Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee Meeting Minutes - November 27, 2001

Date:

Tuesday, November 27, 2001

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes, Vice-Chair

Councillor Lyn Greenhill

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Bill McNulty

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, August 28, 2001, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

At this point the Chair requested that the order of the agenda be varied in order that the delegation representing the Friends of Garry Point be heard last.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

2.

(Report: November 15/01, File No.: 7200-01) (REDMS No. 559063, 559151)

The Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath, reviewed the report.

Ms. Denise Dale, representing community members in support of a bike park in the Steveston area, introduced Aaron Dale, Michael Smith, Jordan men'sing and Constable Harrison to the Committee.

Aaron Dale said that there were a number of riders that were not happy with the current options. At one particular venue with one bike jump there were, at times, up to 35 riders in attendance. Mr. Dale said that Steveston business owners were in favour of a bike park location and that some local business owners have expressed a possible interest in assisting in the sponsorship of the project. At two meetings that were recently held 50 community members, including parents, riders and the RCMP, had been in attendance. Riders and parents have also met with City staff to identify option and design details.

Michael Smith, an avid rider for many years, provided a written submission which is attached as Schedule 1.

Jordan men'sing provided the information that a bike park would decongest City streets and the skateboard park, allow riders to improve their skills and have fun, and possibly attain individual sponsorships.

Denise Dale then introduced Mr. Jack Evans, who was leading the fundraising efforts on behalf of the project.

Mr. Evans said that the majority of the costs, including the jumps, could be attained through corporate donations, gifts, service clubs, kids and their parents. The preliminary figures indicated that the project was fairly self sufficient with only the location and land being required from the City.

Discussion then ensued which included the following information:

(i)

a future bike terrain or skateboard site was not included in the Steveston Park plan. A two year process would be involved if the Steveston Park plan were to be revisited.

(ii)

the recently developed skateboard park was the test of City liability; restrictions would be required on the trestles used, etc.

It was moved and second

That:

(1)

staff bring forward, in consultation with the Steveston Bike Group, a preliminary design with detailed cost estimates, including opportunities for sponsorship, for the development of a bike terrain park as a two year pilot project at the south foot of No. 2 Road in January 2002; and

(2)

staff consult with the Steveston community regarding the possibility of a future bike park being located within Steveston Park.

Prior to the question being called the Committee members expressed their appreciation of the proactive involvement of the young community members who had participated in the project and the presentation. The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

3.

PUBLIC PARKS AND SCHOOL GROUNDS REGULATION BYLAW NO. 7310
(Report: November 21/01, File No.: 8060-20-7130) (REDMS No. 562118, 506123)

The City Clerk, J. Richard McKenna, reviewed the report.

It was moved and seconded

That Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation Bylaw No. 7310 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

4.

MANAGERS REPORT

The Chair distributed information pertaining to the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Dock Reconstruction, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks Office, to the Committee. The General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, Jeff Day, the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, Cathy Volkering Carlile, and the Manager, Facilities Planning and Construction, David Naysmith were present to provide additional information to the memorandum to Council, also on file in the City Clerks Office, prepared by David Naysmith.

Mr. Day said that, subsequent to the completion of the design process, recent discussions with the consultants, including the geotechnical consultant, had determined that the wharf structure would not survive additional dredging in front of the dock and that this would limit the uses of the dock. Mr. Day suggested that staff prepare a review of the costs of changing the scope of work that would be involved in providing the necessary draft for large vessels and that a report would be brought to the next Committee meeting.

It was moved and seconded

That options be brought forward to modify the scope of the repair of the Britannia Shipyard dock to allow boats to moor at that location.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

Sally Chow, representing the Friends of Garry Point, to present a proposal for a pilot project which would designate an area of the park as an off-leash area for dogs during the months of December, January and February.

In the absence of Sally Chow, Ms. Suzy Gelin, #6 10251 Steveston Highway, spoke on behalf of the group and made a power point presentation to the Committee. A copy of the presentation is attached as Schedule 2 and forms a part of these minutes.

At the end of the presentation Ms. Chow was present to provide additional background on, and objectives of, the group.

A discussion then ensued on various aspects of the proposal which included the concerns of waste management and the affect on other park use(r)s.

A petition was submitted by the Friends of Garry Point which contains signatures of support for the pilot project. The petition is on file in the City Clerks Office. Councillor Steves distributed a copy of a memorandum, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks Office, that identified the number and types of park users and also the number of dogs on and off leash during a one hour period on the morning of Friday, November 23.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the matter be referred to staff for development of a pilot project which would designate a portion of Garry Point Park as an off leash area for dogs during the months of December, January and February. Contingent within the project would be a commitment by the Friends of Garry Point that the group would provide adequate supervision of the area which would include ensuring that owners clean up after their pets.

(2)

staff provide an analysis of what hours of off-leash use would best suit the pilot project.

Prior to the question being called a brief discussion ensued on the amount of time that would be required for staff to prepare a report to Committee on the matter. Mr. Redpath and Ms. Carlile provided the information that, as public consultation would be involved, the earliest report date would be in January, however, an update could be provided in December. The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

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, November 27, 2001.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant