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 25^th, 2006, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

DELEGATIONS

J

3.

(1)

Representatives from the JCC Maccabi Games Vancouver, August 13 to 18, 2006 to update the Committee on the status of the games. 
(File: 11-7400-01)

Ms. Brenda Karp, Games Director, accompanied by Mark James, Co-Chair, of the JCC Maccabi Games Vancouver, referred to, and reviewed material circulated to the Committee regarding the upcoming event. (A copy of this material is on file in the City Clerk’s Office). Ms. Karp provided the following information:

·

the JCC Maccabi Games would be an Olympic style event

·

there would be 250 to 300 local athletes, along with 50 local coaches, and 1,600 international athletes, participating in the Games,

·

it was estimated that 1,000 volunteers would be providing assistance; that 700 host families would be billeting a minimum of two participants in each home, and that as many as 10,000 spectators could be witnessing the opening ceremonies to be held at GM Place

·

two local hotels, the Best Richmond Hotel & Conference Centre, and the Executive Airport Inn, would be helping to host the Games

·

many Richmond facilities, including WaterMania, the Richmond Country Club, Brighouse Park, local soccer fields, Latrace Diamond, and the Minoru Arenas, would be used to hold various events

·

the athletes would participate in the “Days of Caring and Sharing” program, and each athlete would be required to give one-half day of community service; some of these athletes would be working with senior citizens in their homes to complete special projects; sportsmanship was a major aspect resulting from the Maccabi Games.

A brief discussion ensued with Ms. Karp, during which Committee members expressed their appreciation for the Games being held in the City. In response to questions, Ms. Karp advised that the JCC Maccabi Games were held annually every summer in different cities throughout the North American continent.

Mr. James spoke briefly, during which he thanked the City for its on-going support of the upcoming event, and he voiced his appreciation for the good working relationship which had been established with staff and for their helpful advice and suggestions regarding the use of the venues.

The Chair thanked the delegation for their presentation, and they then left the meeting.

(2)

Delegation of citizens who are concerned about the Gateway Theatre and the areas of governance, finances, The Academy and human resources.

Ms. Anne Appenheimer, accompanied by Karen Waters and Janice Chapman, spoke about a number of concerns which she had regarding (i) finances; (ii) human resources; (iii) governance, and (iv) the Academy (GAPA), as they related to the Gateway Theatre. A copy of Ms. Appenheimer’s submission is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.

As a result of the presentation, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the submission from Ms. Anne Appenheimer regarding the Gateway Theatre be referred to staff to investigate and work with the Gateway Theatre Board regarding the concerns raised by Ms. Appenheimer, and that staff report to the Committee by October 1^st, 2006, with a possible plan of action that the City or the Gateway Theatre Board may wish to undertake.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

4.

Garden City Community Park Playground
(Report: April 12, 2006, File No.: 06-2345-20-MNORI) (REDMS No. 1805471)

Questions were raised by the about the feasibility of developing the park with natural features rather than man-made, and discussion ensued between Cllr. McNulty and the Director, Parks & Public Works Operations, Dave Semple on this matter. Mr. Semple referred to (i) the potential growth anticipated for the City Centre area; (ii) the lack of a destination playground for the area; and (iii) the difficulties in providing natural features in the park which did not result in potential safety issues for visitors to the park, as the rationale for providing a more structured park. He added that in some cases, it was necessary to have more structure to provide a balance with the remainder of the park.

A brief discussion ensued, during which, with reference to the lake and whether children were taking advantage of this feature, advice was given that children were already discovering the various creatures and insects which lived around the edge of the water.

It was moved and seconded

That the 2006 Garden City Community Park approved capital project #40832 be directed towards an enhanced children’s playground.

CARRIED

5.

Natural Grass Playing Fields Fee Program
(Report: May 3, 2006, File No.: 06-2345-01/2006-Vol. 01) (REDMS No.1847776)

Mr. Semple, accompanied by the Manager, Parks – Programs, Planning & Design, indicated that they were available to respond to questions.

With reference to the proposed implementation of ‘natural grass playing field pricing’, information was provided that approval of the fees would mean that the users of all natural grass sports fields would be paying to use these fields. Advice was given that City staff would be working with the Sports Council and other organizations to determine how the revenue generated from these user fees would be used.

Concern was expressed about accessibility and whether the implementation of these user fees would result in some individuals no longer being able to participate in sports activities. The comment was made that sports should be accessible to all, and particularly, to new residents who were not familiar with the traditional sports played in Richmond. In response, advice was given that staff would be recommending the establishment of a fee subsidy program to ensure that sports would be accessible to everyone.

Discussion then took place on the disbursement of the revenue generated as a result of the new user fees, and whether these funds should be placed into one fund which would be accessible to all sports. Advice was given that there would be corroboration with all sports groups on how these funds should be spent, and that this issue would be a component of a proposed operating agreement to be entered into with the Sports Council.

Reference was made to a referral to staff for report to Committee on Riverport and the creation of a separate account for maintenance funds, and advice was given that a report would be submitted to the Committee in June of this year.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond Natural Grass Playing Field Fees Program, Option 1, as detailed in this report be approved for a phased implementation in 2007 with full implementation in 2008 and;

(2)

That staff be directed to include Natural Grass Playing Field pricing in a Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Fees bylaw.

(3)

That Field Facility usage agreements be developed with each of Richmond’s field sport associations.

(4)

That a special subsidiary fund of the Sports Reserve Fund be established for the purpose of minor/major field capital as detailed in Table 1 of this report.

CARRIED

(Correspondence dated May 24^th, 2006, from the Richmond Arenas Community Association, regarding the issue of Sports Field Fees and Charges, was submitted to the Committee at the end of the meeting,. A copy of this correspondence is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.)

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

The Manager, Parks Operations, Gord Barstow, provided a sample of the aluminium replacement plaques which would be used in an effort to deter the theft of metal from City parks. A brief discussion ensued on the on-going vandalism and metal theft problems occurring in City parks and how this could be addressed.

Advice was given that a partners recognition event would be held at the Westminster Highway side of the Terra Nova Park on Saturday, June 10^th, 2006.

Reference was made to a recent fire drill held at Richmond High School, and to the placement of the students within the fence enclosed artificial turf field during this fire drill. Concern was expressed about students being within this fenced enclosure, which was in close proximity to the school in the event that a fire should actually occur, and staff were requested to raise this issue with the Council/School Board Liaison Committee.

DELEGATION

7.

Leslie Wilson, Chair, representing the Richmond Public Library Board presenting feedback on planning reports and planning of Library services.

Ms. Wilson, accompanied by Chief Librarian Greg Buss, spoke to the Committee about the need for consultation with respect to City planning initiatives which were currently underway or about to start, and which needed to take into consideration, the provision of library services. A copy of Ms. Wilson’s submission is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.

Discussion then took place among Committee members and the delegation on:

·

the percentage of City funds which comprised the Library’s operating budget

·

the need for consultation between the City and the Library about the Parks & Recreation Master Plan

·

whether having planning staff make presentations to the Library Board on the upcoming review of the City Centre area plan would be the best approach to take; and the need for staff-to-staff discussions, as well as Council-to-Board discussions

·

opportunities which might exist to improve the Steveston Library, as well as in the area of No. 4 Road and Garden City Road as part of future development projects

·

the need for clear communication between the City and the Library

·

the amount of the per capita grant received by the Library from the City, and when this amount was last increased.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the issue of communication between the City and the Library Board be referred to staff for discussions with Library staff to determine the best method of communication which would be acceptable for the City and the Library with respect to planning reports and planning for library services.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:05 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 24^th, 2006.

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_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

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