Minutes of the Parks, Recreation & Environment Advisory Committee Meeting

1. CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: L. Malcolm SECONDED: R. Lapshinoff

THAT the agenda be amended to include item 9 (c);

AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED

3. MINUTES, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF

a) Minutes of the Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee meeting held September 27, 2016

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: L. Malcolm

THAT the minutes of the Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee meeting held September 27, 2016 be adopted. CARRIED

b) Minutes of the Special Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee meeting held October 20, 2016

MOVED BY: A. Fodchuk SECONDED: L. Malcolm

THAT the minutes of the Special Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee meeting held October 20, 2016 be adopted. CARRIED

4. CHAIR’S REPORT

5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

6. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

a) BC Hydro Display

The Chair, I. Brown, noted he had been in contact with BC Hydro who will be providing a display on home energy efficiency and rebate savings at the View Royal Fire Department Open House to be held in June 2017.

The Committee also requested an update on Council’s motion of June 21, 2016, (C-55-16) regarding Level 2 electric vehicles.

7. REPORTS

7.1 STAFF REPORTS

a) Community Gardens Policy – Update

The Parks Supervisor gave an update to the Committee on the Community Gardens Policy, specifically:

• the Community Gardens Policy #5200-015 will be amended to allow plot holders the first right to use the same plot in the succeeding term;
• any existing plot holder who wishes to exchange a plot for another plot will come before the waitlist and their former plot will then be available for the first person on the waitlist; and
• the annual fee for small plots will be set to $20, medium plots $25, and large plots $30.

He noted that the amendments will be in place for the 2017 garden season.

The Committee discussed annual fees; water costs; and the possibility of having a separate meter for the gardens.

b) Parks Master Plan – Update

The Director of Development Services has informed the Committee that final input for the Parks Master Plan is currently being collated with a draft plan expected to be before Council for consideration of approval in December.

c) View Royal Park Fitness Equipment – Update

The Parks Supervisor noted that the fitness equipment deficiencies at View Royal Park have been rectified.

d) Invasive Species Coordinator – Update

The Parks Supervisor noted that the new Invasive Species Coordinator, C. Junck, was able to get the program running in September.

To date, Mr. Junck has coordinated four events at Burnside Watkiss Park and has assisted with a Volunteer View Royal event in Edwards Park. There have been good turnouts at these events. Information on Invasive Species Removal Program events can be found under “What’s New” on the Town website.

7.2 COUNCIL REPORTS

a) Minutes of the Council meeting September 6, 2016

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: R. Lapshinoff

THAT the minutes of the Council meeting held September 6, 2016 be received. CARRIED

b) Minutes of the Council meeting September 20, 2016

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: R. Lapshinoff

THAT the minutes of the Council meeting held September 20, 2016 be received. CARRIED

c) Minutes of the Council meeting October 4, 2016

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: R. Lapshinoff

THAT the minutes of the Council meeting held October 4, 2016 be received. CARRIED

d) Minutes of the Council meeting October 18, 2016

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: R. Lapshinoff

THAT the minutes of the Council meeting held October 18, 2016 be received. CARRIED

8. CORRESPONDENCE

9. NEW BUSINESS

a) Newstead Park – Councillor Weisgerber

The Committee discussed the future upgrades to Newstead Park, specifically:

• new design for park and equipment;
• large grass area with a buffer zone;
• parking; and
• fencing.

The Committee also discussed decisions for park upgrades being based on age of equipment; upgrades to Knollwood Park; and requested history on Newstead Park from the Archives Department.

b) Passive House Standards in View Royal – I. Brown

The Committee discussed passive house standards and the use of stretch code in the Town of View Royal.

Councillor Rogers noted that the Town has opted into the Union Of BC Municipalities 2014 resolution B27: Implementation of Nearly Net-zero Building Regulations.

MOVED BY: I. Brown SECONDED: J. Jakobsen

PREAC-10-16 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Town of View Royal use Stretch Code when it becomes available to require passive house standards for all construction. CARRIED

c) Westshore Skatepark Exploratory Plan

J. Jakobsen discussed West Shore Parks and Recreation Society’s commitment to exploring options for the relocation of the skate park. The West Shore Parks and Recreation Society feels this should be a collective effort of the five West Shore municipalities.

The Committee discussed the need for a skate park; possible locations; and costs.

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: L. McCrank

PREAC-11-16 THAT the Committee recommend that Council direct staff to compile an inventory of suitable locations for a skate park; and planning staff to work with the Westshore Skatepark Coalition members to determine suitability and needs;

AND THAT staff explore creative funding methods to support the purchase of land. CARRIED

10. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION

11. TERMINATION

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: L. Malcolm

THAT this meeting now terminate at 8:36 p.m. CARRIED