Committee and Board Meeting Highlights

APRIL 14

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 - April 14, 2014

Park Board Committee Meeting

Chair’s Report
The Vice-Chair reported on recent events: Sakura Days at VanDusen Botanical Garden and launch of City Bird competition.

Presentation
The Park Board presented a cheque for $119,469 to the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund, its share of the Bright Nights in Stanley Park train admission revenues. 2013 was the 16th year the Park Board partnered with the Fund to organize the popular seasonal light show.

Motion
Commissioner Barnes put forward a motion that:

• The Chair write a letter to the Mayor indicating the Park Board’s concerns with Canada Post’s plan (on changes to postal delivery);
• The Board refuses to allow the installation of community mailboxes on parkland and green spaces under the jurisdiction of the Board;
• Staff report back to Commissioners on potential options to mitigate the impacts of this new Canada Post policy, in order to ensure the most positive outcome possible for the residents of Vancouver;
• Staff report back to Commissioners on what form of consultation process the Park Board/City of Vancouver can expect with Canada Post.

The motion carried.

Regular Board Meeting

In Camera
Park Board approved holding an In Camera meeting on April 28, 2014.

General Manager’s Report
Park Board related items at Council and Committee this week include an Urban Forest Strategy update and Protection of Trees Bylaw amendment, Pollinator Project Motion, and City’s Digital Strategy update.

Report of the Park Board Committee
The Board approved the recommendation of Committee: Notice re Postal Delivery changes (see Highlights above).

Motions on Notice
Commissioner Loke put forward a motion:

THAT the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, in cooperation with the City of Vancouver, direct the General Manager to work with the Chief Digital Officer of the City of Vancouver to develop a strategy with the goal of implementing free public WiFi internet access across the City of Vancouver, including parks, beaches and other spaces under the jurisdiction of the Vancouver Park Board;

And further that the General Manager, working with the Chief Digital Officer of the City of Vancouver, report back to the Vancouver Park Board with a project outline that includes estimated costs and a timeline toward implementation.

The motion carried.

Commissioner Sharma put forward a motion:

That the Vancouver Park Board is opposed to the Park Amendment Act and directs staff to write to the Provincial Government to request a reversal of this legislation and to restore the original Park Act to provide better protection to British Columbia’s vital network of park land.

The motion was referred to the next Park Board Committee meeting in order to hear from speakers.

Notice of Motions
Commissioner Blyth on behalf of Chair Jasper gave notice of motion re Cetaceans in Stanley Park.
Commissioner Coupar gave notice of motion re Expanded Fenced Dog Park.

Next Meeting
The next Park Board Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 2099 Beach Avenue with the next Regular Park Board Meeting held immediately following the Committee Meeting that evening.

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