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 25^th, be adopted as circulated.

The question on the motion was not called as the following discussion ensued:

In response to a query from the Committee, Mr. Semple advised that staff were in the process of finding ways to prevent geese from using Minoru Park, and a report concerning this issue would be brought to Committee in the near future.  Staff were also asked to look into culling options as well. 

A request  was also made to include discussion concerning the location of Public Safety buildings on DFO lands into the minutes.

It was moved and seconded

That the adoption of the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday,
October 25^th, 2005 be tabled to the next meeting of the Committee to be held in January 2006.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

2.

Mr. Frank Claassen, Chairman, Richmond Arenas Community Association, regarding the Minoru Park Vision, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services – Master Plan.

(Letter: Nov. 23/05 File No: 2345:03)

Mr. Frank Claasen and Mr. Crichy Clarke, representing the Richmond Arenas Community Association briefly reviewed a submission from the Association (a copy of which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes).  Mr. Claasen stated that:

·         the Association was concerned that the PRCS Master Plan did not include planning for arenas in the City; 

·         the Association would like to be actively involved in the oval programming; and

·         staff should look at lessening future increases in contributions from the Arenas as this may discourage customers using the arenas.

Discussion ensued on RACA’s submission and it was noted that staff had taken all submissions from stakeholders and would use these in finalizing the PRCS Master Plan. 

In response to queries from Committee, Ms. Cathy Volkering Carlile, General Manager, stated that:

·         staff had received feedback from the other groups within community about non-inclusion in the Master Plan and  that RACA’s submission was timely and all comments would be included in a report on the Master Plan when it was brought to Committee early in the new year.

·         staff would provide information to Committee on the $600,000 upgrades identified for Minoru Arenas; and

·         staff would also provide information on capital funding for future replacement of arenas.

Mayor Brodie left the meeting at 5:00 pm and did not return.

Staff were requested to review overflow parking at the Minoru Arenas.

Chair on behalf of Committee thanked the delegation for their very detailed submission.

It was moved and seconded

That submission from the Richmond Arenas Community Association be forwarded to staff for inclusion in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Master Plan and that staff report to Committee on the following three recommendations:

a)      Revision to the Master Plan report to include planning for arenas;

b)      the involvement of RACA in oval programming;

c)      a re-balancing of the PRCS budget to reduce the financial burden to arena users.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

3.

2006 “LULU SERIES: ART IN THE CITY” LECTURES
(Report:  November 7^th, 2005, File No.:  7000-09-01) (REDMS No. 1610310)

That, (as per the report dated November 7, 2005 from the Manager, Policy Planning), $25,000 be allocated to fund the 2006 “Lulu Series: Art in the City” Lectures.

CARRIED

4.

PAULIK GARDENS NEIGHBOURHOOD PARK - COMMUNITY PUBLIC ART PROPOSAL

(Report:  November 7^th, 2005, File No.: 7000-09-20-054 ) (REDMS No. 1692599, 1475640)

It was moved and seconded

That an allocation of $30,000 for the development of a Community Public Art Project at Paulik Gardens Neighbourhood Park, as presented in the report (dated November 7, 2005 from the Manager, Policy Planning), be approved.

CARRIED

5.

RICHMOND SOCCER ALLIANCE FIELD SPORT PROPOSAL AND ARTIFICIAL TURF INSTALLATIONS

(Report:  November 17^th, 2005, File No.:  06-2345-01) (REDMS No. 1673973, 1690332, 1700229, 1688950)

Mr. Dave Semple, Director, Parks Operations, briefly reviewed his report (dated
November 17^th, 2005).

In response to queries from the Committee, Mr. Semple advised that:

·         a 3 field complex can be provided at Boyd, and a one field complex at South Arm Park in 2006.  Two other fields could be targeted for 2008.

·         $250,000/year is put into a capital program for acquisition and maintenance of fields;

·         more funding can be provided from the DCC program, however, staff tried to balance the needs of all programs from this fund;

·         staff would include the rent from Riverport Complex in a report on parkland acquisition funding which would be brought to Committee in the near future;

·         the cost of field rental is $20/hour for youth, and $30/hour for adults;

·         staff will consult with the school board concerning the installation of fields; and

·         there would be no displacement of any community groups when these fields were being renovated.

Mr. Roger Barnes and Mr. Roy Oostergo, representing the alliance of Richmond Soccer Association spoke about the significant financial contribution which the Soccer Association alliance would be providing to develop this proposal which would address the needs of the players as well as  the community at large.  They advised that they would prefer all four fields immediately, but knew this was not possible.  They also stated their concern that the user fees proposed would make it prohibitive to use these fields and requested that a cap be put on these fees to make them affordable for all users.

In response to a query from the Committee, Mr. Barnes advised that they would be willing to contribute all of the promised funding if they could be assured that they would have the four fields which were requested.

In response to queries from the Committee, Mr. Semple advised that:

·         staff will provide a range of options for user fees and a report will be brought to Committee after clarifying and discussing these fees with the Sports Council, as well as the Richmond Soccer Alliance;

·         a contribution agreement with options would be brought to Committee as soon as it was available.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 1A and 1B as detailed in the report(dated November 17^th, 2005 from the Director of Parks Operations) be endorsed for future artificial turf field upgrades in Richmond and that Council commit to four fields by 2008, as per the Richmond Soccer Alliance Field Sport Proposal.

(2)

That staff be directed to prepare a capital submission to implement Option 1A for Council consideration as part of the 2006 capital program year for $2,750,000.

(3)

That staff be directed to seek approval for the proposed Hugh Boyd artificial turf field option from the Richmond School Board.

(4)

That staff prepare a contribution agreement with the Richmond Soccer Alliance to formalize their offer of up to $250,000 as a community capital contribution towards artificial turf field improvements in Richmond.

(5)

That staff be directed to develop and bring forward a process and schedule for the implementation of sand field natural grass playing field user fees in 2006, and that this be discussed with the Richmond Sports Council and that this information be brought to Committee as soon as possible.

(6)

That staff report back to Council in 2006 with a phased implementation plan for additional future artificial turf installations in Richmond as outlined in this report.

CARRIED

6.

MINORU CHAPEL RENTAL FEES

(Report:  November 17^th, 2005, File No.:7140-20-MCHA1) (REDMS No. 1700419)

It was moved and seconded

That Council approve an increase in the rental fees for Minoru Chapel from $350 for 75 minutes to $500 for 90 minutes.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

7.

KEEFER & ASH STREET/MACLEAN HOMES PUBLIC ART PROJECT

(Report:  November 16^th, 2005, File No.:7000-09-20-047) (REDMS No. 1694084)

It was moved and seconded

That the artwork donated by Maclean Homes at Keefer & Ash Street to the City of Richmond, as presented in the report dated November 10, 2005 from the Manager, Policy Planning, be approved.

CARRIED

8.

POLYGON HOMES WESTBURY PROJECT - DONATION OF PUBLIC ART

(Report:  November 10^th, 2005, File No.:  11-7000-09-20-056) (REDMS No. 1693931)

It was moved and seconded

That the artwork donation from Polygon Homes to the City of Richmond (as presented in the Manager, Policy Planning report dated
November 16, 2005) be accepted.

CARRIED

TREE MORATORIUM

Discussion ensued about the cutting down of oak trees on Bridgeport Road and at other properties around the City and whether it was possible to place a moratorium on cutting down of trees and could staff bring forward a basic bylaw to ensure that no tree was cut down on private property without a permit. 

In response Mr. Joe Erceg, General Manager, Urban Development Division advised that a bylaw could be brought forward but issues such as which trees could be cut down, safety, maintenance, and liability for compensation which would have to be addressed and noted that this could be done but the bylaw would not be ready before early March 2006.  However, a very basic interim bylaw which would ensure that a tree could not be cut down without a permit could be adopted quickly, and a much more detailed bylaw would be prepared for early 2006.

Ms. Phyllis Carlyle, City Solicitor then advised Committee on the various options that would be included in the more detailed tree bylaw.

It was moved and seconded

That staff bring forward an interim bylaw in 2005 that would address the immediate issue of the cutting down of trees on private property and that a more detailed bylaw be prepared for Council consideration at a later date.

CARRIED

In response to a query from the Committee, Mr. Irving, Manager, Building Approval advised that information concerning the bylaw would be posted on the City’s website.

PARKLAND ACQUISITION AND DND LAND

Councillor Steves, Chair, distributed a map of the City’s Agricultural Land Reserve (a copy of which is attached as schedule 2 and forms a part of these minutes).  He briefly spoke about the DND lands, their importance as an environmentally sensitive area, and why they should be retained by Parks Canada.  He also advised that monies should be set aside for parkland acquisition especially for lands around the No. 4 Road area.

Discussion then ensued concerning the Parkland Acquisition Fund, which was set up in order to acquire  parklands.

In response Ms. Carlile advised that there was substantial funding for the acquisition of parks in the DCC fund.  However, it was noted that the Parkland Acquisition Fund was in addition to the DCC funds.  Ms. Carlile, then advised that when the budget was brought forward for discussion, a referral should be requesting staff to provide information on the Parkland acquisition fund and that a sum of money be contributed yearly as an additional level into this fund for the acquisition of parks.  

It was moved and seconded

That staff confer with the Agricultural Advisory Committee on the merits of acquiring lands on No. 4 Road for park use.

CARRIED

CONTRACTS

In response to a query from the Committee, Ms. Carlyle advised that at present the city had operating agreements with all stakeholders.  She noted that a process had to be set up under the Master Plan for the negotiation of agreements and that a Steering Committee would be formed when the Master Plan was adopted and that the negotiation of agreements could start by next fall.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6.35 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,
November 29^th, 2005.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Desiree Wong
Committee Clerk