Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLSC 2004-07-08 minutes.pdfCorporation of the District of Maple Ridge and the Corporation of the District of Pitt Meadows MAPLE RIDGE and PITT MEADOWS PARKS & LEISURE SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission, held in the Council Chambers, Pitt Meadows Municipal Hall, 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, on Thursday, July 8, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Commissioner Kathy Morse, Chair Commissioner Don MacLean Commissioner Cheryl Ashlie Commissioner Judy Dueck Commissioner Debra Eisel Commissioner Craig Speirs Commissioner Dave Rempel Commissioner Gwen O'Connell District of Maple Ridge, Mayor District of Pitt Meadows, Mayor School District No. 42, Trustee Chair District of Maple Ridge, Councillor District of Pitt Meadows, Councillor District of Maple Ridge, Councillor School District No. 42, Trustee District of Pitt Meadows, Councillor COMMISSION MEMBERS AT LARGE PRESENT Commissioner Dave Roemer Commissioner Jo Anne ten Brink Commissioner Kathy Reinheimer Commissioner Bunny Home STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Mike Murray Susan Cudahy David Boag Shelley Jorde J aynne Aster DELEGATIONS Brian Johnson Ray Koob Pauline Vandermoor Tracy Miyashita Member at Large, Maple Ridge Member at Large, Maple Ridge Member at Large, Maple Ridge Member at Large, Pitt Meadows GM Community Development, Parks & Recreation Director, Economic Development Director, Parks & Facilities East Area Recreational Manager Committee Clerk PERC President, Ridge Meadows Seniors' Society Active Community Walking Campaign Active Community Walking Campaign - Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 1 of 7 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2004 REGRETS Commissioner Kathie Ward Commissioner Gerry Trerise Commissioner Keith Nightingale School District No. 42, Trustee Member at Large, Maple Ridge Member at Large, Pitt Meadows There being a quorum present, the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 1. Adoption of the Agenda MOVED BY: Commissioner Speirs SECONDED BY: Commissioner Ashlie That the Agenda for July 8, 2004 be adopted as amended/circulated. CARRIED 2. Minutes of the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting MOVED BY Commissioner Speirs SECONDED BY Commissioner Dueck That the Minutes of the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission June 10, 2004 Regular Meeting be adopted as circulated. CARRIED 3. Delegations or Presentations 3.1 Brian Johnson, P ERC -Pitt Meadows Indoor Pool Brian Johnson reviewed the statistical information previously presented on the Pitt Meadows Indoor Pool and reported we are now at the draft report stage of the needs assessment. Mr. Johnson reviewed four indoor pool options (Figure Nine of report) noting in this report the focus was on Option 3 while keeping alive Option 4. On July 20th the report will be presented to Pitt Meadows Council. Mike Murray pointed out there will be a Public Information Meeting after the presentation to Pitt Meadows Council (in the Fall), then the final report will be ready for consideration. The Commissioners discussed Option 3 's limited suitability for swim or dive meets. Mr. Johnson agreed this was very much a leisure pool not suitable for meets but it did have a unique indoor/outdoor environment, was larger than other leisure tanks, and included Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 2 of 7 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2004 rope swings, a rock wall experience, a therapeutic wave, and waterslides. Competitive swimming would in large part be handled in the MRLC. The Commission discussed how Option 4 would cover all the bases and provide greater capacity for all uses, with the exception of international championship meets. Commissioner Eisel asked for a break down of operating costs split between Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, etc. for the Public Information Meeting. Further discussion revolved around bleed off to other pools, changing demographics, and competitive facilities in neighbouring municipalities. Mayor Morse thanked Brian Johnson for his report. 3. 2 Susan Cudahy, Director of Economic Development -Carbon Neutral Project Susan Cudahy gave a Power Point presentation entitled The Proposed 2010 Olympic Legacy Forest Project and spoke of the Carbon Neutral concept. There is a commitment in the Vancouver Olympic bid that the event would be climate neutral. Susan Cudahy is on the executive for sustainable energy for the Olympics and reported there is an opportunity for neighboring communities -led by Maple Ridge -to work with high profile corporations that have taken on climate-neutral initiatives that go beyond regulations. One of Susan's associates spoke of climate change and how he works with companies that take on responsibilities of climate impact. Climate change is the most challenging issue of the century. The only way to get Co2 out of the atmosphere is using photosynthesis (plants). Healthy ecosystems take huge amounts of Co2 out of the atmosphere and pump oxygen back in. Trees will be planted throughout the community to take Co2 out of the atmosphere in appropriate sites and communities participating in the Legacy Forest Network will be profiled. Work will be in existing forests, transportation corridors, landfill sites and will be paid for by potential funding partners such as VanCity, BC Hydro, GE, Shell Canada, Swiss Re . The objective is to complement the green aspect with the technology aspects, such as fuel cells. Right now they are looking at potential sites in Maple Ridge and sites will be identified by mid summer. As soon as partners are in place and there is something to approve it will then be brought to Council for recommendation. Susan Cudahy noted that Salt Lake City was the first Olympics with climate neutrality mandate. The approach being described will be the final piece of puzzle so we can claim true climate neutrality for the first time ever during an Olympic Games. Mayor Morse thanked the presenters. 3.3 Ray Koob, President, Ridge Meadows Seniors' Society-Ridge Meadows Seniors' Society Annual Report .. Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 3 of 7 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Ju ly 8, 2004 - Ray Koob gave a Power Point presentation on the Seniors' Society annual meeting on May 14th . He reported the Health and Wellness Clinic began in Oct 2002 and is very successful. Nurses have recognized emergency situations • (2 heart attacks, and some diabetic cases) and got them help they needed. Mr. Koob reported that program cuts that affect seniors have to be taken up by volunteers who need training. They have initiated a buddy system in which all seniors are on a phone system that connects them, gets them out, and gets them in conversation. Mr. Koob said they have a caring organization creating a sense of belonging, trust and pride -they have "huggers" now. Mr. Koob spoke about the vision for the future and the need for young and progressive 55+ who are still working, to volunteer. Their goal is to provide independent services for seniors, by seniors. They are now a registered society providing to all 55+ citizens in the community. Their business plan goal areas are communication systems, promotions, development of a foundation to protect the society, and hosting community special events. Mr. Koob also reminded the Commission of the July 10th and 11 th Senior's Pioneer Festival. Mayor Morse thanked Mr. Koob noting he and the entire group have made a huge difference to seniors in the community. 3.4 Pauline Vandermoor and Tracy Miyashita -Active Community Walking Campaign Pauline Vandermoor and Tracy Miyashita gave a Power Point presentation on the Active Community Walking Campaign. They reported that inactivity is one of the major health risk factors on par with smoking. 60% of adults and 58% of youth are not active enough to benefit their health. Parks & Leisure Services Leadership team began a community campaign initiative in June 2004 as a strategy to address inactivity, and chose walking as a way to increase levels of activity in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge with little or no cost. Walking is the most popular activity for adults and youths. It's free and can be done any time and anywhere, and is suitable for all ages. The plan is to increase awareness, promote walking clubs and programs, and increase awareness of venues such as dykes and trails. Walking club starter kits will be available in September 2004 and Walk-To- School/Work Days are Oct 4-8, 2004. The initiative will also develop walking route maps to be ready in 2005. Walking is simple and economical and Pauline and Tracy encouraged the Commission to make time in the next couple of days to take stairs, park further away, or go for power walk instead of coffee break. Tracy and Pauline handed out gift bags with bottled water, walking information and a sports bottle. Mayor Morse thanked Pauline and Tracy for their presentation. - Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 4 of 7 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2004 4. Decision Items 4. 1 Maple Ridge Tennis Club MOVED BY: Commissioner Maclean SECONDED BY: Commissioner Speirs That a recommendation be forwarded to Maple Ridge Council that a portion of the funding scheduled for used at Maple Ridge Secondary School/Merkley Park site for the development of tennis courts be redirected to providing lighting for the Thomas Haney tennis court complex, with the remainder left for the development of a minimum of two courts at the Maple Ridge Secondary/Merkley Park location. Mike Murray reviewed the report details. 4.2 Albion Park Plan MOVED BY: Commissioner Rempel SECONDED BY: Commissioner Speirs CARRIED That the Parks and Leisure Services Commission approve the Albion Park Master Plan and forward to Maple Ridge Council with a recommendation that this Master Plan be adopted. CARRIED 4.3 Business Planning Budget Workshop The Commission set the date for October 14, 2004 starting at 6 p.m. before the regular Commission meeting. 5. Information Items 5. 1 Pitt Meadows Indoor Pool Needs Assessment Draft Report 5. 2 Subjective Evaluation Survey Results 5.3 Festival Forever Workshop Strategic Planning Session 5. 4 Letter from Ministry of Forests: Woodlot #007 5. 5 Letter from Township of Langley: Trans Canada Trail & Fraser River Crossing 5. 6 The Haney Horsemen Association Trail Report Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Sen.rices Commission Regular Minutes Page 5 of 7 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2004 5. 7 Elderly Citizens Recreation Association (ECRA) MOVED BY: Commissioner MacLean SECONDED BY: Commissioner Eisel That the information items be received. 6. Commission Liaison Reports -Nil 7. Staff Liaison Reports -Nil 8. Question Period CARRIED Commissioner ten Brink wanted to know others' thoughts on recent Whonnock Lake incidents such as on Father's Day where there were three incidents of children going missing, along with panic, and an inability to get people to respond. Commissioner ten Brink wondered about a lifeguard program, the financial issues of such a program, and student employment for this. There is an increase in numbers of swimmers and this would be an investment in someone's life. Mike Murray suggested we have staff come back with a report, and noted that natural swimming areas are very difficult to guard and there would be liability and management expectations. We would want to look into it and see what others are doing with their natural swim areas and report back, hopefully before next summer. He noted the number of incidents may go up as they did in Calgary when they guarded natural sw1mmmg areas. The Commission discussed collecting information on the number of people using the park and the need to cap the number of users. Commissioner Speirs wondered if there was a connection between parking fees at Alouette Lake and overuse of Whonnock Lake and whether there was Provincial Government information on Alouette Lake usage in prior years. (Note the Provincial Government doesn't operate the Whonnock Lake site. It is operated by the municipality with an on site caretaker -statistics have not been kept on use at Whonnock Lake -staff will inquire of the Provincial Park operator on their statistics.) 9. Motion to Move into Closed Session MOVED BY: Commissioner Maclean SECONDED BY: Commissioner Rempel Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 6 of 7 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2004 That the meeting be closed to the public pursuant to Sections 242.2(1 )( e) of the Local Government Act as the subject matter being considered relates to the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements. CARRIED The Regular Meeting adjourned at 8:59 pm. Cha~ /ja Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 7 of 7