MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, April 26^th, 2005, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

2.

2010 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CHALLENGE

(Report:  May 12, 2005, File No.:  11-7000-01/2005-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1474925)

A brief discussion ensued among Committee members, the Director, Recreation & Cultural Services, Kate Sparrow, and Fitness and Wellness Services Coordinator Alison Dennis, on whether there should be compulsory physical education in local schools.  As a result, the suggestion was made that the report be submitted to the next meeting of the Council/School Board Liaison Committee meeting.

It was moved and seconded

That the City:

1)

join the 20 by 2010 challenge and work with the Provincial Government and 2010 LegaciesNow to help meet the target of increasing physical activity amongst its citizens and employees by 20% by 2010; and,

2)

formally register this commitment to the 20% Physical Activity Challenge with 2010 LegaciesNow.

CARRIED

(Councillor Steves entered the meeting at 4:03 p.m., and assumed the Chair.)

3.

EAST RICHMOND GATHERING PLACE PROJECT

(Report:  May 9/2005, File No.:  11-7000-09-20-050) (REDMS No. 1500764)

The Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, Senior Planner Kari Huhtala, and Mr. Balwant Sanghera, President of the East Richmond Community Association were present to respond to questions.

Mr. Sanghera spoke in support of the proposed project, stating that the project, when completed, would fit well with the design of King George Park and would be a great asset to East Richmond in adding to the identity and uniqueness of the community.  He advised that the Association had committed $20,000 to the completion of the project, and he urged the Committee to support the project.

Ms. Lurline Langbell, a member of the Gathering Place project team, commented on how worthwhile the project was, which she said, had activated her to become more interested in the development of the East Richmond community.  She stated that this project would bring even more people and volunteers into the community.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members, the delegation and staff on:

§           

the area and proposed design of the Gathering Place

§           

the involvement of area residents in the planning and design of the project

§           

the composition of the design groups

§           

the purpose of the project to become a multi-purpose community meeting place

§           

the participation of Pomegranate Centre and whether this organization would continue to work with the Association in the future

§           

the availability of funding in the future to maintain the Gathering Place area

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the feasibility of asking developers in East Richmond to contribute funds for art within their own projects, as a way of capitalizing on development which was beginning to occur in the area

§           

the City’s Public Art Reserve Fund and how monies were placed into that account

It was moved and seconded

That, as per the report (dated May 9, 2005 from the Manager, Policy Planning), an allocation of $45,000 be endorsed from the 2003 Public Art Project Account and the 2001 Public Art Project Account for the development of the East Richmond Gathering Place Project.

CARRIED

4.

PUBLIC ART COMMISSION 2004 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2005 WORK PLAN

(Report:  April 25/05, File No.:  01-0100-20-RPAR1-01) (REDMS No. 1435879)

Mr. Crowe introduced Willa Walsh, the Chair of the Richmond Public Art Commission (RPAC).  He then briefly reviewed the Public Art funding accounts with the Committee.

Ms. Walsh reviewed RPAC’s 2004 Annual Report, noting that there had been a surge in activity in the number of public art projects being created for the City, with developers becoming more involved in the public art process.  She circulated packages of postcards to the Committee members which depicted photographs of specific art projects located in Richmond, which had been placed on the walls of local bus shelters. 

Ms. Walsh then provided information on upcoming projects for 2005, including the hanging of banners in the Fall of 2005 and the opening of the “House of Roots”, located in the new McLennan South Park on June 24^th, 2005.  She added that public awareness of art had increased through the “Lulu Series” project, and she spoke about the economic viability of art in the City.  In concluding her presentation, Ms. Walsh urged the Committee to support the staff recommendations.

A brief discussion ensued among Committee members, staff and Ms. Walsh on:

§           

the ‘Terra Nova North-West Quadrant Rural Park’ and the Steveston Water Park art projects

§           

whether a list of potential art projects existed

§           

the ‘Steveston’ project and whether this project would fit within the Public Art Strategy

With reference to the Terra Nova and Steveston projects, staff were requested to ensure that Council was provided with copies of the staff reports on these projects.  In response, staff indicated that a memorandum would be sent to all members of Council, providing the current status of all art projects.

It was moved and seconded

That, (as per the report dated April 25 2005 from the Manager, Policy Planning):

(1)

the Richmond Public Art Commission 2005 Work Plan be approved; and

(2)

$125,000 be transferred from the Public Art Provision Account (#2441) to Public Art Project #40853, to be used for foreseeable future public art projects.

CARRIED

5.

GVRD REGIONAL PARKS SERVICE CONVERSION

(Report:  May 13/05, File No.:  ) (REDMS No. 1541878)

It was moved and seconded

That consent be given to the Greater Vancouver Regional District supporting the GVRD regional parks service conversion and amendment Bylaw No 1024, 2005.

CARRIED

6.

ACCESS TO SPORTS, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

(Report:  April 28/05, File No.:  ) (REDMS No. 1514549, 1430904)

Discussion took place with the Diversity Services Coordinator Sean Davies, and the Manager, Heritage & Cultural Services, Jane Fernyhough, on how residents could be encouraged to be more active.  In response, advice was given that more activities could be added and the three month barrier, which restricted the number of activities in which an individual could participate in a year, either removed or reduced.  In response to further questions, advice was given that staff were currently reviewing the City’s Access Policy, and that reduction of the existing limits was one of the options being considered.

Discussion continued, with comments being made about the need to have schools become more involved in promoting physical education with students; and about the fact that low income situations included adults as well as children and senior citizens.  Information was also provided on how those with low incomes were advised of subsidized programs through the City’s “Recreation Guide”.  A brief discussion ensued on the difficulties in reaching individuals and families who did not want assistance.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated April 28^th, 2005 from the Director, Recreation and Cultural Services) regarding access to sports, cultural and recreational activities, be received for information.

CARRIED

6A.

RICHMOND ART GALLERY 25TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY PROJECT

It was moved and seconded

That staff work with the Richmond Art Gallery to ensure that the RAG’s 25 Year Anniversary project moves forward in a timely and efficient manner.

CARRIED

6B.

THOMPSON COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION

In response to questions from Cllr. McNulty, the General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, Cathy Volkering Carlile, advised that the land acquisition could be undertaken through the Development Cost Acquisition  fund, however, at the present time, this particular acquisition was a low priority.  She added that staff were currently undertaking a thorough review of the Development Cost Charges.

Ms. Carlile further advised that staff were hoping to present the Parks Master Plan to the Committee in June.  She stated that the only outstanding issues were to (i) address financial information, and (ii) ensure that all the Community Working Group recommendations had been incorporated into the Plan.  Ms. Carlile added that staff were developing an Action Plan and would be presented to the Committee as soon as it had been completed.

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

The Director, Parks Operations, Dave Semple, reported on the vandalism which had taken place at King George Park, and provided information on the steps being taken to prevent further vandalism from occurring.

Mr. Semple provided information on the upcoming Jimmy Ng Memorial Hockey Tournament to be held the weekend of May 25^th at the Steveston Community Centre.

Reference was made by Councillor McNulty to correspondence received from the Steveston Harbour Authority about the feasibility of renaming the Steveston Lacrosse Box in honour of Cst. Jimmy Ng.  He expressed concern that the request had been made to the Mayor rather than to the Steveston Community Association, and noted that Council did not name facilities in recognition of individuals. 

Advice was given during the discussion which ensued, that a letter advising of the protocol followed by the City had been sent to the Steveston Harbour Authority.  Advice was also given that staff would be working with the SHA to find a suitable way in which to recognize Cst. Ng.

(Cllr. Barnes left the meeting at 4:52 p.m., during the above discussion.)

The Manager, Parks Operations, Gord Barstow, reported that he had been asked to host a tour of the City Parks Department by the Lower Mainland managers of BC Parks Association.  He stated that this was a direct result of Richmond being considered a leader in the parks field.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:59 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 Wednesday, May 25^th, 2005.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Fran J. Ashton,

Executive Assistant – City Clerk’s Office