HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-17 Council Workshop Agenda and Reports Special Meeting.pdfCity of Maple Ridge SPECIAL COUNCIL WORKSHOP AGENDA November 17, 2020 11:00 a.m. Virtual Online Meeting including Council Chambers The purpose of the Council Workshop is to review and discuss policies and other items of interest to Council. Although resolutions may be passed at this meeting, the intent is to make a consensus decision to send an item to Council for debate and vote or refer the item back to staff for more information or clarification. The meeting is live streamed and recorded by the City of Maple Ridge. 1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 2. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS 2.1 Green Infrastructure Management Strategy Update Staff report dated November 17, 2020 providing an introduction to a presentation to be given by Eco-Plan International. • Presentation by Anne Marie Whittaker, Senior Planner & Associate, Eco Plan I nternationa I 3. ADJOURNMENT APPROVED BY: DATE: PREPARED BY DATE: Doc#2604630 CHECKED BY: DATE: No\/. l~ / aoao i I . ! -i r.
~·-City of Maple Ridge mapleridge.ca TO: His Worship Mayor Michael Morden and Members of Council MEETING DATE: November 17, 2020 FROM: Chief Administrative Officer MEETING: Workshop SUBJECT: Green Infrastructure Management Strategy Update EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: One of the key priorities identified in Council's 2019-2022 Strategic Plan was the preparation of a scoping report to outline policy and action options in a Green Infrastructure Management Strategy. On November 12, 2019 Council received the report and unanimously endorsed moving ahead with a Municipal Green Infrastructure Management Strategy (GIMS) to determine how and where the City might integrate this kind of an approach into future decision making, municipal projects, urban design plans, and development design practices. Council resolved that: 'The Green Infrastructure Management Strategy policy review process be endorsed." The GIMS process included an update to Council once the initial contract to an external qualified firm had been awarded and the consultant's comparative review/ municipal internal review was underway. Eco-Plan International was the successful firm spearheading the strategy and internal discussions. The purpose of this report is to serve as an introduction to a presentation that will be given by the consultants, Eco-Plan International. The presentation will provide Council with an update on key initiatives delivered to date including relevant high level findings on challenges and opportunities related to Green Infrastructure in three different study areas across the municipality including the Town Centre, Lougheed Transportation Corridor and Si)ver Valley Area. RECOMMENDATION: For information only. DISCUSSION: a) Background Context: On November 12, 2019 Council endorsed a process for the creation of a Green Infrastructure Management Strategy. Key to the process was thee establishment of an inter-departmental Task Force Group (GITF). To support a balanced perspective on this topic, there is also a pending external Green Infrastructure Focus Group which has been formed by the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Green Infrastructure Sub-Committee. It consists of local experts and key community decision makers from the Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement Association, architects, landscape architects, urban designers, urban forestry experts, nursery associations, and the public arts community. Members of the Green Infrastructure EAC sub-committee will need final endorsement from Council 2.1 2602681 Page 1 of 3
since they are part of a sub-committee to the advisory committee. These members will have the opportunity to also provide feedback on the findings and recommendations for Council's consideration. The consultant will be presenting on Phase I of the Council endorsed GIMS process which is item 4 (Four) on the endorsed process chart below. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STEPS 1. Council Endorse Scoping Report process Nov 2019 • Council to direct staff to proceed with the Green Infrastructure Management Strategy review; 2. Award Contract and Initiate Project -Eco Plan International May 2020 3. Phase I: Establish The Foundation & Understanding the Challenges June-• Municipal Comparative Scan -consultation with local governments and October literature review. Report and presentation on lessons learned, comparative 2020 review, and determine relevant applications and case studies for consideration by Maple Ridge. • Internal Working Group Meeting -identify key challenges, strengths, and opportunities from each department related to Green Infrastructure • Spatial Analysis Review -Initial review and analysis of Town Centre, Lougheed Transportation Corridor and Silver Valley Lands 4. Update to Council -WE ARE HERE. November 2020 5. Phase II: Spatial Analysis of Urban Areas -Challenges and Opportunities December 2020 6. Implementation Gap Analysis Challenges and Opportunities February/ March 2021 7. Update to Council April 2021 8. Phase Ill. Identification of Options and CosVBenefit Analysis May 2021 9. Options and Recommendations -provide synthesis of key findings, options, and June recommendations for consideration by Council with respect to policy and 2021 implementation options for green infrastructure in the City. 10. Final Report and Presentation to Council June/July 2021 STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT: The Green Infrastructure Management Strategy includes a strong focus on current priorities of Council and falls within Council's 5th strategic priority "Natural Environment". Pursuant with the Council endorsed process, the consultant will be presenting on the relevant background information, input 2602681 Page 2 of 3
from stakeholders, and the findings to date from other municipalities and amongst various departments from within the City of Maple Ridge which is Phase I in the Council endorsed GIMS process. Prepared by: Reviewed by: Charles R. G~ '-1' ~ BA.MA Director of Planning ~ Approved by: Christine Carter, M.PL, MCIP, RPP GMPla~es Concurrenogrsm Chief Administrative Officer 2602681 Page 3 of 3 I I i I i I i f ~ I I r-1 I ,,