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PUBLIC COMMENTS / QUESTIONS
The Chair recognized Mr. Jim and
Mrs. Lindy McQueen in the audience. Mr. and Mrs. McQueen have been named Burnaby’s
Outstanding Citizens of the Year for 2016 for their volunteer efforts.
The Chair announced the beginning of
the public comment/question period. The audience was encouraged to speak to
the Commission on matters of interest or concern.
Mr. Jeremy Roberts advised that he
has lived in Burnaby for almost 40 years. There had been three gun ranges in
Burnaby but there are none now. Mr. Roberts suggested that the site of the
Burnaby Fish and Game Club is the only safe area for a gun range. Mr.
Roberts asked if it is the feeling among Commissioners that target shooting
is an unsuitable activity and that participants are potential criminals. There
was a protest when Council decided to close the local gun ranges. The RCMP officers
and other organizations also trained for target shooting at the local gun
ranges. Some of the area once occupied by the gun clubs has been turned into
a mountain biking facility which is closed part of the year.
The Chair advised that the gun
ranges were closed because the amount of lead from the gun ranges on Burnaby
Mountain leached and polluted the water system. The urbanization of the City
increases people’s desire for more green space. Council has no plan to bring
gun ranges back.
Councillor Johnston advised that he
was on Council and the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission when the
decision was made 23 years ago. Council and the Commission decided that the gun
club was not a suitable use of the park. There was a lot of public input in
the planning of the Burnaby Mountain Park master plan and gun clubs are not
congruent to the peace and quietness of the park.
Ms. Heidi Eisenberg, New Westminster
resident, advised she is a special needs tutor. Ms. Eisenberg was asked by a
parent to inquire about setting up a learning program for children with
learning disabilities.
The Director advised that we have a
range of programs for children and youth at the community centres and in
cooperation with the School District. Ms. Eisenberg could discuss this
matter with staff after the meeting.
Mr. James Bud and his friend, Ms.
Savithri Soorga, both Burnaby residents, requested that a safety review be
made on personal properties at the Fred Randall Leisure Pool in Edmonds
Community Centre. Ms. Soorga advised that on 2017 April 17 her locker was
broken into when she was in the pool. Her clothes, cell-phone, sunglasses, including
her car key were stolen and her $24,000 new car was driven away. Staff advised
that in 2016 three lockers were broken into. From January to April this
year, two lockers have been broken into. Ms. Soorga expressed concerns that there
were no signs around the pool to tell the public that the lockers are not
safe. It took 13 days for the video footage to go to the RCMP officer who
then found it was not good enough to identify suspects.
The Chair advised that the lockers
are not guaranteed to be perfectly safe. Security cameras are not allowed in
the changerooms. It is not viable to allocate staff to watch over the
lockers. It was noted that some 2,200 people pass through the centre every
day.
The Director advised that staff have
spoken to Ms. Soorga, made an investigation of the incident and apologized
for the technical issue of the video footage. A review of locker safety is
being undertaken. Staff always try to make the facilities safer by
increasing random security patrols. There is a cyclical spike of criminal
activities. A general trend shows a decline of criminal activities over the
years. Unfortunately, staff are not able to eliminate criminal activity. Staff
appreciate Ms. Soorga’s feedback and will continue to review safety
procedures.
The Chair advised that staff
constantly review security procedures for improvement. The Commission will
receive a report shortly and a copy will be forwarded to Ms. Soorga.
Ms. Soorga suggested that security cameras
be installed in the corridor and the exits. The signs advise people to lock
up their belongings but it should reflect that the lockers are not safe.
Mr. Bud inquired if they could contact
who is writing the report or have a look at the report before it goes to the
Commission.
The Director advised that staff will
provide the contact.
Ms. Jaclyn Kirby, Burnaby resident, advised
that she is one of the lead volunteers with the Burnaby Education Product of
the Burnaby Regional Allotment Gardens Association (BARAGA) and they are
training a lot of teenagers who have never eaten food directly from the
ground. There seems to be a growing interest in more community plots. She
would like to contact staff about starting community gardens. Ms. Kirby inquired
if compost could be donated to community gardens as they have difficulty
sourcing compost.
The Director advised that BARAGA is
the largest community garden in Western Canada. Ms. Kirby was advised to
speak to Planning Department staff about the application process for
community gardens.
Mr. George McLaughlin, Burnaby
resident, advised that they had made a presentation to the Commission at the April
meeting and the minutes stated that “THAT the presentation be referred to
staff to work with the Burnaby Velodrome Club and Volleyball BC to try to
reach an amicable agreement.” However, there has been no subsequent meeting
to resolve their issue. Correspondence from Volleyball BC urged the Burnaby
Velodrome Club to sign the renewal sub-lease agreement or the track will be
ripped out. Mr. McLaughlin requested assurance from the Commission that the
track will not be ripped out and inquired regarding staff’s role when they
meet with Volleyball BC again.
The Chair advised that the City has
the authority on the track. He understood that the new agreement allows for
more allotment time and attempts to work out the differences between the
lessee and the sub-lessee.
The Director confirmed that the
authority on the track is vested in the City. The lease with Volleyball BC
is that the track remains. The onus is on Volleyball BC and the Burnaby
Velodrome Club to negotiate an access agreement which has been successful in
the past.
Mr. McLaughlin expressed his concern
with the non-negotiable sub-lease and the inadequate maintenance of the
facility. Volleyball BC asked them to apply for a grant of $80,000 to fix
the washroom and this amount will be taken out of the rent. They pay a rent
of $15,000 a month but they do not have a key to the facility. If they have
private bookings, they have to pay Volleyball BC to bring in an attendant to
open the door.
The Chair commented that staff will
look for a mechanism to balance the negotiations. The City owns the facility
and we ensure that the lease terms are upheld.
Mr. McLaughlin inquired if it is a
licence or a lease for Volleyball BC on the Harry Jerome Sports Centre.
Staff advised that given the
exclusive use between the two groups, it is a lease agreement recommended by
the City for renewal and it is an extension of the existing lease with some
change to the terms and conditions.
Mr. McLaughlin asked for a copy of
the lease agreement.
Staff advised that when leases are
signed and executed, it is fully open to the public.
Mr. McLaughlin inquired if staff
will contact them to be involved in their sub-lease renewal discussions.
The Chair advised that if the
Burnaby Velodrome Club runs into a problem in negotiating the sub-lease,
staff will see what needs to be done to ensure that both parties will bargain
in good faith.
Mr. McLaughlin advised that they
cannot see a future for their club based on the sub-lease terms stipulated by
Volleyball BC.
The Chair advised that the City
expects the two groups share the facility and hope they will work out their
issues to the best of their abilities.
Mr. Behrad Rezaie, North Vancouver
resident, proposed an indoor water park in Burnaby. They have owned a water
park for over 10 years in Iran. The proposed water park will accommodate
1,000 to 1,600 people a day. They require a piece of land between 40,000 and
60,000 sq. ft. The building is about 4,000 to 5,000 sq. m. They want to
make sure that the community supports this business and investment. The City
of Surrey had indicated support for this business but they would like to
start it in Burnaby because of the access to the Skytrain and transit. The
water park will be for kids between 3 to 18 years old. For the safety of
kids, the water park will have only one level and there will be no stairs.
They have contacted WhiteWater in Vancouver which builds slides.
The Chair inquired if Mr. Rezaie
contacted City staff about his plan.
Mr. Rezaie has had two discussions
with Planning staff and sent four emails but received no reply.
The Chair suggested that Mr. Rezaie
speak to Planning staff after the meeting about zoning.
Commissioner Matricardi inquired and
was advised that the proposed water park will be for fun and thrill.
Mr. Bob Nixon, Burnaby resident, Vice
President of Caprice Synchronized Swimming Club. The club was started in
1967 and has been in Burnaby since 1972. Mr. Nixon inquired about the
progress of the new pool project. Mr. Nixon wants to ensure the pool water
will be clear enough for synchronized swimming.
The Director advised that the
request for proposal document is ready. Then the design concept will start.
Council has approved $350,000 to fund the study. The pool will meet the need
for additional pool time and enable the City to host events. There will be
opportunities for sport groups and the public to give input. The new pool
will be ready in a few years.
The Chair advised that there will be
open houses for public input. We want to make sure the new facility will
meet our future needs.
Mr. Shiraz Nathwani, Citizen Representative
of Sustainable City Advisory Committee, inquired regarding the progress of
the Aga Khan Park project on Sprott Street and Kensington Avenue and when
will it start. The park has been in the plan for 10 years.
The Director advised that staff are
working with Mr. Malik Talib and Mr. Samir Manji who has retained a project
manager for the project. Their consultants have completed sound studies to
mitigate the sound from the highway. A core sampling was done this week.
Our staff have been working with them. They now focus their attention on this
project. The engineering studies are the beginning of the process to build
the park.
Mrs. Lindy McQueen, a Burnaby
resident, inquired regarding the covered stage shown in the drawings at the
open house of the Edmonds Community Centre.
The Director advised that the park
is in development phases. The power supply and servicing required for a
major stage are ready. The need for a covered stage will be assessed in the
third and final phase of the park development.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the
Chair thanked the audience for their attendance.
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