Regular Board Meeting - Monday, October 21, 2024 — October 21, 2024
October 21, 2024 · 10:12 pm–10:29 pm
Summary
Regular Vancouver Park Board meeting held on October 21, 2024, chaired by Commissioner Bastiabansky.
- Quorum confirmed with six of seven commissioners present; one commissioner was absent without a leave of absence, which prompted a brief procedural exchange.
- Land acknowledgement delivered recognizing the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
- Board voted to hold closed meetings before the next regular meeting.
- Minutes from the previous meeting were approved without discussion.
- The proposed 2025 Park Board meeting schedule was adopted on consent.
- Park Board Committee recommendations from earlier that evening were adopted.
- Chair's report highlighted community events attended by commissioners, including the China Creek Skate Park reopening, Stanley Park Ghost Train launch, Canyon Lights, the Sustenance Festival, and volunteer and community centre activities.
- No correspondence of note was received.
- General Manager Jackson reported on the completion of China Creek Skate Park upgrades, noting it is one of North America's oldest skate parks (built 1979), now improved with new concrete, enhanced heritage bowl features, and better accessibility.
- GM noted upcoming City Council reports on the Villages Planning Program, municipal arts and social grants, and potential park designation of sites in East Chinatown and Hogan's Alley/Strathcona.
- Commissioners raised questions about tree removals at South Memorial Park related to FIFA World Cup 2026 training site preparations; GM committed to providing a follow-up memo addressing community concerns, a public petition, and questions about replanting and additional amenity upgrades.
Attendance
Present: commissioner-bastiabansky, commissioner-christensen, commissioner-digby, commissioner-howard, commissioner-jensen, commissioner-beardy
Absent: commissioner-heyer
Motions
Motion to go into closed meetings prior to the next regular board meeting
Carried- Proposed that the board be authorized to hold closed (in-camera) meetings before the next regular board meeting.
- No debate or discussion took place.
- Moved by Commissioner Jensen, seconded by Commissioner Digby.
- Carried unanimously.
Approval of the minutes as distributed
Carried- Proposed approval of the minutes from the previous board meeting as distributed.
- No questions or corrections were raised by commissioners.
- Moved by Commissioner Jensen, seconded by Commissioner Digby.
- Carried unanimously.
Adoption of staff report: Proposed 2025 Park Board Meeting Schedule (consent)
Carried- Proposed adoption of the staff report outlining the proposed schedule of Park Board meetings for 2025.
- Presented as a consent item, meaning no detailed debate was required.
- Moved by Commissioner Jensen, seconded by Commissioner Beardy.
- Carried unanimously.
Adoption of Park Board Committee recommendations
Carried- Proposed adoption of the recommendations made by the Park Board Committee earlier the same evening.
- No separate debate took place at the regular meeting; discussion would have occurred at the committee level.
- Moved by Commissioner Jensen, seconded by Commissioner Digby.
- Carried unanimously.