MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, November 26^th, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

2.

(1)

Mr. Bob Ransford, Chair, Britannia Heritage Shipyard Advisory Board, to present the Annual Report.

Mr. Ransford, accompanied by Mr. Graham Turnbull, Mr. Jack Evans, and Mr. Bryan Klassen, Britannia Site Supervisor, presented the Annual Report, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks Office.  A discussion then ensued which included the following:

-

the stilt houses could be included in the Britannia Business Plan;

-

documentation of the houses, which are included in the Heritage Inventory, was suggested by the Heritage Commission only in the event the houses were to be demolished;

-

that information was desired on the priority of these houses being preserved before others;

-

last Sunday saw 150 people attend the Visitors Centre;

-

the current stability of the Society should result in an expanded role for the Society.

The Chair thanked the delegation for the presentation of the report.

(2)

Ms. Frances Clark, Richmond Committee on Disability, to present the Annual Report.

Ms. Clark, Chairperson of the Disability Resource Centre, accompanied by Mr. Vince Miele, Chair, Richmond Committee on Disability, Mr. James Sullivan, Executive Director, the Disability Resource Centre, and Mr. Arlen Johnson, presented the Annual Report, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks Office.  A discussion then ensued, during which the delegation was commended for the excellence of their comprehensive report, that included the following:

-

a review of the hyperlinks from the DRC website;

-

information on the provision of accessible housing for people with mental disabilities and also the success of reverse integration;

-

the recommendation that the Richmond School Board be included in the process of delivering the multicultural programming;

-

accessible busstops;

-

the promotion of Richmond as the most accessible City in Canada.

The delegation was thanked for their presentation.

It was moved and seconded

That staff provide an update on the status of accessible bus stops.

CARRIED

(3)

Ms. Kathleen Salbuvik, Past President, Richmond Art Gallery Association, to report on the success of the Richmond Art Gallery.

Ms. Salbuvik, accompanied by Ms. Corrine Corry, read a written submission that was included in an information package distributed to the Committee members.  An information package is on file in the City Clerks Office.  Discussion then ensued that included the following:

-

the current advertising methods utilized;

-

the fundraising challenges of the Board and the pursuit of a corporate base of sponsorships and funding support;

-

the importance of contemporary art in its relationship to current life;

-

the broad community spectrum that is welcomed into the Richmond Art Gallery.

The Chair thanked the delegation for their presentation.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

3.

DREDGING OF SCOTCH POND AND ENTRANCE CHANNEL
(Report:  January 13/03, File No.:  6150-04) (REDMS No. 936004)

The Director, Parks Operations, Dave Semple, and the Manager, Parks Programming Planning and Design, Mike Redpath were present.  Mr. Semple briefly reviewed the report.  In response to a question Mr. Semple also reviewed the process of utilizing surplus funds.

Mayor Brodie joined the meeting 5:01 p.m.

The Chair distributed a map, which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes, of Sturgeon Banks and the West Dyke when the trail system was first implemented.  The Chair suggested that if the dredged material taken from the Channel could be dumped along the jetty on the north side the amount of marsh could be increased and the habitat improved.  In addition, a higher dune was suggested at the east end of Garry Point Park and the far side of Hole in the Wall.

Mr. Semple said that the suggestions of the Chair could be included as part of Option 3 of the report.

It was moved and seconded

That staff utilize the surplus funding from Account 40812 Britannia Shipyards Dredging (2002) in the amount of $85,000 and Account 40800 McDonald Beach Boat Launch Dredging 2001 in the amount of $88,000 for a total of $173,000 for the required dredging operations at Scotch Pond as outlined in Option 3 of the report dated January 13, 2003 from the Director, Parks Operations.

CARRIED

4.

RICHMOND NATURE PARK WASHROOMS
(Report:  January 16/03, File No.:  2345-20-NPAR2) (REDMS No. 944272)

The Manager, Heritage and Culture, Jane Fernyhough, was present.  In response to a question, the Director, Engineering, Steve Ono, said that it was possible that the lack of readily available services and the poor general soil condition of the area had driven the cost of the facility.

It was moved and seconded

That:

1.

staff provide a detailed cost breakdown for the facility; and,

2.

the funds approved as part of the 2003 Capital Budget not be spent at this time.

Prior to the question being called, in response to a question, the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Cathy Volkering Carlile, said that the details of the project were included in the budget review process.  The question was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Barnes opposed.

5.

RELOCATION OF THE TWO 1890 - 1900 STILT HOUSES AT GARRY POINT TO THE BRITANNIA HERITAGE SHIPYARD
(Report:  January 14/03, File No.:  4200-02  XR 2025-20-003) (REDMS No. 940932)

The Manager, Heritage and Culture, Jane Fernyhough, and the Britannia Site Supervisor, Bryan Klassen, were present.  Ms. Fernyhough addressed two issues raised during the earlier report of Mr. Ransford that the two houses are included in the Heritage Inventory as they are believed to be the last remaining stilt houses in the City; and, that the developer portion of the cost of moving the houses was $3,000. 

In response to a question from the Chair regarding the Dolly Harper fund, Mr. Klassen gave advice that the fund contained approximately $2,500.  The Chair said that he had received the offer of a $500. contribution to the fund. 

A brief discussion ensued on the possible location of the houses on the Britannia site during which Ms. Fernyhough said that the Britannia Advisory Board and staff would include the possible locations, environmental studies and the specific function of the buildings in the Development Plan.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

staff and the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Advisory Board complete a Development Plan for the Historic Zone at Britannia Heritage Shipyard and report back to Council in the Fall, 2003; and,

( 2)

the two Garry Point stilt houses be moved to Britannia Heritage Shipyard Historic Zone.

CARRIED

6.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE IN CITY HALL
(Report:  January 13/03, File No.:  0105-01) (REDMS No. 940403)

The Manager, Recreation and Cultural Services, Jane Fernyhough, distributed conceptual drawings of the four options before the Committee for consideration.

Mr. Bob Ransford, on behalf of the Heritage Commission, put forth the request that the plaque commemorating the former City Hall be integrated into the display.

A discussion then ensued on the need to investigate and locate as many photographs as possible prior to the determination of the permanent location for the display.  Councillor McNulty left the meeting during the discussion 5:25 p.m.  The discussion resulted in the following referral motion:

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

staff investigate the availability of additional photographs; and,

(2)

staff review possible options of combining locations for the display.

CARRIED

FEDERAL BUDGET SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN'S INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM LETTERS OF SUPPORT
(Report:  January 24/03, File No.:  ) (REDMS No. 950209)

The Director, Recreation and Cultural Services, Kate Sparrow was present and in response to a question, gave advice that this was the first step in the attempt to reinforce to the Federal Government, and subsequent recognition in the upcoming Federal budget, that the need for services to be available for youth was dependent upon programs and facilities being in place at the municipal level.     

It was moved and seconded

That letters supporting the funding of the proposed children's Infrastructure Program as per Federation of Canadian Municipalities Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance, Recommendation #9: children's Infrastructure, be forwarded to Joe Peschisolido, Member of Parliament and to the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia.

CARRIED

7.

FRASER BASIN COUNCIL REPORT

It was moved and seconded

That the State of the Fraser Basin Report A Snapshot on Sustainability, dated January 2003, be referred to senior staff and the Advisory Committee on the Environment for their comment.

CARRIED

8.

YOUTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ASIAN GANGS

It was moved and seconded

That staff review:

1.

the delivery of recreation and cultural services to the alienated youth of the community through the recreation facilities and community centres; and,

2.

the role of community youth workers, the RCMP, and school liaisons and the provision of services to all segments of youth in our society.

Prior to the question being called the General Manager, Recreation and Cultural Services, Cathy Volkering Carlile gave advice that the Recreation Service Delivery would be complete in sixty days after which the fit of youth into that vision could be responded to.  Ms. Volkering Carlile also suggested that a report identifying prevention measures as opposed to policing measures could be brought back for discussion at an earlier date.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

9.

MANAGERS REPORT

The General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Cathy Volkering Carlile reported that consultants Cannon Johnston Architecture had been retained to work on designing the Master Plan for the next 10 years.  Information will be provided to Council during the process. 

The Manager, Parks Programs Planning and Design, Mike Redpath, reported that discussions were underway with community sports groups and stakeholders on the charging of user fees on high quality grass and lit field facilities.  The discussions were said to include a look at a phased process for directing those fees to field upgrades.

Mr. Redpath also reported on the status of the Steveston Park upgrade, which is almost complete.  The grand opening of the upgraded facility will take place in May, 2003.

The Director, Parks Operations, Dave Semple, said that, in conjunction with the Health Department, the level of arsenic contained in playground material, including leaching considerations, was under review.

Mr. Redpath reported on the status of the negotiations Richmond Tennis Club.

The Manager, Aquatic & Arena Services, Dave McBride, reported on the status of the replacement of the chiller unit at the Richmond Ice Centre and the interim affect on user groups.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:52 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, January 28^th, 2003.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant