MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Wednesday, January 25^th, 2006, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Tuesday, March 28^th, 2006 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

The Chair advised that he wished to add an item to the agenda – ‘Addition of Two Computers to the Seniors Centre’, and further, that he wished to vary to the agenda to deal with Item Nos. 10 and 12 with at this time.  It was also agreed that the following items would be added to the agenda as additional items:

(1)

Oikawa Island Presentation;

(2)

the Lubzinski Project; and

(3)

Possible Sister City relationship with a city located on Canada’s East Coast.

10.

BUSINESS CASE: ART GALLERY CURATOR

(Report:  Jan. 31/06, File No.:  11-7142-01/2006-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1752988)

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated January 31^st, 2006, from the Director, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee), regarding a Business Case:  Art Gallery Curator, be referred to the next meeting of the Finance Committee.

CARRIED

12.

SENIORS WELLNESS COORDINATOR

(Report:  Feb. 8/06, File No.:  03-0970-01) (REDMS No. 1759337)

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated February 8^th, 2006, from the Director, Recreation & Cultural Services), regarding the Seniors Wellness Coordinator, be referred to the next meeting of the Finance Committee.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

3.

Graham Turnbull, Chairman, Steveston Historical Society, regarding the Steveston Museum building at 3811 Moncton Street.

The Chair advised that the delegation was not in attendance.

It was moved and seconded

That staff work with the Steveston Historical Society to explore options to keep the Steveston Museum open to the public, and that staff review the designation of the museum in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, to determine if this approach could be used with the Steveston Museum.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

4.

AWARD OF CONTRACT T.2779 – BRITANNIA HERITAGE SHIPYARDS, HISTORIC ZONE REDEVELOPMENT

(Report:  Feb. 13/06, File No.:  03-1000-20-T.2779) (REDMS No. 1755971)

It was moved and seconded

That the Contract T.2779 be awarded to Parkwood Construction Ltd. for the amount of $880,954.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

5.

RICHMOND FRUIT TREE SHARING PROJECT – SOUTH DYKE GARDEN AND TERRA NOVA RURAL PARK

(Report:  Jan. 16/06, File No.:  03-1000-14-120) (REDMS No. 1737879)

The Manager, Parks – Programs, Planning & Design, Mike Redpath, advised in response to questions, that the South Dyke garden would remain in operation for at least the next year or two, and that a transition plan was in place to shift the community sharing farm operation to the Terra Nova site.

Reference was made to the upcoming World Urban Forum, to be held in Vancouver in June of this year.  Advice was given that Parks staff were organizing a tour of the Terra Nova Rural Park and Community Garden for delegates attending this conference, at which time members of the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project – Sharing Farm Society (RFTSP) would have the opportunity to explain their project.

Reference was made to the type of sheds to be located at the Terra Nova farm centre, and Mary Gazetas, a member of the Board of Directors of RFTSP, advised that the storage sheds would be unobtrusive and located in one corner of the property.  She added, in response to a further question, that the Society was still encouraging members of the community to participate in the community garden project.

In concluding the discussion, the Chair thanked Ms. Gazetas and the other members of the Society who were in attendance for their hard work and the contribution they had made to the community.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project agreement for use of a portion of land at the South Dyke Community Garden located at 13871 No. 3 Road be renewed for a further two year term commencing April 2006 to April 2008;

(2)

That staff initiate the public notification process for the City’s intent to lease a portion of the Terra Nova Rural Park, and the South Dyke Community Garden to meet the Community Charter requirements for the lease of land; and

(3)

That upon completion of the public notification process, staff develop an agreement with the  Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project Society for use of a portion of land at Terra Nova Rural Park for a Community Sharing Farm.

CARRIED

6.

PLANNING FOR PARKS AND RECREATION AND CULTURAL FACILITIES IN THE CITY CENTRE

(Report:  Feb. 14/06, File No.:  11-7000-01/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1765256, 1449947)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and the Director, Recreation & Cultural Services, Kate Sparrow, the Director of Parks Operations, Dave Semple, and Planner Serena Lusk, on this matter, with information being provided that:

§            

the final result would be a comprehensive plan showing the integration of all programmes in the City Centre, accompanied by a map showing the location of parks, recreation and cultural facilities in the downtown core

§            

the next step in the process would be to present the ‘guiding principles’ to the community centres, social service agencies and other stakeholders in the area for their review and input

§            

the ‘guiding principles’ (shown on page 3 of the staff report) provided the starting point for discussion with the stakeholders; following further discussions with these individuals and organizations, these principles would be returned to Council for adoption

§            

staff were not considering any particular option for the location of a community centre until consultation with the community had been completed.

Also discussed were the following matters:

§            

how owners who, at some point in the future, might have their properties designated for park, would receive equitable treatment

§            

future growth and the downtown centre of the City; the importance of a community centre, but also the capacity of that facility to accommodate future increase population

§            

whether the downtown core would be split into more that one precinct

§            

the proposed ‘guiding principles’ and whether these principles should be expanded to include reference to the future - the suggestion was made that the following be added as (4), ‘That the City is ensuring the future capacity of a City Centre facility’.

§            

at what point would Committee, and Council be deciding whether there would be more than one community centre in the area – advice was given that a variety of options would be explored and returned to the Committee for discussion in June of this year

§            

how the proposed strategy would be financed – advice was given that staff were hoping to explore partnerships which could provide either funds or resources; an option which would be feasible and result in the implementation of the strategy

§            

the ‘mixed use’ model which had been adopted by Council as part of planning to incorporate community facilities in multi-family high-rise developments.

During the discussion, staff were requested to include the Richmond Chinese Community Centre in future discussions.  Also during the discussion, the comment was made that the Garden City property should not be considered for a future site of a community centre, as it was felt that this facility should remain at its present location in Minoru Park.

It was moved and seconded

That the guiding principles for planning for parks and recreation and cultural facilities in the City Centre (as outlined in the report dated February 14^th, 2006, from the Director, Recreation & Cultural Services and the Director of Parks Operations), be adopted, with the addition of Part (4), ‘That the City is ensuring the future capacity of a City Centre facility’.

CARRIED

7.

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES DRAFT ACCESS POLICY

(Report:  Feb. 14/06, File No.:  11-7000-00/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1764957, 1770080)

Discussion ensued among Committee members, Kate Sparrow and Dave Semple on the issue of reducing barriers to access to allow all individuals and families to participate in a wide variety of opportunities throughout the City.  During the discussion, advice was given that consultation would be held with the Committee on Disability and the Poverty Response group.

Also addressed during the discussion was (i) how those individuals who needed to have access would be identified; (ii) the need to make community facilities more welcoming to all individuals; (iii) how the proposed access policy would be communicated to the public; (iv) the need to change in the policy, the definition of ‘family’ to reflect a more modern world; (v) whether access would also be provided to other programs, including the performing arts; and (vi) how City staff were made aware of those individuals who required our services.

In concluding the discussion, the request was made that staff extend the Committee’s thanks to those City staff, including Sean Davies, who were seeing to the needs of people with disabilities.

It was moved and seconded

That staff meet with community partners regarding the draft Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Access Policy, and report to Council with a recommended policy and implementation strategy.

CARRIED

8.

GATEWAY THEATRE “FLY TOWER” WALL ART PROJECT

(Report:  Feb. 13/06, File No.:  11-7000-09-20-041/2005-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1752772)

A brief discussion ensued, during which in response to a question, advice was given by Senior Planner Kari Huhtala, that the cost of maintenance of the art project had been averaged over ten years.

It was moved and seconded

That staff implement the installation of the “SCRIPT Inside Outside” wall art at the Gateway Theatre, (as presented in the report dated February 13, 2006 from the Manager, Policy Planning).

CARRIED

9.

J. RATSOY’S MECHANICAL COLLECTION (JUKE BOXES AND MOTOR VEHICLES

(Report:  Jan. 5/06, File No.:  11-7000-03/2006 – Vol 01; xr 03-0970-01) (REDMS No. 1753486)

A question was raised about whether any consideration had been given to establishing an independent non-profit society to implement the project, and discussion ensued among Committee members and the Manager of Heritage and Cultural Services, Jane Fernyhough, and Kate Sparrow on this possibility.  Reference was made to the uniqueness of Mr. Ratsoy’s collection, and to the opportunity to have a working attraction, and as a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff explore the feasibility of creating a non-profit society or other means, with the owner.

The question on the motion was not called, as comments were made that the owner would have to be agreeable to this proposal.  However, the suggestion was also made that the BC Car Club and antique car clubs could be contacted.  Questions were also raised about the feasibility of constructing a museum building, with the Ratsoy collection being one of the exhibits in that facility. 

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

10.

BUSINESS CASE: ART GALLERY CURATOR

(Report:  Jan. 31/06, File No.:  11-7142-01/2006-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1752988)

Please see Page 2 of these minutes for action taken on this matter.

11.

RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL – COMMUNITY PROGRAM

(Report:  Feb. 16/06, File No.:  11-7150-04) (REDMS No. 1767265)

Kate Sparrow reviewed her report with the Committee, during which she talked about the types of activities which could be brought into the Richmond Olympic Oval once the 2010 Winter Games had been concluded.  She explained that high performance sport would be a key component but would be dependent upon on the recreational sports activities which would also take place at the Oval.  She added that a key criteria would be how a high performance sport could be supported by the local sport system.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members, the Director, Richmond Business Office, Lani Schultz, and Ms. Sparrow on:

§            

the amount of facility time which would be committed to community use – advice was given that at least two-thirds of the access time to the Oval would be for community use; a major part of the high performance use would take place during the day when typical downtimes occurred; the prime time for community use would be evenings and weekends

§            

the types of programs which would be offered at the Oval; the input obtained from local community groups to offer suggestions on the types of uses which would be desired at the Oval, and whether a decision had yet been made on the sports activities to be offered within the Oval

§            

those members of the community who did not belong to sports groups or other organizations and how they would be encouraged to use the facility

§            

the feasibility of constructing the running track around the outside of the Oval facility – advice was given that the inclusion of an indoor running track had been part of the original proposal submitted to VANOC and was one of the key principles in trying to demonstrate the flexibility of the Oval

§            

whether additional high performance sports would be included in the facility

§            

the rationale for including high performance sports along with some recreational sports.

At this point in the meeting, a PowerPoint presentation was given, which provided an update on the community programs proposed for the Oval facility.  A copy of this presentation is attached to the staff report, and is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.

Following the completion of the PowerPoint presentation, a brief discussion then ensued on the legacy fund and its criteria. 

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated February 16^th, 2006, from the Director, Recreation & Cultural Services), regarding the Richmond Olympic Oval – Community Program, be received for information.

CARRIED

12.

SENIORS WELLNESS COORDINATOR

(Report:  Feb. 8/06, File No.:  03-0970-01) (REDMS No. 1759337)

Please see Page 2 of these minutes for action taken on this matter.

13.

SENIORS CENTRE COMPUTER PROGRAM

It was moved and seconded

That the request for the addition of two additional computers at the Seniors Centre be referred to staff to add a minimum of two computers at the Seniors Centre for their use.

CARRIED

14.

CEREMONY TO MARK THE VOYAGE OF THE SUIAN MARU AT THE SOUTH END OF NO. 9 ROAD ON OCTOBER 13, 2006

Councillor Steves provided members of the Committee with copies of correspondence received from Stan Fukawa, who provided information on a request from Mr. Onodera to plant a tree from Japan on Don Island in recognition of the voyage of the Suian Maru.

A brief discussion ensued, as a result of which, staff were instructed by the Chair to take the request under advisement.

15.

LUBZINSKI COLLECTION

Cllr. Steves reported that a majority of the Lubzinski material and equipment being donated to the City was now in packing containers, however, there were several important items on which a decision had not yet been made as to their acquisition by the City.  As a result of the discussion which ensued, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff review the following additional pieces of equipment to determine their suitability for acquisition:

(1)

an Easthope Engine Lathe (blue);

(2)

a Star Shipyard metal bender;

(3)

a BC Packers drill press;

(4)

a Swan Shipyard propeller shaft machine;

(5)

a Sawmill; and

(6)

a 12 blade gang saw.

CARRIED

16.

FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP WITH A CITY ON CANADA'S EAST COST 
 

It was moved and seconded

That the Sister City Committee consider the feasibility of establishing a Sister City relationship with a city on the east coast of Canada.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, Cllr. Barnes spoke briefly about Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and the importance of having a connection within Canada because of the many commonalities shared by Richmond with cities on the East Coast.

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

17.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN THE WHO AGE-FRIENDLY URBAN COMMUNITY PROJECT

Cllr. Barnes referred to correspondence (dated February 14^th, 2006, from the World Health Organization), regarding an opportunity to be BC’s partner city in the WHO Age-Friendly Urban Community Project, and she questioned whether staff had had the opportunity to review the request.  In response, advice was given that TAG would dealing with the request at its March 1^st, 2006 meeting.

18.

MANAGER’S REPORT

There were no reports made.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:47 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, February 28^th, 2006.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant – City Clerk’s Office.