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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-30 Council Meeting Minutes Special Meeting.pdfMicrosoft Word - 2016-05-30 Council Minutes Special Meeting City of Maple Ridge SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES May 30, 2016 The Minutes of the City Council Meeting held on May 30, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the City Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia for the purpose of transacting regular City business. PRESENT Elected Officials Appointed Staff Mayor N. Read E.C. Swabey, Chief Administrative Officer Councillor C. Bell C. Marlo, Manager of Legislative Services Councillor K. Duncan A. Gaunt, Confidential Secretary Councillor B. Masse Superintendent D. Fleugel, Commanding Officer, Ridge Councillor G. Robson Meadows RCMP Detachment Councillor T. Shymkiw Councillor C. Speirs Note: These Minutes are also posted on the City’s Web Site at www.mapleridge.ca The meeting was live streamed and recorded by the City of Maple Ridge 1.0 CALL TO ORDER 2.0 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA The agenda was approved as circulated. Note: Council Masse excused himself from the meeting at 6:07 p.m. as his business is directly adjacent to the temporary shelter. 3.0 HOMELESSNESS UPDATE 3.1 BC Housing • Dominic Flanagan, Executive Director Supportive Housing and Programs, BC Housing Mr. Flanagan gave a PowerPoint presentation on services provided by BC Housing and provided information on existing and planned housing resources for Maple Ridge. Ms. Naomi Brunemeyer, Director of Regional Development, BC Housing, outlined the BC Housing proposal to provide interim shelter spaces. Special Council Meeting Agenda May 30, 2016 Page 2 of 5 Note: Councillor Masse returned to the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Note: Councillor Masse excused himself from the rest of the meeting at 7:22 p.m. as his business is directly adjacent to the temporary shelter. 3.2 Rain RainCity Housing and Support Society ity • Sean Spear, Associate Director, RainCity Housing and Support Society Mr. Spear gave a PowerPoint presentation on the temporary shelter operated by RainCity Housing in Maple Ridge. Note: The meeting was recessed at 8:05 p.m. and reconvened at 8:19 p.m. 3.3 Alouette Addictions • Annika Polegato, Executive Director, Alouette Addictions Ms. Polegato gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining services provided by Alouette Addictions in the community. 3.4 Fraser Health • Andy Libbiter, Executive Director, Mental Health and Substance Use, Fraser Health • Denyse Houde, Director Mental Health and Substance Use, Fraser Health • Dr. Helena Swinkels, Medical Health Officer, Fraser Health Mr. Libbiter made a PowerPoint presentation outlining Fraser Health’s commitment to the community and highlighting the importance of service provision coordination. Dr. Swinkels spoke on the topics of public health and harm reduction. 3.5 Ridge Meadows RCMP Detachment • Superintendent David Fleugel, Commanding Officer, Ridge Meadows RCMP Detachment Superintendent Fleugel made a PowerPoint presentation on policing in regards to the temporary shelter. 3.6 Discussion on Next Steps R/2016-322 It was moved and seconded That the letter dated May 26, 2016 from Naomi Brunemeyer Brunemeyer, Director of , Regional Development, BC Housing, providing an update on the current homelessness situation in Maple Ridge and proposing an interim housing solution to address current needs eeds be referred to staff to prepare a report on the proposal proposal. CARRIED Councillor Robson – OPPOSED Special Council Meeting Agenda May 30, 2016 Page 3 of 5 4.0 QUESTION PERIOD Linda Meyer Ms. Meyer requested that Council lobby the provincial government to have shelter allowances raised and stated her views on provincial rent supplements. Ms. Meyer was encouraged to raise these issues with the Members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia representing Maple Ridge. Ted Ingram Mr. Ingram provided a definition of homelessness and shared his experiences working with youth. Jennifer Geddes Ms. Geddes related her experiences with drug addiction and homelessness. Ms. Geddes shared her view that there is a lack in the availability of mental health services. Darren Wellender Mr. Wellender is the owner of a business next door to the temporary shelter and reported finding used needles and condoms on a daily basis and felt that the situation with the temporary shelter is deteriorating. Mr. Greg Richmond, Acting Executive Director, RainCity Housing, explained the role of Community Advisory Committees and stated contact information is provided to all neighbours of shelters operated by RainCity. Mr. Richmond proposed creating an operational plan in conjunction with the City and BC Housing to address concerns raised by neighbours. Ms. Polegato explained that Alouette Addictions does have rental subsidies available and is actively working to find rental housing for people from the shelter. Diane Guthrie Ms. Guthrie asked when or if the public will be consulted as to support for having a shelter in the city. Mayor Read advised on the need for modular units and the public engagement plans around a purpose built shelter. R/2016-323 It was moved and seconded That question period be extended for thirty minutes. CARRIED Special Council Meeting Agenda May 30, 2016 Page 4 of 5 Shannon Boye Boyer Ms. Boyer is a Coquitlam resident who works full time in Maple Ridge. Ms. Boyer expressed her concern over threatening comments made online regarding the homeless population. Ms. Boyer asked if there was a list of these types of comments. Superintendent Fleugel addressed Ms. Boyer’s comments and stated that all offences and complaints reported to the RCMP will be investigated. Mr. Libbiter outlined the work done by ACT Teams and stated that assertive outreach services are being provided in the community by organizations such as RainCity and Alouette Addictions. Mikayla (For Forrest) Clayton est) Ms. Clayton shared a youth perspective on homelessness and asked about those homeless that appear ungrateful for services provided. Mayor Read and Mr. Spear provided some insight into the behavior of those with mental health issues. Danielle Rose Ms. Rose related her experience with homelessness and trying to access support services. Ms. Rose asked why so much focus was being placed on those who are heavily street entrenched and have addictions. Ms. Rose stated that there is a need for shelter for other groups within the homeless population. Mr. Flanagan acknowledged that services are focused on the most vulnerable and reported that BC Housing understands there is a lack of affordable housing and is working to provide housing options across the continuum. Graham Mowatt Mr. Mowatt expressed his frustration that there is not more support provided to families seeking shelter. Mr. Mowatt asked about the number of assault charges laid against residents of the temporary shelter. Superintendent Fleugel provided general information on how investigations are conducted. John McKenzie Mr. McKenzie reported that since 2001 there have been continuous cuts to the provincial health care system. He asked about the participation of the Members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia representing Maple Ridge in this discussion. Michael Morden Mr. Morden asked about planned container housing and addressed recent court rulings regarding camping in parks. Mr. Morden urged Council to request support from higher levels of government. Special Council Meeting Agenda May 30, 2016 Page 5 of 5 Kim Engle Ms. Engle asked about the responsibility for enforcing MOUs and asked about public engagement regarding the purpose built facility. Mr. Flanagan explained the MOU process. Mayor Read outlined the plan for public engagement in regards to the purpose built shelter and encouraged residents to review the City’s Housing Action Plan. Kylie Dun Dunlop lop Ms. Dunlop shared her experiences living near a supportive housing facility and reported neighbourhood children have witnessed unacceptable behaviour by the homeless population. Ms. Dunlop asked at what point the mental health of residents in her situation is taken into consideration. Mayor Read acknowledged the issues raised and outlined plans to address neighbourhood concerns. Rick Ricki Funk Ms. Funk asked about accessing the RCMP presentation from earlier in the evening and asked for clarification regarding the prolific offenders list mentioned during the presentation. Ms. Funk raised questions regarding MOUs. Mr. Flanagan explained the MOU process. 5.0 ADJOURN ADJOURNMENT MENT – 11:30 p.m. _______________________________ N. Read, Mayor Certified Correct ___________________________________ C. Marlo, Corporate Officer