Board Meeting Highlights
May 15, 2006

The following information is intended to provide quick highlights of this scheduled Board meeting. Every attempt has been made to summarize these highlights as accurately as possible; however, the complete and official minutes will be posted on the web site on the Monday one week prior to the next scheduled Board meeting.

Meeting Agenda - May 15, 2006

CHAIR'S REPORT

The Chair congratulated Commissioner Herbert who recently won a 2006 City Youth Award in the 19-24 age category, for his employment with the Judith Marcuse project.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The last Planning Committee Agenda included Park Naming for the Oak and 72nd Park Site and GVRD sewer right-of-way. On the Finance Committee Agenda was the 2006 Operating Budget.

GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT

Park Board-related items on Council agenda this week:  options for City involvement in celebrating international events such as International Women's Day; community gardens pilot project; development options for the replacement of Firehall #15; and 2009 World Police and Fire Games in Vancouver.

PRESENTATION

The 2006 BC Recreation and Parks Association Award for Environmental Leadership was presented to the Everett Crowley Park Management Plan. The former site of a City landfill, the heavily forested park is the second largest in Vancouver after Stanley Park.

STAFF REPORTS

Dogs Off-Leash
Following public consultation, the Board approved the extension of the off-leash hours at Cooper's Park to all day use; and referred the results of the public process for Stanley, Devonian, Creekside and CRAB Park at Portside to the "Dogs Off-Leash Task Force" for review and recommendation.

Oak & 37th Park Site Design and Funding
The design plan for the park site at Oak Street and 37th Avenue was approved. It provides for more detail and some changes compared to the conceptual design approved last June for the neighborhood park, and includes a playfield, children's playground, off-leash dog area, and meadow and trails in a naturalistic setting. Staff are currently negotiating an agreement and funding contribution from the Conseil Scolarie Francophone. Construction is scheduled to commmence in September. The Board also endorsed the approach to find an appropriate site for an interim BMX/mountain biking facility.

Replacement of Firehall #15
The Board encouraged City Council to seek options for the replacement and/or retention of 90 year old Firehall #15 that do not involve the use of Renfrew Park, as this would not be within the Park Board's mandate nor serve the Board's interests within tolerable levels of financial exposure.

Prince of Whales Tour Board Proposal
Recommendations in the staff report to approve a pilot project for a Prince of Whales Tour Boat out of Harbour Green Park went forward to the Board but were not seconded; therefore there was no discussion on this agenda item.

Stanley Park Heronry Management Report
The Board received the Stanley Park Heronry Management Plan, which provides guidelines to park staff to reduce the risk that community activities and maintenance projects adversely affect the colony's success. The Great Blue Heron found in Stanley Park is protected by Provincial and Federal regulations. Nest numbers of this urban colony situated adjacent to the Park Board offices have grown to over 170 in 2005.

Pre 2000, 2000-2002, 2003-2005 Capital Plan Close-Outs
The Board endorsed the recommendations in the City's adminstrative report on the close-out of Park Board Capital Plan items for the periods pre 2000, 2000-2002, and 2003-2005. Close-outs of completed projects where expenditures differ by $50,000 and 15% of the approved budgets require Council approval. These close-out reviews identify sources of funds that can be transferred to other projects to balance any deficits or surpluses.

MOTION

Commissioner Herbert put forward a Motion that the Park Board request Council to reconsider its decision on the elimination of the Child and Youth Advocate and Youth Advocate Mentor position. The Motion was defeated.

NEXT MEETING

The next regular meeting of the Park Board will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, May 29, 2006 at 2099 Beach Avenue.