Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee Meeting Minutes - October 29, 2002
Parks, Recreation & Cultural
Services Committee
Date: |
Tuesday, October 29, 2002 |
Place: |
Anderson Room |
Present: |
Councillor Harold Steves, Chair |
Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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1. |
It was moved and seconded |
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CARRIED |
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At this point it was agreed that Port of the Year Award be added to the agenda as item 6a. |
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PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION |
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2. |
2004
Memorial Cup Bid Letter of Support
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It was moved and seconded |
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That a letter supporting the bid for the 2004 Memorial Cup be forwarded to Mr. Ron Toigo, President of Vancouver Giants Hockey Team. |
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Prior to the question being called, in
response to a question, the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Services, Cathy Volkering Carlile, said that Mr. Toigo had been advised that
should the recommendation be endorsed at the next meeting of Council, the
requested November 1 receipt of the letter could not be met. Ms. Volkering Carlile also confirmed that
there are no financial expectations of the City. |
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The question on the motion was then called
and it was CARRIED. |
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3. |
YOUTH OUTREACH PROJECT
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It was moved and seconded |
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That bridge financing of $49,000, from the City's Casino Grants Fund, be allocated to continue the Youth Outreach Project from January to May 2003. |
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Prior to the question being called the
Director, Recreation and Culture, Kate Sparrow, in response to a question,
said that advice had been received from the Finance Department that
sufficient monies were available in the Casino Grants Fund for this
project. In addition, a final
decision will be made as to whether the program will continue as an ongoing
program. |
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The question on the motion was then called
and it was CARRIED. |
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4. |
Imperial
Landing Water Lots
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It was moved and seconded |
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That: |
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(1) |
the current park/trail program in front of the Imperial Landing water lots as the primary vision for this upland area, be maintained; and, |
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(2) |
staff further explore the development of the City water lots in front of Imperial Landing. |
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Prior to the question being called a
discussion between staff and Committee members ensued on the estimated
options and costs of filling Lot H.
The discussion identified that further geotechnical studies would be
necessary for the determination of what buildings could be supported on the site. In addition, advice was given that the
existing servicing agreement with Onni Development would have to be opened as
the dyke structure is included within the agreement. It was requested that future material on
this issue include i) a table outlining the possible options; and ii) a map
or diagram identifying those options.
Cllr. Steves made the suggestion to staff that the geological reports
for the Murikami Boathouse and Boatworks, the Kishi Boatworks and the
Britannia Apartments be reviewed. |
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Mr. Douglas Day, First Capital Cambridge
Inc., read the submission which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of
these minutes. Mr. Day then said that
the proposal needed a leap of faith in order to proceed, and he, citing the
benefits to taxes, economic development, jobs and improvements, encouraged
Council to support the proposal. |
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Ms. Erika Simm, a Richmond resident, also
encouraged members of Council to review the proposal and the huge
opportunities it offered. |
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The question on the motion was then called
and it was CARRIED. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the presentation material of Mr. Doug Day be
referred to staff for their review. |
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Prior to the question being called interest was expressed for this, or a similar, type of development on the site. In response to questions, Ms. Volkering Carlile said that service agreements and regulatory issues would be reviewed, and a proposal call, which would include the proposal of Mr. Day, opened. A request was then put forth that a status report on those agreements including a clarification from the Law Department, and an interim report, be provided. |
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The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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5. |
Request for Funding by the RICHMOND KINSMEN
CLUB FOR ILLUMINATED DISPLAYS AT THE RICHMOND NATURE PARK
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It was moved and seconded |
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That: |
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(1) |
a one-time expenditure of $15,000, for the purchase of illuminated displays, to be taken from the Council Contingency Fund, be approved; and |
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(2) |
staff develop a Contribution Agreement with the Richmond Kinsmen Club outlining the terms (Attachment 2). |
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Prior to the question being called the
Director of Parks Operations, Dave Semple, briefly reported on recent
meetings held with representatives of the Kinsmen Club. A discussion then ensued during which
information was provided that i) a schedule of expenses would be included in
the agreement; ii) the City would own all of the assets; iii) the City's role
would be facilitator; and iv) sensitivity to the programs affordability was
evident. |
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The question on the motion was then called
and it was CARRIED. |
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6. |
CONTINUATION OF SERVICE LEVEL REVIEW - LIBRARY
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The Chief
Librarian, Greg Buss, said that the Richmond library was highly successful in
meeting the high level demands of the public. In addition, in cognizance of the City's financial situation,
the Library Boards interest was in finding ways and means of raising service
levels even higher without significantly increasing costs. In response to questions, Mr. Buss then
provided the following information: |
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internet
resources are much less expensive to maintain and develop; |
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electronic
checkouts are efficient in meeting fast growing demand without adding
additional staff; |
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automated
check-ins are being considered; |
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a comparison of
the Ironwood Branch, at $800,000 per year staffing costs, to a similar sized
New Westminister Branch, at over $2M per year staffing costs, was
significant; |
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retrofitting
other branches to the Ironwood model of efficiencies was difficult although
it was felt efficiencies at Brighouse could be improved; |
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a program that
has Teen Council students attend the Seniors Centre to provide computer
assistance was one example of the librarys superb ability to leverage
services. This ability provides a
tremendous benefit to the community without additional costs; |
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an expansion of
existing programs, such as those for teens and seniors, was anticipated by
bringing together existing community groups; |
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the go ahead for
an East Richmond Library branch was anticipated for January 1, 2003.The operating costs of the Branch,
approximately $320,000 would cover staffing, maintenance, utilities and the
lease; |
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in response to
how a 1 to 5% library cost reduction might be achieved, Mr. Buss said a
reallocation of staff from the Brighouse computer lab; improving display
shelving and automatic check in were possibilities. |
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The Chair
thanked Mr. Buss for his excellent presentations over the two meetings. |
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6a. |
PORT OF THE YEAR AWARD |
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The Chair reported that the attendance of
City staff members at the presentation of the award was under
consideration. Discussion then ensued
on the feasibility of volunteer members of the Tall Ships Event also
attending the event. Noted to be of
key importance was the need to amass information on the critical areas of
waterfront, programs and volunteers, that would be required for the report on
the City's first rights refusal for a 2005 Tall Ships Event. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That one volunteer from the Tall Ships Event, as determined by the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, be funded, from the Council Contingency Fund, to attend the Port of the Year ceremonies to be held in Fall 2002. |
CARRIED |
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The Chair noted that Item 6a. should be included as an item on the agenda for the General Purposes Committee meeting scheduled for November 4, 2002. |
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7. |
MANAGERS REPORT |
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The Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath, reported that the installation of artificial turf on Minoru 2 was going well and that the perimeter fencing was expected to be completed by the end of the week. Additional resources would be placed at the construction site during the fireworks display on October 31st. |
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The Director of Parks Operations, Dave Semple, reported that community firework displays would be held in Hamilton and Sea Island on October 31st. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:58 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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, October 29, 2002. |
_________________________________ |
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Councillor Harold Steves |
Deborah MacLennan |