Pitt Meadows council is starting a new airport advisory committee, but Maple Ridge council members doubt it will be of much use.
Pitt Meadows city hall is forming a steering committee, which will “create the parameters of the advisory committee,” the city announced Monday.
“This initiative was a necessary response on the part of council after a decade of frustration on the part of residents and stakeholders with respect to the airport,” said Mayor John Becker.
“Creating this advisory committee is a reflection of the needs of our residents, through city council, to work with airport stakeholders in a collaborative and transparent way, and to give residents a voice.”
The city is seeking interested parties to participate in the steering committee, and invited Maple Ridge council’s involvement.
The two cities are partners in the regional airport, which is owned and operated by the non-profit Pitt Meadows Airport Society. The society is governed by a nine-member volunteer board of directors, with both cities approving board members.
Last year, the cities disagreed about airport operations. Pitt Meadows council then asked Maple Ridge to bow out of the airport society membership, leaving operation of YPK up to the former.
Maple Ridge declined.
Monday, Maple Ridge Mayor Nicole Read said the role and objective of the new advisory committee is not clear, and the group can’t influence how the airport society makes decisions.
The role of the cities is to appoint board members, who then operate YPK at arm’s length from the municipal councils. So the new committee’s feedback won’t create operational change, said Read.
Maple Ridge Coun. Kiersten Duncan agreed that the new committee’s role is confusing, but appreciated that Pitt Meadows is trying to address citizen concerns.
“I don’t see how this can really be constructive for the airport … “ echoed Maple Ridge manager of strategic economic initiatives Lino Syracusa.
Maple Ridge Coun. Bob Masse argued that his council should get involved with the committee.
“How do we gain by saying we don’t want a seat at that table?” he asked, adding that Maple Ridge has made progress in repairing its relationship with Pitt Meadows, “and we don’t want to move backwards.”
However, Maple Ridge council voted not to participate in the steering committee.
Becker had no reaction to Maple Ridge’s lack of involvement, and said it is Pitt Meadows that deals with all of the “community interface” issues with the airport, such as which route helicopters should take when landing.
He said issues come across his desk “almost daily.”
Becker said the steering committee will have a “short shelf life,” and the real work will be done by the resulting advisory committee. He hopes the airport board will get involved with the steering committee.
Becker and his council are optimistic that the new advisory committee will be a first step toward addressing long-standing concerns with all stakeholders involved.
“Council remains committed to working with Maple Ridge, the board of the airport society, stakeholders, and residents regarding the airport,” he said in a press release.
• To participate in the Pitt Meadows Airport Steering Committee, go to pittmeadows.bc.ca/committees.