EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

MINUTES

An Open meeting of the Executive Committee of Council was held in the Council Committee Room, Main Floor, City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC on Wednesday, 2020 February 05 at 4:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:    Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, Chair

                        Mayor Mike Hurley, Vice Chair

Councillor Paul McDonell, Member

                        Councillor James Wang, Member

ABSENT:       Councillor Pietro Calendino, Member (due to illness)

STAFF:          Mr. Lambert Chu, City Manager

   Ms. Noreen Kassam, Director Finance

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

Mr. David Jordan, Arts Services Manager

Ms. Elaine Wong, Executive Assistant to the Mayor

Ms. Nikolina Vracar, Administrative Officer 2

The Chair called the Open meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.

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

2.

MINUTES

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL

Seconded by COUNCILLOR WANG

THAT the minutes of the Executive Committee of Council Open meeting held on 2019 December 04 be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DELEGATIONS

Mr. Raj Singh Toor, Vice President and Spokesperson, Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society, appeared before the Committee to request naming of a civic asset in memory of the Komagata Maru passengers.

Mr. Toor advised that the Komagata Maru ship arrived in Vancouver on 1914 May 23 carrying 376 passengers from India. The Provincial and Federal Governments prevented passengers from disembarking, and limited the local Sikh community’s access to the ship to provide food, water and medication. The ship was forced to return to India where British troops killed, injured and imprisoned the passengers.

The Provincial and Federal Governments have apologized for the incident, and the City of Brampton, Ontario, has opened a park in memory of the passengers.

In conclusion, Mr. Toor requested that the City name a civic asset (i.e. street or park) in memory of the Komagata Maru passengers.

The Committee inquired regarding other BC municipalities’ initiatives on this matter.

The delegation advised that the City of Surrey has unveiled a commemorative street sign on the 75A Avenue.

Staff advised that the Federal Government has built a Komagata Maru monument in Coal Harbour.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY MAYOR HURLEY

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL

THAT the delegation’s request be REFERRED to staff for a report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Mr. Andy Price, Executive Director, Ms. Dani Langford, Physiotherapist and Program Lead, BACK in the Game Program, and Mr. Jermaine John-Archer, Strength and Conditioning Coach and Program Lead, LifelongSTRONG Program, The Fortius Foundation, appeared before the Committee to provide information on community programs.

The delegation advised that the charitable Foundation owns the Fortius Sport & Health facility in Burnaby, and supports individuals’ fitness and recreational goals through programs, including:

·         BACK in the Game (multidisciplinary program for youth ages 11 to 17 with back pain returning to sport and regular physical activity);

·         LifeLongSTRONG (strength and balance, low impact cardiovascular and mobility program for adults); and

·         KidsMove Schools (inclusive physical literacy program for children ages nine to 12 which increases participants’ confidence and physical activity).

BACK in the Game has 80% success rate, and the KidsMove Schools has engaged over 1,250 children and 50 teachers. The Foundation’s programs are supported by many organizations in the community, including Burnaby Firefighters and the City.

In conclusion, the delegation requested an operating grant in support of its capacity to extend programs and enhance their sustainability.

The Committee inquired if funding may be provided for a specific program, and regarding the use of an operating grant (compared to a program grant provided in 2019). Further, the Committee inquired if program participants incur any cost.

Mr. Price confirmed that funding can be targeted, and advised the grant would be used to: build the fundraising and research capacity (to understand the programs’ impact) and increase awareness about the programs.

The School District 41 covers the transportation costs for the KidsMove Schools, and participants do not incur any costs. Further, Mr. Price advised that the Foundation offers bursaries for the BACK in the Game and subsidizes the LifelongSTRONG.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY MAYOR HURLEY

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL

THAT the delegation’s request be REFERRED to staff for a report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence was received from Mr. Raj Singh Toor, Vice President and Spokesperson, Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society, requesting naming of a civic asset in memory of the Komagata Maru passengers.

This matter was dealt with under Item 3(a).

Correspondence was received from Ms. Amrita Narciso, seeking inclusion of independent and private school students in the City’s Bursary Award Policy and Program.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY MAYOR HURLEY

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL

THAT the correspondence be REFERRED to staff for a report.

CARRIED UNANIOMUSLY

Correspondence was received from Ms. Helen Ward, expressing concerns regarding exclusion of independent school and home schooled students from the City’s Bursary Award Policy and Program.

This matter was dealt with under Item 4(b).

A memorandum was received from the Director Finance in response to funding request from Tourism Burnaby’s delegation at the 2019 December 04 Open meeting regarding BASHFest, an inaugural competitive gaming event to be held in Burnaby on 2020 February 21 to 23. 

MOVED BY MAYOR HURLEY

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR WANG

THAT the correspondence be received for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

REPORTS

The Director Finance submitted a report seeking Council’s authorization to award the 2020 lunch/dinner grants to Burnaby-based seniors groups

The Director Finance recommended:

1.    THAT the Executive Committee recommend Council award a grant increase in the amount $2.00 per person for a total value of $10.00 per person to Burnaby-based seniors groups applying for a 2020 lunch or dinner grant.

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR wang

Seconded by COUNCILLOR mcdonell

THAT the recommendation of the Director Finance be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.

FESTIVALS BURNABY GRANTS APPROVED BUDGET - $250,000

7.

NEW APPLICATIONS - FESTIVALS BURNABY

(a) Small Scale Events

Staff advised that the festival location has been changed to Swangard Stadium. 

MOVED BY mayor hurley

Seconded by COUNCILLOR wang

THAT a grant in the amount of $2,000 be awarded to the Mali Kurdistanian Society to assist with the cost of Kurdish New Year Nawruz to be held on 2020 March 21 at Swangard Stadium.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOVED BY mayor hurley

Seconded by COUNCILLOR wang

THAT a grant in the amount of $3,500 be awarded to the Vancouver Cantonese Opera to assist with the cost of Bamboo Theatre: A Cantonese Opera Festival to be held on 2020 May 30 at the Michael J. Fox Theatre.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.

COMMUNITY GRANTS APPROVED BUDGET - $400,000

9.

NEW APPLICATIONS - COMMUNITY GRANTS

MOVED BY mayor hurley

Seconded by COUNCILLOR wang

THAT a grant in the amount of $500 be awarded to Cumberland Place Community to assist with the cost of hosting a block party on 2020 July 18 in Burnaby.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOVED BY MAYOR HURLEY

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR WANG

THAT this grant application be TABLED.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The grant application was TABLED pending staff report requested under Item 3(b).

MOVED BY MAYOR hurley

Seconded by COUNCILLOR wang

THAT an in-kind grant in the amount of $1,500 be awarded to Burnaby Hospice Society to assist with printing of promotional materials the 18th annual Hike for Hospice Burnaby to be held on Sunday, 2020 May 3 in Central Park, Burnaby.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR wang

Seconded by COUNCILLOR mcdonell

THAT an operating grant in the amount of $5,000 be awarded to the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC in support of programs and services provided to Burnaby residents.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR wang

Seconded by mayor hurley

THAT an operating grant in the amount of $8,000 be awarded to the Cameray Child and Family Services in support of the Burnaby Early Childhood Development (ECD) Community Table’s Program Coordinator position.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.

NEW BUSINESS

His Worship, Mayor Hurley – Notice of Motion – Burnaby Pride Community Celebration

His Worship, Mayor Hurley, provided the Committee with the following Notice of Motion:

“WHEREAS limited services and supports for the LGBTQIA2s+ community currently exist in Burnaby; and

WHEREAS within this local context, the hosting of an annual Pride event is of particular importance as a symbol of visible community inclusion and celebration; and

WHEREAS for the larger Burnaby community, the event promotes understanding and fosters a sense of community while symbolizing the City’s commitment to celebrating diversity and creating inclusion;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to bring forward a report to the Executive Committee of Council outlining avenues for the City to support the financial and operational sustainability of the annual Burnaby Pride community celebration.”

Without objection by any member, the Notice of Motion was waived and the motion was before the Committee:

MOVED BY MAYOR HURLEY

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL

WHEREAS limited services and supports for the LGBTQIA2s+ community currently exist in Burnaby; and

WHEREAS within this local context, the hosting of an annual Pride event is of particular importance as a symbol of visible community inclusion and celebration; and

WHEREAS for the larger Burnaby community, the event promotes understanding and fosters a sense of community while symbolizing the City’s commitment to celebrating diversity and creating inclusion;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to bring forward a report to the Executive Committee of Council outlining avenues for the City to support the financial and operational sustainability of the annual Burnaby Pride community celebration.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.

INQUIRIES

There were no inquiries brought before the Committee at this time.

12.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY councillor Mcdonell

Seconded by councillor Wang

THAT the Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Committee meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.