured for British Columbia in March 2010 along with the current numbers of community members accessing the local food bank services. The local statistics shared indicate significant usage increases which are higher than the Canadian and BC average. Ms. Olsen noted that although they do not survey clients on their income sources or housing arrangements they are aware that the lack of affordable and appropriate housing is significantly impact health, safety and welfare of people of the clients that they are serving. Candace Gordon noted that the District of Maple Ridge is working on an Affordable Housing Strategy. 5. Roundtable Treena Innes Treena asked if there are any municipal initiatives to address the traffic issues leaving our community and traveling into Vancouver. Cheryl Ashlie noted that the Trans Links plans can be provided to Treena. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes February 2, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 3 of 6 Mike Huber Mike noted that this committee, Social Planning Advisory, and the Municipal Advisory Committee on Accessibility issues gave a great presentation to the School Board which was very informative and the Board would like to see this become a yearly event. Andrea Walker Andrea introduced herself as a newly appointed Community at Large Member and noted that she works in Health Care with BC Corrections. Cheryl Ashlie Cheryl noted that the North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association (NFTRA) which works with children that are disabled is looking for volunteers. Contact Gaye Conn at 462-7786 if you are interested. Alanna Robson Alanna introduced herself as a newly appointed Community at Large member and noted that she works for the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Fraser Region. Christine DiGiamberardine Christine noted that the Spirit of Wood event is on Friday night at The Act. Shawn Matthewson Shawn noted that all programs at the Greg Moore Youth Centre are really busy. Staff Sgt. Andrew Martin Staff Sgt. Martin noted the Ridge Meadows RCMP are currently working on developing the strategic priorities for 2011. ACTION ITEM: Add “Ridge Meadows RCMP update on Strategic Priorities” to March agenda. Lyn Taylor-Scott Lyn noted that the Ridge Meadow Association for Community Living training space (accommodates 25 people) and board room space (accommodates 16 people) are available for use by community groups. Contact Kelly at the main office to book. Candace Gordon Candace noted that the Community Network hosted a strategic planning session and the top priority from the network is the issue of poverty, hunger and homelessness and the networks main priority is finding funding for the coordinator which currently has a shortfall of $15,000 annually. Linda Morgan Linda introduced herself as a newly appointed Community at Large member and noted that she works as a high school teacher in the local School District. Ineke Boekhorst Ineke noted that the BIA had their 2011 Strategic Planning process and noted that this is the last year for their 5 year mandate that ends on December 31, 2011 and unless there is a new agreement in place the BIA will not continue. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes February 2, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 4 of 6 6. New Business 6.1 Election of Chair and Vice-Chair - deferred 6.2 Homelessness Action Week Final Report and DVD Sue Wheeler reviewed the Homelessness Action Week Report and noted that the DVD will be viewed at the next regular meeting. ACTION ITEM: March agenda will include a “pre-meeting” scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm to accommodate showing the DVD Homelessness Action Week DVD, for those members that are interested. R11-005 Motion was moved and seconded That the Report to Social Planning Advisory Committee Homelessness Action Week 2010 be received. CARRIED Please note that Joanne Olsen left the meeting at 8: p.m. 6.3 Hunger Count 2010 – deferred 6.3 Salvation Army Request Sue Wheeler reviewed the process of making changes to the Committee membership which is included in the Committee’s bylaw. Ms. Wheeler noted that any recommendations the Committee makes regarding the membership will need Council endorsement. Sue Wheeler also advised the Committee that she received a request from the Salvation Army to have a position on the Committee as they feel someone from this organization needs to be on SPAC to represent those that are homeless in our community. Sue Wheeler noted that typically our bylaw would say that we would want a representative from the perspective and not just one organization. The Committee agreed to investigate this request further and in the meantime a letter should be sent to the Salvation Army letting them know they can attend any open meeting as a guest to stay informed on the Committee’s work. ACTION ITEM: Add “Engaging Youth Regarding social Issues.” R11-006 Motion was moved and seconded That a sub-committee be formed to investigate the request from the Salvation Army regarding its current membership and report back with their recommendations by the April 2011 meeting. CARRIED The sub-Committee will consist of Candace Gordon, Lyn Taylor-Scott, Cheryl Ashlie and staff representative(s). 7. Unfinished Business Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes February 2, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 5 of 6 7.1 Updates on Recommendation to Council: 7.1.1 Alcohol Pricing Response Letters Sue Wheeler advised that the recommendations that were made by this Committee to Council were endorsed and letters were sent to Rich Coleman, and to date there has been no response. Councillor King this will probably come back to this table in the fall. Councillor Ashlie noted that Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia (CARB has a lot of great information regarding this issue. 7.1.2 FCM Quality of Life Reporting System Report Response Letter Sue Wheeler provided an update on the FCM Quality of Life Reporting System Report Response Letter that was co-signed by the Chair and Mayor and noted that a response has not been received to date. 7.2 Population Census: Federal Minister Response to Council Sue Wheeler provided an update on the Population Census: Federal Minister Response to Council information item and noted that Council did send a letter to Tony Clement and did receive a response stating that the Census will be condensed this year and is done on a voluntary basis and no changes have been made to it. Sue Wheeler noted that staff will be researching the affects this will have on our community and report back to the Committee once completed. 8. Committee Reports 8.1 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network Update: Candace Gordon This Item was covered under Item 5. Roundtable 8.2 Port Haney Neighbourhood Project Update Christine DiGiamberardine provided an update on the Port Haney Neighbourhood Project and noted that they have finalized and approved their vision, developed a terms of reference and have voted on their Co-Chairs. Ms. DiGiamberardine noted that the local businesses have been very supportive of the projects. Sue Wheeler advised that staff will be providing an update on this item to Council at the March 7th, 2011 Committee of the Whole meeting. 8.3 Neighbourhood Champions Celebration Update Christine DiGiamberardine gave a report on The Hive along with background information on how this project got started. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes February 2, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 6 of 6 Christine DiGiamberardine also provided an update on the Neighbourhood Champions Celebration and noted that this event will take place on March 10th to share ideas of how they are making their neighbourhoods a better place to live in. 8.4 Spirit of Community Awards Shawn Matthewson advised that there was a wonderful presentation to the Spirit of Community Awards recipients (Good Neighbour, Good Business) and reviewed the recipients of these awards: Business Under 25 - Hagens Travel Business Over 25 – Marks Work Warehouse Good Neighbour (Individual) – Gail Clark Good Neighbour (family) – Debbie and Claus Andrup Shawn noted that Ineke Boekhorst did a wonderful job of presenting the awards. 8.5 Neighbourhood School Gardens Christine DiGiamberardine provided an update on the Neighbourhood School Gardens and noted that there is a real need for a co-ordinator to keep the gardens going and this group has applied to the Hospital Foundation for a grant for funding for this role. 9. CORRESPONDENCE. 9.1 News Release: National Council on Welfare Report (News release attached, Link to Welfare Incomes 2009) http://www.ncw.gc.ca/l.3bd.2t.1ils@-eng.jsp?lid=331 10. Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 – 7:00 p.m. Agenda Deadline: Monday, February 14, 2011 Location: Blaney Room, Maple Ridge Municipal Hall 11. Adjournment - 8:56 p.m. ______________________________________ Chairperson /tc