Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee Meeting Minutes - August 28, 2001

Date:

Tuesday, August 28, 2001

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Acting Mayor Bill McNulty

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Lyn Greenhill

Councillor Kiichi Kumagai

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, July 24, 2001, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

At this point the Chair requested that an additional item on the Tall Ships be added to the agenda as Item 5.

2.

FORMER CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY RIGHT-OF-WAY TRAIL CONCEPT 475 METERS EAST OF NO. 2 ROAD

(Report: August 16/01, File No.: 2285-01) (REDMS No. 483513)

Park Planner, Yvonne Stich, and Planner, Kari Huhtala, reviewed the report.

In response to questions the following information was provided:

â

the planned drainage ditch would proceed with or without the development of the trail;

â

conflicts arising out of the popular use of the South Dyke trail were driving the creation of an alternative route, with different connections and links, in the area;

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London Farm was chosen as the dividing point for the trail as the land east of London Farm was being actively farmed;

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the City has owned the former CNR right-of-way since 1991; and,

â

only the drainage ditch was tied to the City budget. There was no intention to add to the trail budget "Adopt a Trail" or opportunities thru development were possible considerations.

Mr. Carvalho, spoke to the Committee as a farmer and also as a developer. Mr. Carvalho felt that Council must support farms and protect farmers. Vandalism, theft, damage to equipment, garbage and refuse, and noise were the concerns expressed by Mr. Carvalho. In addition to these, difficulties with spraying and trespass were noted.

Mr. Zylmans, an area farmer, said that subsequent to the discussions held several years ago on this matter, the Farmers Institute was developed which in turn had participated in the development of the Agricultural Viability Study. Mr. Zylmans said that farmers did not want the public close to their farmland, especially in light of the spraying that occurred, and he requested assurance that the trail would be moved as far south as possible. Assurance was also sought that fertile land would be left undisturbed. In conclusion, Mr. Zylmans said the dead end needed to be addressed.

Mr. Dana Westermark noted that until development occurred there would be surveyance of the area. Mr. Westermark said that if the function of the trail was to provide an educational experience then an opportunity existed to create points of interest along the trail. He suggested that, for an example, machinery stored at London Farm could be displayed along the trail. The lack of arrival and destination distinction was noted. Although Mr. Westermark described the trail as being a benefit for the City and a great addition for residents, he said that the costs to be shared by future developments of the area was onerous and placed an unrealistic burden on those developments.

In response to a question on cost sharing, the Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, said that while there was a current requirement that development build the trail, this could be modified to a collection of funds until the local road system was in place whereby the trail would connect into that system.

Mr. Curtis Eyestone said he was in favour of the trail but had concerns about the route as he felt the trail should be through the back of the property. Mr. Eyestone expressed concern about equestrian traffic on the trail and questioned whether the footbridge at the end of the trail could accommodate equestrian traffic. Mr. Eyestone was further concerned that i) Mr. Carvalhos development would become a parking lot for those utilizing the trails, and ii) a secondary access to London Farm would be uncontrollable.

It was moved and seconded

That the trail concept for this section of the former Canadian National Rail right-of-way as presented in the report, dated August 16, 2001, from Park Planner, Yvonne Stich be referred to staff for further review and consultation.

Prior to the question being called a suggestion was forth that before the trail opened the blackberry/Nootka Rose hedge should be in place. The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

It was moved and seconded

That the matter of the drainage ditch be referred to staff for report to the Public Works and Transportation Committee, which would include a survey and Agriculture Canada analysis, in order that the needs of the agricultural community be met.

CARRIED

3.

(Report: August 13/01, File No.: 6510-05) (REDMS No. 485666)

Park Planner, Yvonne Stich, reviewed the report.

During the discussion that ensued it was suggested that a transportation/tourism/engineering feasibility study would not only identify the actual costs involved in the restoration and operation of the tram, but also the marketing potential and possible sources of funds.

In response to a question, Mr. Malcolm Brodie advised the Committee that the Steveston Interurban Tram Society had voted to enter into a contract with the City of Surrey to move the tram to Surrey. Mr. Brodie urged the Committee to make a commitment to ensure that Tram 1220 remain in Richmond as it was a key issue for the City's tourism industry. It was Mr. Brodies opinion that if the tram were to leave the City there would be no infrastructure in place to warrant the trams return to Richmond. Mr. Brodie also asked for an investigation of whether the Tram Society had the authority to take the tram out of the City.

Mr. Mark Sakai, a Steveston resident and Executive Director of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, said that for tourism to grow in Steveston there needed to be a linking of the heritage sites and attractions. Mr. Sakai advised that the Steveston Waterfront Committee believed that every effort should be made to keep the tram in Steveston.

A discussion ensued on the possible routes that could be utilized.

Mr. Graham Turnbull, a member of the City's Heritage Commission, said that if a firm decision could not be made to keep the tram in Richmond it should be allowed to go to Surrey.

Mr. Rob Tivy, Tourism Richmond, said that the critical point from a tourist perspective was the parcelling together of attractions and not the view corridor.

It was moved and seconded

That staff be authorized to undertake a Transportation/Tourism/Engineering study, utilizing the $75,000 contained in the provision account, as outlined in Phase One of the report (dated August 13, 2001 from Park Planner, Yvonne Stich) which would include comment from the Corporate Sponsorship Committee and the Manager, Business Liaison and Development.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be sent to the Steveston Interurban Restoration Society stating that Council recognized the tram as an important part of the City's heritage and that as such Tram 1220 should remain in the City.

Prior to the question being called direction was given to staff that the issue of implied ownership be resolved. The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

4.

(Report: August 20/01, File No.: 7000-09-01) (REDMS No. 489151)

Park Planner, Yvonne Stich, reviewed the report.

It was moved and seconded

That the report, dated August 20, 2001, from Yvonne Stich, Park Planner, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

2002 TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL

(Report: August 16/01, File No.: 7400-20-TALL1) (REDMS No. 485731)

The General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Cathy Volkering Carlile, reviewed the report and introduced the volunteer members of the steering committee.

A discussion ensued on the effect a reduced number of ships would have on the proposed budget for the event and the level of Provincial and Federal participation that could be anticipated. In response to a request that Council be provided with a progress report by mid October, Ms. Volkering Carlile said that the success of the sponsorship campaign would be reported on in early November. The marketing program was anticipated to begin immediately subject to Council approval on September 10^th.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Richmond 2002 Tall Ships Society be created and terms of reference be drafted;

(2)

the event planning continue; and

(3)

the City contribution of $446,800 be approved in support of leveraging future funding commitments from sponsorship, and federal and provincial governments.

Prior to the question being called it was requested that confirmation be provided, prior to September 10, 2001, by the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services, that sources for the allocation of funds would be from the 2001 budget. The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

6.

MANAGERS REPORT

Acting Mayor Bill McNulty requested that information be provided on the status of the Ministry of Transportation land negotiations which would include what letters have been written on the City's behalf regarding the usage and ownership of the land.

The Manager, Cultural Services, Jane Fernyhough, reported that contact had been made with the executor of the estate that holds the "rumrunner". A report was to be prepared on what would be required to transfer the boat to the City.

The Manager, Parks Operations, Gord Barstow, reported that the Landscaping Garden Contest finals would be held on September 6^th at the Gateway Theatre. The keynote speaker at the event will be Mr. David Tarrant.

Mr. Rob Tivy reported that Tourism Richmond was hosting Tourism Appreciation Night on September 13, 2001.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:33 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 28, 2001.

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Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant