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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPAC 2014-08-27 Minutes Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 1 of 3 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 on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. ____________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Steven Lamothe, Chair Ministry of Social Development & Social Innovation John McKenzie Community at Large Annette Morgan Seniors Network Cpl. Alanna Dunlop Ridge-Meadows RCMP Rajinder Kalra Community at Large Councillor Bob Masse Council Liaison Councillor Cheryl Ashlie Council Liaison Dr. Lisa Mu Fraser Health Sheila McLaughlin, Vice-chair Community at Large STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Shawn Matthewson Social Planning Coordinator Sue Wheeler Community Services Director Siobhan Murphy Planner Kelly Swift General Manager, Community Dev, Parks & Rec Services Joanne Georgelin Records Management Assistant Sunny Schiller Committee Clerk REGRETS/ABSENTS Ineke Boekhorst Downtown BIA / Friends in Need Josee Brazeau Community at Large Bob Daley Community at Large Stephanie Ediger Alouette Homestart Society Candace Gordon Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network S/Sgt. Roxanne Dowden Ridge-Meadows RCMP Philip Hartwick BIA Avexnim Cojti Family Education & Support Centre Note: No quorum was attained at the regularly scheduled start of the meeting however the Planner presented an overview of the status of the Action Housing Plan to committee members present, including an explanation of how community input was received and incorporated into the plan. 1. Call to Order and Introductions Steven Lamothe called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. and introductions were made. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes August 27, 2014 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 2 of 4 2. Approval of the August 27, 2014 Agenda R14-026 It was moved and seconded That the Agenda of the Regular Meeting of August 27, 2014 be adopted with the addition of the following: • Item 5.5 Council Request of SPAC CARRIED 3. Approval of the July 2, 2014 Meeting Minutes R14-027 It was moved and seconded That the minutes of the regular Social Planning Advisory Committee Meeting of July 2, 2014 be adopted as circulated. CARRIED 4. Presentations and Delegations Housing Action Plan The committee discussed community input into the Housing Action Plan. A suggestion was made to add visual cues to the report to link strategies to specific actions. Note: The General Manager of Community Development, Parks and Recreation Services joined the meeting at 7:41 p.m. 5. New Business 5.1 Housing Action Plan Recommendation R14-028 It was moved and seconded That the Social Planning Advisory Committee endorse the Final Housing Action Plan, and That the Final Housing Action Plan be forwarded to Council for approval. CARRIED 5.2 Date for Business Planning 2015 The Social Planning Coordinator proposed that a one hour 2015 Business Planning meeting be held prior to the regular meeting on October 1, 2014. 5.3 IHYSH Letter of Support The Social Planning Coordinator advised that a letter requesting financial support for IHSYH was signed by Steven Lamothe and Mayor Ernie Daykin, then forwarded to the Ministry of Children and Family Development on Aug 5th, 2014. 5.4 Homelessness Partnering Strategy Funding Application The Social Planning Coordinator explained the recent changes to fund allocation. The changes create potential liabilities for social service providers and make it more difficult for smaller organizations to apply for funding. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes August 27, 2014 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 3 of 4 The committee discussed ideas to communicate the perceived impacts of these changes to the federal government. R14-029 It was moved and seconded That a letter from the Social Planning Advisory Committee and Maple Ridge Council be sent to Member of Parliament Randy Kamp advising that the Homelessness Partnering Strategy Funding does not meet the needs of the community. CARRIED 5.5 Council Request of SPAC The General Manager of Community Development, Parks and Recreation Services communicated that Council has requested a workshop meeting with the Social Planning Advisory Committee in September (prior to business planning) to discuss how to proactively meet the changing social needs of the community as it grows and densifies. A meeting date for September will be proposed. 6. Unfinished Business 6.1 Update on the Integrated Response to Issues in the Downtown The Community Services Director reported on the work done in conjunction with a task force of local service providers in response to the growing visibility of social issues in the downtown area. She advised that the task force group is compiling a list of short and long term recommendations based on best practices used in other communities. The committee discussed different perceptions of downtown, what types of data could be used to determine actual patterns and trends in social issues, as well as ways to engage the public and the business community in making downtown a welcoming area. The discussion will continue at the Social Planning Advisory Committee / Council workshop in September. 7. Committee Reports 7.1 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network Update The Social Planning Coordinator advised on changes in interactions between social service providers and the business community as a result of input from the MR-PM Katzie Community Network. The Social Planning Coordinator also advised that the next meeting of the network is September 9th, 2014 in the Fraser Room, and everyone is welcome. The Social Planning Coordinator provided an update on the Community Chest project. She advised that the project has been operating successfully for a year and is currently being evaluated. 7.2 Neighbourhood Development Update The Social Planning Coordinator reported that many block party applications have been received. In addition to residential neighbourhoods the block party program is recommended for businesses as an opportunity to meet with their neighbours. The program has been very successful this year. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes August 27, 2014 Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Minutes Page 4 of 4 8. Roundtable Rajinder Kalra urged the committee to take an action oriented approach that focuses on actions and solutions. Dr. Lisa Mu provided an update on her work with Fraser Health. Dr. Mu will report back on the status of Fraser Health creating a new position that would oversee housing (that had been mentioned in the past). Annette Morgan provided an update on the Seniors Housing Task Force, an informal group developing a senior’s affordable housing strategy. The group hopes to formalize in the next few months. John McKenzie thanked the RCMP for their work in the community. Cpl. Alanna Dunlop praised the appearance of 224th Street. Cpl. Dunlop reported receiving positive feedback about the downtown. Sheila McLaughlin stated her belief that the root cause of many social problems is poverty and that increased income levels are needed to make a dent in this issue. The Social Planning Coordinator reported seeing a trend of poverty shifting out to suburban areas from urban centres. Steven Lamothe let the committee know that a mental health outreach worker recently met with many individuals in the community. 9. Correspondence – Nil 10. Adjournment: 9:08pm 11. Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 1, 2014 Agenda Deadline: Monday, September 22, 2014 Location: Blaney Room, Maple Ridge Municipal Hall _____________________________________ Chairperson /ss