Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee Meeting Minutes - May 29, 2001

Date:

Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Derek Dang, Vice-Chair

Councillor Malcolm Brodie

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Bill McNulty

Absent:

Councillor Ken Johnston

Also Present:

Mayor Halsey-Brandt - 4:30 p.m.

Councillor Lyn Greenhill

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 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, April 10, 2001, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

(Report: May 18/01, File No.: 7000-05) (REDMS No. 412024)

The General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan, noted that this matter had been previously reviewed by the General Purposes Committee. Subsequent to this the finances had been retooled, the result of which was a proposed funding amount of $100,000.

Several changes to references contained in the body of the report were also noted.

It was moved and seconded

That $100,000 Casino funding approved at the April 23, 2001 Council Meeting for a Youth Outreach Program, be used as one-time start-up funding.

That staff work with Community Associations and other potential partners to develop additional late-night and after school activities for Youth and that all partners work together to develop long-term strategies to ensure that this type of programming is sustainable.

That staff report back to Council on the results of this program, at the end of the first year.

That Council request the Joint Council/School Board Liaison Committee to direct staff from the respective administrations to work together to develop strategies to better inform youth of the recreational, cultural and social opportunities that exist in Richmond.

Prior to the question being called Mr. McLellan confirmed i) that preliminary discussions with the Community Associations had taken place and ii) that no substantial change, from the Council/School Board perspective, was anticipated.

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

(Report: May 8/01, File No.: 1216-01) (REDMS No. 421170)

The Manager, Cultural Services, Jane Fernyhough, gave a brief review of the report. Noting that at least 50% of the crews on each vessel were required to be between the ages of 15 and 25, Ms. Fernyhough said that the festival would offer not only a cultural component but also broad financial spinoffs for the community.

A discussion then ensued on various aspects of the proposed venture, which included information on:

possible Richmond moorage sites for the Class A vessels;

the possibility of a partnership being formed with the City of New Westminster;

the question of whether this was a one- time event. Councillor Steves provided the information that the "Tall Ships Challenge" was expected to continue on a three year rotational basis which would involve the Great Lakes, The Pacific Coast and the Atlantic Coast.

the logistics involved for the dredging that would be required;

the possibility that should an annual festival be established in Richmond other tall ships/sail training organization could be contacted;

the funding commitment that would be required from the three levels of government;

the question of whether the key people that would be crucial to the success of the endeavour had expressed an interest in being involved.

Mr. Bryan Johnstone then came forth and was introduced to the Committee. Mr. Johnstone was in the process of contacting potential sponsors and noted that even without the aid of a formal package, the feedback that he had received indicated that the venture would be fully supported by corporate sponsors.

Discussion then ensued on the formation of the coordinating committee structure. Councillor Steves advised that a forum had been held on the previous Sunday evening during which the format from the Halifax event was used to identify where volunteers thus far fit in. It was suggested that, at the appropriate time, the list, including background information, of the 80 people that had attended the forum could then be used to fit into the committee structure.

Mayor Halsey-Brandt joined the meeting.

In response to a comment from Councillor McNulty, Ms. Fernyhough advised that the next phase of the process would be to determine whether sufficient money and sponsorship were available. She also said that the City’s acceptance in principle and the preparation of sponsorship packages was necessary in order to get commitments from sponsors.

It was moved and seconded

That staff continue to review the potential and details of hosting the Tall Ships 2002 event;

That up to $82,500 be allocated in 2001 from the Gaming Revenue Provisional Account or the Council Provisional Account to cover the resources necessary for staffing costs and consultant expenses to continue this review and to establish and work with a coordinating committee;

That a staff committee be established to liaise with the coordinator and the coordinating committee to ensure consideration of all City services required to host an event of this type; and,

That the Coordinating Committee be requested to report back with a plan and a budget for final Council approval.

Prior to the question being called a brief discussion on alternative funding sources took place, a result of which was a request that staff prepare a brief report on the options identified in the recommendation. The question on the matter was then called and it was CARRIED.

MANAGER’S REPORT

The Director of Parks, Dave Semple, introduced the Parks Department Work Plan - 2001 after which a Power Point presentation was made. Accompanying comments were provided by Mr. Semple, Mike Redpath, Manager Parks Administration and Programs, Gord Barstow, Manager, Parks Operations, and Yvonne Stich, Park Planner. A copy of the Work Plan is on file in the Clerks department.

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:35 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, May 29, 2001.

_________________________________

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Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant