CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

JUNE 1, 7 AND 8, 2004

A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at 7:30 p.m., and was reconvened on Monday, June 7, and Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

Mayor Larry Campbell
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor David Cadman
Councillor Jim Green
Councillor Peter Ladner
Councillor Raymond Louie
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Anne Roberts
Councillor Tim Stevenson
Councillor Sam Sullivan
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth

   

CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:

Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager

   

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

1. Hastings Park/PNE - Four Approaches for the Future (File 8009)

Vancouver City Council, at its meeting on May 18, 2004, received a Report Reference regarding Hastings Park/PNE - Four Approaches for the Future and referred this matter to a Special Council meeting on June 1, 2004, in order to hear from members of the public wishing to speak. This meeting was subsequently reconvened on June 7 and 8, 2004; however, the minutes have been consolidated for ease of reference.

Accordingly, Council had before it the following:

Sue Harvey, PNE/Hastings Park Project Manager - City Manager's Office, briefly reviewed the report.

The following spoke in favour of restoring much of Hastings Park to green space while preserving some of the existing facilities:

A summary of speakers' comments follow:

· many speakers expressed a preference for Approach 1 which most closely represents the 1997 Hastings Park Restoration Plan;
· any decision Council makes should respect the 1997 Hastings Park Restoration Plan - there are no large scale parks in this area;
· the process was rushed and misleading - can't allow Playland and still have a green park;
· the creation of New York's Central Park resulted in an increase in property values and generated positive economic growth - hope Council keeps the big picture in mind;
· urge Council to put Hastings Park under the governance of the Vancouver Park Board, limit Playland's mandate, relocate the Hastings Community Centre to the site and encourage events in buildings that will serve the public;
· residents of the area cannot have guests over during the PNE due to lack of parking and must keep children's windows closed on the hottest days of the year;
· the reasons people gave when voting on these approaches were for family-like activities not commercial uses or how to make a profit; do we design parks to provide work for people or to relax from our work?;
· urge Council to reject all increases to commercial uses in Hastings Park; currently east side residents must drive across town or to the North Shore to enjoy parks - park land is a privilege that should be afforded to all citizens of this city;
· will be unbelievable if Council plans to sacrifice this opportunity for a summer fair; with the exception of the rollercoaster, Playland can move anywhere;
· the PNE is responsible for maintaining the park but has very little interest in it;
· park planning takes time to make sure all parks are logically connected together;
· the proposed restoration plan formed a significant aspect for our decision to move to this neighbourhood a year ago - the future of Hastings Park is important for our family;
· my neighbours and I assumed that the greening of the park would go ahead - it is possible to restore the park to its original function while maintaining jobs;
· East Vancouver has nothing comparable to Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park - survival of East Vancouver parks is constantly in jeopardy;
· Hastings Park, the Empire Bowl and Hastings Community Centre should be connected to allow easy access for families - the fencing around the PNE currently doesn't allow this;
· think about PNE and Playland in your own backyard - relentless traffic congestion, noise, garbage and crime;
· Vancouver's second Mayor dedicated this site as a green space but we seem to be drifting further away from his vision;
· we would like to see the site governed as a park first and commercial enterprise second; a seasonal fair in the park is fine but not a permanent one;
· don't mind PNE and Playland but as a neighbour there are problems such as noise, traffic congestion and garbage;
· the Courier that contained the insert outlining the four approaches didn't get to all area residents so many didn't get a fair opportunity to look at the four approaches;
· Hastings Park could be a sanctuary for people as well as wild life - a place where one could escape from the compounds of the city.

The following spoke in favour of maintaining the PNE and Playland in Hastings Park:

A summary of speakers' comments follow:

· the Vancouver Park Board recommends a modified Approach 3, with a reasonable balance between park and commercial uses as well as community and city-wide needs;
· many speakers indicated a preference for Approach 4 which would see an expansion of the existing summer fair and Playland;
· the PNE and Playland should continue at Hastings Park because this fair creates economic benefits for the region and attracts more people to the neighbourhood;
· strongly urge Council to consider the employment aspect when making a decision;
· the PNE has been a valuable education opportunity for VCC's students and faculty;
· the PNE and Playland offers significant summer employment and unique, interesting jobs for young people;
· live across the street from the PNE/Playland, love the neighbourhood and feel safe -there is such a sense of community;
· the PNE has been a member of Tourism Vancouver for 54 years and is the number one visitor attraction;
· there are a lot of cities in Canada who would like to have a fair such as the PNE; its location serves as an easy access landmark and destination for tourists;
· since the PNE took over Playland it has become a better run, more welcoming amusement park;
· the PNE and Playland have a rich history to uphold - the PNE's centennial occurs in 2010;
· thanks to Council for having the courage to go through this exercise;
· the PNE has had sporting events, religious events and even the Grand Ole Opry - it serves the entire community; allow the community as a whole to continue to use PNE and Playland for years to come;
· the PNE has already sacrificed events such as the parade and the demolition derby for this sanctuary;
· the amusement industry is my livelihood and paid for my post secondary education;
· the PNE exposed me to the agricultural aspect of our province and helped me develop a broader appreciation of how food gets to our tables;
· the PNE is part of Vancouver's cultural fabric and the only major city celebration that is self-sustaining;
· learned good skills and money management while working for the Great Canadian Casino at the PNE,
· giving permanence to Playland will allow us to focus more on the aesthetics of the park rather than on moving costs for the rides;
· CIRKIDS envisions becoming a performing arts school at Hastings Park which will produce a money-making show for the PNE;
· the PNE, like White Spot, is a BC institution where families can come together - support the long-term viability of this fair;
· the PNE is considered by many to be a heritage institution - people will forget what you did and said but will never forget how you made them feel - I hope the PNE will be saved;
· Hastings Entertainment's business initiatives include fully integrating the racetrack in the park and creating full access to New Brighton Park;
· would be a shame to see the PNE disappear from this site or commercial exhibits moved into temporary accommodations such as tents;
· have been a long time employee of the PNE and as a new mother, I hope the PNE remains so I can take my daughter;
· the PNE is a tremendous opportunity for city people to get out and rub elbows with the agricultural community;
· my kids are members of the Kiwanis of the Pacific, grew up working at the PNE and help give something back to the community;
· the PNE and Playland create a safe, affordable environment for fun - would be a shame and great loss if they cease to exist;
· the PNE/Playland site is a prime opportunity to showcase sustainability;
· urge Council to think about the jobs in that community and for the youth when making its decision; Playland is an important part of youth and don't think this has been taken into consideration;
· OPEIU Local 378 members working at the track and living in the adjacent neighbourhoods overwhelmingly support the PNE and Playland;
· in favour of green space but not at the cost of jobs and people's livelihoods - like to see the PNE and Playland remain as close as possible to the existing operation;
· the family business has been at the PNE for 24 years and we as children have learned skills which can be used out in the workforce; gives kids something to do over the summer if they don't participate in other activities such as summer camps;
· the PNE and Playland are a "footprint" which should stay as is with a little upgrading;
· thanks to my work at the PNE I have learned public relations, public speaking and event organizing;
· at places such as the Seymour Demonstration Forest people are rollerblading on the asphalt because they want a variety of things to do in these places - what's the rush to tear up the asphalt at Hastings Park?;
· when I inherited the maintenance of the sanctuary I was saddened with the loss of such buildings as the show building;
· the Park Board envisions a new, dynamic park which will create employment on a continual basis.

The following expressed concern with regard to the visioning process:

A summary of speakers' comments follow:

· suggest a final decision be made after the PNE this summer - there needs to be more options on the table that are status quo;
· this process lacked in terms of engaging meaningful discussion due to time constraints and limits to really look at the options;
· the 1997 Hastings Park Restoration Plan was 18 months in the making and when adopted it was based on the fact that the fair would leave and the site would turn into park land;
· this process is heading in the direction of Vancouver losing its last chance for a major park on the east side; children and families in the area need this park space;
· the process was rushed and flawed - we need to put on the brakes and look at this in a much more thoughtful manner.

Ms. Harvey, together with Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager/Chair - Hastings Park/PNE Steering Committee and Susan Mundick, General Manager - Vancouver Park Board, responded to questions concerning issues related to the four approaches including water conservation, the relocation of facilities, temporary rides, safety and security issues and governance of the park.

In response to questions, Ms. Harvey agreed to provide an information memo on the pros and cons of temporary and permanent rides.

Having heard from all the speakers, Council agreed to refer its discussion and decision on the Hastings Park/PNE - Four Approaches for the Future to the Regular Council meeting on Tuesday, June 22, 2004.

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Green

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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© 2002 City of Vancouver