Board Meeting Highlights
april 28, 2008

The following information is intended to provide quick highlights of this scheduled Board meeting. Every attempt has been made to summarize these highlights as accurately as possible; however, the complete and official minutes will be posted on the web site on the Monday one week prior to the next scheduled Board meeting.

Meeting Agenda - April 28, 2008

CHAIR'S REPORT

The Chair reported on recent community events attended by Commissioners including the Cherry Blossom Festival at VanDusen Botanical Garden, tree planting and dedication at MacLean Park, opening of the new Sunset Community Centre, Host City Happening in Strathcona, and Earth Day celebrations at Hastings, Jericho and Everett Crowley Parks.

GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT

Park Board related items on Council and Committee agenda this week are Vancouver Sport Hosting Grants and 2009-2011 Capital Plan.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Items on last Committee agenda were Queen Elizabeth Park tree management plan, Legends of the Moon expansion and summer Canada jobs 2008.

PRESENTATIONS

A video commemorating the 50th anniversary of the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) was shown. The BCRPA's 2008 PERC Award for Innovation and Ingenuity was presented to the Park Board for the Stanley Park Restoration Project: From Crisis to Opportunity.

STAFF REPORTS

English Bay Bistro
The design concept for the new restaurant on English Bay was approved for community consultation over the next two months. The bistro will offer a higher level of service and improved food quality for the busy beach location.

2008 Park Board Operating Budget
The Board reconsidered their decision made on February 25, 2008 and approved the Park Board Global Budget totalling $59.6 million. The budget provides inflationary cost increase adjustments and allows the Board to operate new, expanded facilities while maintaining the current level of parks and recreation services with minimal changes.

Vancouver Sport Hosting Grant: 2008 Allocations and Changes to Grant Options
Council was requested to approve the recommendations of the report on the 2008 Vancouver Sport Hosting Grant program. Included in the report were annual allocations and recommendations to change the Community Sport Event Grant option to make it more attractive to groups.

2008 Capital Budget
The Board approved the annual Capital Budget for this year: $22.2 million, which will be applied to a variety of park and facility projects including the completion of major renewals that have been started at Percy Norman Pool and Killarney and Trout Lake Ice Rinks. Park, field and playground upgrades, street tree planting and community-based projects will be funded.

Park Board Capital Plan Close Outs
The Board approved and requested Council close outs of Park Board Capital Plan items for the period 2003-2005. These close-outs represent the financial completion of projects and make transfers to balance deficits and surpluses. Close outs of completed projects where expenditures differ by $50,000 and 15% of the budget require Council approval.

China Creek Park South Upgrade
The contract for the upgrade of China Creek Park South was awarded to C.A.P. Ventures for $427,300. The project will add a new playground and paved plaza, a community garden and modifications to the historic skate bowl.

Consultant Award - 2008 Ghost Train and Bright Nights in Stanley Park
The Board approved the consultant's contract for Artistic Director of the 2008 Stanley Park Hallowe'en Ghost Train and Bright Nights in Stanley Park to Mortal Coil Performance Society for a fee of $22,000 plus disbursements to a maximum of $132,000. Mortal Coil has provided creative and professional services to these popular seasonal events.

NEXT MEETING

The next regular Park Board meeting will be held at 7 pm on Monday, May 12, 2008 at Ray-Cam Co-operative Centre, 920 East Hastings Street.

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