MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, February 26, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

THOMPSON COMMUNITY CENTRE - FITNESS ADDITION
(Report:  February 21/02, File No.:  2050-20-TCC) (REDMS No. 640501)

The Director, Engineering, Steve Ono, briefly reviewed the report.  The Manager, Facilities Planning and Construction, David Naysmith, was also present.

In response to questions information was provided that i) sufficient funding to cover the overrun was available; and ii) discussions were being held with the Thompson Community Centre Association on whether the Association would contribute funds for the overrun.

It was moved and seconded

That:

1.

 funds totalling $28,692 be transferred from the 2000 Capital Reserve Bylaw 7079 to the Thompson Community Centre Fitness Addition project; and

2.

staff discuss with the Thompson Community Centre Association the possibility of Community Centre funds being available to offset the overrun.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

3.

STEVESTON INTERURBAN TRAM FEASIBILITY STUDY
(Report:  March 14/02, File No.: 6510-05  ) (REDMS No. 662627, 635029)

The Heritage Co-ordinator, Connie Baxter, the Manager, Cultural Services, Jane Fernyhough, the Director, Engineering, Steve Ono, and Jim Hnatiuk, Transportation Engineer, were present.

A discussion then ensued between the Committee and staff that defined the wish of Committee that the Transportation/Engineering technical study be completed in house with the aid of expert consultation where needed.   

Ms. Baxter provided the information that she had been in contact with the group in Victoria responsible for the restoration of Tram 1231, which is currently running in Vancouver.  Three people involved in that group are available to complete a detailed estimate of what is required to restore the tram, however, this would not include the overhead trolley, track or route.

In response to a question, Ms. Baxter said that the $75,000 originally allocated for the feasibility study had been reduced to $50,000 for the Transportation/Engineering (including Geotechnical) study.  Mr. Day concurred with staff that the cost of the geotechnical portion of the study would be approximately $10,000.

The Chair requested that design details for both potential routes through the BC Packer site (along Bayview St. or following the dyke) be provided.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1 )

staff conduct a study to review market feasibility, management models, transportation and engineering requirements, and economic impact of operating Interurban Tram #1220 in Richmond; and

(2)

staff consult with geotechnical and other experts to determine the other aspects of the geotechnical and operational requirements of Interurban Tram 1220.

Prior to the question being called a discussion ensued that included the following:  i) that the wrap up of capital and operational costs for every aspect of the operational analysis would include future revenue potential including the result of current discussion with Tourism Richmond  on the possibility of a marketing feasibility study being completed in partnership with the City; ii) that the staff coordinating committee would manage all aspects of the project;  iii) that while an estimate of the total cost of a specific alignment would be beneficial it was not desired that too much time be spent on longer portions as most successful trams operate for approximately 500 yards only; and iv) that a new report be prepared that reflects the Committees intent.  The question was then called and it was CARRIED.  

4.

London/Steveston Park & Palmer/Garden City Park Field House Facility Transfer of Funds for Project Closure
(Report:  March 15/02, File No.:  2345-20-L5JE1, 2345-20-PGCI1) (REDMS No. 649788)

The Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath reviewed the report.  The Director, Engineering, Steve Ono, was also present.

In response to a question, Mr. Ono confirmed that access to the public amenity portions of the site are barrier free.

Mr. Redpath reported that the Richmond Girls Softball League had paid for additional paving of the backstop areas. In addition, a formal agreement with the association was being worked on that would provide revenue to the City on a long term basis.

It was moved and seconded

That the following funds be transferred to the London/Steveston Park & Palmer/Garden City Park Field House project:

(a )

Sports Field Drainage Project No. 40702                            $100,000

(b )

Capital Reserve Expenditure Bylaw No. 6991 (1999)         $  75,556

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

5.

NIKKEI FISHERMEN'S COMMITTEE ARTWORK DONATION TO THE CITY - JAPANESE FISHERMEN MEMORIAL
(Report:  Mar. 14/02, File No.:  7000-09-01) (REDMS No. 654974)

The Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, and Kari Huhtala, Senior Planner, were present, as were members of the Fishermen's Association.

Mr. Huhtala said the donation was in accordance with the City's Public Art Program Private Donation guidelines.  The donation of a bronze statue was in commemoration of the Japanese Canadian fishermen's contribution to the fishing communities in Richmond and the Lower Mainland.  The location proposed for the artwork is the south west corner of the  future park site located on the BC Packer land with a south west orientation to the river.  Maintenance of the artwork would be approximately $100. per year.

A discussion then ensued on the request by the Nikkei Fishermen's Committee that the City contribute $5,000 to the project.  Mr. Crowe provided several options that Council could pursue to achieve a partnership in those projects that might require a City contribution.  As a result of the discussion the following motion was introduced.

It was moved and seconded that the following be added as Part 2 to the staff recommendation:

That the City contribute$10,000 from the Public Art Fund to the public art project.

Prior to the question being called Dr. Tanaka, representing the Nikkei Fishermen's Committee, addressed the Committee.  He thanked the Committee for the opportunity to be present.  Dr. Tanaka said that the statue was offered in memory and recognition of the contributions of Japanese Canadian Fishermen to the development of the fishing industry.  It was expected that the project would be completed by the week of September 14 22, the Japanese Canadian Heritage week. 

Further discussion then ensued on the possibility of financial contributions being made by the City to artwork projects that have historical or cultural significance.  The City's Private Donation Guidelines are to be amended to accommodate this possibility.  The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

It was moved and seconded

That:

1.

the artwork donation from the Japanese Canadian Fishermen's Committee to the City of Richmond (as presented in the report dated March 6, 2002 from the Manager, Policy Planning), be accepted.

2.

the City contribute $10,000 from the Public Art Fund to the public art project.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGERS REPORT

The Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath, reported that a sports co-ordinators and managers information sharing workshop on artificial turf had been held that day. 

Mr. Redpath also noted that the Annual General Meeting of the Sports Council would be held that evening at 7:00 p.m.

It was also reported by Mr. Redpath that the construction of the bike park was well underway with 90% of the soil donations received.

The Manager, Tall Ships, Elenore Kubik, reported that she had been working with the Committees for three weeks.  The upgrading of the No. 3 Road pier is on track for the arrival of the Nipon Maru on July 7 17.  A second Class A ship is scheduled to arrive on July 18.  The upgrading of the pier will also make possible the visit of other tall ships in the future.  The Northwest Regional Conference of the American Sail Training Association was held last week which had provided a great opportunity for information gathering including that on ship requirements and crew numbers etc.  The target for the Tall Ships event is 20 ships.  In response to a question, Ms. Kubik said that new sponsors were coming on board on a continuous basis and that the Committee size was being increased to accommodate this.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:01 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, March 26, 2002.

_________________________________

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant