MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, September 24, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

At this point it was agreed that Port of the Year Award be added to the agenda as item 6a.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

2.

2004 Memorial Cup Bid Letter of Support
(Report: October 15/02, File No.: 7000-01) (REDMS No. 879880, 874354)

It was moved and seconded

That a letter supporting the bid for the 2004 Memorial Cup be forwarded to Mr. Ron Toigo, President of Vancouver Giants Hockey Team.

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.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

3.

YOUTH OUTREACH PROJECT
(Report: October 17/02, File No.: 1085-01) (REDMS No. 882696)

It was moved and seconded

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.

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.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

4.

Imperial Landing Water Lots
(Report: October 24/02, File No.: 4060-05-03) (REDMS No. 888288)

It was moved and seconded

That:

(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,

(2)

staff further explore the development of the City water lots in front of Imperial Landing.

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.

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.

Ms. Erika Simm, a Richmond resident, also encouraged members of Council to review the proposal and the huge opportunities it offered.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

It was moved and seconded

That the presentation material of Mr. Doug Day be referred to staff for their review.

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.

The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

5.

Request for Funding by the RICHMOND KINSMEN CLUB FOR ILLUMINATED DISPLAYS AT THE RICHMOND NATURE PARK
(Report: October 23/02, File No.: 1085-01) (REDMS No. 886447, 885904, 591162)

It was moved and seconded

That:

(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

(2)

staff develop a Contribution Agreement with the Richmond Kinsmen Club outlining the terms (Attachment 2).

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.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

6.

CONTINUATION OF SERVICE LEVEL REVIEW - LIBRARY
(File No.: 0340-20-CSER1)

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:

internet resources are much less expensive to maintain and develop;

electronic checkouts are efficient in meeting fast growing demand without adding additional staff;

automated check-ins are being considered;

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;

retrofitting other branches to the Ironwood model of efficiencies was difficult although it was felt efficiencies at Brighouse could be improved;

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;

an expansion of existing programs, such as those for teens and seniors, was anticipated by bringing together existing community groups;

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;

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.

The Chair thanked Mr. Buss for his excellent presentations over the two meetings.

6a.

PORT OF THE YEAR AWARD

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.

It was moved and seconded

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

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.

7.

MANAGERS REPORT

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 31^st.

The Director of Parks Operations, Dave Semple, reported that community firework displays would be held in Hamilton and Sea Island on October 31^st.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:58 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, October  29, 2002.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant