Coquitlam will have 10 advisory committees in the new year, including one whose job is to make recommendations on how to best market the city to tourists.
Last week, city council named Coun. Mae Reid to lead the newly created Celebrate Coquitlam advisory panel, which has a mandate to promote the municipality as an events destination.
The panel will also include Coun. Selina Robinson as vice-chair and community members Franca Aere (Coquitlam Centre); Shawna Leung (Vancouver Coast and Mountains Tourism Region); Laura Plant (Tourism BC); Chris Moreno (Coquitlam arts and culture advisory committee); Chris Wilson (Coquitlam Sports Centre User Association); Michael Hind (Tri-Cities' Chamber of Commerce); Kelven Tan (Playmaker Investment Corp.); and Peter Stace-Smith (Norco Performance Bikes).
Meanwhile, city council also appointed or reappointed the following councillors to 2013 advisory committees:
arts and culture: Neal Nicholson, chair; Terry O'Neill, vice-chair;
Coquitlam River aggregate: O'Neill, chair; Robinson, vice-chair;
Maillardville commercial and cultural revitalization: Lou Sekora, chair; Craig Hodge, vice-chair;
Multiculturalism: Brent Asmundson, chair; Linda Reimer, vice-chair;
Riverview lands: Hodge, chair; Neal Nicholson, vice-chair;
Sports council: Hodge, chair; Sekora, vice-chair;
Strategic investment: Mayor Richard Stewart, chair; Reid, vice-chair;
Sustainability and environment: Nicholson, chair; Asmundson, vice-chair;
Universal access-ability: Asmundson, chair; Robinson, vice-chair
Community members on the strategic investment advisory panel - which is geared towards improving economic development - are: Chuck Brook (Brook and Associates); Michael Geller (SFU); Phil Heard (Heard Consulting); Dr. Ann McAfee; Geoff Nagle (Morguard); John Northey (John Northey and Associates); Jeff Rank (Bentall); Bob Rennie (Rennie Marketing); and a member from the Urban Development Institute.
As for statutory committees, Reimer will head the joint family court/youth justice committee and O'Neill is the council rep on the Coquitlam Library Board.
As well, Mayor Stewart will continue to serve as a Metro Vancouver board director, carrying four votes, while Reid is the city's second director on the regional body, holding three votes.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
