PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES

Tuesday, 2019 June 11

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 Tuesday, 2019 June 11 at 6:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

Councillor Paul McDonell, Chair

Councillor Sav Dhaliwal

Commissioner Guyle Clark

Commissioner Stace Dayment

Commissioner James Jang

Commissioner Barbara Larkin

Commissioner Claire Preston

Commissioner Dan Staschuk

School Trustee Bill Brassington

ABSENT:

Commissioner Karin Alzner

STAFF:

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

Mr. Denis Nokony, Assistant Director - Cultural Services

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

Mr. Steve Bruneau, Assistant Director - Parks

Mr. Dean Pelletier, Manager - Business Operations

Mr. Tom Kurucz, Manager Recreation Services

Mr. Johannes Schumann, Asst. Director - Planning and Building

Ms. Karen Hung, Senior Current Planner - Planning and Building

Ms. Kathryn Matts - Commission Secretary

Ms. Theresa Cheng - Recording Secretary

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

The Chair recognized the ancestral and unceded homelands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people, and extended appreciation for the opportunity to hold a meeting on this shared territory.

2.

MINUTES

a)

Minutes of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission Open meeting held on 2019 May 14                                              

MOVED BY commissioner dayment

seconded by commissioner jANG

THAT the minutes of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission Open meeting held on 2019 May 14 be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DELEGATIONS

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER larkin

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER dayment

THAT the delegations be heard.

a)

Burnaby Rhododendron and Garden Society
Speaker: Mr. Barry Jones

Mr. Barry Jones and Ms. Wendy Thompson of the Burnaby Rhododendron and Gardens Society appeared before Commission regarding the Rhododendron Garden on Burnaby Mountain. Mr. Jones commented that Burnaby Mountain is the view point of Burnaby visited by people from all over the world. A former Parks and Recreation Commission in 1967 established a rhododendron garden near the Trans Canada Trail by Centennial Way to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of British Columbia. A plaque on a boulder beside the trail states rhododendron is the official flower of Burnaby. The garden is overgrown with blackberry bushes.  Mr. Jones requested that the rhododendron garden be maintained.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER DHALIWAL

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PRESTON

THAT staff prepare a report on the feasibility and cost for the maintenance of the Rhododendron Garden on Burnaby Mountain..

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

b)

Burnaby Mountain Biking Association
Speaker: Mr. George Fedosov, Director

Mr. George Fedosov of the Burnaby Mountain Biking Association appeared before Commission to provide information regarding their volunteers’ effort to maintain multi-use trails with material approved by the city on Burnaby Mountain. Their mission is to promote the establishment of a mountain bike trail network on Burnaby Mountain that caters to users of different skill levels. They concentrate their efforts on the southeast trails including North Road. In 13 years they contributed 5,000 volunteer hours and completed 172 trail repairs, maintenance and build projects with an excellent safety record. About 100,000 visitors use the trails annually. Hikers and cyclists of different levels can use the trails. Their intent is to continue trail maintenance. They would like to increase their volunteer days and numbers and would like to know if this is a possibility.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PRESTON

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STASCHUK

THAT staff provide a report outlining the feasibility of increasing the volunteer days and volunteer numbers for Burnaby Mountain Biking Association with a focus on the issue of liability.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

c)

HUB Cycling Burnaby
Speaker: Mr. David Einstein

Mr. David Einstein of HUB Cycling Burnaby appeared before Commission to request repairs to sections of the Burnaby Mountain Urban Trail north of Greystone Park, north of Curtis and the urban trail parallel to Royal Oak from Deer Lake Parkway.

Staff undertook to repair the trail sections managed by Parks and refer those sections to Engineering if they are under their jurisdiction.

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

a)

Correspondence from Berni James  
Re: Initiative to Honour Christine Sinclair

Correspondence was received from Mr. Berni James suggesting that the City of Burnaby take an initiative to honour soccer player, Christine Sinclair, Captain of the Canadian National Women's Soccer Team.  As Ms. Sinclair originates from Burnaby, Mr. James feels that there should be a facility named after her.   Some suggestions Mr. James made are: renaming Swangard Stadium, building a new stadium, naming some facility around the Fortius building, or a park within the Bonsor Recreation Complex.

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DHALIWAL

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

THAT the suggestion from Mr. Berni James to honour Ms. Christine Sinclair be referred to the Financial Management Committee.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

b)

Correspondence from Mayor Mike Morden, City of Maple Ridge
Re: Use of Burnaby Lake for 2020 BC Summer Games                  

Correspondence was received from Mayor Mike Morden, City of Maple Ridge regarding the use of Burnaby Lake for the 2020 Summer Games.  Maple Ridge is the host of the Games and is challenged to meet the venue requirements for the rowing competitions. It is requested that Burnaby Lake be utilized for the rowing competitions on July 23, 24 and 26.

Staff undertook to investigate the feasibility and availability of the lake for the rowing competitions.

c)

Correspondence from Rudy Pospisil, Neighbourhood Block Watch

Re: Intersection of Dundas Street and Delta Avenue Pathway           

Correspondence was received from Mr. Rudy Pospisil requesting improvement to the pedestrian pathway at Dundas Street and Delta Avenue.  A note on the correspondence was provided by the Engineering Department, advising that the potential sidewalk upgrades will be reviewed for inclusion with the Empire Drive project.  Staff undertook to provide the information to Mr. Pospisil.

d)

Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations

Re: 1st CACA Charity Golf Tournament at Riverway Golf Course

Correspondence was received from Mr. Yongtao Chen, Executive Chairman of Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations, regarding their upcoming 1st CACA Charity Golf Tournament at Riverway Golf Course on 2019 July 10 with net proceeds to be donated to the Burnaby Hospital Foundation.  The association is requesting a waiver of the green fees for 144 golfers.

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DHALIWAL

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CLARK

THAT the green fee waiver request for a charitable golf tournament at Riverway Golf Course be referred to the Executive Committee of Council.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

a)

Director's Report No. 06
2019 June 11                    

The Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services submitted his Report No. 06, dated 2019 June 11, covering the following items listed as i-iii.

MOVED BY  COMMISSIONER Larkin

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DAYMENT

THAT the Director's Report be received.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

i)

2019/2020 Community School Grant

The Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services submitted a report requesting approval and authorization of an agreement with the Burnaby School District #41 for the support and operation of eight Community Schools.

It was recommended:

1.    THAT approval be given for the expenditure of $496,799.00 as the City of Burnaby’s share of the operating funds for the 2019/2020 Community School Program.

2.  THAT the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission recommend Council authorize the execution of an agreement with the Burnaby School District #41 for the support and operation of eight Community Schools (Byrne Creek, Edmonds, Gilmore, Lochdale, Maywood, Second Street, Stoney Creek and Stride Avenue).

3.  THAT a copy of this report be forwarded to the Burnaby Board of Education for their information.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER pRESTON

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

THAT the recommendations of the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

School Trustee Brassington expressed appreciation of the Commission’s support for community schools.

ii)

Burnaby Tennis Club Licence Agreement Renewal

The City has had a licence agreement with the Burnaby Tennis Club since 1973 for their bubble and clubhouse facility. The City partners with the Burnaby Tennis Club and Tennis BC in the provision of spring/summer tennis lessons and leagues. The Burnaby Tennis Club continues to provide a valuable service to the community.  In 2018, the City of Burnaby and Tennis Canada announced a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the development of the Western Canada Tennis Centre within the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex. Options are being explored for the existence of a new partnership between the Burnaby Tennis Club and Tennis Canada.  The new licence contract will provide for an option to re-examine or re-write the existing contract to facilitate a new agreement if one is required within the next five years.

It was recommended:

1.  THAT approval be granted to renew the licence agreement with the Burnaby Tennis Club, for a further five-year term beginning on 2019 July 01 and ending on 2024 June 30 with changes to the terms and conditions as outlined in this report.

2.    THAT the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission recommend Council approve the renewal of the licence with the Burnaby Tennis Club as outlined in this report.

3.    THAT the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission recommend Council authorize the City Solicitor to execute a licence agreement with the Burnaby Tennis Club as outlined in this report.

4.  THAT a copy of this report be sent to Mr. George McLachrie, President of the Burnaby Tennis Club.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER sTASCHUK

SECONDED BY  COMMISSIONER LARKIN

THAT the recommendations of the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

iii)

Permissive Exemptions from Taxation - 2020

The Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services submitted a report requesting permissive tax exemptions for six properties that warrant exemption from taxation. The Community Charter provides municipalities with the authority to exempt certain lands and/or improvements from municipal property taxation and the general authority for permissive exemptions. The City of Burnaby has extended permissive exemptions to recreation and athletic clubs that encourage the clubs to make available their facilities to the general public and to meet other specific guidelines.

It was recommended:

1.      THAT the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission recommend Council approve permissive tax exemptions for the organizations identified in this report, and that the organizations are included in the Burnaby Tax Exemption Bylaw – 2019 to be presented to City Council for approval.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER STASCHUK

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CLARK

THAT the recommendation of the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

a)

Councillor Paul McDonell
Re: Smoking Ban in Parks

At the 2019 May 14 Commission Meeting, Councillor McDonell provided a Notice of Motion regarding Smoking Ban in Parks.  With appropriate notice provided, the following notice was brought before Commission.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CLARK

THAT smoking of all substances be banned in City of Burnaby parks.

-       referred

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DHALIWAL

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DAYMENT

THAT the feasibility of banning the smoking of all substances in the City of Burnaby parks be REFERRED to staff for a report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

b)

Councillor Paul McDonell
Re: Traffic Calming on Park Perimeter Roads

At the 2019 May 14 Commission meeting, Councillor McDonell provided a Notice of Motion regarding traffic calming on park perimeter roads.  With appropriate notice provided, the following notice was brought before Commission.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STASCHUK

THAT speed bumps be placed on all park perimeter roads where possible.

-referred

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CLARK

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PRESTON

THAT the proposal for traffic calming measures around parks be REFERRED to the Traffic Safety Committee.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business brought forward by Commission at this time.

8.

INQUIRIES

Commissioner Preston inquired regarding the history of city-owned land between Cariboo Road and Craig Avenue above the Cariboo Road Christian Fellowship neighbourhood.

Staff undertook to provide information on the area in question to the Commission.

9.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY  commissioner staschuk

SECONDED BY  commissioner Dayment

THAT the Open Commission meeting do now adjourn.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Commission meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Kathryn Matts

COMMISSION SECRETARY                  

Councillor Paul McDonell

CHAIR