By stepping into the decision-making process on much-needed community centre and park facility upgrades, Vancouver city council is overstepping its mandate and undermining the park board.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the gist of an emergency motion introduced Monday evening by park board commissioner Laura Christensen that ultimately passed by a narrow 4-3 vote.<\/p>\n
City council\u2019s standing committee on finance and services met last week and approved a motion by Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung that pushed for a bigger vision for Vancouver\u2019s aging, undersized recreational facilities in the city\u2019s four-year capital plan for 2027-2030.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor too long, critical investments in core infrastructure and community facilities have not kept pace with the needs of a growing city, contributing to mounting infrastructure pressures and service gaps now facing residents,\u201d said Kirby-Yung\u2019s motion.<\/p>\n
It said the city hasn\u2019t built an indoor public pool since 2011 and the number of ice rinks in Vancouver hasn\u2019t increased since 1976, while other municipalities have moved ahead with major new multi-use recreation facilities. It urges council to approve upgrades, renovations and construction of new facilities including community centres, parks, spray parks and pools.<\/p>\n
Christensen argues all of that is the park board\u2019s job, and the motion urged the city to leave park commissioners and staff to set priorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is unprecedented that council has directed allocation of funding for assets under park board jurisdiction prior to and without park board\u2019s approval,\u201d the motion claims.<\/p>\n
It calls for $20,000 to retain a lawyer to determine the park board\u2019s jurisdiction under the long-standing Vancouver Charter, which gives the park board \u201cexclusive possession of, and exclusive jurisdiction and control of all areas designated as permanent public parks and temporary public parks.\u201d<\/p>\n