PARKS, RECREATION AND WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Bell Homestead National Historic Site 94 Tutela Heights Rd. Wednesday, November 27, 2013 4:30 p.m. Present: Chair S. McMannis, Councillor L. Kings, E. Long, R. Weaver, B. McGeein, S. Boudreau, Councillor D. Neumann, Councillor Debi Dignan-Rumble. L. Ford Also present: B. Hughes, S. Jackson, C. Kuyper Regrets: B. Wyatt (resignation), B. Harding CONFLICTS OF INTEREST None Minutes 1. PRESENTATIONS 1.1 Bell Homestead National Historic Site Strategic Plan Chair Linda Guest, Vice Chair Sandy Ross and B. Wood, Curator L. Guest went over the reasoning for the strategic plan, the sources of input and the process that was followed in developing the plan. (Elsie Myers Martin, a Bell family member who is a planning consultant was very helpful). In order to meet the requirements for the Community Museum Operating Grant, the Bell Homestead Committee was asked to provide an up-to-date plan detailing strategic priorities to be undertaken over the next few years. The plan was developed over a six month period by a group representing various stakeholders: o Members of the Bell Homestead Committee (including representatives from Bell Canada, the Bell Family, the Bell volunteers and the County of Brant) o Members of the Community Outreach Committee o Members of the Bell Homestead Society o Current and past staff o Adult and student volunteers o Staff of Brantford Parks and Recreation o Neighbourhood representatives o Faculty of Laurier Brantford University The development process was organized and guided by Elsie Myers Martin. Strategies were evaluated against objectives and global uncertainties four Strategic Goals were adopted: 1) Manage Historical Resources 2) Further Site Visitation 3) Further Develop Grounds and Amenities 4) Foster an Inclusive Environment S. McMannis noted the report was excellent and the committee should be commended on it. The presenters left the meeting.
Minutes Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Bell Homestead National Historic Site 2 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Moved by R. Weaver Seconded by S. Boudreau THAT THE NOVEMBER 27, 2013 AGENDA BE APPROVED 3. MINUTES 3.1 Minutes from the October 29, 2013 meeting - circulated Moved by S. Boudreau Seconded by Councillor L. Kings THAT THE MINUTES FROM October 29, 2013 BE ADOPTED 4. BUSINESS ARISING 4.1 Trail Signage update B. Hughes reported the posts have all been installed; staff is hoping the signs will be installed by the end of the year. The next phase of the project will be the kiosks. The project is right on track. What will happen with the rest of the money? It will be used for trails related projects (perhaps interpretive signage?) 4.2 Draft Recommendation re: E-bikes on the City Trail System That the electrical power bikes known as E-Bikes be permitted to use the Brantford Multi-Use Trail System, Designated Bike Lanes and Share the Road bike areas. Whereas when E-Bikes and Cyclist fail to operate their E-Bike/Bicycle in a safe manner or at excessive speeds to cause potential harm to pedestrians using the trail are subjected to bylaw regulations. Whereas Bicycles or E-Bikes modified to operate using a gasoline engine are not permitted to use the Brantford Multi-Use Trail System or any City of Brantford Parks Trails. Whereas E-Bikes, regardless of their wheel size are not permitted to use Pedestrian Sidewalks and designated Walkways/Walking Trails. Suggestions: Remove reference to the G. Glaves Pathway as parts of the trail have been renamed through the trail signage project and not the entire trail is known as the Gordon Glaves Trail Differentiate where you want for e-bikes to be allowed (wood chip, paved, stone dust, etc.) The enforcement issue on the multi-use trails played a role in the decision of prohibiting. Brant County Council has not taken a position on this as they are not encountering the issues that we are in the City Discussion points:
Minutes Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Bell Homestead National Historic Site 3 The fact that e-bike users can use the road and a roller-bladder can t -.let s try to keep the trails safer by banning the e-bikes? Look at the user base the City needs to take this into account many people are at a disadvantage and use these as a means to get to their job. Some e-bikes are using the sidewalks because of the small size of the wheels (under the current bylaws) Accountability, liability and the free recreation use of trails are all points that support e-bikes to be banned on the multi-use trail system. MUTBAC recommended they be allowed with the understanding that education and trail etiquette be provided to people on the safe use on our trails. Who is going to be responsible for doing the educating? If the e-bikes are banned there would need to be an information sharing and education piece as it is rolled out so that tickets would not start being issued right away. With regard to this education, could the trail etiquette and the safe use of trails also be re-enforced? Yes Gasoline operated and/or modified e-bikes should not be on the trails this information would need to be shared as well There was no motion on the draft recommendation The report to council has been drafted and staff will hold it up until the next cycle giving this advisory committee some more time to come up with their recommendation. This item will be brought back to the January meeting. 5. DIRECTOR S REPORTS 5.1 S. Jackson Recreation o There is construction happening at Civic Centre front entrance o Staff is selling rink board advertising at WGSC internally o New fitness supervisor will be starting in January o Lots of Swim Meets booked to date o Harmony Square is in full swing for winter o Working with the Sports Hall and Sponsorship a report will be going forward to Council o The Final Design for the Sports Hall Report will be going to council on December 2 nd o Close to finishing the Tri-Party Agreement with the school boards; the Joint Use Agreement is also being worked on. 5.2 B. Hughes Parks EAB update as to the costing and the number of removals, stumping and injections Lorne Park Trail base construction is complete, it will be paved in the spring Morrell St. re-alignment of the trail update Bill Little Diamond project update A. Anderson Stadium will receive a complete new backstop this winter as well as upgrades to the change-rooms and showers. A yard rationalization study is currently underway. The 10 hybrid positions have started today at Works and will return to us in the spring.
Minutes Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Bell Homestead National Historic Site 4 The Joysey Street lights at Glenhyrst are ready to open on December 1 st. Victoria Park will be having a different Christmas display this year. Wreaths have been installed on the poles along the streets. With regard to an incident that happened at Arnold Anderson Stadium in the summer, Councillor Dignan-Rumble asked if corrective measures have been put in place. B. Hughes reported staff has examined the need for a hand-rail. 6. CORRESPONDENCE 6.1 Invitation for Nominations re: Volunteer Service Awards No discussion 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.1 Resignation re: B. Wyatt S. McMannis will send out a communication to him on behalf of the PRW Advisory Committee. Moved by R. Weaver Seconded by E. Long TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION FROM B. WYATT WITH REGRET 7.2 TEACH Application for Affiliation the application was circulated and discussed via email. Moved by B. McGeein Seconded by Councillor D. Dignan-Rumble THAT TEACH BE RECOMMENDED TO STAFF FOR AFFILIATION B. McGeein noted under the policy guidelines that groups wanting to renew their affiliation need to reapply in January each year. S. Jackson reported they are aware of this. 8. OTHER BUSINESS 8.1 2014 Budget update B. Hughes reported approval has been granted through the estimates process for the additional funding to regular trail maintenance and the Emerald Ash Borer. These had been submitted as Unmet Needs. 8.2 2013 Volunteer Pins for those advisory committee members that were not in attendance to the Volunteer recognition Dinner event on October 17/13: B. Hughes gave out the pins and congratulated the following members: S. McMannis S. Boudreau C. Harp B. McGeein
Minutes Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Bell Homestead National Historic Site 5 8.3 David Vollet, new Forestry Technician D. Vollett has started his new position. The department now has two forestry technicians, no coordinator. 8.4 Overview of Artificial Turf Fields Report S. McMannis expressed concern that the PRW Advisory Committee was not asked for input on this issue which was brought up at the 11.04.13 Committee of the Whole Community Services meeting. B. Hughes explained the council direction which was that staff do the following: Initiate a Project Management Cycle for the redevelopment of the Bisons Alumni Fields at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre for an all-seasonal/turf field, lighting and stadium seating, etc. Develop a plan for potential user groups and ownership options for the field and surrounding property and report back to council Initiate a Project Management Cycle for development of an all-season/turf field, lighting and stadium seating, etc. in the Shellard Lane area in conjunction with the Shellard Lane Task Force That the report be brought back to the January 2014 meeting of Committee of the Whole Community services. S. McMannis and E. Long offered to meet with B. Hughes to provide input into the report. Given the tight timeline, he suggested they contact C. Kuyper shortly to schedule a meeting with him. On behalf of the PRW Advisory Committee, S. McMannis extended thanks to Councillors Neumann and Kings for their work with this advisory committee and noted their involvement will be missed. Councillor Debi Dignan-Rumble was officially welcomed as the 2014 council representative to the advisory committee. 9. NEXT MEETING The 2014 PRW meeting is not yet finalized. It will be circulated shortly. 10. LIAISON/SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS 10.1 Liaison/Sub-committee Reports See attachment A 10.2 Council Committees other See attachment A 11. OTHER 12. ADJOURNMENT Moved by R. Weaver TO ADJOURN THE MEETING The meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm
Minutes Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Bell Homestead National Historic Site 6 ATTACHMENT A 10.1 Liaison/Sub-committee Reports Committee 2013 Liaison 10.1.1 Bi-Centennial Committee R. Weaver with L. Ford as back-up 10.1.2 Standards, Procedures Committee E. Long, S. Boudreau, R. Wyatt 10.1.3 Brantford/Area Sports Hall of Recognition B. McGeein 10.1.4 Multi-Use Bikeways/Trails Advisory Committee R. Weaver The November meeting was cancelled. 10.1.5 Beckett Adult Leisure Centre Board B. McGeein Approved minutes from September 20/23 and October 18/13 circulated. 10.1.6 Brantford Sports Council L. Ford with S. McMannis as backup September 10/13 minutes circulated 10.1.7 Bell Homestead Committee E. Long A meeting was held on November 20/13. Approved minutes from the September 25/13 meeting have been circulated and are included in the meeting package. 10.1.8 Tournament Capital of Ontario S. McMannis Approved October 3/13 minutes were distributed and included in the meeting package. December 3 rd, to go to the Review Task Force requesting to become an adv. committee of council 10.1.9 Tourism Advisory Committee R. Wyatt Approved September 24/13 minutes circulated 10.1.10 Canada Day R. Wyatt 10.1.11 Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford S. Boudreau 10.2 Council Committees other updates 10.2.1 Waterfront Master Plan Task Force 10.2.2 Sports Organizations Review 10.2.3 Violence in Sports Study Group