Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLSC 2014-04-10 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 Pitt Meadows City Hall, 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 6:30 pm. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Commissioner Don Mitchell, Chair Commissioner Garett MacDonald, Vice-Chair Commissioner Ernie Daykin Commissioner Al Hogarth Commissioner Michael Morden Commissioner Deb Walters Commissioner Gwen O'Connell Commissioner Mike Murray Commissioner Eleanor Palis Commissioner Alanna Carmichael Commissioner Dave Rempel Commissioner Shannon Roberts STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Kelly Swift David Boag Wendy McCormick Sue Wheeler Ingrid Kraus COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Commissioner David Murray Commissioner Stefany Tunshell Commissioner Michael Jacob 1. We/come & Introductions Member at Large, Maple Ridge Member at Large, Pitt Meadows Mayor, District of Maple Ridge Councillor, District of Maple Ridge Councillor, District of Maple Ridge Mayor, City of Pitt Meadows Councillor, City of Pitt Meadows Chair, School District No. 42, Board of Education Trustee, School District No. 42, Board of Education Member at Large, Maple Ridge Trustee, School District No. 42, Board of Education Member at Large, Pitt Meadows General Manager: Community Development, Parks & Recreation Services Director Parks & Facilities Director Recreation Director Community Services Executive Assistant Councillor, City of Pitt Meadows Member at Large, Maple Ridge Member at Large, Maple Ridge There being a quorum present, Don Mitchell called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:35 pm. 2. Adoption of the Agenda R14-027 It was moved and seconded That the Agenda for April 10, 2014 be adopted as circulated. CARRIED Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 1 of 5 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes -April 10, 2014 Final 3. R14-028 Minutes of the Commission Regular Meeting -February 13, 2014 The following correction was noted to the minutes of February 13, 2014: Item 8: Commissioner Garett MacDonald questioned why Councillor Murray changed his vote at Council. The following correction was noted to the minutes of March 13, 2014: Item 2: Commissioner Michael Morden noted that Maple Ridge Council received a letter for the Whonnock Lake Caretaker and that it was missed under Correspondence on the Agenda. Staff confirmed the applicant was referred to the RFP process. It was moved and seconded That the Minutes of the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meetings of February 13, 2014 and March 13, 2014 be adopted as amended. CARRIED 4. Delegations 4.1 Ms. Kat Wahamaa, Artist in Residence Ms. Sue Wheeler provided an update on the Artist in Residence Program that led to the appointment of Ms. Wahamaa. The next calls going out will be for the studio residency programs at Osprey Village and Fern Crescent. Ms. Wahamaa was introduced and then showed a PowerPoint outlining her experience as an artist and some of her program plans. Commission members were invited to the Earth Day event April 26 in Memorial Peace Park and her Artist Meet and Greet on April 27 from 2-4 pm at the Haney residence. 4.2 Mr. Chris Begg and Ms. Misty Thomas, West Coast Auto Group Football Club Mr. David Boag introduced Mr. Begg and Ms. Thomas. Mr. Begg showed a PowerPoint and provided an overview of the club's successes, challenges, current facility uses and, future needs and plans. A discussion followed and Mr. Begg was asked to make the same presentation to both Councils. 4.3 Mr. Chuck Gale and Mr. Sam Razi, Volker Park Neighbourhood Residents Mr. David Boag introduced Messrs. Chuck Gale and Sam Razi who spoke to the issues being faced by the neighbours bordering the park which included constant barking from early morning until late at night, types of abusive behavior encountered from park users, and concerns with feces, dust and safety. A YouTube video was shown by Mr. Razi. Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 2 of 5 14-029 14-030 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes -April 10, 2014 Final 5. Decision Items 5.1 Volker Dog Park Staff report dated April 10, 2014 recommending; • Deferring the decision to close Volker dog park for one year; • Conducting a public consultation process; • Changing the hours of the park. Mr. David Boag gave a detailed overview and history on the process for developing the dog park, the steps taken to address any complaints to date and the importance of this resource in the community. A PowerPoint was used showing maps, signage, comments from park users and the staff recommendation. It was moved and seconded A. That a decision on the request to close Volker Dog Off Leash Park be deferred until one year after the revised parks bylaws have been adopted, thereby providing the opportunity for a coordinated inter-departmental approach to enforcement of park related infractions; AND, B. That a public consultation process be conducted to identify alternate locations for leash optional opportunities prior to consideration of the closure of this dog off leash park; AND, C. That the hours the Volker Dog Off Leash Park is open be changed from the current schedule of 6:00 am to 10:00 pm to a reduced schedule of 8:00 am to 8:00 pm to minimize the risk of dog related noise in the early mornings and late evenings. DEFEATED Following an in-depth discussion, the following motion was made. It was moved and seconded That the closure of the dog off leash park area of Volker Park be done within two months and that signage be posted asking for public consultation with dog owners for input for viable optional sites and to advertise alternative locations. CARRIED Opposed: Commissioners Mike Murray, Dave Rempel, Shannon Roberts, Alannah Carmichael and Ernie Daykin. Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 3 of5 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes -April 10, 2014 Final R14-031 5.2 Community Development Policy Staff report dated April 10, 2014 to approve the updated draft of the Asset Based Community Development Policy P092 as amended following a public consultation process, attached to the staff report. Ms. Sue Wheeler reviewed the history of this policy and the need for the changes being recommended. A discussion followed. It was moved and seconded That the Asset Based Community Development Policy P092 attached to the staff report dated March 13, 2014 be approved as amended. 6. Discussion Items -Nil 7. Information Items 7.1 Invitation -Grand Opening Emmeline Mohun Park Invitation to the grand opening is provided for information. B. Commission Liaison Reports CARRIED Commissioner Mike Murray provided an update on the School District's budget concerns and that there will be a meeting for public input on the budget at MRSS on April 16. The Budget Process and Facilities Review reports are on the Board of Education website at www.sd42.ca. These documents are very important and Commission members are encouraged to read them. Commissioner Deb Walters announced that the Centennial Celebrations will be on April 25 and everyone is welcome. The Gala will be the next evening on April 26. A Volunteer Appreciation event will be held at Boston Pizza this Saturday at 9:00 am. Arbor Day events and celebrations in both communities will be held on April 22. Commissioner O'Connell asked for the amount spent on dog bags per year and staff indicated it was approximately $26,000 per year. Commissioner Don Mitchell mentioned that the Ridge Meadows Canoe and Kayak Club will host their season opening regatta at Whonnock Lake on May 3. Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 4 of 5 Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Meeting Minutes -April 10, 2014 Final Commissioner Eleanor Palis reported that she, along with Trustee Sarah Nelson, have visited several schools to talk to parents and help them understand School District funding. 9. Staff Liaison Reports -Nil R14-032 David Boag provided an update on a project to develop an off leash park in the area of 224 Street and Brown Avenue geared towards use by seniors. Communications Manager, Fred Armstrong, has confirmed sponsorship funding in the amount of $60,000 to develop this site for this purpose. The community will be engaged in a process to plan the park and staff is looking for approval from the Commission to proceed. It was moved and seconded That staff explore the possibility of a dog off leash park at 224 Street and Brown Avenue that would be accessible to senior citizens living in the area. CARRIED 10. Question Period Commissioner Garett MacDonald commented positively on the new look for the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre gym and the new opening time of 6:00 a.m. He noted that there is only one early morning bike class and asked that this be expanded. Staff will monitor the expanded operating hours and attendance at fitness classes with a goal to expand classes as demand increases and as operating costs allow. Staff also confirmed that marketing and advertising of the expanded operating hours included the newspaper, Facebook, Twitter, facility signage, website and the brochure. 11. Adjourn The regular meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm. Chairperson /ik Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission Regular Minutes Page 5 of 5