PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES

Wednesday, 2016 May 18

An Open meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission was held in the Gymnasium, Byrne Creek Secondary School, 7777 18^th Street, Burnaby  on Wednesday, 2016 May 18 at 7:05 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

Councillor N. Volkow, Chair

Commissioner K. Alzner

Commissioner J. Jang

Councillor A. Kang

Commissioner B. Larkin

Commissioner L. Loftus,

Commissioner L. Matricardi

Commissioner W. Peppard

Commissioner K. Purdy

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

Mr. D. Pelletier, Manager - Business Operations

Mr. E. Bientjes, Manager Recreation Services

Mr. Johannes Schumann, Planner - Planning and Building

Ms. Kathryn Matts, Commission Secretary

Ms. Theresa Cheng, Recording Secretary

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

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JANG

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

“THAT the Open Commission meeting do now convene.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2.

MINUTES

a)

Open meeting of 2016 April 20

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PURDY

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

“THAT the minutes of the Open Commission meeting held on 2016 April 20 be now adopted.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALZNER

“THAT the following items of correspondence be received.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(a)

Mr. Ben Oliver, Chair of Adrian Oliver Memorial Run, requested a full or partial fee waiver for the use of Deer Lake Park and the Shadbolt Centre for a charitable event on 2016 November 13 to raise funds for the Honour House Society.

Director’s Report Item (ii) referred to the correspondence.

(b)

The Administrative Officer advised that Council at the meeting of 2016 May 09 received a report re: Bonsor Upper Floor Renovation and adopted the recommendations.  A copy of the report was forwarded to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission for information.

(c)

The Administrative Officer advised that Council at the meeting of 2016 May 09 received a report re: Proposed South Burnaby Arena and adopted the recommendations. A copy of the report was forwarded to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission for information.

4.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

(a)

The Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services submitted his Report No. 5, dated 2016 May 18, covering the following items listed as i - iv.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PURDY

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MATRICARDI

"THAT the Director's Report be received."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(i)

Fees and Charges Updates for Outdoor Pool Rental and Student Filming Parks

At the Commission meeting of 2016 April 20, a delegation was received from Ms. Laura Marquez, President of Burnaby Barracudas Swim Club.  Included in the delegation was a request for a review of outdoor pool rental rates for Burnaby swim clubs.  A fee review indicated that a fee adjustment for outdoor pool rental rates for Burnaby aquatic clubs is supportable to align with regional rates.  The fee review also indicated that there should be no charge for Student Filming in Parks.

It was recommended:

1.   THAT the updates to the Burnaby Recreation Fees and Admissions bylaw be approved as presented in this report.

2.   THAT Council be requested to bring forward the Burnaby Recreation Fees and Admissions Bylaw with the additional updates as presented in this report.

                3.    THAT a copy of the report be forwarded to Laura Marquez, President, Burnaby Barracudas Swim Club.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MATRICARDI

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PEPPARD

"THAT the three recommendations be approved."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(ii)

Fee Waiver Request - Deer Lake Park/Shadbolt Centre

Mr. Ben Oliver, Chair, Adrian Oliver Memorial Run, requested a fee waiver for the use of Deer Lake Park and the Shadbolt Centre on 2016 November 13 to raise funds for Honour House.  Dependent on donations, Honour House provides a place for recovery for military personnel and first responders who are receiving medical care or coping with sudden tragedy.  The group requested a fee waiver totalling $1,519.24 for the use of the Shadbolt Centre East Plaza, Studios 100/101 and Deer Lake Park.  The allotment fees for fund raising and charitable events are in place to offset a portion of operating costs for spaces and facilities.

It was recommended:

1.        THAT the request for a fee waiver for the use of Deer Lake Park and the Shadbolt Centre for the Honour House Society event on 2016 November 13 be denied.

2.       THAT a copy of this report be sent to Mr. Ben Oliver, Chair, Adrian Oliver Memorial Run.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JANG

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MATRICARDI

"THAT the two recommendations be approved."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(iii)

2016/2017 Community School Grant

The City of Burnaby and School District #41 have been working together since 1974 to provide services to the citizens of Burnaby. Burnaby's Community Schools fill a valuable role in their communities by providing meeting and program space and services during out of school times to local residents.  The District Community School Advisory and Coordinating Committee approved the 2016/2017 Community School budget and requested that the School District and the City of Burnaby provide funds for the continued operation of the eight Community Schools for the upcoming school year.  The budget provides for a $4,267 increase to address projected increases for employee benefits and inflation for supplies and services for 2016/2017.

It was recommended:

1.    THAT approval be given for the expenditure of $464,923 as the City of Burnaby’s share of the operating funds for the 2016/2017 Community School Program.

2.    THAT Council authorize the execution of an agreement with the Burnaby School District #41 for the support and operation of eight community schools (Edmonds, Gilmore, Lochdale, Maywood, Second Street, Stride Avenue, Byrne Creek and Stoney Creek).

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

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PEPPARD

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MATRICARDI

"THAT the three recommendations be approved."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(iv)

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

The 2016 Provisional Financial Plan for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services contains four 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 $403,000 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 $421,830          (inclusive of GST) from Capital Reserves to finance these projects. 

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PURDY

"THAT the two recommendations be approved."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Larkin referred to an article in a local newspaper about residents having difficulty in developing community gardens because of restrictions from the City and commented that the community garden in the Big Bend area is a little out of the way.

The Director advised that the City has a very large community garden in the Big Bend area, which is operated by the Burnaby and Regional Allotment Gardens Association. The large size of the City’s allotment garden in one central location is compared very favourably to those of any other municipality. People have looked for community gardens at various preferred locations. Parks and Planning staff have also investigated potential sites in other areas of the City.  The sites have to meet the criteria of ease of administration, accessibility, prevention of vandalism and other considerations so that they will not pose problems in the future.  It is our plan to have three community gardens in the City.

Commissioner Jang advised that during the BCRPA Symposium in Whistler he received information from another community that they are looking at a convertible system for their new ice rink to improve accessibility especially for sledge hockey. The convertible system will have the benches fold out while the boards with low visibility windows allow spectators to watch the action in the rink.  This convertible system may be considered for our new ice rink.

Staff will investigate the convertible system.

Commissioner Loftus suggested that staff investigate the inclusion of a covered sports box in the vicinity of the new ice arena under discussion in the Edmonds area.

On behalf of the Commission and staff, Commissioner Loftus thanked Commissioner Jang for attending the meeting on his birthday and wished him a happy birthday.

6.

INQUIRIES

Commissioner Alzner advised that she received a telephone call from Ms. Sheryl Nichols, a Burnaby resident, who inquired if the City has been educating new residents about dog waste disposal.

Staff advised that in off-leash areas, dog owners are encouraged to put dog waste in the waste receptacles installed there.  Education of dog owners will continue.  Enforcement of proper waste disposal has been difficult.

The Chair thanked Commissioner Matricardi, Deputy Chair, members of the Commission and staff for covering the meetings during his absence.

7.

PUBLIC COMMENT/QUESTION PERIOD

Ms. Diane Gillis, 6675 St. Charles Place, Burnaby, expressed appreciation of the remarkable transformation in the Royal Oak area which has become so much more appealing. The majority of the development is mixed residential and commercial buildings on the major road.  The park space in the original Royal Oak plan seemed to have slowly disappeared.  Ms. Gillis inquired if there is any plan to re-introduce green space on Grimmer Street and Antrim Avenue and she will bring this information to the Kingsway Imperial Neighbourhood Association.

The Chair advised that both locations mentioned by Ms. Gillis have been deemed unsuitable for neighbourhood parks.  Planning staff could explain the process of developing green space undertaken by the City and various departments in the Royal Oak Plan.

Planning staff advised that a report will be submitted to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission and City Council with an update on the open space area in the Royal Oak development plan resulting from the completion of acquisition on Grimmer and Lane Streets.  There will be green space but it is not identified as yet.

Ms. Gillis will relay this information to the Kingsway Imperial Neighbourhood Association.  Ms. Gillis thanked staff for installing the dog walk along the corridor under the Royal Oak Skytrain which has addressed the old safety concerns.

Mr. Jeremy Roberts, 7314 Barnet Road, Burnaby, advised that he has been a Burnaby resident for 35 years and a former member of gun clubs on Barnet Highway.  The gun clubs were closed by Council.  There was a promise that another gun range would be open.

The Chair advised that it was a public decision which was supported by the Simon Fraser University to close the gun ranges for a number of reasons in the 1980’s.  The current Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission is not involved.  Since then there has been development on top of Burnaby Mountain.  In retrospect, the decision was correct.  There has never been a promise to open a gun club in Burnaby.

Mr. Roberts suggested that the area formally kept by the Burnaby Fish and Game Club be cleared to allow an informal target range for residents.

The Chair advised that there is no place for an outdoor target range in a major metropolitan city in 2016.

School Trustee Chen expressed appreciation of the 2016/2017 community school grant that benefits students and their families, supports the community schools and many programs that connect the community as a whole.

Ms. Katy Alkins-Jang, 7187 Dunblane Avenue, Burnaby, expressed appreciation of the clean-up of a neighbourhood park on Dunblane Avenue and south of Imperial Street and requested the removal of graffiti on the City’s bench there.

8.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

"THAT the Open Commission meeting do now adjourn."

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Commission meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Kathryn Matts

COMMISSION SECRETARY

Councillor Nick Volkow

CHAIR