Board Meeting Highlights
February 12, 2007

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 - February 12, 2007

CHAIR'S REPORT

The Chair thanked Daniel Frankel and organizers as well as Park Board staff for putting on last week's Renewal of the Jewel fundraiser in Stanley Park; the gala event raised approximately $120,000 to support restoration efforts.

GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT

Park Board-related items at recent and upcoming Council and Committees include:   VPD operational review, 2007 Operating Budget interim estimates, form of development for new recreational facilities in Hillcrest Park, annual event guidelines, request for liquor licence at Vancouver Rowing Club, and moorage and other fees for Heather Marina.

COMMITTEE REPORT

The last Planning Committee meeting agenda included a proposal for naming parks and the 2007 International Triathalon trial.

PRESENTATIONS

Super Save Group made a generous donation to the Stanley Park Restoration Project, presenting a cheque for $100,000. The newly produced video about the Stanley Park windstorm and park restoration was shown.

STAFF REPORTS

Nelson Park Upgrade
The contract for construction of the West End's Nelson Park was awarded to Cedar Crest Lands BC for $715,422, and the Board reserved $52,000 out of the 2007 Capital Budget for completion of the upgrade. The community has endorsed the revised scope of this challenging project.

Naming Policies for Park Board Community Facilities
The Board postponed a decision on naming policies for its facilities, until further information from staff comes back to them. The proposed policies set out guidelines and decision-making framework for naming public facilities under the Park Board's care and control, both in exchange for financial consideration and in honour of outstanding achievement. Council approved a similar policy last Fall.

Ethical Purchasing Policy Update
An information report was received on the Park Board's Ethical Purchasing Policy, following an amendment to the policy last year which, for resale agricultural and apparel items, allowed for more flexibility to operate cost-effectively and offer more choice to consumers. Staff are working with the City towards improved ethical and sustainable purchasing.

Harbour Green Restaurant Design
The Board approved the schematic design for the new Harbour Green Park restaurant to be located on the seawall just west of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre expansion. When the Development Permit is obtained for the two-level building, proposals will be requested from prospective restaurant developer/operators.

MOTION

The Board put forward a motion to send a letter to Federal Minister of Human Resources, Monte Solberg, with a copy to Vancouver Federal MPs, asking for confirmation of 2007 funding to the Summer Career Placement Program for summer day camps, and consultation with those affected if the government plans to make changes to the program. The program currently funds 27% of Vancouver's community association-based day camps for children 3-15 years. The motion carried.

NEXT MEETING

The next regular meeting of the Park Board will be held at 7pm on Monday, February 26, 2007 at 2099 Beach Avenue.