Date:

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt, Vice-Chair
Councillor Cynthia Chen
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Linda Barnes

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

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 2, 2007 be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

Richmond Gateway Theatre Society – Response to Consultant’s Recommendations

(Report:  October 9, 2007, File No.: 11-7025-01 ) (REDMS No. 2287544)

Vern Jacques, Manager, Projects and Programs and Diane Cousar, Chair of the Gateway Theatre Society Board were available to answer questions.

Discussion ensued, and questions were raised about several recommendations made to the Richmond Gateway Theatre Society in the consultant’s report. Ms. Cousar advised that the Board’s outlook is positive regarding implementation of the recommendations, and many are already in place; the remainder are in the process of being implemented.

It was moved and seconded

That the report regarding the Richmond Gateway Theatre Society (dated October 9, 2007, from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, and the Manager, Projects and Programs) be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Richmond - A Community of Excellence for Sports & Wellness

(Report:  October 9, 2007, File No.:  11-7000-01/2007-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2288631)

Kate Sparrow, Director, Recreation & Cultural Services provided a brief background summary regarding the Community of Excellence for Sports and Wellness initiative.

Discussion ensued among Committee members and staff regarding several aspects of the initiative, and the following was noted:

§      

Roger Barnes, Vice-Chair of the Richmond Sports Council has expressed interest in Chairing the Steering Committee for the initiative;

§      

the initiative focuses on integrating the existing sports strategies, and the knowledge and expertise of a wide range of partners;

§      

Richmond Health Services is taking a lead on developing the Comprehensive Community Wellness Strategy, including a method to measure the overall level of wellness in the community.

Dr. James Lu from Vancouver Coastal Health joined the discussion and advised that approximately 40% of the population is physically active, and 40% consumes five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Discussion continued, with concerns being expressed about the obesity rate amongst children. It was noted that schools play a very important role in motivating youth to become physically active.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Council endorse the “Community of Excellence for Sport and Wellness” initiative; and

(2)

That staff report progress to Council as the initiative moves forward.

CARRIED

5.

Older Adults Service Plan

(Report:  October 10, 2007, File No.:  11-7000-07/2007-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2286480, 2135901)

Lucy Tompkins, PRCS Planner II and Eva Busich-Veloso, Coordinator Seniors Services addressed the Committee regarding the Draft Older Adults Service Plan. Ms. Tompkins briefly reviewed the Draft Plan and spoke about the City Centre Area Plan projections regarding Richmond’s increasing population over the age of 65.

Discussion took place among Committee members and staff on the proposed plan, and the following was noted:

§      

the exchange of volunteer service hours for reduced rates in PRCS programs is a possibility for older adult volunteers; 

§      

younger spouses of adults over the age of 55 may participate in the PRCS older adult programs;

§      

the PRCS department is interested in tracking volunteer data in a city wide database using the Volunteer Management Strategy. At this time the volunteer data base at the Senior’s Centre is not city wide;

§      

a change in terminology is occurring as the “baby-boomer” generation retires, and the term “senior” is being replaced by “older adult”;

§      

the PRCS department is considering a stakeholder workshop to seek feedback on the Draft Older Adults Service Plan.

Discussion continued and emphasis was placed on the importance of youth and seniors working together. It was also noted that many seniors are unable to commit to regular volunteerism as they quite often travel. Ms. Busich-Veloso advised that the approach to volunteerism is changing to give volunteers the option of participating in projects that match their availability, strengths, and interests rather than volunteering for regular set hours.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff:

(a)

seek feedback on the DRAFT Older Adults Service Plan (Attachment 1) from key stakeholders; and

(b)

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

(2)

That the Richmond Older Adults Service Plan Steering Committee be thanked for their effort in developing the DRAFT Older Adults Service Plan.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

a.    

Dave Semple, Director of Parks and Public Works Operations introduced Serena Lusk, Manager of Parks Programs. Ms. Lusk has recently returned from maternity leave, and will be working on Parks Programs including the Britannia Business Plan and the Banner Program.

b.       

Mr. Semple provided a general update, advising that the damaged trees resulting from the recent storms have been dealt with; and landscape beds around the City are being planted with bulbs in anticipation of spring.

c.    

Anne Stevens, Manager, Community Recreation Services reported that the Thompson Community Association has launched their Connected Senior’s Computer Program for which a grant of approximately $25,000 has been received from New Horizons.

d.    

Ms. Stevens updated the Committee on the status of the healthy choices initiative, advising that progress is being made in conjunction with the Richmond Board of Education to have healthy choices available in vending machines at schools and community centres. She also noted that consideration is being given to replacing the pop currently available in Richmond City Hall vending machines with healthier choices.

e.    

Ms. Stevens provided an update on the City Centre Community Centre which was impacted by the recent plane crash. At this time, the washrooms are not accessible, and the water has been shut off. The children in the pre-school program offered at the Community Centre will be divided into two groups, and temporarily relocated to Minoru Arena and pool until access to the washrooms is restored.

f.      

Serena Lusk reported that Crime Watch volunteers will be actively patrolling Richmond on Saturday October 27^th, as well as on Halloween night, Wednesday, October 31^st. There are six fireworks displays planned for Halloween night throughout the community, and new content for the show at Minoru Park including music and fire dancers. The show will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the fireworks are set to go off at 8:15 p.m. Seniors and youth will be involved in making and serving hot chocolate and any proceeds will go to Volunteer Richmond's Christmas Fund. 

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:51 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, October 23, 2007.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt
Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal
Committee Clerk