Committee and Board Meeting Highlights
March 11, 2013

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 - March 11, 2013

Park Board Committee Meeting

Chair's Report
The Chair reported on recent events – Chinese New Year parade, Bloedel Conservatory funding announcement, International Women’s Day reception, and Poetry in the Park for Pauline Johnson.

Staff Reports

Food Service Update
The Board approved the updated priority objectives of the 2006 Concession Strategy Study to meet current conditions. The new objectives provide clear direction regarding Park Board food service which will result in improvements to overall operations.

Community Gardens at Charleson and Cambie Parks
The motion to establish new community gardens in Charleson Park and Cambie Park was deferred to allow for further public consultation.

Motions
Commissioner Loke put forward a motion re campaign finance reform. The motion was amended to move that the Park Board supports the Government of British Columbia implementing campaign finance rules for municipal elections, as follows:
i. to ban corporate and union donations to individual candidates and elector organizations;
ii. to set limits on annual contribution amounts to individual candidates and elector organizations;
iii. to impose annual disclosure requirements for elected officials and elector organizations for donations and expenses;
iv. to set spending limits for individual candidates and elector organizations.
And that the Park Board directs the Chair of the Park Board to write a letter to the Premier of British Columbia, British Columbia’s Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and the Chief Electoral Officer of British Columbia informing them of the Park Board’s request to introduce legislation on campaign finance reform for local government elections in British Columbia, as per this motion; and that the Park Board stands in solidarity with municipalities, citizen’s groups, political parties, labour unions, businesses and other groups who have endorsed campaign finance reform in order to improve the democratic process for citizens in British Columbia. The motion as amended was carried.

Commissioner De Genova put forward a motion re limiting the length of Board meetings. The motion was amended to move that Park Board staff work with the office of the City Clerk and update the Park Board’s Procedure By-laws and that Park Board staff hold a briefing to review Robert’s Rules of Order with the Board. The motion as amended was carried.

Commissioner Blyth put forward a motion that staff bring to the Board a recommendation for the future of the “Dude Chilling Park” sign in order to find a permanent home for it where all Vancouverites can enjoy it; and that staff bring further recommendations to the Board for ways to honour the art history of Vancouver’s parks and recreation facilities. The motion was carried.

Regular Board Meeting

Report of the Park Board Committee
The Board approved the recommendations of Committee: Food Service Update, and motions re campaign finance reform, re limiting length of board meetings and re “Dude Chilling Park” sign (see Committee highlights above).

General Manager’s Report
Park Board related items on Council and Committee agenda this week include 2013 Capital Budget Adjustments and 2012 Q4 Closeouts. He also reported on VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre’s latest honour: Wood Innovation Award by the Canadian Wood Council. The Award recognizes creative and innovative approaches in the use of wood in building design.

Notice of Motion
Commissioner Barnes put forward a notice of motion re Respectful Fair Play in Park Board Facilities.

Next Meeting
The next Park Board Committee Meeting will be held at 7 pm on Monday, April 8, 2013 at 2099 Beach Avenue with next Regular Park Board Meeting held immediately following the Committee Meeting that evening.

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