Date:

Monday, June 1, 2009

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Harold Steves

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

2.

Michael O’Brien, Chair, Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation, George Duncan, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation and CAO, and City of Richmond, and John Mills, General Manager, Richmond Olympic Business Corporation, presented the 2008 Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation Annual Report.

Mr. O’Brien spoke about the role and responsibilities of the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation Board of Directors, and indicated that upon the completion of her duties as a local MLA, Olga Illich resigned from the Board.

 A discussion ensued about the 2008 Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation Annual Report, and the following was noted:

§      

the City receives annual funding from the Games Operating Trust;

§      

the real estate corporation retained to assist in the marketing and sales of lease space available at the Oval operates locally and internationally;

§      

commercial usage of Oval space has been set at approximately 80%.  It was noted that there were no agreements in place regarding how much time would be allotted to various groups using the Oval space;

§      

Richmond Olympic Oval related costs for salaries and benefits included start-up costs as well as positions seconded from the City;

§      

Richmond would continue to engage high performance and high visibility activities such as the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships;

§      

skating at the Oval will be available to the public throughout the summer months;

§      

the lights at the Oval are dimmed from approximately 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., to save energy.  However, it is not feasible to turn the lights off due to safety concerns for workers at the site;

§      

the Oval Corporation has approved a one year business plan.  Council will receive regular update reports highlighting milestones and any changes to the Oval’s business plan.  It was also noted that the Oval’s business plan would be updated and submitted to Council for approval;

§      

concerns related to people wandering through the Oval’s fitness area would be addressed after the Olympic games;

§      

once fully operational, it was estimated that the Oval will require a 3 million dollar subsidy, which when compared to subsidies for other facilities, was much lower per square foot;

§      

the financial statements for the Oval include monies that the City would charge back to the Oval Corporation;

§      

approved uses for the building on lot 6, adjacent to the Oval site, include a real estate display centre and a restaurant; and

§      

the Oval has not had a negative impact on attendance at Richmond’s community centres, as the community centres attract neighbourhood residents.

Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation 2008 Annual Report to the City of Richmond

(File Ref. No.:  01-0060-20-ROVA1/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2649865)

It was moved and seconded

That the attached report “2008 Annual Report from the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation,” be received for information.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

3.

A discussion ensued between Committee members and John Irving, Director, Engineering about:

§      

the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation’s (VAFFC) preference for the proposed South Arm option for increasing fuel supply to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).  It was noted that City staff were seeking additional information on the other options through the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) process;

§      

options presented in the project description document which is publicly available on the VAFFC website;

§      

whether the existing fuel supplies will be sufficient in the future;

§      

the positive impact associated with removing fuel tanker trucks from regional roads;

§      

the City’s level of authority regarding the matter.  It was mentioned that the BCEAO would give consideration to the City’s concerns;

§      

the role of the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission; and

§      

the feasibility and viability of upgrading the existing jet fuel line route. 

It was moved and seconded

That in relation to any new and necessary jet fuel supply systems to YVR, a preference be endorsed for:

(a)

jet fuel supply system options that result in no net gain of jet fuel line length on Lulu Island;

(b)

the further consideration and review of alternatives to the current VAFFC proposal;

(c)

significant removal of fuel delivery trucks from regional roadways; and

(d)

options that do not include an off-loading facility on the south arm of the Fraser River.

The question on the motion was not called, as Committee members expressed their views and concerns related to the matter.  Mr. Irving indicated that City staff were seeking Council’s position and endorsement in order to strengthen the City’s presence in the BCEAO process. 

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

As a result of the information presented in the previous discussion, the following referral motion was introduced: 

It was moved and seconded

That staff advise on the various options for jet fuel supply systems.

The question on the motion was not called, as staff were asked to also indicate in their analysis which of the existing options for jet fuel supply systems could definitely be eliminated from consideration. 

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

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARMENT

4.

Update on VANOC Sponsorship Program for Aboriginal Artworks at the Richmond Olympic Oval Precinct

(File Ref. No.:  11-7000-09-20-091/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2596252)

Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, and Jane Fernyhough, Manager, Cultural Services, introduced the following members of the project team: Connie Watts, VANOC, Nuu-chah-nulth Arts Association; Kelly Porier, Project Manager; Tim Paul, Lead Artist; and Rodney Sayers, Artist.

With the aid of a model of the proposed art concept, City staff and members of the project team provided the following advice:

§      

the art sculpture would be approximately 21.5 feet tall, and will incorporate lighting;

§      

the sandblasted glass would be laminated to protect it from vandalism, and the glass would be easily replaceable if damaged;

§      

the cedar wood chosen to surround the glass would be suitable for an outdoor sculpture, and finished appropriately for protection from the elements. 

In answer to a query, Ms. Watts advised that VANOC has exclusive rights to the art designs until after the 2010 Olympics, however, the City of Richmond has the option to work collaboratively with the artist for a joint rights agreement.

In answer to a query, Cathryn Carlile, General Manager - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services advised that an additional level funding request for the maintenance of art would be forthcoming as part of the 2010 budget process as well as in subsequent years. 

It was also noted that information about the art works such as stories and songs would be displayed near the art sculptures, as well as provided in an art book which will highlight all the native art on the various venue sites.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the VANOC Venues’ Aboriginal Art Program at the Richmond Olympic Oval Precinct as outlined in this report be endorsed;

(2)

That the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, be authorized to enter into an agreement with VANOC to execute and fund a program to have Aboriginal Art procured and installed at the Richmond Olympic Oval precinct for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games;

(3)

That the concept design entitled, “Hupakwanum”, as prepared by the Nuu-chah-nulth Art Association for the VANOC Venues’ Aboriginal Art Program Feature Art at the Richmond Olympic Oval Precinct, be endorsed; and

(4)

That the concept design for the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami tapestry, as prepared by the Pangnirtung Tapestry Studios for the VANOC Venues’ Aboriginal Art Program Textile Art Work at the Richmond Olympic Oval Precinct, be endorsed.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

5.

Update: Port Metro Vancouver – Gilmore Lands

(File Ref.: ) (REDMS No. 2644854)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City write Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) a letter emphasizing that:

(a)

The Gilmore lands should continue to be farmed as they are prime farmland;

(b)

Non-agricultural use of the Gilmore lands is not supported as such would be inconsistent with the ALR requirements as the lands are in the ALR, designated Agriculture in the Richmond Official Community Plan, zoned Agriculture (AG1) in the City’s Zoning Bylaw, and shown and intended for long term agricultural use in the Richmond Agricultural Viability Strategy;

(c)

PMV should use non-agricultural land to meets its port needs.

(2)

That PMV be requested to clarify its land use strategy for all of its property located in the City of Richmond and whether its it considering further purchases; and

(3)

That copies of the letter be sent to all Metro Vancouver region Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Agricultural Land Commission, the Metro Vancouver Board and municipalities; the Federal Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities; and the BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. 

Prior to the question on the motion being called, it was noted that the letter to Port Metro Vancouver should indicate that non-agricultural use of the Gilmore Lands would result in isolation of a large portion of agricultural land located to the east of the Gilmore Lands and would create difficulties related to irrigation. 

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

RICHMOND OLYMPIC BUSINESS OFFICE

6.

Olympic Torch Relay Celebration and Commemoration Funding Program

(File Ref. No.:  11-7400-30-OTRE1/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2634809)

It was moved and seconded

That the General Manager, Olympic Business and Major Projects be authorized to:

(a)

submit a funding application to the Department of Canadian Heritage in relation to the Celebration and Commemoration Program for organizing activities to support the participation of the general public in the 2010 Olympic Torch; and

(b)

finalize and execute any documentation related to the application.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:55 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, June 1, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office