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Home My WebLink AboutSPAC 2011-12-07 minutes.pdf Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 1 of 5 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 Mount Blanshard Room at Maple Ridge Municipal Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Road, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. ____________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Councillor Robert Masse Council Liaison Councillor Cheryl Ashlie Council Liaison Candace Gordon Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network S/Sgt. Andrew Martin Ridge-Meadows RCMP Deanna Tan Fraser Health Authority Treena Innes Community at Large Linda Morgan, Vice-Chair Community at Large STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Sue Wheeler Director of Community Services Shawn Matthewson Recreation Coordinator Tracy Camire Committee Clerk REGRETS/ABSENTS 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 Dave Fleugel Ridge-Meadows RCMP Mike Huber School Trustee, School District No. 42 Andrea Walker, Chair Community at Large Ineke Boekhorst Business Improvement Association Alanna Robson Community at Large 1. Call to Order and Introductions Linda Morgan called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. 2. Agenda Approval R11-045 Motion was moved and seconded That the Agenda for December 7, 2011 be adopted. CARRIED Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes December 7, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 2 of 5 3. Minutes of November 2, 2011 Meeting R11-046 Motion was moved and seconded That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 2, 2011 be adopted as circulated. CARRIED 4. Delegations & Presentations 4.1 Holiday Cheer – Shawn Matthewson Shawn Matthewson shared the Social Planning Advisory Committee version of “Twas the night before Christmas”. 4.2 Poverty Presentation – Sue Wheeler 4.2.1 ECD Poverty 2011 – Local, Provincial, National and International Perspectives 4.2.2 First Call Child Poverty Report Card 2011 Shawn Matthewson reviewed the First Call Child Poverty Report Card 2011 with the Committee, highlighting significant increases in child poverty. 4.2.3 15 by 15 – A Comprehensive Policy Framework for Early Human Capital Investment in BC Shawn Matthewson reviewed the “Comprehensive Policy Framework for Early Human Capital Investment in BC” report with the Committee. Ms. Matthewson also reviewed current child poverty rates with the Committee. Shawn Matthewson noted that Dr. Paul Kershaw will be here for the poverty forum on April 21, 2012 along with local Politian’s and service providers. ACTION ITEM: Committee Clerk to send out a reminder of this event. 5. New Business 5.1 Resignation – SPAC Chair Linda Morgan advised the Committee that Andrea Walker has resigned due to her family moving to Mission. Ms. Wheeler noted that the Committee may want to invite Ms. Walker back to the January meeting to thank her for her role as the Chair of the Committee for the 2011 term. ACTION ITEM: Committee Clerk to include Andrea Walker’s resignation in the next agenda package. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes December 7, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 3 of 5 R11-047 Motion was moved and seconded That Andrea Walker’s resignation be accepted. CARRIED Please note that Treena Innes left the meeting at 8:19 p.m. 5.2 Council Motion on Tracking Municipal Contributions to Affordable Housing Committee discussed the resolution adopted by Council at the November 22, 2011 meeting that has been directed to SPAC: That the Social Planning Advisory Committee include a “measurement” component of the Housing Strategy scheduled within their 2012 Business Plan that will keep on- going tabulation of the total in-kind and actual financial contributions made in the area of affordable housing outside of our municipal mandate. Councillor Ashlie explained that the intent is to track the accumulative statistics that shows the District of Maple Ridge’s commitment to investing in solutions that contribute to a safe and healthy community. 6. Unfinished Business 6.1 Outcome of SPAC Recommendations to Council; 6.1.1 Letter to Minister regarding Gaming Revenue Dispersal Sue Wheeler reviewed the motion forwarded to Council, noting that Council had endorsed the resolution forwarded by SPAC and that a letter is being prepared for Minister Shirley Bond regarding the dispersal of gaming revenue. The letter will request that the Province make a commitment to the BC Association for Charitable Gaming to disperse 33% of gaming revenues to charities in British Columbia; and that direction and communications around funding application and process be clear and transparent. 6.1.2 Alouette Home Start Society Request for Use of Municipal Rental Property Sue Wheeler gave an update that the resolution recommended by the Committee to Council regarding the Alouette Home Start Societies request for free use of a municipal rental property for the period of three years for the purpose of providing transitional housing for youth, subject to AHSS receiving the Vancouver Foundation grant, was endorsed at the November 22, 2012 meeting. 6.2 PharmaCare and Customer Loyalty Points Shawn Matthewson provided an overview of the research staff had been asked to provide concerning the BC Government’s policy change regarding awarding customer loyalty points for prescriptions covered by government-paid PharmaCare. Ms. Matthewson advised that under this policy, effective July 2011, people who receive Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes December 7, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 4 of 5 their prescriptions through the province (PharmaCare) are no longer able to receive their point’s rewards. This has created concern for poverty advocates as people in poverty use the points to purchase food and other necessities. ACTION ITEM Forward to agenda for the February meeting. 7. Committee Reports 7.1 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network Updates Candace Gordon provided an update on the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network and noted that in the New Year the Network will be working with the Maple Ridge Community Foundation on exploring a potential partnership to develop a community chest fund targeted at supporting families living in poverty. Ms. Gordon also indicated that the Network Facilitator’s group has appointed a sub- committee to work with School District staff on solutions for the space challenges at the Neighbourhood Hive at Eric Langton. Sue Wheeler provided an update on the Coalition for Kids Sake group. They will be meeting next week with the Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Abbotsford to explore a potential to partner on building local capacity for fundraising and recruitment of volunteers. 7.2 Community Connections – The Hive Clothing Exchange Sue Wheeler shared that The Hive had another clothing exchange on November 19th with over 375 families participating over the three days. This clothing exchange continues to grow in terms of both donations and people accessing clothing which indicates that it is meeting an important need in the community. 7.3 Port Haney Neighbourhood Change Initiative Sue Wheeler provided an update on the Port Haney Neighbourhood Change Initiative and noted that the committee has posted the neighbourhood contract coordinator’s position which will close December 9th. Ms. Wheeler also noted that the group will hold their 2nd Annual Christmas Carolling event on December 10th starting at the CEED centre at 7:00 p.m. During the carolling they will be distributing hats knitted by volunteers. 7.4 Haney Farmers Market Sue Wheeler provided an update on the Haney Farmers Market and noted that the Winter Market on November 5th had over 625 patrons. The Haney Farmer’s Market is also selling $10 gift certificates can contact Eileen Dwillies to purchase. 8. Roundtable - Nil - Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes December 7, 2011 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 5 of 5 9. Correspondence 9.1 Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness – Notice of Call for Proposals under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) for 2011-2014 Funding 9.2 Government of Canada helps people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Metro Vancouver – News Release 10. Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 Agenda Deadline: Monday, December 19, 2011 Location: Blaney Room, Maple Ridge Municipal Hall 11. Adjournment - 9:13 p.m. ______________________________________ Chairperson /tc