MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meetings of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 and on Monday, June 5, 2006 be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

3.

Richmond Field Sport Strategy 2006 to 2011 – Everyone Can Play

(Report:  June 14, 2006, File No.:  11-7200-01) (REDMS No. 1932124)

Mike Redpath, Manager, Parks -  Programs, Planning & Design, answered questions from Committee:

·      

the planning process is an organic one and staff will report to Committee on the accomplishments of the stated objectives;

·    

staff proposes that after three years into this plan they begin the process of creating the next five year plan;

·      

the City will enhance its working relationship with the Richmond School District by facilitating more school entry level field sport participation and providing links to community sports groups;

·      

in the fall of 2006 the Strategy will be distributed when the City reconvenes with the School Board;

·    

a combination of washrooms and change rooms has not been looked at but the City will look at different options as it endeavours to provide washroom facilities at all Richmond designated athletic parks by 2011.

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Field Sport Strategy 2006-2011 – Everyone Can Play, and Playbook for Action (attached to the report dated June 14, 2006, from the Director of Parks and Public Works Operations) be adopted to guide the vision and direction of Field Sport service delivery in Richmond.

CARRIED

4.

Volunteer Strategy

(Report: June 5, 2006;  File No.: 05-1400-07) (REDMS No.: 1903353 )

Kate Sparrow, Director, Recreation & Cultural Services, reported that the City engaged Volunteer Richmond Information Services (VRIS) to lead a process to develop a comprehensive volunteer strategy for Richmond Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.

A 16-member Steering Committee of stakeholder representatives was established to assist in the background work, analysis and the preparation of the recommendations in the strategy.

General discussion ensued, with Ms. Sparrow answering questions from Committee:

·      

staff is working on a youth strategy and is aware that there is a need to provide more diverse volunteer opportunities in order to reach target groups;

·      

there is an important role for VRIS to play in the strategy and that role will be better defined during the next phase of the strategy; discussions with the Steering Committee and with VRIS indicate the City needs to take a strong role;

·      

potential volunteers lead busy lives and some will make a long commitment while others can only make a short, episodic commitment to a volunteer endeavour;

·     o

one of the recommended strategic directions is to establish a City of Richmond web based database of volunteers;

·      

at present the City does not have the ability to track the demographics of volunteers;

·      

centralizing a database of volunteers will enhance the volunteer opportunity because it is a tool that organizations can use;

·      

the five strategic directions outlined in the Strategy can be done on a cost effective basis but some staffing costs will be incurred when seeking feedback on the Strategy and when gathering input into the implementation plan;

·      

the City will take the lead on the proposed volunteer management database system; some funding has been identified, and staff is working with IT to determine if that funding will take it to full implementation; PRCS staff will come back to Committee to ask for resources, but before that happens they will explore all alternative possibilities.

The Chair read a letter from Julie Halfnights which stated her support for the recommendations outlined in the Volunteer Strategy. (Schedule 1)

The Committee heard from three speakers: Elizabeth Specht, Executive Director, of VRIS, Ed Gervais of VRIS and Heather Fleming, consultant.

Mr. Gervais stated that the Volunteer Strategy addresses a diverse group of volunteers, represents many organizations, and spreads across all age groups. He stressed the need to find creative ways to attract and retain volunteers. He said the Strategy could help identify where in the community potential volunteers can go to use their volunteer time and skills.

In response to an inquiry Ms. Specht stated that the Strategy would apply to everyone, including newcomers to the City. She stated that the Strategy applies to people with special needs and that there is a partnership with the Disabilities Resource Centre. The model is inclusive and proposes a coordinated and centralized approach to volunteerism that will reach all sectors of the community. 

Jim Lamond, Chair, Richmond Sports Council addressed Committee and stated that it is difficult to combine volunteerism with sports. Mr Lamond noted that times have changed, and it is much different today, than it was in the past, for adults working as volunteer coaches. One problem facing the sports sector is too many young participants and not enough volunteer adults. The Sports Council has a risk management policy because it has to protect the young people in the system. Mr. Lamond concluded by stating that the Council will work with others within Richmond’s volunteer sector to share information.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Comprehensive Volunteer Management Strategy – Phase I – Planning (Attachment 1) be received for information; and

(2)

That Staff be directed:

(a)

to seek feedback on the Strategy and seek input into the implementation plan from key stakeholders;

(b)

to prepare an implementation action plan for the Volunteer Management Strategy;

(c)

to continue to work with Volunteer Richmond Information Services (VRIS) and to define their role in the implementation of the Volunteer Management Strategy;

(d)

to prepare alternatives for the provision of staff resources to implement and coordinate ongoing volunteer management services, for the 2007 City budget process; and

(e)

to report back to Council through the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee.

(3)

That Volunteer Richmond Information Services and the Steering Committee be thanked for their effort in the development of the Volunteer Management Strategy.

CARRIED

5.

Hamilton Child Care Facility – Additional Uses

(Report: June 26, 2006; File No.:  07-3070-03-03/Vol 01 ) (REDMS No. 1914862)

Serena Lusk, Planner II, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department responded to questions from Committee:

·      

after the fire hall at 23032 Westminster Highway is demolished the Society of Richmond Children’s Centres will develop the site for a child care centre;

·      

significant challenges include security of children on the site, parking on site, and other parking spaces that would have to be located offsite;

·      

the proposed building is being developed by the Society, along their timeline; the City is involved with the society in the lease agreement for the land;

·      

a one storey modular building is envisioned for the site, but to provide additional community space on the site a second story would have to be added to the facility; a second story is possible on a modular structure;

·      

funding for the proposed building comprises $110,00 from City surplus, $500,000 from the provincial government with the remaining funds to be raised during a capital campaign by the Society of Richmond Children’s Centres; in addition the Society is also looking for other community partners to help expand the scope of the building;

·      

for the sake of cost efficiencies it is advisable that partnerships with all potential parties are struck at the same time;

·      

the targeted opening date is September of 2007;

·      

the Hamilton area’s population is growing, and includes a large number of young families; this project provides an opportunity to participate in providing a service to the neighbourhood;

·      

if direction is given to explore further, the process that would follow includes returning to the Committee to seek approval for funding, developing a partnership agreement and ultimately becoming involved in the design and construction of the proposed building;

·     S

the Hamilton Childcare Facility preliminary budget will have to be re-visited because some months have passed since it was drawn up.

The chair invited delegations from the floor to address Committee.

Wolf Streko, a member of the Hamilton Community Association, encouraged the City to keep the idea of additional community space for Hamilton in the PRCS Master Plan as a line item, which will enable his Association membership to discuss options for expanded space with City staff. In response to his inquiry, Mr. Streko was informed by staff that the building is being developed by the Society of Richmond Children’s Centres and that the timeline of the development is the Society’s.

Staff stated that Hamilton's needs will be included in the upcoming master plan amenity priorities report.

Nikki Byers, Chair of the Society of Richmond Children’s Centres, addressed Committee and commented that the Society has always had a multi-use structure in mind, but that the proposed building has to be compatible for a children’s centre. The Society is thinking of a childcare centre with spaces for 79 children, cared for by approximately 20 staff members. The Society is working with other organizations, such as Touchstone Family Services and the Richmond Society for Community Living, among others that form a hub of interested partners. She stated that if a second story were to be built more organizations would be willing to go to Hamilton to offer services.

Janice Barr, a representative from the Richmond Society of Community Living (RSCL) stated that her organization is one of the hub partners working with the Society of Richmond Children’s Centres. RSCL is committed to this project and is committed to servicing the Hamilton neighbourhood. Her organization is interested in developing partnerships that provide flexibility for the various parties involved to provide services to the area.

It was moved and seconded

That staff review maximizing the expansion of the Hamilton Fire Hall site for uses compatible with child care; and

That staff examine opportunities for other facilities in the community including library space.

CARRIED

6.

NEW BUSINESS

(1)

In response to an inquiry regarding signage changes at the No. 3 Road off-leash dog park, Mike Redpath reported that changes to signage were made due to a section of a trail that narrows down to a 5-foot width. The narrowness of the trail at this spot made off-leash dogs incompatible with cyclists, runners and walkers, and for that reason signage was changed, but just for this section of this trail. The rest of the park remains off-leash.

(2)

In response to a an inquiry regarding dogs off-leash at Garry Point Park, Dave Semple reported that Garry Point Park is an on-leash park and that if the City is alerted to off-leash activity it will ask City Bylaws to enforce the on-leash provision.

(3)

In response to an inquiry regarding the maintenance and the appearance of the area where Highway 99 meets Knight Street, Gord Barstow reported that the City contracts Main Road Construction to maintain that intersection to ensure that it does not become unsightly.

(4)

Sighting a recent incident along the dyke, during which the son of a
City worker was assaulted, the Chair expressed concern that there is not enough lighting at secluded sites along the City’s dyke system and that the City should be looking into enhancing lighting.

(5)

In response to an inquiry regarding the 2006 Dolphin Classic Basketball Tournament, City staff reported that the tournament will proceed, July 28 through July 30, 2006; that City staff, in company with members of the RCMP, has met with the organizing committee to outline the City’s expectations for an incident-free tournament; the City will closely monitor the event this year; the organizers have worked to ameliorate the alcohol consumption and traffic control problems that arose last year; there will be no beer garden at this year’s event; the organizers have paid a $500 bond; in summary the tournament is on probation this year, and are on notice by the City to produce a successful tournament with no incidents. Cathy Volkering Carlile, General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, stated that if the organizers do not meet the City’s expectations the City would look at invoicing the organizers.

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Mike Redpath reminded the Committee of the Salmon Festival Parade. He also reported that the first pod of the UBC rowing facility is due to set sail from its assembly site and be floated down to the facility’s new site in Richmond on the Fraser River. The new facility is scheduled to open in September, 2006.

Gord Barstow reported that the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department is working with the Health Department the City is effectively dealing with the mosquito issue.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:03 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, June 27, 2006.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Sheila Johnston
Committee Clerk