Community Services Committee Meeting Minutes - June 27, 2000

Date:

Tuesday, June 27, 2000

Place:

W.H. Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Derek Dang, Vice-Chair

Councillor Malcolm Brodie

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Linda Barnes

Also Present:

Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Bill McNulty

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Services Committee held on Tuesday, June 13, 2000, be adopted with an amendment to indicate Mayor Halsey-Brandt as being present at the meeting.

CARRIED

Ms. Byrne expressed her concerns over the Gypsy Moth spray program currently implemented in areas of infestation throughout Greater Vancouver. Ms. Byrne spoke of the difficulties she has met in attempting to specifically identify, and therefore remedy, the cause of not only her own illness, but also that of her five year old daughter. She questioned the lack of consistency in information available and voiced her frustration over dealing with the different agencies involved.

During discussion of the issues raised the Manager of Parks, Gordon Barstow, identified that the City has not had to spray for Gypsy moths for several years. In the event that it is required, it is a combined Federal and Provincial program that is responsible for the use of spray. The spray in use currently is BtK. The City has no authority or responsibility for the program.

A report on the issue was requested from staff. The discussion concluded with Ms. Byrne being encouraged to pursue her concerns with the Burnaby Health Department and the Federal Government. Ms. Byrne will forward independent test results to the Committee upon their receipt, and, at the request of Councillor Harold Steves, Chair, left an information package for review, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms part of these minutes.

3.

Mr. Suto introduced himself as Vice-President of the Richmond Girls Soccer Association, and Mr. Kevin Gray, President. Mr. Suto has had a two year association with the Richmond Soccer Board. After explaining that the Soccer Association is a volunteer organization with a mission to establish, promote and foster the growth of girls soccer in Richmond, Mr. Suto said he wanted to draw attention to the lack of facilities available, the inadequacy of facilities, and also express his frustration in attempting to have the issue addressed. A copy of the presentation was distributed to the Committee, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 2 and forms part of these minutes.

Discussion then ensued which clarified the gender equity issue (increased access for girls may mean displacing boys). Councillor McNulty asked if any girl’s team or individual had been denied the opportunity to form a team due to lack of practice time, the answer being no, the association had instead cut down on practice time. The Director of Parks, Dave Semple, said that a series of recommendations on a number of issues from the Riverport report will be completed by the end of October, also noting that, while deadlines have been set for information, before the next big step is achieved incremental steps are needed, as are ensuring all groups are involved in the process and looking at other opportunities to maximize use of current facilities.

It was moved and seconded

That the matter of inadequate soccer facilities available for girls be referred to the Sports Council for a report to the Community Services Committee.

Prior to the question being called, it was requested that the Chair of the Sports Council provide the Committee with the turnaround time required to accomplish this.

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

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

(Report: June 15/00, File No.:7000-06) (REDMS No. 159289)

The Director of Recreation and Cultural Services, Kate Sparrow, introduced Sean Davies, author of the report. Mr. Davies then reviewed the contents of the report with the Committee.

Mr. Davies was then questioned by Committee members, during which it was confirmed that contribution to the Fee Subsidy Program is determined by geographic area in response to an annual review set up to determine the level of need, a process that can unfairly penalize certain neighbourhoods. Also noted was the higher incidence of family subsidy at Minoru Aquatics, which is reflective of the opportunities available for family participation at the facility.

It was moved and seconded

That Council endorse the continuation of the Leisure Services Fee Subsidy Program

CARRIED

(Report: June 16/00, File No.:1000-10-012) (REDMS No. 159992)

Ms. Sparrow deferred to the Manager of Arenas Services, Vern Jacques, after recognizing that Mr. Bob Mukai, Chairman, RACA and Mr. Frank Claassen, Treasurer, RACA, were in attendance at the meeting.

Mr. Jacques reviewed the report with the Committee. The discussion that followed questioned how long the current rate would be feasible in light of new arenas coming on board, and the $28,000 deficit for 1999. The responses were that the market would bear increase due to a probable lower number of arenas, and, that the 1999 deficit of $28,000 would be paid from this year’s accumulated net revenues.

Mr. Mukai then spoke on the agenda, issues and concerns of RACA, and handed out an information package to the Committee, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 3 and forms part of these minutes. He explained RACA’s need to remain competitive when setting the rates and fees so as to not risk losing user groups to other facilities. RACA is responsible for setting policies, and would like to encourage multicultural uses of the arenas.

Mr. Claassen followed by reviewing the financial aspects of the Association as presented in the information package. Mr. Claassen is not sure the $1.9M projected can be achieved, mentioning the impact Ironwood Mall has had on the Richmond Ice Centre.

Cllr. Johnston asked Mr. Claassen what his sense is of where we are in the projections, the answer being that, due to seasonal factors, it is difficult to pinpoint. Cllr. Johnston also asked when the $1.9M is re-negotiated, and Mr. Claassen said that the budgeting process should be moved up to reflect a more realistic fiscal period. It was noted that other than the Heat & Seats expenditure and renovation to the concession stand there are no major plans that will require spending in the near future.

Cllr. Brodie thanked Mr. Mukai and Mr. Claassen for their clear and concise presentation.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Schedule A of the operating agreement between the City of Richmond and Richmond Arenas Community Association (RACA) be amended to change all references from the year 1999 to the year 2000 and all references from the year 2000 be changed to the year 2001

(2)

That all other terms remain the same.

CARRIED

(Report: June 22/00, File No.:4045-20-04) (REDMS No. 161227)

Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt reviewed the report with the Committee after which a discussion surrounding the relationship between the Federal and Provincial government and these buildings ensued.

It was moved and seconded

That the process for demolition of the Phoenix, Brunswick and Imperial canneries, which are located primarily on Crown land, be referred to staff for a report to the July 10, 2000 Council meeting, on whether a permit is required for the demolition of these buildings.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the City write to the Honourable Joan Sawicki and the Honourable Corky Evans to make them aware of the September 17, 2000 deadline date regarding the demolition of the Phoenix, Imperial and Brunswick Canneries, and request that the Provincial Government make their intentions towards these buildings known by September 17, 2000, in order that a possible request for their demolition can be considered in light of this information.

CARRIED

MANAGER’S REPORT

Fire Chief Jim Hancock updated the Committee on two issues, the first being beds in firehalls. After providing a brief history of the emergence of beds in firehalls Chief Hancock noted that evening activity levels at the firehalls are high. These activities encompass such aspects as night training, inservice inspections, evacuation drills, public education, evening home inspections and safety visits, with many of these programs ending at 10:00 p.m. Chief Hancock reviewed the possible alternatives to beds in firehalls, namely:

8 hour shifts; which experience in Hamilton found unproductive. Shorter hours also mean increased staff of approximately 30 - 40%.

roving apparatus; might present labour and union issues; no good model found yet.

evening long activities.

reduced staffing in evening hours; call reduction is significant between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., however, damage is more significant during this time.

Chief Hancock concluded this issue by acknowledging the need for Council and the public to be aware of the issues involved, and looking for direction for the future. At the request of Committee Chief Hancock will clarify whether or not beds are included in the Collective Agreement.

The second issue discussed was First Responder. Over the years a gradual transition to higher levels of service has taken place, resulting with the Fire Department now relegated to First Responder status. The Fire Department usually arrives first on the scene due to locational factors and in light of this Chief Hancock would like to see the Fire Department undertake the role of educating the public in increased use of CPR. A similar program in Seattle elevated the average survival rate from heart attacks from 3% to 30%. Chief Hancock will look into the City’s statistics.

It was noted that this program would be cost effective as well as an opportunity to market services.

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6.55 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Services Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, June 27, 2000.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant