MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

The Chair advised the Committee that an additional item, Lawn Bowling Clubhouse, would be added to the agenda as Item 6.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

2.

TOYOTA CANADA INC. PROPOSAL FOR A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE POCKET PARK AT THE TOYOTA CANADA INC. PROPERTY LOCATED AT 21860 WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY
(Report: April 11/02, File No.: 2345-04) (REDMS No. 687639)

The Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath, briefly reviewed the report and then introduced Mr. Ian Hargreaves of Cochrane Engineering Ltd., the project manager.

The Chair, and then the Committee members, thanked Mr. Hargreaves, and Toyota Canada Inc., for the proposal.

Mr. Hargreaves said that discussions had been held with the City since last July, during which time several different proposals had been developed in cooperation with City staff. The current proposal responds to the needs identified by the employees of Toyota Canada Inc. and also the suggestions put forth by staff. During discussion of the half basketball court proposal it was suggested that two adjustable hoops, as opposed to one hoop, would be advantageous.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

an agreement with Toyota Canada Inc. for the provision of a publicly accessible pocket park at the Toyota Canada Inc. property located at 21860 Westminster Highway, be developed; and

(2)

within this agreement issues relating to liability, potential tax exemptions and timeframe, be addressed.

CARRIED

Councillor S. Halsey-Brandt joined the meeting.

3.

2002 PARKS CAPITAL PROGRAM MINORU OVAL ARTIFICIAL TURF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
(Report: April 11/02, File No.: 2345-20-MIN01) (REDMS No. 687637)

The Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath, reviewed the report. In response to questions he then provided the information that: i) if approved, the project would have to be completed by October; ii) the track season would be accommodated during construction; iii) the life expectation of an infill artificial turf product was hoped to be 10-15 years.

It was moved and seconded

That a request for proposals for the detailed design and construction of a synthetic turf outdoor sports playing field at the Minoru Oval field located in Minoru Park, be issued.

CARRIED

4.

REQUEST FOR FUNDING - THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN SOCIETY
(Report: April 5/02, File No.: 1085-20-RTEQ1) (REDMS No. 681478)

The Director, Recreation and Cultural Services, Kate Sparrow, said that the report had been prepared in response to a referral from Council in March 2002. Sean Davies, Special Needs Coordinator, was also present.

Discussion then ensued on the role of the City Grants process in fulfilling the needs and requirements of various groups and organizations and the difficulties involved when the growing needs of the community cannot be met by the amount of funds available.

Ms. Frances Clark, Chair, Richmond Therapeutic Equestrian Society, provided the information that the original referral from Council dealt with the Disability Resource Centre and not the Equestrian Society which had necessitated the separate request for funding before the Committee. Ms. Clark said that the Equestrian Society budget had been fine tuned but that in order to expand the program from 120 to 300 participants, additional funding would be required. Ms. Clark also said that it was important to note that this was not only a health but also a sport and recreational activity for disabled individuals that is part of the Disability Sports Organization of British Columbia.

In response to questions Ms. Clark said that i) the majority of participants in the program are Richmond residents; ii) 15% of the program cost is contributed by the participant with the exception of those who cannot afford the fee; iii) the Society was not able to benefit from project or government funding that might be available to other organizations; iv) there are only two certified instructors in this area, both of whom are involved with the program, and every effort was being made to retain both of their services.

It was moved and seconded

That:

1)

the request for $26,694 be granted to the Richmond Therapeutic Equestrian Society out of the monies contained in the unallocated Special Grant funds for this year; and

2)

staff review the budget and expenses of the program with a view to increasing the number of participants in the program.

The question on the motion was not called, as the following amendment was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That part one of the motion be deleted and the following substituted, that $18,000 be added to the Grants budget from the Special Grant funds for this year and allocated to the Richmond Therapeutic Equestrian Society.

Prior to the question on the amendment being called a discussion took place on the need to maintain a level playing field throughout the Grant allocation process. Direction was given that staff provide a report on how the process of increasing the Grants budget would take place, prior to the next Council meeting.

The question on the amendment was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. McNulty opposed. The question on the main motion as amended was then called and it was CARRIED.

6.

LAWN BOWLING CLUBHOUSE IN MINORU PARK

Councillor McNulty provided a brief report on the status of the clubhouse.

It was moved and seconded

That the matter of the replacement of the lawn bowling clubhouse in Minoru Park be referred to staff for investigation and inclusion in the 2003 Capital Budget

Prior to the question being called a discussion ensued which included information provided by the Manager, Facilities Planning and Construction, David Naysmith, that, due to the roof replacement currently underway and the replacement of the internal lights, the clubhouse was operational until the completion of the master plan for the park site. Mr. Naysmith said a report on the matter would be prepared for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting scheduled for May. The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

The Director of Engineering, Steve Ono, reported on the recently approved bike route planned for the north side of Williams Road west of No. 1 Road for which funding of $40,000 has been received from Translink.

5.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
(Report: April 11/02, File No.: 7000-01) (REDMS No. 686096)

The General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Cathy Volkering Carlile, introduced Mr. Brian Johnston, a representative of both Wilson & June Consultants and Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd., who had prepared the assessment. Mr. Johnston provided the Committee with a power point presentation of the report, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks Office.

Mr. Johnston then responded to questions from the Committee by expanding further on the statistical information gathered from the survey questionnaires.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Community Needs Assessment be adopted as an information tool; and

(2)

the Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Needs Assessment be considered in future strategic and master planning in Richmond.

CARRIED

7.

MANAGERS REPORT

1.

The Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath, provided a status update on the bike park at the foot of No. 2 Road. The work is well underway on site and a co-ordinated opening event is being planned for the middle of May, weather depending.

2.

The Director, Recreation and Cultural Services, Kate Sparrow, reported that the summer Leisure Guide had been released, a month earlier than usual, and that registration had also begun. The guide had been distributed though City facilities as well as major grocery stores and Seven-11 stores. The guide can also be accessed on the City website.

3.

The Manager, Parks Operations, Gord Barstow, reported on recent damage to a shed caused by a cottonwood tree that fell during a recent windstorm. Mr. Barstow said that a number of other trees in the area would be assessed for stability.

4.

Mr. Barstow also reported that a major tree located in the Steveston Town Square would have to be removed.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:10 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, April 23,  2002.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant