The Chair noted the addition of two items to the agenda:

4a)

Britannia Heritage Shipyard Heritage Zone Buildings; and

4b)

Sister Cities.

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 23, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Youth Strategy Update
(Report:  September 16/02, File No.:  3425-02) (REDMS No. 836435)

The Director, Recreation and Cultural Services, Kate Sparrow, the Co-ordinator, Youth Services, Wayne Yee, and Mr. Frank Claassen, a member of the Richmond Community Associations Youth Programming Task Group, were present.

Ms. Sparrow briefly introduced the three main focus areas of the report: i) the annual progress report on new strategies; ii) the Youth Outreach Pilot Project; and iii) Late Night Programs.  Mr. Yee then, with the note that the report was offered in the context of capacity and ability to develop opportunities for youth in the City, reviewed the report. 

Ms. Sparrow introduced Mr. Claassen to the Committee.  Mr. Claassen then spoke about the shifting and changing attitudes about youth;  the attitude of those individuals delivering services to youth;  his support for the City's philosophy of encompassing youth involved processes;  the change in attitude and shift in resources throughout community centres and City Hall; the view that servicing youth has to be flexible (cool);  stereotyped trouble makers that can be overcome with staff training and staff sensitivity i.e. an attitude of change and adaptation of those delivering services;  the overwhelming success of the late night programs;  the importance of creating covered space that could host unstructured youth programs.  Mr. Claassen said that he was specifically asking for the previous comment to be placed in the Capital Budget.

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie joined the meeting 4:16 p.m.

A discussion then ensued between committee members, staff and Mr. Claassen that provided the following information:

i)

funding has now been approved by several Community Centre Associations, in varying amounts, for late night programming;

ii)

a formal move to acquire sponsorships has not been made;

iii)

the two positions for the Youth Outreach program were funded by Casino Grants for 2002;

iv)

the need for a series of youth centres throughout the community was over and above community centre space.  The lack of space with a high, covered roof needed to be addressed;

v)

the possibility of including Saturday late night programs had not been addressed at the Association Board level.  Mr. Yee said that Saturday night space rentals were a revenue generator for community associations;

vi)

the relationships the two outreach workers achieved with schools/administrators varied in level of success;

vii)

when working with disconnected youth success was best determined by the affect the programs had on a youths daily life;

viii)

close contact was maintained with Station Stretch, the Ministry of Children and Families, the RCMP, and the Richmond Youth Services Agency;

ix)

the cornerstone of the success of the programs was based on the connection with youth and the provision of a safe place.  The safe place was defined as a place that allowed for a feeling of safeness in the absence of authorities in addition to being a physically safe place;

x)

the different youth groups based out of community centres and the youth outreach workers aid in the promotion of volunteering opportunities for youth.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Youth Programming Task Group final report be received for information;

(2)

the Youth Outreach Program be referred to the Finance Select Committee for consideration of additional funding;

(3)

in those instances where programs for youth are offered in partnership with Community Centre Associations, those Associations be contacted with a request for funds; and

(4)

the report (dated September 16, 2002 from the Director, Recreation and Cultural Services) be forwarded to School District #38.

CARRIED

3.

Steveston Interurban Tram Feasibility Study
(Report:  September 9/02, File No.:  6510-05) (REDMS No. 848025)

The Manager, Cultural Services, Jane Fernyhough, the Co-ordinator Heritage Sites, Connie Baxter, the Manager, Engineering Design and Construction, Robert Gonzales, and Transportation Engineer, Jim Hnatiuk, were present.

In response to questions from Committee, information was provided that the extension of the route to Princess Street or London Farm, now or at a future date, had been considered, however, right-of-way restrictions, which included some areas of Paramount Pond that were not open to public access, hindered this.  Further consideration could be given if additional right-of-ways became available;  a source of capital funding for the tram had not been identified;  should Option 1 be approved by Council it would be referred to the Land and Capital Team for inclusion in the 5 Year Capital Plan;  selection of Option 2, with a second future phase to expand the route, would result in a negligible increase in cost over Option 1.

Mr. Michel Brisbois, President, Steveston Interurban Tram Society, said that he would have reservations about other options in the absence of a concrete plan for the tram.  Further to this, Mr. Brisebois said that the operation of the Mini Tram in Steveston Park during the Salmon Festival was a good revenue source for the Society which should not be lost; nor should the tram be too far removed from the public.  In response to a question on how the city could jointly or separately raise money for the project, Mr. Brisebois said that various grants were available and that a concrete plan and direction would make the solicitation of funds an easier process.

The Chair, in terms of the building, questioned whether a temporary building could be provided for the tram if the building of the tram route through the Onni site was commenced.

Mr. Bob Ransord, a member of the Heritage Commission, said that the report was an excellent start that defined the potential for the project, however, more emphasis needed to be given to the fact that a number of attractions would be linked.  Mr. Ransford expressed concern about the costs outlined in Appendix C of the report, in particular the $135. per square foot cost of building the car barn, workshop and office, and the size of the proposed building.  Mr. Ransford suggested that if the building size was reduced by half the resulting savings could contribute to the extension of the line further east.  Further suggestions put forth by Mr. Ransford included the use of the CN right-of-way east of No. 2 Road; the need to look at ongoing revenue such as development of the water lots for pleasure craft by public/private partnerships; a partnership with the Steveston Harbour Authority; the use of parking in Steveston as a serious source of revenue; the ownership of the various right-of-ways should be mapped out; and, an update should be made to the Waterfront Area Plan followed by a look at potential partnerships.

Mr. Dana Westermark, developer and member of the Heritage Commission, said that the tram should make the connection to London Farm due to the growing need for some means of travelling along the water.  Mr. Westermark thought an extension of the tram line would encourage pedestrian traffic and decrease vehicle traffic in the area.  The CN right-of-way provided an opportunity to create another destination to a heritage asset (London Farm).  The car barn and terminus for the train could be placed in that area with a small grocery/coffee shop opportunity.  Mr. Westermark suggested that, as part of his development, monies paid in lieu of the building of an amenity building right now could be directed to the building of the tram station.  Mr. Westermark also referred to the neighbouring Mixed Use area which could generate further revenue in the form of Neighbourhood Improvement Charges.  With regard to the building, which Mr. Westermark suggested should be a wooden structure with a steel roof in keeping with Steveston Heritage, Mr. Westermark said that shared commercial spaces could generate some revenue to help support the tram. 

Ms. Baxter, in response to a request for staff comment on the structure and scope of the project, said that while not dismissing Mr. Westermarks observations, the market viability of the project would be driven by the tourist market, which was in the Village of Steveston.  Ms. Baxter also said that local ridership would be minor in comparison to tourist ridership.  The determination of a route through Harbour Authority Land was complicated with a number of factors to consider.

In response to a question from the Chair as to whether BC Packers or Onni Development had paid for parkland upfront, and whether Development Cost Charges had been and would continue to be collected, the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, Cathy Volkering-Carlile, said that the information could be assembled for report to the Committee.

The Chair referred to the inclusion in Option 2 of $500,000 for widening of the Dyke and suggested that sheet piling could be used outside of the area of the river known to contain materials that would otherwise require excavation, in order that the materials form part of the landfill.  This would then allow for the reclamation of approximately 2 acres of land that could possibly be utilized for a future marina.

It was moved and seconded

That the attached Steveston Interurban Tram Feasibility Study (dated September 9, 2002 from the Manager, Cultural Services) be received for information.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That Option 1, completely restored Tram operating over full 2.4 kilometre route phased over five years with Phase Two, the extension to London Farm, to be completed at a later date, be endorsed.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That an ownership plan for all right-of-ways located between Garry Point and London Farm, be provided.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate the possibility of utilizing dredged material to widen the dyke in front of the Maritime Mixed Use area.

Prior to the question being called the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, Cathy Volkering-Carlile, said that the Waterfront Strategy Team was working on marina options and that a report would be forthcoming.  Mayor Brodie requested that the report also include other viable revenue strategies.  The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

It was moved and seconded

That staff:

1)

provide revenue generation options that could contribute to the funding of the Steveston Interurban Tram project; and

2)

discuss with Onni Corporation, and other entities, the development of public/private partnerships.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff enter into discussions with the Steveston Harbour Authority regarding the use of right-of-ways, cost-sharing in the tram project and the possible future utilization of the two waterlots in front of Onni.

CARRIED

4.

Minoru 2 Artificial Turf Playing Field User Fees
(Report:  September 12/02, File No.:  2345-20-MIN01) (REDMS No. 244038)

The Manager, Parks Planning and Design, Mike Redpath, and the Co-ordinator, Sports and Special Events, Ross Sakai, were present.

In response to questions Mr. Redpath said that it had always been understood that user fees would be in place prior to the opening of the new artificial turf field;  that youth have first priority on City sports fields;  that approval of item 3 of the staff recommendation would allow for further discussion with stakeholders; and, that the 40% of revenue collected that would be directed to the Parks administration and maintenance budgets to offset staff time for maintaining this operation.  The operating cost of the new field would not be known until after the field had been operated for one year.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Artificial Turf Sports Field Fees and Charges Schedule (as detailed in Attachment 1 of the report dated September 12, 2002 from the Manager, Parks Programs, Planning and Design), be approved for the October 2002 season;

(2)

60% of the revenue collected from the Minoru 2 Artificial Turf user fees be designated for future field replacement, and deposited in the capital building and infrastructure reserve sub-fund called the Special Sports Reserve Fund, and the remainder of the annual revenue be directed to the Parks operational and administration budgets to off set revenue collection and annual field maintenance costs; and

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the phased process for  implementation of outdoor sports field user fees for natural grass playing fields be referred to the Richmond Sports Council prior to staff bringing the matter forward for consideration by Council in 2003.

CARRIED

5.

Britannia heritage shipyard heritage zone buildings

Councillor Steves distributed a memorandum, dated September 24, 2002 regarding the relocation of the two 1890-1900 stilt houses at Garry Point to the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Historic Zone, which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes, to the Committee and reviewed the information contained therein.  Additional information was provided that research of the buildings had indicated that the houses were once located on Indian Reserve lands and that at one point, the Federal Government had relocated all residents but one, a chief, who remained in his house for fifty years.  The houses are currently occupied and considered to be in good condition.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

preparations to move the two Garry Point stilt houses to the Britannia Heritage Shipyard site in order to complete the Historic Zone, be referred to staff; and

(2)

staff consult with Britannia stakeholders on the matter.

CARRIED

6.

SISTER CITIES

Councillor Barnes reported that an interest had been expressed by the Assistant Consul General for China that Huludao, China be included in the Sister City program. 

It was moved and seconded

That:

i)

staff investigate the request that Huludao, China, be included in the Sister City Program; and

ii)

the request be referred to the Sister City Committee for its consideration.

Prior to the question being called Councillor S. Halsey-Brandt referred to specific selection criteria that had been developed by the Sister City Committee.  Direction was given that this information also be included in the report.  The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

7.

SERVICE LEVEL REVIEW - LIBRARY
(0340-20-CSER1)

The Chief Librarian, Greg Buss, reviewed the information provided and, in response to a question, said that the Library Board was committed to multi-use facilities and was investigating possibilities of how the library and commercial activity might be combined on the Onni site.

At this point, due to the length of the meeting and the commitments of the Committee members, Mr. Buss was requested to attend the October meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting for further discussion.

It was moved and seconded

That the report, dated September 16, 2002 from the Chief Librarian, be received for information.

CARRIED

8.

MANAGERS REPORT

No reports were received.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:45 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, September 24, 2002.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant