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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPAC 2011-05-04 minutes.pdf Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 1 of 7 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, May 4, 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 Andrea Walker Community at Large Linda Morgan Community at Large Alanna Robson Community at Large S/Sgt. Andrew Martin Ridge-Meadows RCMP Treena Innes Community at Large Mike Huber School Trustee, School District No. 42 GUESTS Sheila McLaughlin Alouette Home Start Society Stephanie Ediger Alouette Home Start Society STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Sue Wheeler Director of Community Services Shawn Matthewson Recreation Coordinator Tracy Camire Committee Clerk REGRETS/ABSENTS Ineke Boekhorst Business Improvement Association Ken MacDonald Fraser Health Authority (Alternate) Lyn Taylor-Scott Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living Grover Telford Ridge Meadows Seniors Society Eleanor Palis School Trustee (alternate), School District No. 42 Valerie Spurrell Fraser Health Authority Please note this meeting was chaired by Councillor Linda King 1. Call to Order and Introductions The meeting was called to order 7:03 p.m. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes May 4, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 2 of 7 2. Agenda Approval R11-016 Motion was moved and seconded That the Agenda for May 4, 2011 be adopted with the following amendment; • Defer item 7.4 ”2001 Work Plan Update” CARRIED 3. Minutes of April 6, 2011 Meeting R11-017 Motion was moved and seconded That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 6, 2011 be adopted as circulated. CARRIED 4. Delegations & Presentations 4.1 Alouette Home Start Society Supportive Housing Project Updates, Shelia McLaughlin and Stephanie Ediger Sheila McLaughlin, President of the Alouette Home Start Society advised that the Society has now attained all three objectives that were identified in the Society’s initial Action Plan; Community Outreach Workers, Iron Horse Youth Safe House and the supportive housing project that is now under way. Ms. McLaughlin provided an update on the Alouette Home Start Society along with its 46 unit Supportive Housing Project built to LEEDS Gold Standards that will be located in Maple Ridge at Brown Avenue and 122nd and noted that the building should be completed by the end of summer in 2012. Please note that Cheryl Ashlie joined the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Stephanie Ediger, Executive Director provided an update on changes to the Metro Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness which is moving to a Community Entity model. The Regional Committee is currently asking for input regarding priorities from Metro Vancouver communities. Each community will be asked to create a community plan around housing and homelessness. These plans will be used to inform planning and funding decisions. There is quite a tight timeline and the first meeting of a local Housing Planning Table will take place on Wednesday, May 18. Stephanie Ediger also advised the Committee that funding for the Iron Horse Youth Safe House has been approved until the end of March 2012. She also noted that currently there are two vacant spots on the Board for Alouette Home Start Society. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes May 4, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 3 of 7 5. Roundtable Mike Huber Mike noted that it is budget time for the School Board and talked about the impacts and challenges that budget cuts will have on the school community and their programs. Mike reported on the change in the calendar school year. Alanna Robson Alanna noted that the local Ministry of Children and Family Development office received a Public Service Premier Award for their Family Development Program. The award recognizes excellence in practice. Alanna congratulated Caroline Wilkin the local manager for MCFD. Cheryl Ashlie Councillor Ashlie discussed the successful workshop around Harm Reduction and Substance Use examining stigma. One of the notable facts is that Hepatitis C is on the rise and young woman appear to be the most vulnerable. Linda King Councillor King reported that there is a Grandmother to Grandmother meeting on April 11th in Maple Ridge Library, Fraser Room from 1 – 3pm. This group is being formed to support Grandmothers in Africa that are raising their grandchildren. Sue Wheeler Sue thanked Alanna for her report on the award to the Ministry of Children and Family Development adding a comment on how closely Ministry staff work with the Community Network. During the MCFD transition to the Coastal area they invited the community network to do a presentation to the new managers and talked about the role the local office has had on the development of the Network. Sue also reported that four staff members attended a session hosted by the City of Port Coquitlam to hear an inspiring presentation by Jim Diers on neighbourhood development in Seattle. Ms. Wheeler noted that Mr. Dyers showed an interest in much of the work being done in our community. Shawn Matthewson Shawn reported that the ECD committee presented a free workshop on behaviour as a form of communication available to parents and professionals. Dr. Debra Bell, a psychologist from Vancouver, presented to over seventy five parents and child care professionals. Shawn also reported on the success of the Girls in Action program, a “no cost” program available to girls at Hammond and Eric Langton Elementary Schools. S/Sgt. Andrew Martin Staff Sergeant Martin advised the Committee that Derren Lench will be leaving the department and his replacement will be coming out of Burnaby. Linda Morgan Linda discussed the difficulties facing School Districts with reduced budgets. She discussed some alternatives responses to the Ministry of Education that other School Districts have presented. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes May 4, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 4 of 7 Candace Gordon Candace reported that the first phase of the Senior’s Food For All Consultation has been completed and they were successful in getting Phase II funding to implement some of the suggestions identified by the committee including setting up a buying club for seniors. Candace also reported that the Community Kitchens will be extended until next March. Candace reported on the New Horizons program for seniors; it has provided funding for a number of projects including providing seniors with a coupon to purchase food at the Haney Farmers Market. Candace also noted that the Farmer’s Market opens this weekend. 6. New Business 6.1 Committee Chair and Vice Chair Election Staff Sergeant Andrew Martin nominated Andrea Walker for the role of Chair and Andrea Walker accepted the nomination. Linda King nominated Linda Morgan for the role of Vice-Chair and Linda Morgan accepted. R11-018 Motion was moved and seconded That Andrea Walker is appointed as the Chair and Linda Morgan is appointed as the Vice-Chair for the 2011 term. CARRIED 6.2 Agenda Structure Discussion The Committee discussed the structure and layout of the agenda and decided that the Roundtable Item would alternate bi-monthly between the start of the agenda and the end of the agenda. ACTION ITEM: Committee Clerk to send out an email reminder of agenda deadlines to all Committee members. The Roundtable will alternate bi-monthly at the beginning of the meeting and then at the end of the meeting. 6.3 Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness Updates 6.3.1 Transition to Community Entity Sue Wheeler provided an update on the Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness’ transition to a Community Entity model. Metro Vancouver has received a community entity contribution agreement from the federal government that will provide approximately $19 million in Homelessness Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes May 4, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 5 of 7 Partnering Strategy (HPS) money for homeless programs and services across the region over the next three years. The agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Metro Vancouver and the Regional Steering Committee and its affiliates, and also in the administration of federally-funded homeless programs across Metro Vancouver. As the Community Entity, Metro Vancouver, in partnership with Vancity Community Foundation, will be responsible for the management of all programs and services funded under the HPS program. 6.3.2 Community Tables Role within new model Over the course of the next couple of months the Steering Committee will be meeting with Community Homelessness Tables to share the key points of the agreement, discuss its implications for the Steering Committee’s community development function, and explore how best to involve the community in the design and delivery of the community development function. It is important for the community to come together to examine what is needed in the area of housing and homelessness. The Community Tables will inform planning and funding decisions at the regional level. The first meeting of a local planning table is scheduled for May 18th. 6.3.3 Homelessness Partnership Initiative Funding Status Ms. Wheeler noted that this federal program has had a significant impact on our community funding such things as the Caring Place emergency cold wet weather beds, the Outreach program and Iron Horse Youth Safe House. The HPS funding will continue until 2014 but there is currently no commitment to funding beyond this time frame. Please note that Andrew Martin left the meeting 8:07 p.m. ACTION ITEM: Staff to provide information on the hierarchy of Metro Vancouver and the Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness table. 7. Unfinished Business 7.1 Community Gaming Facility – Staff Recommendation for Consideration Sue Wheeler noted that at last month’s meeting the Committee had some interest in learning about what consultation process took place prior to the community gaming facility. R11-019 Motion was moved and seconded That Council and the Social Planning Advisory Committee send a letter to the Minister of Social Development to request that the social impact of the local Gaming Centre Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes May 4, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 6 of 7 be evaluated on an ongoing basis, and that a local community advisory committee be established to work with the local Gaming Centre to evaluate and mitigate the social impacts of gaming on the community. CARRIED 7.2 BC Provincial Gaming Grants – Staff Recommendation for Consideration The Committee discussed the BC Provincial Gaming Grants and the impacts on community organizations. R11-020 Motion was moved and seconded That the Mayor and Council write a letter to the Minister of Social Development requesting that the province make a solid commitment to the BC Charitable Gaming Association of dispersing 33% of gaming revenues to charities in British Columbia; and that direction and communications around funding application and process be clear and transparent. CARRIED 7.3 Spirit of Community Awards – Exceptional Award Category – Staff Report Shawn Matthewson reviewed the Good Neighbour Awards and advised the Committee that a group of neighbours from Cottonwood North would like to nominate posthumously, a neighbour who has had a major impact on their neighbourhood. It is the recommendation of the Spirit of Community Good Neighbour award sub- committee that the award be given to Hank Van Staalduinen. It was confirmed that the Chair and the Mayor (if available, staff to confirm) would present the “Good Neighbour Award” to Hank Van Staalduinen’s family. R11-021 Motion was moved and seconded That a posthumous, Good Neighbour Award, be awarded to Hank Van Staalduinen on June 5th, 2011 at the Cottonwood North Black Party. CARRIED 7.4 2011 Work Plan update - deferred 8. Committee Reports 8.1 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network Update Candace Gordon provided an update on the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network Update and advised that the Network is in need of a coordinator and the job will be posted next week. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes May 4, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 7 of 7 Sue Wheeler provided an update on the Coalition for Kids which is continuing to work towards bringing the BBBS organization back to Maple Ridge and are reaching out to the Abbotsford group to work together. There was a successful fundraising effort at the Home Show with MacDonald Realty and the Maple Ridge Youth Centre Society. 8.2 Port Haney Neighbourhood Change Project Update Sue Wheeler provided an update on the Port Haney Neighbourhood Change Project and noted that the Co-Chairs made a presentation to Council. Ms. Wheeler noted that this group is coming to a point where the original funding is going to wrap up and the consultant will report to the Committee at the end of August with her recommendations. 8.3 Community Connections – Neighbourhood Learning Centre Update Sue Wheeler noted that the Community Connections Committee is about to embark on the two projects that involve consultation and planning around the placement of a School Neighbourhood Garden at Eric Langton and the possibility of a satellite hub at Glenwood Elementary. 8.4 Neighbourhood Champions Celebration Update Sue Wheeler provided an update on the Neighbourhood Champions Celebration that took place a month ago and noted that this group wants to start an association of all the neighbourhood associations and become one entity. 9. CORRESPONDENCE. – Nil 10. Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 – 7:00 p.m. Agenda Deadline: Monday, May 16, 2011 Location: Blaney Room, Maple Ridge Municipal Hall 11. Adjournment - 8:52 p.m. ______________________________________ Chairperson /tc