Board Meeting Highlights
october 27, 2008

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 website on the Monday one week prior to the next scheduled Board meeting.

Meeting Agenda - October 27 , 2008

CHAIR'S REPORT

The Chair reported on the Active Communities Adventure Passport awards to the top three schools, and ceremonies at City Hall celebrating the start of the Diwali festival. She also acknowledged Commissioner Robertson on his recent recognition by BCIT as a Distinguished Alumnus.

PRESENTATION

The Park Board received the 2008 Canadian Parks and Recreation Association Award of Excellence and Innovation for the submission: Stanley Park Restoration - From Crisis to Opportunity.

GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT

Park Board related items on Council and Committee agenda this week are presentation of the Cultural Harmony Awards and tree planting, 2008 Sport Hosting Grants, Consultant Contracts for Hastings Park Master Plan, and Changes to City Council Procedural By-laws.

COMMITTEE REPORT

On the most recent Committee agenda were Stanley Park Entrance Public Art, Evaluation of Kits Farmers' Market, Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre Program Update, Administrative Report - Position Change, and Fees & Charges - Policy Review.

STAFF REPORTS

Park Naming: 37th & Oak and 72nd & Osler
As part of the new park naming process, the park site at 37th & Oak was named "Oak Meadows Park" and the park site at 72nd & Osler was named "Ebisu Park". The work, designed to involve the public and bring more consistency, was led by a citizen-based Park Naming Committee.

Vancouver Sport Hosting Grant - 2008 Allocations
The Board endorsed recommendations in the Council Report to support a range of major and community sporting events not eligible under the HostingBC Program. The operating grants, totalling $94,000, were provided to 7 groups.

Administrative Report - Position Changes
The creation of one regular full-time position was approved for the new Aquatic Centre at Hillcrest Park, subject to classification by the General Manager of Human Resources. The addition of this specialized position - Aquatic Centre Supervisor - is required to lead staff at the new destination pool complex, now being built.

Stanley Park - Hollow Tree Update
The Board received a report for information on the Hollow Tree in Stanley Park; and encouraged the Stanley Park Hollow Tree Conservation Society to continue fundraising, to prepare the required structural engineering report (with seal of certification) on the entire project including methodology for straightening the Hollow Tree, and plans and specifications for the structure required to maintain the tree in a safe, vertical position with discreet internal supports, and to submit a final report to the Board at least two weeks prior to the end of the 60-day fundraising period (December 4, 2008) at which time the Board can consider approval of the concept, having the appropriate background materials in hand.

MOTIONS

Motion - Golf
The Board put forward a Motion that Park Board staff be instructed to negotiate a Facility Agreement with the First Tee (youth golf program) of Metro Vancouver for the use of Park Board facilities subject to consideration and approval by the Board. The Motion carried.

Motion - Purchasing
The Board put forward a Motion that the Board direct staff to review and report on identifying opportunities to enhance the level of Canadian content in future purchases (of goods and services). The Motion failed.

NEXT MEETING

The next regular Park Board meeting will be held at 7 pm on Monday, November 24, 2008.