PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES

Wednesday, 2016 March 16

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 Wednesday, 2016 March 16 at 7:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

Commissioner L. Matricardi, Acting Chair

Commissioner K. Alzner

Commissioner J. Jang

Councillor A. Kang

Commissioner L. Loftus

Commissioner W. Peppard

Commissioner K. Purdy

Commissioner B. Larkin

School Trustee K. Chen

ABSENT:

Councillor N. Volkow

STAFF:

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

Mr. D. Hunter, Assistant Director - Parks

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

Mr. D. Nokony, Assistant Director - Cultural Services

Mr. C. Collis, Assistant Director - Recreation

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

Mr. B. Farahani, Acting Manager - Business Operations

Mr. J. Schumann, Planner - Planning and Building

Ms. K. Matts, Commission Secretary

Ms. T. Cheng, Recording Secretary

The Open Commission meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JANG

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PURDY

THAT the ‘Open’ Commission meeting do now convene.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The ‘Open’ Commission meeting convened in the Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m.

2.

MINUTES

School Trustee Chen advised that she attended the 'Open' Commission meeting of 2016 February 17.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

“THAT School Trustee K. Chen be recorded as an attendee of the 'Open' Commission meeting held on 2016 February 17.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

“THAT the minutes of the 'Open' Commission meeting held on 2016 February 17 be approved as amended.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PURDY

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR ALZNER

“THAT the following items of correspondence be received.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(a)

The City Clerk advised that Council received a report re: Environmental Strategy Draft Report and Phase 3 Public Consultation.  A copy of the report was sent to the Commission for information.

(b)

Katie Bell, Administrative Support Staff, Resource Development, The United Way of the Lower Mainland requested 100 one time leisure passes for their United for Refugees Welcome Lunch at Edmonds Community School on 2016 April 16.  This event is to provide new refugees with a way to connect with people around them and learn about resources and programs offered in their community.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ALZNER

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR KANG

"THAT 100 drop-in complimentary passes be donated to the United Way of the Lower Mainland for the United for Refugees Welcome Lunch on 2016 April 16."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.

REPORTS

(a)

The Chair submitted his report re: 2016 Committee and Liaison Member Appointments for the approval of the Commission.

It was recommended:

1.  THAT the 2016 Committee and Liaison Member Appointments be approved.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

"THAT the recommendation be approved."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Commissioner Purdy inquired regarding the ‘to be determined’ liaison appointments.

The Director advised that these liaison appointments will be made at a future meeting.

Commissioner Peppard volunteered to be a Liaison Member to the Advisory Planning Commission.

(b)      The Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services submitted his Report No. 3, dated 2016 March 16, covering the following items listed as i - iii.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PEPPARD

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

"THAT the Director's Report be received."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

i)

Fee waiver request - Gababouts 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 $520.00 for the use of Studio 103 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on 2016 July 13 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 PURDY

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JANG

"THAT the two recommendations be approved."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ii)

2016 March - Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Capital Funding Bylaw

The 2016 Provisional Financial Plan for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services contains six projects to be funded from Capital Reserves.  To enable work to go ahead on these projects, approval was requested to bring down a bylaw for funding.

It was recommended:

1.      THAT the expenditure of $425,000 from the 2016 Provisional Financial Plan for the projects outlined in this report be approved.

2.      THAT Council be requested to bring down a bylaw to appropriate $444,860 (inclusive of GST) from Capital Reserves to finance these projects.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PEPPARD

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PURDY

"THAT the two recommendations be approved."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

iii)

Community participation in Environmental Programs

City staff and CUPE Local 23, in co-operation with local streamkeeper groups, neighbourhood and community groups have supported annual stream and neighbourhood clean-ups as well as other restoration activities over the years.  These community events typically coincide with an opportunity for environmental grant funding, or an annual environmental campaign.  Community participation fosters community spirit, a sense of pride and ownership to parks and the community.

School Trustee Chen advised that ‘Edmonds Business and Community Association’ has changed its name to Edmonds People in Community.

Staff will check the name of the organization.

It was recommended:

1.    THAT this report be received for information purposes.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PURDY

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALZNER

"THAT the recommendation be approved."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Jang inquired regarding outdoor events and concerts this year.

Staff advised that from May to August there are various special events and concerts including the Canada Day celebration in Swangard Stadium and Burnaby Village Museum, Rhododendron Festival, Blues Festival, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Concert as well as other concerts in Deer Lake Park.

Councillor Kang encouraged Commissioners to engage in events and provide feedback in the Phase 3 Public Consultation of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy which has entered into its final stage.  Commissioners will be invited to the City’s Environment Festival. At the Great Salmon Send-Off at Stoney Creek Community School on May 28^th, staff will talk about environmental sustainability.

Commissioner Loftus advised there was coverage in the media about changing play structures in the playground to allow free play for children.  He requested that staff provide a report about a change in playground structures to allow children engage in more free, spontaneous and imaginative activities. 

The Chair commented that at the BC Parks and Recreation Association’s symposium 2 years ago, there was a presentation about the impact of limited play on children.

The Director advised that there was discussion about innovative development at the Metro Vancouver Administrators’ Workshop last week. At the Administrative Workshop in January sponsored by the Recreation Foundation of BC, a presentation was made by Heather Turner, Director of North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission, on taking away the hyper concern on liability and allowing children to experience free play.  In our playground design, we try to incorporate more natural play elements. The Commission consented that Heather Turner be invited to make a presentation.

Councillor Kang advised that she telephoned the Bonsor Recreation Centre to report a disorderly incident in the skateboard park near the playground but was referred to call the City’s emergency line as the security of the skateboard park is in the City’s jurisdiction.

Staff will check the jurisdiction.

6.

INQUIRIES

School Trustee Chen commended the Commission and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services for offering recreation programs and activities for students during the spring break.

The Chair noted that there are no camps for youth of 13 to 18 years of age in spring break and summer and inquired if it is due to a lack of funding.

The Director advised that staff will provide the information to the Commission.

7.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

“THAT the 'Open' Commission meeting do now adjourn.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The 'Open' meeting adjourned at 19:40 hr.

________________________

________________________

Kathryn Matts

COMMISSION SECRETARY                  

Councillor Nick Volkow

CHAIR