MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, October 29, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

At this point it was agreed that two additional items be added to the agenda Item 6 Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Bid Letter of Support; and, Item 7 Lighting at McNair School.

COUNCILLOR EVELINA HALSEY-BRANDT

2.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE IN CITY HALL
(Report: October 1, 2002, File No.: 0105-01) (REDMS No. 902927)

Councillor E. Halsey-Brandt suggested that the pictorial display of current and previous civic leaders should be hung at suitable locations in the City Hall.

It was moved and seconded

That staff, through the appropriate department, bring forward a report that identifies possible locations for a pictorial display of the City's political past, the options for frame materials based on the locations chosen, a timeline for completing the project, and, the cost of the project.

Prior to the question being called a discussion ensued that included: i) a suggestion that a Memory Lane also be created of significant people to the City's history; ii) that all five City Halls be included in the display; iii) several suggestions that the original frames be retained as they are appropriate to the era of the picture; and, iv) that the cost of provision of new frames that would better blend with the architectural style and colors of the new City Hall, as seen in other North American cities, be provided.

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

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

3.

"DOG SCULPTURES' AT THE SOUTH DYKE OFF LEASH AREA
(Report: October 23/02, File No.: 7000-09-01) (REDMS No. 877743)

The Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath, and Kari Huhtala, Planner, were present and displayed examples of the artwork.

It was moved and seconded

That an allocation of $22,000 be authorized from Project #40802, originally approved in the 2001 Capital Plan, for the development of the Dog Sculptures artwork (as per the report from the Manager, Policy Planning dated October 23rd, 2002).

Prior to the question being called, and in response to questions, Mr. Huhtala provided information that: i) the sculptures included those of people and dogs to best incorporate with the setting and the bench structures; ii) the sculptures fit well into the landscape, a surprise rather than overpowering; iii) the finish of the sculptures would be stainless steel, black or brown, with anti-graffiti coatings; iv) the sculptures are to be anchored on concrete footings and will be of a heavy weight and density to deter theft; and, v) the sculptures would be rust and weather proof.

Cllr. Barnes, Council liaison to the Public Art Commission, gave advice that the Commission had reviewed a number of concerns relative to the artwork, ie. stability, edges, types of coating, etc., prior to forwarding the request to the City.

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

4.

COMMUNITY SERVICES IN EAST RICHMOND
(Report: November 12/02, File No.: 4057-01) (REDMS No. 902908)

The Director, Recreation and Cultural Services, Kate Sparrow, and Steve Baker, Area Co-ordinator for East Richmond/Hamilton, who works with the East Richmond Community Services Development Association, were present.

Ms. Sparrow clarified a point in the financial impact section of the report, namely that staff such as Mr. Baker, will continue to work, with a number of agencies, in support of the project. Mr. Baker, in response to a question, said that the search for a Community Development Co-ordinator, was underway.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated November 12, 2002 from the Director, Recreation and Cultural Services) updating progress on the request from the East Richmond Community Association for the provision of community services in East Richmond, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

2002 Richmond Tall Ship Financial Report
(Report: November 20/02, File No.: 7400-20-Tall1) (REDMS No. 900833)

The General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Cathy Volkering Carlile, and Glenn McLaughlin, Succession Planning Project Leader, were present.

A discussion then ensued that included Committee and staff comments, including:

-

recommendations from staff and Committee Chairs of the event have been compiled and are available for review in the Councillors Office;

-

Steveston business owners have not provided economic benefit figures realized from the Tall Ship event. For future events the budget will provide for an economic benefit report;

-

staff hours included in the $448,000 original contribution from the City were in terms of litter pickup, set up and tear down etc. however, the remainder of staff hours were unpaid hours in addition to regular hours worked. The resulting effect of staff contributions to the event is, in some departments, a three to six month arrears in work scheduling;

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concession stands would have benefited from locations in closer proximity to the actual ship venues and also from being open for the Parade of Sails;

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Provincial contributions were from a Crown Corporation as opposed to the Provincial Government;

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Federal contributions were received from Communication CDA. and HRDC;

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the tourism value of the event is immeasurable;

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sponsor interest has increased dramatically; and

-

the request that the ambulance bill be forgiven by the Province in lieu of a contribution to the event was denied.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Richmond Tall Ships 2002 event deficit of up to $475,000 be offset from the 2002 Council provisional budget;

(2)

the Richmond Tall Ships 2002 Coordinating Committee report be received for information;

(3)

the resignation of the Richmond Tall Ships 2002 Coordinating Committee be accepted with thanks; and;

(4)

all Tall Ships financial activity be concluded.

CARRIED

6.

Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Bid Letter of Support
(Report: November 25/02, File No.: 7200-01) (REDMS No. 912591)

It was moved and seconded
That the City of Richmond forward a letter of support for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Bid Corporation to be included in the bid book being submitted to the International Olympic Committee in January 2003.

Prior to the question being called the Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath, gave advice that the bid book would be submitted to the IOC in January 2003 which had initiated the request for the letter. The letters would then be on display during the IOC visit to Vancouver scheduled for early 2003.

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

Cllr. E. Halsey-Brandt left the meeting.

Congratulations were then extended by the Chair to all staff who had contributed time and effort to the Olympic bid endeavour.

7.

LIGHTING AT MCNAIR SCHOOL

Councillor McNulty raised the issue of whether the lighting at McNair Secondary School could be improved to increase the usage of the fields.

RECOMMENDATION

That staff investigate the lighting of the playfields at McNair Secondary School in an effort to increase the usable play time on the fields.

CARRIED

On behalf of Cllr E. Halsey-Brandt, Cllr. Greenhill gave advice that the metal caps on the barriers located on the walkway on the BC Packers site had sharp edges that required attention. The Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath, said that the caps were currently being converted to rounded caps, but that a further investigation would be made.

8.

MANAGERS REPORT

The Manager, Parks Administration and Programs, Mike Redpath reported that:

i)

that on Friday, November 29^th, the third planting of Cherry trees in Garry Point Park, 14 trees, would take place followed by the serving of sushi and tea at the Japanese Cultural Centre. Cllr. Greenhill requested permission to pass this information on to the Sister City Committee;

ii)

the play equipment and surface material for Steveston Park should be installed by December 9, 2002.

iii)

the next run of street banners will be unveiled at the next Council meeting; Tall Ships banners are available through the Parks Department;

The Manager, Parks Operations, Gord Barstow, reported:

i)

on a current program of remediation of the disappearing vegetation in Garry Point Park. Also discussed was the watering program, which is an effort to reduce the amount of blowing sand in the area.

ii)

that the extremely dry weather of the past few months had resulted in considerable stress on a number of City trees, of which a significant number will be lost over the next year;

iii)

on the recent loss of aluminium goal posts in the City. New posts for the Brighouse Park site are currently being remanufactured. The Director, Parks, Dave Semple, said this was a Lower Mainland issue and not just specific to the City.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:03 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, November 26, 2002.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant