MINUTES OF THE PARKS, RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL

MINUTES OF THE PARKS, RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE - MEETING RM 2

PRESENT: I. Brown, Chair Councillor Screech R. Bickel A. Fodchuk J. Jakobsen L. Malcolm J. O'Grady T. Stovel

REGRETS: D. Podmoroff, Parks Supervisor

ALSO PRESENT: J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering J. Crockett, Recording Secretary 1 member of the Public 0 members of the Press

1. CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:33 pm.

1.1 WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

a) Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair The Council Liaison welcomed new and re-appointed members. The Chair and Vice-Chair were selected for the Parks, Recreation, and Environment Advisory Committee.

MOVED BY: L. Malcolm SECONDED: T. Stovel

THAT I. Brown be re-appointed as Chair for the Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee. CARRIED

MOVED BY: L. Malcolm SECONDED: J. O'Grady

THAT T. Stovel be re-appointed as Vice Chair for the Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee. CARRIED

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: L. Malcolm SECONDED: I. Brown

THAT the agenda be amended to include items 1.1(a), 7(c), (d), 11(d), and 11(e);

AND THAT item 7(c) (Update Portage Park Restoration Project) be moved to follow item 2;

AND FURTHER THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED

7. c) Update Portage Park Restoration Project

A. Evans spoke in regards to the progress of the work done with the Portage Park Restoration Project. To date there have been eleven volunteer work parties with great success and the removal of approximately 50% of ivy from the trees. A demonstration native garden has been planted with many of the plants donated. There are lots of upcoming activities planned and they are working on gaining a broader volunteer base.

3. MINUTES, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF

a) Minutes of the Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee meeting held September 24, 2013

MOVED BY: J. O'Grady SECONDED: J. Jakobsen

THAT the minutes of the Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee meeting held September 24, 2013 be adopted. CARRIED

4. CHAIR'S REPORT

(n/a)

5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

7. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

a) Trail Along Portage Inlet from Shoreline Drive to the E&N Railway Councillor Screech updated the committee in regards to a possible trail along Portage Inlet on the Shoreline School property to the E&N Railway specifically noting that the Capital Regional District would not be able to fund a trail to School Board standards.

b) Report on Offer to Build Trail Along Craigflower Creek below the Chan Property The Director of Engineering noted that a trail will not be constructed along Craigflower Creek below the Chan property, however, the Director of Engineering, Council Liaison and Committee Chair will discuss options for a volunteer-created trail.

c) Note: This item moved to an earlier point in the agenda (see above).

d) CRD Public Washrooms in Portage Park At this time, the CRD will not be installing washrooms in Portage Park; however, they will be installing a water fountain, bench and signage to make a rest stop area.

8. REPORTS

8.1 STAFF REPORTS

The Director of Engineering noted that Council is finalizing the 2014 budget for View Royal Park and the community gardens. Life Cycles at Welland Legacy Park will be installing a composting toilet; two sheds for a teaching and training facility; as well a bee keeping area. Life Cycles are working on parking issues. The playground equipment for Portage Park has been funded in the draft budget as well as the establishment of a connection to the E&N Rail Trail in Portage Park and some surfacing upgrades to the existing waterfront path.

8.2 COMMITTEE REPORTS

a) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting September 10, 2013

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: A. Fodchuk

THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held September 10, 2013 be received. CARRIED

b) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting October 8, 2013

MOVED BY: L. Malcolm SECONDED: J. O'Grady

THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held October 8, 2013 be received. CARRIED

c) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting November 12, 2013

MOVED BY: A. Fodchuk SECONDED: J. O'Grady

THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held November 12, 2013 be received. CARRIED

d) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting December 10, 2013

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: L. Malcolm

THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held December 10, 2013 be received. CARRIED

e) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting January 14, 2014

MOVED BY: A. Fodchuk SECONDED: L. Malcolm

THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held January 14, 2014 be received. CARRIED

f) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting February 11, 2014

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: L. Malcolm

THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held February 11, 2014 be received. CARRIED

9. CORRESPONDENCE

10. BYLAWS

11. NEW BUSINESS

a) Declining Tree Canopy in the CRD The Committee discussed the declining tree canopy in the Capital Regional District and having a bylaw in place for tree preservation and tree replacement. The Committee discussed the Urban Forestry Initiative Boulevard Tree Planting Partnership, letter from Saanich Parks & Recreation, a copy of which is attached hereto and forms a part of these minutes.

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: R. Bickel

PREAC-01-14 THAT the Committee recommend that Council consider the implementation of a Tree Canopy Preservation Bylaw and work towards a goal of a 0% tree canopy net loss. CARRIED

b) The Parks and Trails Map Draft The Committee continued its discussion from the Joint Advisory Committee meeting held earlier in the evening (7:00 pm on Tuesday March 25, 2014). Committee members are to forward any additional comments to Councillor Screech.

c) CRD Amendments to Clean Air Bylaw – Referral from March 18, 2014 Council meeting.

MOVED BY: R. Bickel SECONDED: J. O'Grady

PREAC-02-14 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee is in support of the Capital Regional District's amendments to the Clean Air Bylaw. CARRIED

d) Informal Group Meeting The Committee discussed having informal meetings if the regular Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee meetings are cancelled.

e) Walking Trails The Chair discussed formulating a volunteer trail group to maintain the trails in View Royal.