September 24, 2019, Vancouver, B.C. – NPA Park Board Commissioners John Coupar and Tricia Barker are calling for a Special Meeting of the Park Board under Section 495 of the Vancouver Charter. The reason for calling the Special meeting is to provide Commissioners with information regarding the deteriorating conditions at Oppenheimer Park.



A formal letter requesting the Special Meeting was hand delivered to the Park Board office this afternoon a short time ago (addressed to Park Board Chair Stuart Mackinnon). Commissioners Coupar and Barker are asking that the Special Meeting be called for Thursday, September 26 at 7:45 PM.



The letter further calls for the Park Board General Manager (through the Chair) to invite senior City of Vancouver, Vancouver Police Department, and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services management staff to the Special Meeting to provide an update to the Park Board; namely:

The City Manager or Delegate – to review the financial implications of the continuing encampment to the 2019 and 2020 Operating Budgets, as well as staff safety issues at the Park and any updated housing options available to campers

– to review the financial implications of the continuing encampment to the 2019 and 2020 Operating Budgets, as well as staff safety issues at the Park and any updated housing options available to campers The Chief of Police or Delegate – to review the publicly reported crime issues at the Park

– to review the publicly reported crime issues at the Park VFRS Chief or Delegate – to review the publicly reported health and safety issues at the Park

After the receiving the information from the senior officials noted above, Commissioners Coupar and Barker are asking the Chair to present his plans and options to the Park Board for a rapid resolution of the present situation.



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