COMMUNITY HERITAGE COMMISSION

MINUTES

An Open meeting of the Community Heritage Commission was held in the Council Committee Room, City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Thursday, 2019 September 05 at 6:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

Councillor Colleen Jordan, Chair

Councillor Paul McDonell, Vice Chair

Councillor James Wang, Member

Ms. Karin Alzner, Parks, Rec. & Culture Commission Rep.

Ms. Ruby Johnson, Honorary Member Emeritus

Mr. Richard Liu, Citizen Representative

Mr. Lee Loftus, Citizen Representative

Mr. Harry Pride, Historian

Mr. Roger Whitehouse, Citizen Representative

ABSENT:

Ms. Diane Gillis, Citizen Representative

Ms. Tammy Marchioni, Citizen Representative

STAFF:

Mr. Jim Wolf, Senior Long Range Planner

Ms. Rebecca Pasch, Archivist

Ms. Deborah Tuyttens, Museum Services Supervisor

Ms. Lisa Codd, Heritage Planner

Ms. Eva Prior, Administrative Officer

The Chair called the open meeting to order at 6:02 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.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER loftus

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER alzner

THAT the following items be added to the agenda under New Business: 2020 Work Plan and Budget Process; Heritage Plaques Update; School History Book Update; and Fairacres Garage and Stables.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2.

MINUTES

a)

Minutes of the Community Heritage Commission Open meeting held on 2019 June 06    ­­­                                    ____

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LIU

SECONDED BY councillor wang

THAT the minutes of the Community Heritage Commission Open meeting held on 2019 June 06 be adopted.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

PRESENTATION

a)

CUPE 23 Centenary

Presenter: Lisa Codd, Heritage Planner

Ms. Lisa Codd, Heritage Planner, provided a presentation entitled Burnaby Civic Employees Union – 100 Years of Solidarity.

Ms. Codd thanked Council for providing support for the civic sponsored projects and programs commemorating the centenary of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 23 (CUPE 23).  Ms. Codd recognized CUPE 23 for providing funding to enable the retention of Mr. Eric Damer to conduct historical research. The speaker also acknowledged the assistance of the City Archives with locating images; Mr. Rod Nevison for designing the banners; and Dr. Allen Seager, a retired labour historian from Simon Fraser University, who acted as project advisor.

Ms. Codd advised that Councillor Jordan and Commissioner Loftus assisted with publishing a book on the history of labour in BC and thanked them for their contributions.

Ms. Codd summarized the history, as follows:

·         City was incorporated in 1892;

·         Burnaby Civic Employees Union (BCEU) formed in 1919 with 250 members, and received a charter from the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada and soon after were affiliated with the New Westminster Trades and Labor Council;

·         In 1919, a motion to recognize the union was defeated by Council.  During the 1920 local election, most members of Council who voted against recognition of the union were defeated. This began the history of the union’s involvement in local politics;

·         Mary England, was a clerk at Burnaby Municipal Hall and volunteered for women’s organizations including the Victorian Order of Nurses.  Ms. England became the first female president of the BCEU from 1922 to 1923, remaining on the executive for many years;

·         In 1932, the Province of BC took over the municipality; they reduced staff salaries, cut work hours, and let workers go.  The union struggled to represent its members as union revenues fell due to the reduced number of members;

·         The BCEU gained strength in the 1940s, achieving a closed shop in 1943; 

·         In 1955, the union joined the National Union of Public Employees, and in 1963 became a charter member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). CUPE provided professional services, access to negotiators and advice on collective bargaining; and

·         By 1981, the GVRD Labour Relations Department represented nine employers in its negotiations with over 9,000 workers bargaining as a coalition.  A strike lasting 13 weeks eventually gained wage increases but not pay equity.

In conclusion, Ms. Codd advised that CUPE 23 currently has over 3,500 members and continues to advocate for members’ rights.

The Commission thanked staff for the research and creation of the CUPE 23 Centenary banners.  The Commission queried if the banners could be displayed in Burnaby civic facilities i.e. libraries and recreation centres.

Staff undertook to follow-up with CUPE 23.

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

a)

Memorandum from Deputy City Clerk

Re:  Madge Hogarth House Demolition

A memorandum was received from Deputy City Clerk regarding correspondence referred to the Community Heritage Commission at the 2019 July 29 Council meeting.

The correspondence, submitted by Mr. Donald Luxton and addressed to Mayor and Council, was a copy of correspondence addressed to Professor Andrew Petter, President and Vice-Chancellor, Simon Fraser University (SFU), from Ms. Phyllis Lambert, Chair, Stewardship Council, Arthur Erickson Foundation requesting SFU’s assistance for the protection of the Madge Hogarth House.

Ms. Lambert advised that the Madge Hogarth House, one of the original SFU campus buildings, has been included in a recent development application submitted by SFU which proposes to demolish the structure. 

Ms. Lambert requested that SFU halt the proposed demolition and replacement of the Madge Hogarth House, and that a full heritage assessment be undertaken.

A staff report regarding the Madge Hogarth House appears as item 5 b).

b)

Memorandum from the City Archivist

Re: City of Burnaby Archives - Update

A memorandum was received from Ms. Rebecca Pasch, City Archivist, providing an update on its activities and initiatives.

Ms. Pasch advised that the digital record preservation project continues to be a staff focus. Digitally preserved records will be stored in two formats and in two geographically-separated locations.  These redundancies will ensure that the City Archives will be able to access the born-digital records in the instance of a natural disaster or technological failure.

The City Archives continues to make progress on the photographic collection.  The Hill family and Vidal family fonds are now accessible on Heritage Burnaby.

At the conclusion of the update, Councillor Jordan advised the Commission that the 2019 November 07 Community Heritage Commission meeting will now take place on 2019 November 28 at the City Archives, 4595 Albert Street (McGill Public Library) to allow for a tour of the newly renovated facilities.

5.

REPORTS

a)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: Heritage Designation Bylaw Fairacres "Estate Gate" and "Greenhouse Foundation Wall", 6344 Deer Lake Avenue       

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report seeking Council authorization to designate the historic Fairacres "Estate Gate" and "Greenhouse Foundation Wall", as part of the existing civic Heritage Site.

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

1.    THAT Council request staff to prepare a Heritage Designation Bylaw for             the Fairacres "Estate Gate" and "Greenhouse Foundation Wall" to be             advanced to First Reading and to a Public Hearing at a future date.

2.    THAT Council approve the addition of the Fairacres "Estate Gate" and             "Greenhouse Foundation Wall" to the Burnaby Community Heritage             Register as 'protected' heritage landmarks.

3.    THAT Council forward a copy of this report to the Parks, Recreation and             Culture Commission for their information.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LIU

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER loftus

THAT the recommendations of the Director Planning and Building be adopted.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

b)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: Burnaby Heritage Inventory - Simon Fraser University,

8888 University Drive                                                                     

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report providing information regarding the heritage status of Simon Fraser University (SFU) at 8888 University Drive.

The Madge Hogarth House, which was one of the original campus buildings, has been included in a recent development application submitted by SFU, which proposes to demolish the structure.

The staff report responds to the concerns raised by the Arthur Erickson Foundation regarding the ongoing development of the SFU campus and the demolition of the Madge Hogarth House. 

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

1.    THAT Council approve the creation of a report to inventory the architecture of the Simon Fraser University campus to better define this heritage resource.

2.    THAT Council request the assistance of Simon Fraser University to undertake the inventory of the campus and to establish guidelines that will assist in future reviews of development applications.

3.    THAT a copy of this report be forwarded to Professor Andrew Petter, President and Vice-Chancellor, Simon Fraser University, Donald Luxton and Associates, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture.

MOVED BY councillor mcdonell

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER pride

THAT the recommendations of the Director Planning and Building be adopted.

                                                                                   CARRIED

                                                                                   OPPOSED:

                                                                                   Commissioner Alzner

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER Loftus

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER alzner

THAT staff work to document the Madge Hogarth House should a demolition permit be issued.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY                                                              

6.

NEW BUSINESS

2020 Work Plan and Budget Process

Ms. Lisa Codd, Heritage Planner, advised that staff have been requested to participate in the Planning Department budget process to secure resources to implement heritage projects. Staff are currently working on a draft work plan for 2020 which will come before the Commission in November to establish priorities for the Commission.

Arising from discussion, and with no objection by any member, the Commission requested that staff bring forward a two year work plan in November.

Heritage Plaque Update

Ms. Lisa Codd, Heritage Planner, provided the following summary on the plaques’ installation status:

·         Lost Creek plaque unveiling will take place in the near future, the Commission will be apprised of the date and location; 

·         Shull Lumber and Shingle Co. plaque will be installed prior to the November Commission meeting;

·         Saving the Salmon plaque will be installed at the Cariboo Dam; and

·         Saving Burnaby Lake plaque will be installed near the Burnaby Lake Nature House.

School History Book Update

Ms. Lisa Codd, Heritage Planner, advised that a review of the book’s images is complete; however, the design process is outstanding.

Commissioner Pride advised that he has further submissions at his home to share with staff.

Staff will work with Commissioner Pride to collect new information.

Fairacres Garage and Stables (Ceperley Barn) 

Ms. Lisa Codd, Heritage Planner, advised that the insurance claim arising from the fire that took place has been closed.  Staff will now work on an Adaptive Reuse Study for the property which should be completed in 2019.

7.

INQUIRIES

The Chair requested staff provide an update of the Burnaby Village Museum activities.

Burnaby Village Museum

Ms. Deborah Tuyttens, Museum Service Supervisor, advised that:

·         3,600 people attended the CUPE Labour Day celebration at the Museum;

·         95,000 visitors have attended the Burnaby Village Museum to date in 2019;

·         the Carousel Plaza project is currently underway which will provide a covered walkway and gathering spots. Construction is anticipated to be completed by 2020 March; and

·         the Museum will be hosting World River’s Day on 2019 September 22 and the Halloween Haunted Village event which will take place on 2019 October 25 - 28.

Burnaby Village Museum - Asia Across the Pacific Tours

Commissioner Liu coordinated four days of visits to the BVM in 2019 August for guests to experience the site in three parts on connecting Chinese Canadian Heritage with Burnaby. The three part tours included:

1.    Demonstration Market Garden;

2.    Across the Pacific Exhibit; and

3.    Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee traditional Chinese medicine store.

Commissioner Liu advised that the medicine store has a rare, historic photograph of Dr. Sun Yat-sen in its collection. The  photograph was taken by photographer Mr. Yucho Chow in 1910 at his studio at 5 West Pender during one of Dr. Sun's three visits to the Chinese Freemasons (1897, 1910 and 1911), which was also located on 5 West Pender in Vancouver's Chinatown.

The following tours were conducted:

·         2019 August 01, Mr. George Chow, BC Minister of State for Trade, with Burnaby MLAs Ms. Anne Kang and Ms. Katrina Chen; Mayor Hurley and Councillor Jordan, Councillor Wang, and Councillor McDonell; representatives of Tourism Burnaby, Burnaby RCMP, and St. John Ambulance Burnaby Division were given a tour of the Museum by City staff;

·         2019 August 16 & 17, three group visits, organized and promoted by Pacific Canada Heritage Centre, Museum of Migration were led by "Across the Pacific" co-curator, Ms. Denise Fong; and

·         On 2019 August 18, Commissioner Liu welcomed Ms. Wendy Yip, UBC Ambassador, family and friends, on a  tour led by BVM curator, Ms. Jane Lemke.

The Commission thanked Commissioner Liu for his promotion of the Chinese Canadian Heritage exhibits at the Museum this season.

Commissioner Whitehouse – Carousel Shop, History Books

Commissioner Whitehouse queried the possibility of providing more books on the history of Burnaby in the Carousel Shop. 

Staff undertook to investigate the historical book inventory in the Carousel Shop.

Commissioner Whitehouse requested information regarding a second printing of the book entitled Tram Memories in Celebration of the Restoration of Interurban Tram 1223.  This book recollects stories of passengers that rode the tram in the 1940s and 1950s.

Staff advised that the digital copy of the original book is with the Planning and Building Department.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER WHithouse

SECONDED BY councillor mcdonell

THAT staff investigate the advisability and feasibility of printing a 2^nd edition of Tram Memories in Celebration of the Restoration of Interurban Tram 1223, and report back to the Commission.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Burnaby Neighbourhood History Speaker Series

Ms. Deborah Tuyttens, Museum Service Supervisor, advised that several of the Burnaby Neighbourhood History tours are fully booked.  If anyone is interested in attending, they must register through the Burnaby Public Library.

8.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER Liu

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOFTUS

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Eva Prior

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Colleen Jordan

CHAIR