PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES

Thursday, 2017 March 23

An ‘Open’ meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission was held in the Council Chambers, Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Thursday, 2017 March 23 at 7:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

Commissioner L. Matricardi, Acting Chair

Commissioner K. Alzner

Commissioner G. Clark

Councillor D. Johnston

Commissioner B. Larkin

Commissioner L. Loftus

Commissioner D. Staschuk

ABSENT:

Commissioner J. Jang

Councillor P. McDonell

School Trustee K. Chen

STAFF:

Mr. D. Ellenwood, Director Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services

Mr. C. Collis, Assistant Director – Recreation

Mr. D. Hunter, Assistant Director – Parks

Mr. D. Nokony, Assistant Director - Cultural Services

Mr. D. O'Connor, Assistant Director - Golf Operations

Ms. H. Edwards, Manager - Parks, Planning, Design & Development

Ms. K. Matts, Commission Secretary

Ms. T. Cheng, Recording Secretary

The Open Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

"THAT the Open Commission meeting do now convene."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Commission meeting convened in the Council Chambers.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF CHAIR FOR 2017

The Director advised that Councillor McDonell was appointed the 2017 Chair by Council at the February 20 Council Meeting.

3.

ELECTION OF DEPUTY CHAIR FOR 2017

A Motion to Table the Election of Deputy Chair for 2017 was introduced.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALZNER

"THAT the election of Deputy Chair be TABLED."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.

APPOINTMENT OF MRS. KATHRYN MATTS AS SECRETARY

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

“THAT Mrs. Kathryn Matts be appointed Secretary to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission.”

            CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

MINUTES

a)

Open meeting of 2017 February 15

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALZNER

“THAT the minutes of the Open Commission meeting held on 2017 February 15 be now adopted.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.

DELEGATIONS

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALZNER

“THAT the delegations be heard.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Mr. Darcy Olson
Re:  Freeman James Alfred Barrington

Mr. Olson requested to name the park land on the northeast corner of Delta Avenue and Halifax Street in honour of Freeman James Barrington for his long and meritorious service to the City.  This park land was in his neighbourhood.  Freeman Barrington is one of the few Freemen who do not have a park dedicated to him.  Freeman Barrington was the first to welcome him to the neighbourhood when he and his family moved to Burnaby.  Mr. Olson suggested cleaning the park up and adding trees for residents in a high population density area and for migratory birds.

The Director advised that Mr. Olson’s proposal will be considered by the Parks Names and Signs Committee.  A report will be submitted to the Commission and Mr. Olson will be informed of the decision.

b)

Mr. Leon Li
Re:  Boat Rental in Barnet Marine Park

Mr. Li, a Burnaby resident, operates a boat rental in Vancouver for 15 years.  As there are no boat ramps in Burnaby, Mr. Li has brought his Burnaby patrons to Port Moody, Vancouver, West Vancouver or North Vancouver for power boating.  Water sport is popular in North America.  Indian Arm is a top boating destination.  Burnaby can offer boating opportunities for residents and visitors. The City can make bylaws to regulate the noise, size and environmental safety for boating.  Mr. Li has a plan to set up a boat rental for small motorized boats at Barnet Marine Park and requests that a dock for small boats be built.  No moorage or storage is required.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

“THAT Mr. Li’s proposal be referred to staff for a report.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR LOFTUS

“THAT the following items of correspondence be received.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Lyndhurst Elementary School PAC
Re:  Playground Development Grant

Lyndhurst Elementary School PAC requested a grant of $4,000 for playground upgrades.  The grant request is supported by the Burnaby Board of Education.

Item 3 of the Director’s Report No. 3 refers to this matter.

b)

Rona and Shan Wang
Re:  Theft at Edmonds Community Centre

Mr. and Mrs. Rona and Shan Wang expressed their concern of security in the men’s change room at Edmonds Community Centre.

The writers have been contacted to express regret for the incident and appreciation for their suggestions which will be considered with an aim to improve patron experience at our facilities.

8.

DIRECTOR’S REPORTS

a)

Director’s Report No. 3
2017 March 23

The Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services submitted his Report No. 3, dated 2017 March 23, covering the following items listed as 1 - 4.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

“THAT the Director’s Report be received.”

            CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

i)

Fee Waiver Request - Gadabout Picnic

The Citizen Support Services requested a waiver of rental fees at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts for the Gadabouts Summer Picnic.  The Citizen Support Services fundraises to provide activities for housebound seniors in the community. Throughout the year various field trips and special events are coordinated for the seniors’ interaction, entertainment and community involvement.

It was recommended:

1.    THAT Citizen Support Services be granted a fee waiver of $520 for the use of Studio 103 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on 2017 July 12 to host their Gadabouts Summer Picnic.

2.  THAT a copy of the report be forwarded to Ms. Michele Wilson, Coordinator Community Volunteer Resources.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

“THAT the two recommendations be approved.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ii)

2017 Burnaby Golf Fees Bylaw

A Golf Fees Bylaw is required under the Community Charter for all fees and charges related to the public use of municipal facilities. The 2017 Burnaby Golf Fees Bylaw will apply from 2017 May 01 to 2018 April 30.  The report clarified all fee recommendations for the City’s golf services, including all proposed green fee rates and restrictions for golf courses, driving ranges, and pitch and putts.

It was recommended:

1.       THAT the 2017 Golf Fees be approved as outlined in this report.

2.    THAT Council be requested to approve the 2017 Burnaby Golf Fees Bylaw as detailed on Attachment #1 circulated under separate cover.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

“THAT the two recommendations be approved.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Commissioner Loftus commented that Burnaby’s golf fees remain competitive while the City continues to improve the playability of our golf courses even in adverse weather condition.

iii)

Playground Development Grant Request for Lyndhurst Elementary School

Lyndhurst Elementary School PAC requested a grant from the 2017 Annual Operating Playground Development Budget to assist with the redevelopment of their playground.  The request meets the Playground Grant guidelines and has approval from the Burnaby School District to install the playground components within twelve months of receiving the Playground Grant.

It was recommended:

1.     THAT the request from Lyndhurst Elementary School be approved.

2.   THAT a copy of this report be forwarded to Barb Olsen, Lyndhurst Elementary PAC Chair, Erin Catania, Lyndhurst Elementary PAC Vice Chair, Kim Clark, Lyndhurst Elementary Vice-Principal.

3.      THAT Council be requested to authorize the City enter into an agreement with the Burnaby School District for the contribution to the cost of the playground upgrades as detailed in this report.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

“THAT the three recommendations be approved.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

iv)

2017 March - Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Capital Funding Bylaw

The 2017-2021 Provisional Financial Plan for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services contains 13 projects to be funded from Capital Reserves.  To enable work to go ahead on these projects, approval is requested to bring down a bylaw for funding.

It was recommended:

1.       THAT the expenditure of $958,000 from the 2017-2021 Provisional Financial Plan for the projects outlined in this report be approved.

2.      THAT Council be requested to bring down a bylaw to appropriate $1,002,766 (inclusive of GST) from Capital Reserves to finance these projects.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

“THAT the two recommendations be approved.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Commissioner Loftus noted that the covered sports box was not in the 2017 March Capital Funding Bylaw.  Additional dry floor space is needed in Burnaby.

Staff will work to bring forward the covered sports box project.

9.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Larkin noted that there was an article in the Province newspaper on 2017 March 15 about ‘Metro Vancouver Regional Parks 50 Years Passport’.

Staff advised that the passport is issued by Metro Vancouver Regional Parks to celebrate its 50^th Anniversary and there is relevant information in our Leisure Guide.

The Acting Chair welcomed Councillor Johnston and Commissioners Clark and Staschuk as new appointees to the Commission.

10.

INQUIRIES

Commissioner Loftus inquired if tree inventory in Burnaby is the responsibility of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services and if there is a tree replanting program. It came to his attention that trees were removed on Boundary Road by Central Park and along Marine Drive by Byrne Road for land development.  He also received a phone call about trees removed on Norland Avenue.

Staff will provide a memo to the Commission about the layers of protection for trees on private and public land.

Commissioner Loftus inquired if there is a time frame to respond to the delegation made in February by Ms. N. Wong and Ms. R. Goddyn regarding the Recreation Credit Program for people with disabilities.  He received an email from Ms. Wong inquiring about a response to their issue.  Staff advised that they also received a similar inquiry from Ms. Wong and they gave her a May time-frame to report to the Commission.

Commissioner Larkin advised that she had received a complaint about the play area at Deer Lake Park and inquired how a decision is made on the play equipment in the area.

Staff will provide the information on this matter.

Commissioner Larkin inquired if there is any discussion on building a small bridge over the stream on the west side of Deer Lake Park.

Staff will confirm with Commissioner Larkin about the location and check on the feasibility and desirability of the foot bridge.

Councillor Johnston was informed by a citizen that the water heater at Bonsor Pool was out of commission and the water was really cold.

Staff will look into this matter.

11.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

“THAT the Open Commission meeting do now adjourn.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Commission meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

________________________

__________________________

Kathryn Matts

COMMISSION SECRETARY                  

Commissioner Lance Matricardi

ACTING CHAIR