MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, January 11^th, 2005, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

2.

(1)

Ms. Carol Day, regarding a proposal that would limit the number of dogs per person allowed in an off-leash dog park. (11-7200-20-DPAR1-01)

Ms. Day, of Seahurst Road, spoke about the lack of a limit on the number of dogs taken into the park by one person.  Ms. Day cited several instances of professional dog walkers having 5 –7 dogs in their care, which she did not feel was sensible due to the lack of control one person can have over that many dogs.  Ms. Day suggested that the number be limited to three.

Discussion ensued among Committee members and Sandy Pearson, Manager, Operational Support Community Safety, which resulted in the following referral motion being introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff:

i)

conduct a review of other jurisdictions to determine whether the number of dogs per person is limited in off-leash areas, and how enforcement is undertaken;

ii)

investigate whether a specific site could be designated for professional walkers that could be administered by admission fee or yearly permit; and

iii)

review additional signage for off-leash areas.

CARRIED

(2)

Mr. Jack Lowe, regarding a Minoru Public Art Proposal. (11-7000-09-01)

Mr. Jack Lowe, accompanied by Mr. Graham Turnbull, presented the proposal, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks Office. 

Mr. Turnbull, Chair of the Richmond Heritage Commission, said that both the Heritage Commission and the Richmond Museum Society were in unanimous agreement that the proposal provided a wonderful concept for the commemoration of both Mr. Bob McMath, and Minoru Park.

Discussion ensued among Committee members and the delegation as a result of which the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That:

i)

the proposal for a bronze statue of the thoroughbred Minoru be endorsed;

ii)

staff work with the proponent to further develop the proposal; and

iii)

the City make a contribution in support of the proposal, in an amount to be determined, from the Public Art Fund. 

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

3.

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION - ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION  

A powerpoint synopsis of the accomplishments of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Division over the past year was presented.  The presentation was well received, and the Chair requested that the presentation be repeated at a future Council meeting.  Staff were then congratulated for making 2004 so successful in Parks and Recreation.

4.

STEVESTON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ARTWORK DONATION TO THE CITY OF RICHMOND - “THE STEVESTON LEGACY PROJECT”

(Report:  December 2/2004, File No.:  11-7000-09-20) (REDMS No. 1311149, 1350089)

It was moved and seconded

That the artwork which is proposed to be donated by the Steveston High School Alumni Association to the City of Richmond and the allocation of $50,000 from the Public Art Program toward the artwork (as presented in the report dated December 2nd, 2004 from the Manager, Policy Planning) be approved, subject to the Steveston High School Alumni Association raising the remaining required funds (e.g. $200,000) to initiate and complete the project.

Prior to the question being called discussion ensued among Committee members, the Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, Kari Huhtala, Senior Planner, and Mr. Norm Williams, sculptor and member of the Steveston High School Alumni Association, regarding various aspects of the project, including: the history of the development of the project; the fundraising rationale; the maintenance that would be required for the artwork; and that updates be provided to the Committee on the progress of the project.  Cllr. Steves questioned whether the BC packers Legacy Fund could be applied to a public art project on the Imperial site. 

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

5.

GATEWAY THEATRE “FLY TOWER” WALL ART

(Report:  January 6/05, File No.:  11-7000-09-20-041) (REDMS No. 1345046)

Cllr. Howard joined the meeting – 5:12 - pm during the introduction to the project made by the Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, and Kari Huhtala, Senior Planner.

It was moved and seconded

That an allocation of $53,000 from the 2003 Public Art Project for the development of wall artwork at the Gateway Theatre, as per the report (dated January 6, 2005 from the Manager, Policy Planning), be endorsed.

CARRIED

5a.

Cllr. McNulty spoke about the efforts of a group of parents who were interested in the development of tax credits for parents who contribute financially to their child’s participation in sports.  Cllr. McNulty asked that the City send a letter, to the three Richmond MLA’s, the Premier of the Province and the Minister of Sport for Canada, advising of Richmond’s support for such an initiative.  It was agreed that the letter would also include support for contributions made to art, music and drama.

Mayor Malcolm Brodie joined the meeting – 5:15 pm

It was moved and seconded

That the City send a letter to the three local MLA’s, the Premier of the Province and the Minister of Sport for Canada, advising of Richmond’s support for an initiative that would create a tax credit for parents who make expenditures on registration and equipment fees for children participating in minor sports, and art, music and drama programs.

CARRIED

5b.

Cllr. Steves spoke about the current circumstances of the ‘Kaiwo Maru’, a Tall Ship that had run aground and required repair, and indicated that a campaign was underway to generate assistance for those repairs.  During the discussion that ensued among Committee members information was provided that a delegation from the City would be travelling to Japan that could pursue the matter.

It was moved and seconded

That the circumstances of the ‘Kaiwo Maru’ be referred to staff for follow-up.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

The Director of Parks, Dave Semple, reported on the progress being made in the removal and replanting of the ‘Crestwood Business Park’ trees to King George Park.  Mr. Semple said that this was the largest tree removal project undertaken by the City due to the substantial size of the trees.

The Chair called a recess of the meeting – 5:21 pm.

The meeting was re-convened at 7:05 pm in the Council Chambers with all members of Council, with the exception of Cllr. Kiichi Kumagai, in attendance.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

7.

COMMUNITY WORKING GROUP REPORT

(Report:  January 14/2005, File No.:  01-0100-20-PRCS1-01/2005-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1351764, 1351967)

The Director of Parks, Dave Semple, and the Director of Recreation and Cultural Services, Kate Sparrow, provided a summary of the process to date.

A lengthy discussion ensued among Committee members, Cllr. Howard, and staff in an attempt to further define the framework for moving the process forward.  It was noted that the recommendations put forth by the Community Working Group are to become a part of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Master Plan.

Ms. Sparrow elaborated on the Relationship Model, and the Community Involvement frameworks as included in the appendices.

Further discussion then ensued that included the following:

-

that the roles to be performed were clearly understood;

-

that the collaborative approach should allow the work to be achieved within the existing resources, i.e. an opportunity existed to maximize resources in the system;

-

that a phased approach would be undertaken in the execution of service agreements with priority being given to youth, sports services, and the 2010 Olympic projects, including the Oval.  It was also noted that some operating agreements that have expired would be transitioned to service agreements based on the identified principles;

-

that the implementation strategy, for which a variety of tools are required to be applied, had yet to be created;

-

that the City would work with Volunteer Richmond in the training and support of the different Boards that are involved.  It was noted that due to the differing interests, capacity and willingness of the individual Boards, flexibility will be required;

-

that a detailed financial analysis had not yet been undertaken;

-

that a Business Plan was required to be included in the Financial Plan;

-

the Community Working Group recommended that surplus funds be re-invested in the system;

-

the emphasis was to determine the community needs, then proceed to how to fill those needs;

-

the City would look at all groups or alternatives to provide services;

-

that no determination of revenues had been decided at this point;

-

that work would be undertaken with the various groups on the transitioning of responsibility;

-

that a stronger role was needed in supporting the volunteer system and that the services offered by Volunteer Richmond should not be overlapped or duplicated.

Ms. Julie Halfnights, a member of the Community Working Group, read a written submission, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes.

Mr. Ian Shaw, read a written submission from a number of members of the Community Association presidents, who were also present.  A copy of the submission is attached as Schedule 2 and forms a part of these minutes.

Ms. Olive Bassett read a written submission, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 3 and forms a part of these minutes.

Mr. Michael McCoy, Co – Chair of the Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee and a member of the Community Working Group, thanked all of the members of the Community Working Group (CWG) for the hours of effort they had committed to the process and the amount of work undertaken.  Mr. McCoy also commended staff for synthesizing the information and generating the document.  Mr. McCoy indicated that unanimous agreement had been achieved on the recommendations as outlined in the report.  Mr. McCoy said that the CWG recommendations were creative, and offered an unparalleled use of resources.  A concern was expressed by Mr. McCoy regarding the motion put forward in the submission read by Mr. Shaw, in that as a member of the CWG he had not been aware of the additional recommendation prior to the meeting, and also because he felt that the content of the recommendation was already included in the document itself.

Ms. Sharon Meredith, member at large of the CWG, read a written submission, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 4 and forms a part of these minutes.

Mr. Jim Lamond, a member of the Richmond Sports Council, thanked the CWG for the amount of work it had undertaken.  Mr. Lamond then said that he did not see in the report what work would be done on the recommendations.  Mr. Lamond felt that community centres were an important part of the City, and that it was important that they be retained, but he thought that they should be given autonomy and run like a business

Cllr. Steves made mention of the number of excellent presentations made to the CWG by various organizations, and he requested that they be contacted to come forward to Council.

A written submission from Ms. Nicky Byres, was read into the record, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 5 and forms a part of these minutes.

Mr. Peter Mitchell spoke about the large number of volunteers in the City, and the concerns that he had about the report, including:  that he was not interested in revenue sharing; that he didn’t understand why this route had been chosen or why individual groups would sign on without information; that he lacked trust in the process in that there had been no representation of the typically disadvantaged or newcomers; and, that he saw only vague generalities when what he wanted to see was what would be done in his neighbourhood.

Cllr. Dang read a written submission from Ms. Elizabeth Specht, Executive Director of Volunteer Richmond Information Services, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 6 and forms a part of these minutes.

As a result of the discussions and the presentations, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the practice of community-based recreation service delivery in Richmond and the partnership between the City and the Community Associations in the delivery of these services, be reaffirmed without prejudice to the Community Working Group recommendation.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Community Working Group report (dated January 14^th, 2005 from the General Manager, Parks Recreation and Cultural Services) be received for information and referred to staff for further analysis including the development of an action plan that will allow for a phased transition;     

(2)

the Community Working Group be disbanded with thanks; and

(3)

the recommendations be considered for incorporation into the Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Master Plan where appropriate.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

staff report back to Committee on the scheduling and cost of a financial analysis related to the implementation of the recommendations of the Community Working Group;

(2)

in recognition of the importance that service agreements play in the overall implementation strategy, staff report back to Committee on the possibility of advancing the service agreement frameworks.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the concerns and recommendations submitted by the various community groups involved in the Community Working Group report be summarized and brought forward to be addressed.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (10:35 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, January 25^th, 2005.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant