Committee and Board Meeting Highlights
July 23, 2012
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 - July 23, 2012
Park Board Committee Meeting
Staff Reports
Proposal for Landscape Enhancement Commemorating Irish Canadian Contributions in Thornton Park
The Board accepted the donation of a landscape feature in Thornton Park commemorating the contributions of Irish Canadians to Vancouver and Canada. The feature will consist of a circular garden bed with several concrete monument columns.
Dog Off-Leash Area Guidelines
The Board approved the Dog Off-Leash Area Guidelines and directed staff to report back in the Fall with next steps including a public consultation strategy for identifying priority projects and improvements to the off leash network.
Food Assets Task Force – Terms of Reference
The Board approved the Terms of Reference for the Local Food Assets Task Force, and appointed Commissioners Aaron Jasper and Niki Sharma as co-chairs of the board advisory group which will make policy recommendations and identify opportunities to increase and integrate food assets into the parks and recreation system. The Board directed staff to report back in one year with an update on the cost and progress of the task force.
Fees and Charges
Changes to the 2012 Fees and Charges were approved, effective September 1. This one-time adjustment shifts the timing of fee increases to match with the start of the school year.
Community Garden at Woodland Park
The Board approved the use of an area within Woodland Park for the purposes of a community garden. A five-year license was granted to the Volunteer Village Vancouver Transition Society to operate the East Vancouver garden.
Motions
Commissioner Coupar put forward a motion that the Board direct staff to work with the City of Vancouver legal services to develop strategies and legal means to ensure that parks and green spaces are protected in perpetuity; and that the public be fully informed on a regular basis on progress and that staff report back to the Board on such progress every six months. The motion was deferred to a future meeting.
Commissioner Coupar put forward a motion re protecting commercial bicycle rentals. The motion was amended to move that the board affirm its support for Park Board staff, and to engage City staff, to work with local bicycle rental businesses in the design and implementation of a public bike share system and the location of rental stations. The motion as amended carried.
Commissioner De Genova put forward a motion re discounted rates and fees for persons with disabilities. The motion was amended to move that the board direct staff to consult with the City of Vancouver Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee to develop a strategy to reduce financial barriers at all Park Board facilities and programs for persons with disabilities including access, exploring options such as but not limited to discounted rates offered to children and seniors. The motion as amended carried. The Board further directed staff to consult with the City of Vancouver Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee to ensure Park Board addresses issues of physical accessibility to Community Centres, recreational facilities and programs in Vancouver.
Commissioner Blyth put forward a motion that was severed into two motions. The first motion: that the Park Board, as the organization that manages the seawall with City Engineering, direct Park Board staff to work with city staff as appropriate to develop options for connecting the seawall from Jericho to Kits Beach and provide a timeline and cost estimates for these options, as well as address any environmental and First Nations concerns with the proposals, was deferred. The second motion: that the Park Board, as the organization that manages the seawall with City Engineering, direct staff report back on ways to improve public access along the Fraser River, and provide a timeline and cost estimates for these options, as well as address any environmental and First Nations concerns with the proposals, was carried.
Regular Board Meeting
Chair's Report
The Chair reported on recent events: Vancouver Folk Music Festival reception, Tanning is Out campaign, reopening of Mt. Pleasant Park, and unveiling of Komagata Maru monument.
Report of the Park Board Committee
The Board approved the recommendations of Committee: Proposal for Landscape Enhancement Commemorating Irish Canadian Contributions in Thornton Park, Fees and Charges, Dog Off-Leash Area Guidelines, Community Garden at Woodland Park, Food Assets Task Force – Terms of Reference and Motions re Protecting Commercial Bicycle Rentals, Discounted Rates and Fees for Persons with Disabilities, and Seawall and Improving of Public Access to Fraser River (see Committee highlights above).
Notice of Motion
Commissioner De Genova put forward a notice of motion re Improving accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities at community gardens.
Next Meetings
The next Park Board Committee Meeting will be held at 7 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012 at 2099 Beach Avenue with next Regular Park Board Meeting held immediately following the Committee Meeting that evening.
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