The matter of Human Rights Park on the Vanadzor City Council Meeting Agenda
10:58, July 9, 2012 | Press Release
On 29 June, 2012 the Vanadzor City Council Members met. On the municipal agenda was a request from Helsinki Citizens Assembly-Vanadzor to be granted stewardship/ownership of park land in Taron IV as they are interested in providing a Human Rights Park on a 5785 square meter parcel of vacant land for the Community of Taron IV. Out of 14 city council members 9 were present at the meeting. The initial version of the meeting agenda included 9 issues, while 3 more issues were added after the meeting started.
Before Tigran Papanyan, Head of the Architecture and Urban Planning Department of Vanadzor Municipality could present the application presented by HCAV, Gayane Qalantaryan, asked “by whom the project was funded” as, she expressed concerns whether the project was funded by a religious organization. Papanyan stated that the HCA Vanadzor office had requested the application and in reference to Mrs. Qalantaryan’s question, “stated that it is not their right to intervene in the financial matters of the park”. He also went on to the say that NGO legislative requirements require that NGOs cannot gain profit from any investments.
Tigran Papanyan also mentioned that the organization had already organized tree planting in the park area.
Mayor Samvel Darbinyan had a firm opinion. He stated that there was no recreation area in the Taron IV District, so the area should certainly be given for the construction of the park.
The mayor stated that a master plan would be required which should show the green areas separated with pathways. A lighting plan, bench locations and interesting play equipment for children should be indicated on the master plan as well. Also, they would need a contract which would indicate what would be done to the park land over the years. The mayor mentioned that the contract could be executed only if those points were clearly expressed in the master plan.
Mayor Samvel Darbinyan also suggested that HCAV present the master plan and contract to the City Council before the next City Council meeting and if all points are agreed upon, they will approve it.
The question was put to vote; 7 votes were recorded for the providing of the park area, one vote was against and one – neutral.