Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee Meeting Minutes - June 26, 2001

Date:

Tuesday, June 26, 2001

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Derek Dang, Vice-Chair

Councillor Malcolm Brodie

Acting Mayor Linda Barnes

Absent:

Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Greenhill

Call to Order:

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

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, May 29, 2001, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

2.

Mr. Gary Hiscox, to request the City's participation in the development of "Chestnut Junction".

Mr. Gary Hiscox thanked the Committee members for the opportunity to speak to them. Mr. Hiscox then provided a brief summation of the circumstances that have brought him to the point of requesting the City's assistance in support of his artwork. Mr. Hiscoxs letter dated June 12, 2001 is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes.

The Chair advised Mr. Hiscox that it was difficult to answer his requests as Mr. Hiscox was not a Richmond resident. Mr. Hiscox was also advised that Council could not give support for Mr. Hiscox operating on property that belonged to the Fraser Port Authority; Mr. Hiscox would have to contact the Fraser Port Authority directly.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

3.

(Report: June 7/01, File No.: 2345-00) (REDMS No. 320858)

The Director, Parks, Dave Semple, stated that considerable work had gone into the development of the first step of the management of the urban forest.

Clarence Sihoe, Park Planner, then reviewed the report.

The Manager, Parks Operations, Gord Barstow stated that the maturation of the urban forest created both short and long term problems. A coordinated effort was needed to address those problems, which would have budget implications. Mr. Barstow further noted that an arborist was critical to the future of the urban environment and beautification.

A discussion then ensued which included:

the removal of potential hazards; photographs of a recent incident involving a willow tree, which had been a non indicator of potential hazard, were displayed.

the possibility that a staff member could receive the appropriate arborist training; Mr. Semple advised that a variety of options for the implementation program would be brought forth.

the selection process for boulevard trees. Mr. Semple advised that the foreman, Gord Barstow and Clarence Sihoe were involved in the selection process. Mr. Barstow added that there was a need to expand the nursery to include the street trees that would require replacement.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Urban Forest Management Strategy (as attached to the report dated June 7, 2001 from the Director of Parks), be endorsed; and

(2)

staff begin work on the implementation steps of the Urban Forest Management Strategy, and present a progress report to City Council on an annual basis, beginning in September 2002.

Prior to the question being called Councillor Steves emphasised that in order that the urban forest be managed appropriately the services of an arborist were required. The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

4.

(Report: June 14/01, File No.: 2050-20-BSYD) (REDMS No. 432990)

The Manager, Facilities Planning & Construction, David Naysmith reviewed the report.

In response to a question from the Chair Mr. Naysmith advised that the infestation had worsened over the past several years and that some areas were critical. While treatment could be done on a gradual and controlled basis, if left untreated the situation would slowly deteriorate. Mr. Naysmith further advised that an investigation of wooden artifacts as possible sources of infestation would be included in the ongoing strategy.

Mr. Naysmith did not anticipate that large areas of wood would need to be replaced and noted that this was not a restoration program. He said that an ongoing program, which would include good maintenance, would reduce the beetle infestation, however it would not be possible to totally eradicate the beetle.

It was moved and seconded

That the report prepared by Entech Environmental Consultants be received and that staff include the specific treatment recommendations in future building upgrades at Britannia Site.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

5.

(Report: June 11/01, File No.: 7000-09-01) (REDMS No. 442001)

The Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, introduced Mr. Dan Campbell, the Chair of the Public Art Commission and then reviewed the report. Mr. Crowe advised the Committee that the formula that had been developed to fund the program for the first three years has now expired.

Mr. Campbell said that he had been involved with the program since its inception. Mr. Campbell said that it had been a learning process and recognized the experience, knowledge and enthusiasm of the volunteers who have become involved in the program. The program was in the process of being tailored specifically to Richmond. The development community had given the program a favorable response and there were good pieces of public art occurring in the City.

Discussion then ensued on the following:

how public input would be incorporated (eg. a list of the publics ideas about public art themes);

a specific budget proposal of what was to be spent this year would come forth in the month or so;

whether public art was considered optional or mandatory; and

an opportunity existed along the No. 3 Road rapid bus route for public art.

In response to a question from Mr. Crowe regarding the direction of the amount the City might contribute, the Chair stated the amount would be dependent upon the result of this years public art initiatives and spending.

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare Public Art Program improvements (as identified in the Appendix D Conclusion Section of the report dated June 11^th, 2001, from the Manager, Policy Planning).

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff comment on contributions made to Public Art and the circumstances of those contributions.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGERS REPORT

Councillor Greenhill joined the meeting.

The Manager, Parks Operations, Gord Barstow reported on the condition of boulevard trees on Chapmond Crescent. Correspondence received from a resident of 9460 Chapmond Crescent was circulated to the committee members, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks office. The ash trees, which are approximately 50 years old, have been a problem for the past 25 years. Mr. Barstow said that a report will be put forth in the next month that will provide a recommendation of what should be done with the trees; probably removal and replacement. He added that there are approximately 128 such trees throughout the City that are in the same condition.

Mr. Barstow also provided photographs of trees in Marrington Park that an area resident had requested be pruned. It was confirmed that the trees would not be topped but that the encroaching branches would be removed and the trees thinned.

The Director, Parks, Dave Semple, Park Planner Yvonne Stich and the Manager, Cultural Services, Jane Fernyhough, reported on the status of the interurban tram. A memorandum (dated June 25, 2001 from the Director of Parks) that was circulated to the committee members is attached as Schedule 2 and forms a part of these minutes. An Information leaflet distributed by Councillor Steves is attached as Schedule 3 and forms a part of these minutes.

A discussion then ensued on various aspects of the matter which included i) the cost per kilometre of track was considerable; more information on costs was expected from North Vancouver and Surrey; ii) although there is strong desire from both the Tram Society and the public for the tram to remain in Steveston, the President of the Tram Society had a strong desire for the tram to be operating within a very short time which posed a difficult problem for the City; iii) the possibility of the tram being leased for the duration of the City's development project; iv) the feasibility of the Britannia site for the short term; v) $75,000 remains in an account for the tram; and vii) the tram corridor incorporated into the BC Packers Development Plan should be explored.

Councillor Greenhill left the meeting.

The Manager, Cultural Services, Jane Fernyhough provided a report on the Tall Ships. A society has been formed to organize maritime events and a small office in Steveston has been donated for its use. An overall structure for the Tall Ships event was being developed. A successful and productive meeting with the CBC was held, a letter of intent has been received, and the CBC was looking at the development of programs that would feed in the Tall Ships program.

The Chair said that he was in receipt of correspondence from Steve Baker of the American Sailtraining Association which indicated that there was an increase in the number of large ships that would be involved. All options for moorage of these ships would require exploration. It was suggested that a letter under the Mayors signature be sent to the ships that have indicated an interest in participating. The list of ships and a draft letter will be prepared for the Acting Mayor.

The Director, Parks, Dave Semple was requested to contact the Fraser Port Authority with regard to recent references to Finn Slough and report back to the Committee.

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, June 26, 2001.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant