HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-22 Adopted Committee of the Whole Minutes.pdf)
Corporation of the District of Maple Ridge
SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
MINUTES
October 22, 2001
9:00 a.m.
Council Chamber
PRESENT
Elected Officials
Mayor A. Hogarth
Councillor C. Gordon
Councillor J. Harris
Councillor F. Isaac
Councillor L. King
Councillor K. Morse
Councillor C. Speirs
Appointed Staff
F. Quinn, Acting Chief Administrative Officer
T. Fryer, Municipal Clerk
M. Murray, General Manager of Community Development,
Parks and Recreational Services
P. Gill, General Manager Corporate and Financial Services
C. Marlo, Confidential Secretary
Other Staff as Required
1.
Insp. B. Dingwall
PARKING
Insp. Dingwall advised Council that the implementation of paid parking for
RCMP employees has resulted in decreased morale and loss of productivity
amongst members of the Maple Ridge Detachment. He presented Council with an
overview of the working conditions within the detachment noting that security is
an important issue. Alternative modes of transportation are not available for use
by the RCMP due to shift work and flexible hours. He pointed to the inequities of
the paid parking system. Employees at the Works Yard, the Fire Department,
Community Policing and some members of Parks & Recreation do not pay for
parking. He asked that Council reconsider its decision on paid parking, not only
for the RCMP but for all municipal employees. Insp. Dingwall provided the
following recommendations for Council's consideration:
• provide a block of stalls for all staff
• provide parking for detachment staff in recognition of the unique nature of
police services
• provide parking for shift workers
• provide a block of stalls for the detachment with costs coming from the
Municipal budget or RCMP Post Operating budget
• present to a third party mediator for negotiation
Committee of the Whole Minutes
October 22, 2001
Page 2 of2
Cpl. Scott Rempel, staff representative for Division Staff Relations, spoke of the
increased workload, poor facilities and reduction in staff due to the level of
financial support the local detachment receives. He stated that morale is at an all
time low. He indicated that the pay parking issue further deteriorated morale.
Cst. Darin Sheppard, Chair of the Constables Committee, cited examples of
increased, and sometimes incorrect, parking enforcement along Edge Street and
Brown A venue since the inception of paid parking. He noted that the voluntary
work that was being done within the detachment has been cut back as staff are not
prepared to spend money on parking when they are giving up their personal time.
Although it is common for members to request transfers, he suggested that the
numbers are increasing in Maple Ridge due to a perceived lack of support.
Cpl. Rempel stated that Maple Ridge is the only detachment in B.C. that expects
police officers to pay for parking. He further stated that they have not yet found a
place in Canada where police are required to pay for parking. This is making it
increasingly difficult to attract and retain police officers.
Catherine Senay, shop steward for Municipal employees, spoke of the concerns
the employees have for their safety and welfare. Most work shifts and are walking
alone to their vehicles. She noted that it is a different working environment at a
detachment.
Insp. Dingwall was asked to clarify if the issue is that the detachment wants free
parking or if the issue is that the underground parking lot does not provide
sufficient security. The Inspector indicated that the issue of pay parking has
prompted discussion of the risk factors involved for police officers and
employees. He pointed out that many detachments have fully enclosed parking
areas .
. 2. ADJOURNMENT-10:00 a.m.
Acting Mayor . Speirs
Presiding Member of the Committee