Maple Ridge is looking for some help advising council.
After a reorganization of advisory committees last year, and the creation of two new ones, there are now vacancies on half a dozen committees that advise council on a variety of topics.
For example, the new environmental advisory committee is short five people, two environmental professionals and three members at large, one of whom should be someone between 19 and 25 years old.
The new active transportation advisory committee is looking for no less than seven volunteers to fill three at-large positions, along with four more people to represent cyclists, business, seniors and youth.
The committee was formed after a joint Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows bicycle advisory committee dissolved in 2013.
Legislative services manager Ceri Marlo said the city’s recent reorganization of its committees may also account for the number of vacancies.
Applications to join the different bodies are coming in from the public, Marlo said.
“I would be surprised if we don’t get enough.”
If you like art, there’s room on the public art steering committee, which tells council how to improve outdoor spaces. Currently, there are positions available for one visual artist and for one developer of residential or commercial properties who is active in Maple Ridge.
Tackling the tough social issues such as poverty or housing is always a challenge and the social planning advisory committees tries to get council up to speed on such topics. It’s looking for four people, someone from the business community, someone representing youth and two members at large.
Maple Ridge is also looking for help on its agricultural advisory committee. It needs two people to fill the members at large positions, while another two are needed from the agricultural community.
Committee members are appointed by the public for two-year terms and will spend approximately six hours a month on committee related work.
All advisory committee and commission regular meetings are open to the public. People are also welcome to sit in on a meeting to see what it’s all about.
Most meetings have a community forum, during which members of the public are able to share ideas or concerns directly.
Other committee vacancies:
• community heritage commission – one at-large position vacant;
• the municipal advisory committee on accessibility issues – seven vacancies, five at-large positions for Maple Ridge residents and two at-large positions for Pitt Meadows residents. The Pitt Meadows vacancies end in October this year.
Apply
People can apply online https://www.mapleridge.ca/123/Committees-Commissions.