MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, July 29^th, 2003, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Steveston Judo Club:  Anniversary Book Funding
(Report:  August 11/03, File No.:  1085-01) (REDMS No. 1050932)
 

It was moved and seconded

That a one time grant of $5,500 be allocated to the Steveston Judo Club from the remaining balance of the 2003 Municipal Grant Account for the publication of their 50th Anniversary Memory Book.

CARRIED

3.

Disability Resource Centre/Therapeutic Equestrian Society
(Report:  July 28/03, File No.:  1085-01/1085-20-RTEQ1) (REDMS No. 1055766)

(Councillor Dang entered the meeting 4:02 p.m.)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and the Manager of Heritage & Cultural Services, Jane Fernyhough, and the Diversity Services Coordinator, Sean Davies, on this matter during which information was provided on:

the performance measures used to develop the contribution agreement

the number of Richmond residents who participated in the programs offered by the Disability Resource Centre (DRC), and whether there were any waiting lists

whether the needs of the disabled were being met through the DRC

the need to review the performance measures on an annual basis

the number of riders who participated in the programs offered by the Richmond Therapeutic Equestrian Society (RTES) who were Richmond residents, and whether there was a waiting list

amounts shown in the RTES budget that seemed to indicate that the volunteers were paid (advice was given that applications for direct access funding from gaming revenue required that the value of the volunteers be shown in a dollar amount; the volunteers were not paid for their services)

whether other municipalities offered similar therapeutic riding programs, and how funding was provided to these programs

whether programs offered by other municipalities provided a better model than the one currently in place in Richmond.
 

During the discussion, information was requested on the City's partnership with the Disability Resource Centre, where the Disability Resource Centre fit within the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Division, and what the City and staff involvement would be, if any.

Ms. Frances Clark, 8160 Railway Avenue, spoke about funding for the RTES, and the need to have funding available to acquire more horses to accommodate more children within the program.  Ms. Clark stated that the program offered by the RTES was the only recreational program available for children with disabilities.  She urged the Committee to continue to support the program, indicating that continued support would provide a catalyst to raise more funds.

Ms. Clark also spoke about the Disability Resource Centre (DRC), advising that the demands for services had increased beyond anything which had been expected since the opening of the centre as a result of expanding programs into the multicultural community. 

With reference to the volunteers who work at the Centre and the riding stable, Ms. Clark stated that these unpaid volunteers were key to the success of both organizations. 

With reference to the recommendations now being considered by the Committee for inclusion in the 2004 additional level requests, Ms. Clark expressed concern that the funding requests may still not be approved, which could result in the programs being cut.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

funding for the Disability Resource Centre in the amount of $70,000 per annum be included in the additional level requests for 2004; and

(2)

funding for the Richmond Therapeutic Equestrian Society in the amount of $23,000 per annum be included in the additional level requests for 2004.

CARRIED

4.

MANAGERS REPORT

(1)

The Director of Parks Operations, Dave Semple, reported on the closure of several parks and public areas, including the Nature Park and the Shell Road trail, as a result of the extremely dry conditions which currently exist.  He stated that the remaining parks were being monitored by Parks and Fire Department crews and advised that these parks would be closed if required.
 

Reference was made to the Britannia Shipyards site, the No. 3 Road fishing pier, and the wharf in Steveston, and discussion ensued on the feasibility of erecting No Smoking signs and placing cigarette receptacles at these locations.  Staff advised that No Smoking signs could be erected immediately however, they did not support the location of cigarette receptacles at these sites.  Mr. Semple further advised that he would approach the Fraser Port Authority and the Steveston Port Authority about the erection of No Smoking signs on their properties.
 

Reference was made to the status of Garry Point Park and Terra Nova Park, and discussion ensued on whether no smoking signs should be posted year-round.
 

In response to questions, information was provided by the Manager, Parks Operations, Gord Barstow, on the restricted watering which was now in place for the City's sand cell fields, hanging baskets, and new plantings, and the effect of the hot dry weather on Richmond's trees.
 

(2)

The Manager, Parks Programs, Planning & Design, Mike Redpath, provided information on the newest form of LED lights obtained from BC Hydro, and reported that the current energy costs for using these lights was now approximately $300 per year.  He added that the lighting program would be expanded to another section of No. 3 Road.
 

Mr. Redpath also reported on the status of the Memorial Park Feasibility Study, advising that staff hoped to submit a report to Committee in October, 2003.
 

Mr. Redpath in concluding his report, advised that the installation of trail system at the Grauer School/Park site had recently been completed and was proving to be very popular with area residents.
 

(3)

Ms. Fernyhough provided information to the Committee on the recent renovations to the Library/Cultural Centre.  During the brief discussion which ensued, Cllr. Dang advised Ms. Fernyhough of a number of negative comments which he had received about the new location of the Information Counter.
 

In response to questions from the Chair, Ms. Fernyhough provided information on the status of the report on the Aberdeen community space.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:46 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, August 26^th, 2003.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Fran J. Ashton

Executive Assistant, City Clerks Office