MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, February 25, 2003, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

2.

Mr. Narinder Nagra regarding the maintenance of McLean Park.

Prior to the meeting Mr. Nagra indicated that he would prefer to delegate to the April 29^th, 2003 meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee.

COUNCILLOR EVELINA HALSEY-BRANDT

3.

PRIVATE PROPERTY TREE BYLAW

(6550-05)

Cllr. E. Halsey-Brandt said that the protection of significant trees on private property, an issue raised by a delegate at a Council meeting, was a valid point and should be reviewed.

A discussion then ensued between Committee members and staff that included the following points:

that a best practices review of the current policies and practices of other municipalities could be undertaken with a subsequent report back to Committee on the various options available;

that significant would refer to the age and trunk diameter of the tree;

that the geodesic level currently required for new development in the City was not conducive to the preservation of all existing trees;

a current list of significant trees in the City includes 400 trees on approximately 200 sites, 75% of which are on public property;

that the Development Permit process provided a means of requiring the retention of existing trees during development;

that between 40 and 60 hours of staff time would be required to document and validate the best practices review and to provide the various options available;

Ms. Lorraine Bell, 10431 Mortfield Road, said that it did not appear that the Urban Forestry Strategy was being utilized.  Ms. Bell indicated both her respect for comments made by a recent delegation to Council, and her support for those individuals who take the time to bring issues to light in order to improve conditions.  Ms. Bell referred to trees at No. 4 Road and Cambie, that not only provide shade but are a public asset, and also those on the City Hall site that had been preserved, and said that it made common sense to keep all trees that are an asset to the community.

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a report for the appropriate committee of Council outlining the scope of work that would be involved in identifying the various options available for protecting significant trees on private property.

Prior to the question being called it was reiterated that this was a preliminary review that would provide options that would encourage the retention of significant trees where possible.  Mayor Brodie expressed his concern about involving the City in private property matters.

The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

4.

MEMORIAL BENCH PROGRAM
(Report:  March 19/03, File No.:  1076-08) (REDMS No.  980812, 584642)

The Director of Parks, Dave Semple, and the Manager, Parks Programs, Planning and Design, Mike Redpath, were present.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Council repeal the existing Policy #7004 Tree and Bench Donation adopted by Council on March 11, 1991; and,

( 2)

Council approve the Tree, Bench and Picnic Table Donation Policy as outlined in Attachment 2, and proposed fee schedule in attachment 3.

Prior to the question being called a brief discussion ensued that included:  that the Partners for Beautification program allowed for signage donations;  the possibility of having trees, that could be tagged, donated to a Memorial Garden type setting;  and, whether memorial cairns had been considered.

The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

5.

SPORTS FIELD LIGHTING UPGRADES 2003
Report:  March 19/2003, File No.:  2345-20-HBOY1, 21345-20-MIN01) (REDMS No. 980827)

The Director of Parks, Dave Semple, and the Manager, Parks Programs, Planning and Design, Mike Redpath, were present.

It was moved and seconded

That staff bring forward a capital request as part of the 2004 Parks Capital program to finance the lighting improvement projects for Minoru 2 and Boyd fields in 2004.

Prior to the question being called, and in response to a question, Mr. Redpath said that the funding source for the project would be from the Parks Development Cost Charge program.  Mr. Semple then indicated that this was in keeping with Development Cost Charges Master Plan.

A question was then put forth as to whether lighting had ever been considered for donation purposes.  Mr. Semple responded that any such request would be entertained.

The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

6.

MANAGERS REPORT

The Manager, Parks Operations, Gord Barstow, displayed several photoboards of significant trees in the City that had been damaged, possibly by drought or development, and of those that had been successfully incorporated into new development.  Mr. Barstow indicated that the difficulties faced in saving existing trees, the removal of trees, and, new plantings would be included in the report requested in Item 3. 

Mr. Barstow also reported that the City's tree nursery was far exceeding expectations, both in volume and quality of material.

Mr. Redpath distributed the Official Schedule of the Brown Cup Weekend 2003, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes, an event held by the University of British Columbia Rowing Club,

Mr. Redpath reported that 400 strings of LED lighting had been received through BC Hydro, and that a report to Committee outlining the potential cost savings of converting the City's street tree lighting to this technology would be forthcoming.

The Director, Recreation and Culture, Kate Sparrow, provided an update on the community feedback process for the Recreation Service Delivery program.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:09 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, March 25, 2003.

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Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Acting-Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant