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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPAC 2016-04-06 Minutes.pdf) City of Maple Ridge SOCIAL POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Social Policy Advisory Committee, held in the Blaney Room, at Maple Ridge City Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Delaram Farshad Pierre Welbedagt, Vice-Chair Mike Murray lneke Boekhorst Annette Morgan Vicki Kipps, Chair Councillor Bob Masse Const. Brenda Gresiuk Susan Carr STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Sunny Schiller Shawn Matthewson Meghan MacMillan REGRETS/ABSENTS Candace Gordon Fraser Health Member at Large School District #42 Trustee Downtown BIA/ Friends in Need Seniors Network Community Network Council Liaison RCMP School District #42 Trustee Committee Clerk Staff Liaison / Social Planning Analyst Youth Programmer Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network 1. CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS There being a quorum present, the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm . Pierre Welbedagt announced he was moving from Maple Ridge and this would be his last SPAC meeting. 2. AGENDA APPROVAL R16-008 It was moved and seconded That the Agenda be amended to add Item 5.5 Request from Council regarding transit pass changes and be adopted as amended. CARRIED 3. MINUTE ADOPTION R16-009 It was moved and seconded That the Minutes of March 2, 2016 be adopted. CARRIED 4. DELEGATIONS -Nil ) SPAC Minutes April 6, 2016 Page 2 of 4 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Temporary Shelter Update The Staff Liaison provided an update on the temporary shelter, which is scheduled to close June 30, 2016. RainCity will work to find housing for the remaining residents and no new intake will be done. Councillor Masse and the Staff Liaison provided information on the Quality Inn proposal, which is now cancelled. Recent events in other municipalities and court decisions regarding homeless camps were discussed. Statistics for Maple Ridge regarding children in care were discussed. The statistie;s were requested by Mike Murray. The committee discussed the bigger picture that contributes to homelessness including vulnerable populations, housing first and supportive housing policies, community resiliency, and lack of appropriate services. lneke Boekhorst entered at 7:08 pm. 5.2 Budget Update 5.3 The Staff Liaison provided an update on the SPAC budget. Subcommittee Formation The Staff Liaison outlined the next steps for creating SPAC subcomm ittees. Council and committee members will contribute input on the work to be done by the subcommittees. There will be some standing subcommittees and some subcommittees focused on shorter term projects. Councillor Masse encouraged members to email suggestions for subcommittees to himself and the Staff Liaison. 5.4 Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Sgt. Gresiuk provided a summary of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), which looks at how people use the environment and how design can affect behaviour. Topics include access control (how people enter and exit areas), street layout planning, and encouraging legitimate uses of public spaces. Sgt. Gresiuk provided Information on upcoming training. 5.5 Request from Council regarding Transit Passes Changes R16-010 Council recently received an email from a citizen requesting advocacy for the reinstatement of transit subsides. Council has requested comments from the Soci~I Policy Advisory Committee on this topic. It was moved and seconded That the Social Policy Advisory Committee requests that Mayor and Council write to the Province of BC requesting reinstatement of the BC Bus Pass benefit and Special Transportation Subsidy for people with disabilities. CARRIED ) SPAC Minutes April 6, 2016 Page 3 of4 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1 Youth Strategy Update Meghan MacMillan, Youth Programmer, reported on a recent survey which gathered a large number of responses from emerging youth in the community. As a result of VYPER funding, two youth facilitators will soon be hired. The facilitators will support the development of the youth strategy. An RFP has been issued for a consultant to work with the youth table. Positions are still available at the Youth table. A grant received from Fraser Health is allowing the development of a youth development wheel. Sgt. Gresiuk invited the youth group to attend an upcoming RCMP roll call to share their work. 6.2 Strong Kids Forum Update Susan Carr reported the parents that attended the forum really appreciated tr3 information provided. Another session will be planned for the future. 7. COMMITTEE UPDATES 7.1 Community Network Vicki Kipps shared some sketches developed for the Community Network's "Community Superhero" campaign. Ms. Kipps reported that the Community Network is looking at setting up conversation circles which would provide opportunities for in depth conversations on larger, more complex issues. Ms. Kipps reported that the United Way has discontinued funding for early and middle childhood community planning tables due to a shortage of donations. MCFD is still providing fuding for the ECD committee.. In response the Community Network has merged their early and middle childhood planning tables. Ms. Kipps reported the Community Chest Pilot Phase 2 is currently underway. Mike Murray reported the Community Foundation is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and is launching a major fund raising drive. Ms. Kipps let the committee know about a Volunteer Appreciation breakfast event coming up at Boston Pizza. Ms. Kipps shared results of a study done by the McCreary Centre Society on the subject of child mental health and the need for mental health services. The Local Action Team is looking at how to address these issues in the community. Ms. Carr shared that the school district is looking at the need for counselling for students during budget development. The Staff Liaison shared an innovative program currently being provided by the loc31 childhood development office that uses a miniature pony to provide therapy. 7.2 Neighbourhood Development No update. 8. CORRESPONDENCE -Nil . . ) SPAC Minutes April 6, 2016 Page 4 of4 9. QUESTION PERIOD 10. ROUNDTABLE 11. /ss Meghan MacMillan reported that Youth Week is coming up the first week of May. Events are planned throughout the week, including a youth talent show. Annette Morgan reported the Seniors Network is winding down operations due to the loss of funding previously provided by United Way. Ms. Morgan recently attended a meeting regarding the seniors at the Salvation Army shelter. Delaram Farshad reported a new round of grant funding will be opening mid-April. Ms. Farshad will provide further information at the next meeting. Pierre Welbedagt said his goodbyes and was thanked for his contributions. Councillor Masse recommended the book "The Shallows". He raised the question of having a faith based member sit at the committee table. He shared a news story regarding how cities are designed to fit large fire trucks and the movement to design fire trucks to fit more easily into communities. The Staff Liaison reported on a conversation being organized by the Salvation Army regarding community meal provision. This topic will be added to the next meeting agenda. ADJOURNMENT It was moved and seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 pm.