|
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Comité consultatif sur les parcs et les loisirs Minutes 30
Procès-verbal 30
Wednesday,
27 April 2010, 7:00 p.m.
le mercredi 27 avril 2010, 19 h
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West Salle Champlain, 110, avenue Laurier ouest
|
Present /
Présents : S. Perry (Vice-Chair/Vice-présidente)
K. Abella, K. Brambley, D.
Cates, D. Hartnett, P. Marleau, W. McMeekin, C. Sidorenko, K.
Thompson, R. Voyer
Absent / Absents : I. Duncanson (Chair/Président), P. Cullen, H. Duhaime, H. Zarins
DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST
DÉclarations D’IntÉrÊt
Confirmation of minutes
RATIFICATION DES PROCÈS-VERBAUX
Minutes 29 of the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Committee meeting of 23 March 2010 were confirmed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNONCES
Vice-Chair Perry informed members that Member Dean resigned from PRAC,
due to conflicting time commitments.
ACTION ITEMS
POINTS D’EXÉCUTION
1. OTTAWA
YOUTH COMMISSION
COMMISSION DE LA JEUNESSE D'OTTAWA
Ally Siebert, Co-Chair,
Ottawa Youth Commission
Keri Abella,
Youth Engagement Manager, Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa
Jabir Sandhu, Cameron
Door-Morin, Ottawa Youth Commission members
Ms. Siebert spoke to a PowerPoint presentation (held on file with the City Clerk's office
pursuant to the City of Ottawa Records Retention and Disposition By-law) describing the Commission’s background, goals
and objectives, and also outlined the
Ottawa Youth Commission’s recommendations to City Council. Presenters asked PRAC for a motion to support
these recommendations, as well as provide any advice or feedback.
Presenters responded to questions from members
regarding the Ottawa Youth Commission membership structure; the role of Schools
and School Boards working with the Commission; and a description of the issues
and challenges identified that lead to the creation of the recommendations. Members of PRAC suggested refining the
recommendations to make them more specific and actionable.
Moved by C. Sidorenko,
That
the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) supports the Ottawa Youth
Commission’s recommendations as follows:
Recreation
·
Publicize recreation / leisure activities using a variety of mechanisms
and where youth are: in schools, on Facebook, websites, school newsletters,
drop-in centres
·
Consult CJOYC/youth to assess relevant program needs -recreation
programs are often sports‐oriented and do not serve the population
·
Increase program opportunities for youth ages 13‐17
·
Improve access to recreation activities for all youth in all communities
(can include traditional and non-traditional venues)
·
Continue to involve CJOYC in consultations on the Parks and Recreation Master
Plan.
·
City should create youth grants to encourage young people to develop
their own programs and change with their needs
Transportation
·
Provide regular forums for CJOYC to meet with OC Transpo and / or the
Transit Committee to address priority issues for youth, such as:
o
Increased bus services beyond the transit way
o
Increased locations for purchase of bus passes
o
Pursuing environment-friendly initiatives such as more Park’n Rides, bus
lanes, LRT, enforce the no-idling policy
o
Improving treatment and service to young people
o
Amending local route schedules to accommodate students , other youth and
increase ability to move between work, school and other activities
o
Approve the UPASS
·
Educate the public and youth in particular re: security measures that exist
on buses and transit so people feel safer; have information on the website
Environment
·
Encourage and promote environmentally friendly practices such as carpooling,
use of public transit; increase bike lanes outside of downtown core
·
Explore by‐laws and promote businesses that reduce waste
(plastic bags, water bottles, disposable cups, and plastic shopping bags)
·
Increase number of recycling bins around the city, especially at transit
stops
·
Increase education regarding recycling especially regarding electronics;
get media involved in promoting e‐waste days throughout the year
·
Consider tax/price on extra garbage bags
·
Curtail development of the City’s green space
·
Develop award/fund for good green practices for youth
CARRIED
2. OPERATION OF OUTDOOR RINKS
EXPLOITATION DES
PATINOIRES EXTÉRIEURES
Al Arseneault, Lakeview Outdoor Rink
Association
Mr. Arseneault spoke to a handout entitled
“Funding Support for the City of Ottawa’s Outdoor Rink Programs” (held on file with the City Clerk's office pursuant to the City of Ottawa
Records Retention and Disposition By-law). Mr.
Arseneault asked PRAC to support a motion to increase the annual funding to the
outdoor rink programs to reflect a 22% increase in inflation over the last 10
years. Mr. Arseneault told members that
there is consensus amongst rink operators on the lack of funding for outdoor
rinks. He asked PRAC if a petition or
statement of consensus from the rink operators would be appropriate at this
time to help put forward a recommendation to Committee and Council.
Members of PRAC
asked staff to comment on the numbers provided by Mr. Arseneault. Mr. Dan Chénier, General Manager, Parks,
Recreation and Cultural Services, City Operations Portfolio, provided
information on City of Ottawa budget increases to grants to outdoor rinks, and
explained what costs are covered in this budget envelope. Mr. Chénier told members that inflation has
not been reflected in the City’s allocation of funds to outdoor rinks, which was
harmonized over a 4 year period starting in 2002.
Mr. Chénier stressed
that currently, the City of Ottawa grants to outdoor rinks are City
contributions towards local community initiatives, and they are not intended to
be the sole source of revenue for these initiatives. He also told members that the 2010-2011 rink budget has already been
approved, and therefore PRAC would be looking at recommending increases to the
2011-2012 operating funds for the rinks.
Members supported
increasing the budget for the outdoor rink programs, however, they felt that a
22% increase in funding would be a difficult sell to Committee and Council. They discussed proposing more palatable
budget increases, either under a graduated rate over a number of years, or
looking at increasing the rate of pay for supervisors. Mr. Arseneault said he was willing to work with
PRAC on this initiative.
Action 1: Budget Planning Subcommittee to follow up with Mr. Arseneault in the fall to include a recommendation for increase in funding to outdoor rinks at the next municipal budget.
Action 2: Coordinator to reinsert this item on a PRAC agenda in the fall of 2010.
3. SYLVIA
HOLDEN PARK AND LANSDOWNE COMMUNITY PARK
PARC SYLVIA-HOLDEN ET PARC
COMMUNAUTAIRE LANSDOWNE
Councillor Doucet
June Creelman, Glebe
Community Association
Mary Tsai-Davies, Director, Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Program
Adrian Evans, Community member
Councillor Doucet briefly introduced the
presenters, and stressed his concern regarding the future of Sylvia Holden Park,
following the release of draft Lansdowne Park redevelopment plans. Councillor Doucet reminded members that Sylvia
Holden Park is a community park next to Lansdowne Park, and felt that it should
not be included in any aspect of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park, such as
in the front lawn design competition. Finally,
Councillor Doucet referred to a motion of Council in which it was stated that Sylvia
Holden Park would not be included in any visual presentations of the proposed
Lansdowne redevelopment.
June Creelman, Chair, Glebe
Community Association, provided images of proposed plans for the Lansdowne Park, taken from
the developers site. She asked PRAC for
a motion to ensure that any planning for Lansdowne Park respect the City’s Parks
and Recreation Master Plan and provide residents the minimum standards of
greenspace, which are limited in this particular ward. Ms. Creelman spoke to her Association’s
desire to remove Sylvia Holden Park from any representation of Lansdowne Park
during its redevelopment. She is
concerned that conflicting information regarding Sylvia Holden Park, its
inclusion in the Lansdowne redevelopment plan, and even the parks size and
amenities have been provided by City staff, and requests for clarification have
not been answered. Ms. Creelman related
to PRAC the park’s importance in the community, both as a resource for
community centres and day care centres, but also as the only community park in
Ward 17. She felt it must be protected
as it is, and continue to be run by the City and managed like any other
community park in consultation with the community.
Mary Tsai-Davies, Executive
Director, Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG), described Sylvia Holden Park as
a critically important and irreplaceable facility for GNAG, who works with the City
of Ottawa in delivery of recreational programs through the Glebe Community
Centre. She told members of PRAC that
the park, with its play structure, wading pool, basketball court, baseball
diamonds, bathroom facilities, and green area, is used by over 200 children
every day in the summer. She warned PRAC
that due to the space shortage in the Glebe, if this park were to be absorbed
and decommissioned during the Lansdowne Park redevelopment, the negative impact
on programming would be severe.
Adrian Evans, Community Member, spoke on behalf of users of Sylvia
Holden Park, and provided a PowerPoint presentation, which gave a snapshot of
the many uses of the park. He told PRAC
that community members have established an online photo gallery to show how
much the park is used, and have created a petition that calls on the City to
exclude the Park from the Lansdowne redevelopment. Mr. Evans also referred to a community
meeting that was held to discuss Sylvia Holden Park, and which was attended by over
100 members of the community, though no City staff attended. He asked members of PRAC to pass a motion that
requests that the City consults with local community regarding changes to
Sylvia Holden Park; and to state that Sylvia Holden Park is a different entity
from the rest of Lansdowne Park.
Members had questions regarding the material
provided by the presenters, who went into greater detail as to what they
believe the developers are proposing for various parts of the Lansdowne site.
Some members were hesitant to pass motions on
this issue until the plans for Lansdowne Park were drafted and presented, so as
to see what is proposed for Sylvia Holden Park.
The presenters however stressed that Sylvia Holden Park is separate from
Lansdowne Park, is a City community park, and should not be included at all in
the Lansdowne Plans for redevelopment.
Staff clarified that they did receive the
invitation from the Community to attend their meeting, but can only participate
in events that are organized as part of the formal consultation on Lansdowne. Staff also reminded PRAC that it received a
presentation from John Smit at its last meeting, where it was stated that Sylvia
Holden Park would remain untouched.
Finally, staff told PRAC that John Smit will return at the next meeting
to speak to the front lawn proposals, where PRAC will get clarity on this
issue.
Members asked staff for clarification on the
size and scope of Sylvia Holden Park.
Staff spoke to GIS system, which mislabelled the park, which is only the
front end facing Bank Street. The back
end, which holds the wading pool and greenspace, is known as the Lansdowne
Community Park. That is the active play
area.
Members of PRAC supported protecting both
community parks, and ensuring they remain separate from the Lansdowne Park redevelopment.
Moved by D. Cates
That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommend that the
Community and Protective Services Committee recommend that Council direct staff
to organize a community meeting to consult with local residents regarding
Sylvia Holden Park/Lansdowne Community Park.
CARRIED,
with members Marleau and Thompson dissenting
Moved by D. Cates
That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee strongly recommends
that Council approve the exclusion of Sylvia Holden Park/Lansdowne Community
Park, including its baseball diamond, dog park, wading pool, swing set, play
structure, from any RFPs relating to the Lansdowne Redevelopment Plan.
CARRIED
Yeas (6): S. Perry, K. Abella, K.
Brambley, D. Cates, C. Sidorenko, R. Voyer
Nays (4): D. Hartnett, P. Marleau,
W. McMeekin, K. Thompson.
Moved by D. Cates
That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommends that Sylvia
Holden Park/Lansdowne Community Park remain in the City Park Inventory, and is
not redeveloped in any way as part of the Lansdowne Redevelopment Project.
WITHDRAWN
Action 1: Coordinator to invite a member of the Glebe Community Association to Lansdowne Redevelopment Subcommittee meeting.
Action 2: Coordinator to distribute to Council, via memo and as soon as possible, the motions carried.
4. WORKPLAN - DISCUSSION
PLAN DE TRAVAIL - DISCUSSION
Vice-Chair Perry
Vice-Chair Perry spoke to a handout that was
provided following the February 2010 meeting of PRAC, that listed the items of
interest and potential issues for the 2010 PRAC Workplan. She suggested additional issues to add, how
these may be addressed by the various subcommittees, and stressed that every
PRAC member join at least one subcommittee.
Members asked what kinds of achievements or
outcomes were expected of the subcommittees.
Vice-Chair Perry provided some examples of past PRAC successes.
Members discussed the current subcommittee
structure, and Vice-Chair Perry spoke to the joint Advisory Committee
Subcommittee, which has met several times to discuss issues regarding the
Lansdowne redevelopment that affect multiple A/Cs.
Action 1: PRAC members to submit to the
Coordinator, via email, the list of subcommittees they wish to join.
Action 2: Coordinator to reinsert this item at
the following PRAC meeting.
·
LANSDOWNE
REDEVELOPMENT - SUB-COMMITTEE
LE PROJET DE REVITALISATION
DU PARC LANSDOWNE - SOUS-COMITÉ
Vice-Chair Perry attended a meeting of representatives from various Advisory Committees to discuss the Lansdowne Park redevelopment. Vice-Chair Perry will circulate information from the joint advisory committee meetings as it arises.
Action: Members Perry and Duncanson to
join the joint Advisory Committee subcommittee on Lansdowne Park redevelopment.
5. HELMET USE AT CITY FACILITIES - UPDATE
LE PORT DU CASQUE AUX INSTALLATIONS MUNICIPALES - MISE À
JOUR
Member Voyer
Member Marleau spoke to a motion from Councillor Bellemare that required City staff to provide to CPSC an annual progress report on the initiative. Member Marleau felt this was a success for PRAC, as it would give PRAC the opportunity to speak to the progress report and make comments to CPSC annually.
Staff informed members that City Council approved the report at its meeting on March 28, 2010. Staff will implement the recommendations in the report over the next year, as well as provide an educational component. The mandatory helmet requirement for children skating at indoor arenas will be implemented in the fall of 2011.
Information
6. UPDATES FROM STAFF
MISE À JOUR DU PERSONNEL
Mr. Chénier provided a brief verbal update on the following:
· Invited members to the opening of the expanded Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre on Friday May 7, 2010 between 5pm-8pm.
· Provided update on the last Council meeting: in addition to helmet report, a report on modifying the arena rental policy’s “shoulder hour” from 10:30pm-11:30pm was approved and has been put into effect.
·
Inquiry from Councillor Doucet
regarding extending the operating hours of City wading pools from 6pm to
7pm. Staff recommended, and Council approved,
that six pools across the City would be extended to 7pm as part of a pilot.
INQUIRIES
DEMANDES DE RENSEIGNEMENTS
Other business
AUTRES QUESTIONS
· Member Marleau asked staff to provide written documentation on staff updates and draft reports, in order to better understand staff recommendations going forward to Committee and Council. Staff agreed to endeavour to provide relevant information at PRAC meetings, understanding that time constraints, unforeseen circumstances, and Committee deadlines may preclude this.
· Member Voyer expressed frustration he felt during his presentation to CPSC, as there was no opportunity for dialogue. Member Voyer flet that Advisory Committees should have more opportunity to engage in dialogue with their parent Standing Committees.
· Vice-Chair Perry spoke to the City of Ottawa Spring/Summer 2010 Recreation Guide, on page. 11/12, May is Physical Activity Month. There is a five-day try-it pass from May 1 to May 31.
ADJOURNMENT
LEVÉE
DE LA SÉANCE
The meeting
adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Original
signed by Original
signed by
C.
Zwierzchowski I.
Duncanson
for: K. Sammon
Committee
Coordinator Chair