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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLSC 2008-06-12 minutes.pdf) District of Maple Ridge and the City 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 Meadows Room at the Pitt Meadows Municipal Hall, 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 7:00 pm. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Commissioner Don Maclean, Chair Commissioner Dave Rempel Commissioner Ernie Daykin Commissioner Debra Eisel Commissioner Cheryl Ashlie Commissioner Deb Walters Commissioner Jo Anne ten Brink COMMISSION MEMBERS AT LARGE PRESENT Commissioner Neil Pukesh Commissioner Christine Smith Commissioner Geordie Craig Commissioner Ian Brown ABSENT /REGRETS Commissioner Gordy Robson Commissioner Craig Speirs Commissioner Kathie Ward Commissioner Ron Wright City of Pitt Meadows, Mayor School District No. 42, Trustee District of Maple Ridge, Councillor City of Pitt Meadows, Councillor School District No. 42, Trustee Chair City of Pitt Meadows, Councillor Member at Large, Maple Ridge Member at Large, Pitt Meadows Member at Large, Pitt Meadows Member at Large, Maple Ridge Member at Large, Maple Ridge District of Maple Ridge, Mayor District of Maple Ridge, Councillor School District No. 42, Trustee Member at Large, Maple Ridge STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Mike Murray Lynn Marchand GM, Community Development, Parks & Recreation Committee Clerk David Boag Ingrid Kraus Director of Parks & Facilities Executive Assistant There being a quorum present, the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 1. Adoption of the Agenda R08-46 It was moved and seconded That the Agenda for June 12, 2008 be adopted Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes CARRIED Page 1 of 5 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 12, 2008 2. Minutes of the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting R0S-47 It was moved and seconded That the Minutes of the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meetings of May 8, 2008 be adopted. CARRIED 3. Delegations/Presentation 3.1 Ecosystem Restoration Associates -Update Cornelia Rindt and Erin Kendall of ERA Ecosystem Restoration Associates Inc. circulated two documents, Further Opportunities for Pitt Meadows and Summary of ERA's Work to Date in the District of Maple Ridge and Opportunities for Pitt Meadows. Cornelia Rindt advised the Commission that restoration has been completed on 135 Ha of greenbelts, parks and riparian corridors. To date, over 75,000 trees have been planted throughout the District of Maple Ridge and hazardous trees have been removed from a number of public use areas. Ms. Rindt further advised that ERA continues to work with the District of Maple Ridge to identify additional planting opportunities. Erin Kendall gave an update to the North Alouette site where the faller cleared more than was required and that that debris jam will be removed by helicopter. The project has continued to evolve and the restoration opportunities come at no cost to the taxpayer. ERA would be interested in discussing opportunities for Pitt Meadows and it was suggested that they contact Jake Rudolph. Cornelia Rindt and Erin Kendall left the meeting at 7:23 p.m. 3.2 Mr. Tony Farahbakhchian re: Rotary Field Hours of Operation Mr. Farahbakhchian made a presentation opposing the proposed extension of hours at Rotary Field (Samuel Robertson Technical School) until 10:30 p.m. A petition representing 17 4 households opposing the extension was included in the package. Mr. Farahbakhchian advised that 90% of the residents he canvassed were opposed. Prior to construction of their homes an agreement was made with the District of Maple Ridge that the field would be lit until 9:30 p.m. He argued that the residents purchased their homes based on this commitment. Another major concern is that the lights are extremely bright. Mr. Farahbakhchian informed the Commission that many individuals loiter after the games drinking alcohol and using profanities which radiate a considerable distance, causing excessive noise for the residents. 3.3 Mr. Kevin Fletcher, Sport Field User Association Mr. Fletcher advised the Commission that by adding lighting for an additional ½ hour per day during the regular season it would increase practices from 24 teams per night to 30 teams per night. This would allow two games in one evening as opposed to one. The additional ½ hour over the course Page 2 of 5 ) .Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 12, 2008 of the season would add 120 practice slots for the Golden Ears United Soccer Club which would open the field up to players who never get to use the field because of lack of time. Mr. Fletcher informed the Commission that, as the President of the GEUSC, he would personally send a letter, including his name and contact information, to all the residents so that he could deal with any complaints regarding the use of the field and excessive noise related problems. Mr. Fletcher agreed there is an increase in the lack of respect in sports and that the problem is growing throughout many sports. The Club is taking steps to deal with issues of respect for players, referees, coaches and neighbours and will address inappropriate behavior after games. 4. Decision Items 4.1 Rotary Field Hours of Operation It was discussed whether the Commission had the authority to decide upon the extension of the hours of the Rotary Field, or whether the matter should referred to Maple Ridge Council for consideration. R08-48 It was moved and seconded That the proposal to extend the hours of opening for the Rotary Field be referred to Maple Ridge Council. DEFEATED Opposed by Commissioners Eisel and Ashlie. The Commission discussed: R08-49 the original commitment to the residents problems created by the lighting the importance of sports and activity for citizens, especially youth opportunities to increase the use of fields for several sports ideas for achieving a compromise and middle ground It was moved and seconded That the hours of opening for the Rotary Field be extended to 10:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for a trial period of one calendar year; and that a review be undertaken to determine the impact on the surrounding neighborhood; and further that staff work with the user groups to deal with the profanity during practice and game times and socializing in the parking lots after games that might cause further disruptions to the neighborhood. CARRIED Opposed by Commissioners Maclean and Daykin. Page 3 of 5 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 12, 2008 4.2 Fees and Charges Review Process Mike Murray informed the Commission that staff recently concluded a review of all Commission admission and facility rental rates, excluding fields, which will be reviewed next year. During this most recent review, Pitt Meadows Council directed staff to bring a discussion back to Commission on whether or not a minimal increase to all fees be instituted annually, regardless of whether they are currently at or above the next market average. R08-50 It was moved and seconded That staff be directed to prepare a subsection to the Fees and Charges policy that more fully defines the fees and charges review process, for review by the Commission and both Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Councils, that institutes a minimal annual increase to all admission and facility rental fees regardless of whether they are already at or above market rates, and further, that any rates that were not increased in the 2008 Admission and Facility Rental review, be revisited and increased by the inflation rate. CARRIED 5. Discussion Items 5.1 Sport Tourism Review Mike Murray advised the Commission that an individual has been hired to oversee the Sport Tourism program. This contract was made possible through a UBCM grant. The individual will be invited to attend the July meeting to make a presentation. 6. Information Items 6.1 Comparison of Artificial Turf to Natural Turfgrass: Articles on "Why Choose Natural Turf" and response 6.2 Alouette River Management Society re: Fishway at Alouette Dam 6.3 Letter from Ms. Bernice Rolls re: Discussion on Parks Master Plan 6.4 Letter from UBCM Re Recreation Trails Strategy for BC 6.5 Article -More trees on streets means less asthma for children -study 6.6 Parks & Leisure Services 2007 Annual Report (will be distributed at the meeting) R08-51 It was moved and seconded That the above information items be received. CARRIED Page 4 of 5 ., ~ Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 12, 2008 7. Commission Liaison Reports Commissioner Neil Pukesh reported that the Sawyer's Landing Mother's Day event was very successful. 8. Staff Liaison Reports David Boag reported that on Wednesday, June 11 all the electrical wiring was stolen, for the second time, from the Albion Sports Park fields. After the first occurrence special brackets were installed and the access panels welded shut, however, those measures were cut through. It is estimated that because more poles were affected the cost to repair will be higher than the previous $12,000 -$14,000. 9. Question Period Cheryl Ashlie raised a question about the field lights and the original commitment to the neighborhood that the lights would be turned off at 9:30 p.m. She suggested that general criteria and guidelines be established to assist staff and the Commission with similar decisions in the future so that neighborhoods in which Secondary Schools are proposed could anticipate night lighting of athletic fields as part of the development. 10. Motion to adjourn R08-52 It was moved and seconded That the regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Commission be adjourned. CARRIED 11. Motion to Move into Closed Session R0B-53 It was moved and seconded That the Parks and Leisure Services Commission move into a Closed Meeting pursuant to Section 90 (1)(g) of the Community Charter as the subject matter relates to possible litigation CARRIED Page 5 of 5