Date:

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

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, November 27, 2007, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

Where Youth Thrive - A Youth Service Plan

(Report:  January 22, 2008, File No.:  11-7000-05/2008-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2327718, 2253003)

Lucy Tompkins, PRCS Planner II, joined by Wayne Yee, Coordinator Youth Services, provided a brief history associated with the development of Where Youth Thrive – a Youth Service Plan, which was created by a Youth Steering Committee.

Mr. Yee gave a brief DVD presentation, which provided highlights on several aspects of the Plan, including the long term effects of positive and negative influences on youth, and the role of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department on impacting the quality of life for teenagers.

The following points were raised during the ensuing discussion:

§     

how the statistics related to youth volunteerism were obtained, and the relevance of youth volunteering in the community, as well as increasing opportunities for youth to volunteer;

§     

provisions for a safe environment for youth, and recognizing that “safety” can have many meanings that go beyond the definition of physical safety;

§     

implementation of the Plan, would be carried out by the City, its partners, and community organizations;

§     

the next steps in implementing the plan, will be to take the document back to the Youth Steering Committee, as well as additional key stakeholders for obtaining feedback, promoting an understanding of the document, and exploring resources. The notion of involving faith based organizations, The Richmond Chinese Community Society (RCCS), as well as the Intercultural Advisory Committee was also discussed;

§     

the obesity rate in youth, and the importance of physical activity;

§     

the significance of addressing the needs of youth facing low asset development, and increasing the staffing capacity for programs such as the Roving Leaders Program;

§     

the challenges faced by youth from various ethnic groups;

§     

communicating to ethnic families that concepts such as recreation, socialization, and healthy spaces for youth, are just as important as academic achievements;

§     

increasing the knowledge of the people who work with and support young people; and

§     

the life long impact on youth resulting from their childhood experiences.

Upon conclusion of the discussion, the Chair requested staff to forward the Where Youth Thrive –A Youth Service Plan to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee for information.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff:

(a)

Seek feedback on the DRAFT Youth Service Plan “Where Youth Thrive” (Attachment 1) from key stakeholders; and,

(b)

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

(2)

That the Richmond Youth Service Plan Steering Committee be thanked for their effort in developing the DRAFT Where Youth Thrive document.

CARRIED

4.

Maritime Events for 2008 - 2011

(Report:  January 11, 2008, File No.: 11-7400-20-TALL1, XR:06-2025-20-003/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2327301)

Bryan Klassen, Heritage Services, Site Supervisor, and Jane Fernyhough, Manager of Heritage and Cultural Services were available to answer questions related to the report.

A discussion took place about the requirements for floats at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard between now and 2011. Additional information will be available upon the submission of the 2009 Additional Float Request, which will take place in the fall. It was also noted that a report which would provide further information could be made available to the Committee prior to the budget submission.

In response to questions about dredging, reference was made to an upcoming report that would provide information related to dredging requirements for Steveston, and the Britannia Heritage Shipyard, as well costs associated with dredging, maintenance of the Britannia Heritage Shipyard, and the floats. It was also noted that costs of dredging in front of City facilities would be the City’s responsibility.

A discussion then took place about possible enhancements to the Maritime Events, and the following was noted:

§     

the need to promote the Maritime Events. It was suggested that amalgamating the Maritime Festival with the Steveston festival, could resolve issues related to low volunteer involvement and public attendance at the last Maritime Events, since it would be one large event instead of two;

§     

recruitment of major ships for the Maritime Events should begin now rather than later;

§     

consideration should be given to forming a “Blue Ribbon” Committee of those involved in the last Maritime Event;

§     

the possibility of acquiring a “Chinese Junk” for the festival to tie China into Richmond’s diverse population.

Further discussion took place about dredging at Garry Point, and reference was made to the “Hole”, which was the deepest point in the river, and allowed access to large ships into Garry Point. A suggestion was made to contact the Steveston Harbour Authority to request that they allow the City to use the “Hole”.

A discussion took place about the Rivermania, and staff was requested to keep Committee members apprised of any update by memo.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City of Richmond submit an Expression of Interest to the American Sail Training Association (ASTA) before the end of 2008 to act as a host port for TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® 2011; and

(2)

That an anticipated land and water infrastructure plan, and budget plan be presented to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee prior to the annual budget submission.

CARRIED

5.

Snow GEESE Management Plan – Recommended City Action

(Report:  January 15, 2008, File No.:  10-6160-06) (REDMS No. 2330127)

Serena Lusk, Manager of Parks Programs, and Margot Daykin, Manager, Sustainability were available to answer questions.

A discussion ensued between staff and Committee members on:

§     

the traditional pattern of behaviour of geese and other species of birds such as widgeons, crows, and seagulls, as well as how and why the behaviour patterns had changed in 2007;

§     

the pros and cons of reseeding the damaged fields in Richmond;

§     

the feasibility of increasing habitat to replace the loss of habitat in the Terra Nova area;

§     

how the birds have been impacted by erosion and dredging;

§     

the temporary solution provided by on-site deterrent management programs such as the canine control program; and

§     

providing better drainage on the fields, as damage to aerated fields was minimal compared to other fields.

Advice was provided that staff is seeking information and ideas to make the fields of Richmond less attractive, and the marsh lands more attractive to the geese. Also, the possibility of creating a habitat off of Sturgeon Bay, with crop covers, modified landscapes and traditional habitat was discussed.

Further discussion ensued about the health issues faced by schools, related to geese, and it was noted that staff are working with the principals of the affected schools to initiate program to involve the kids in the schools.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Immediate remedial action consisting of field repairs, strengthened on-site management action (use of deterrents and monitoring), and public information delivery be undertaken using funds from the General Contingency Fund in the amount $50,000;

(2)

An overall landscape-based management plan be developed in collaboration with the appropriate City advisory committees such as the Richmond Advisory Committee on the Environment (ACE), and The Agricultural Advisory Committee, as well as the Canadian Wildlife Services, Vancouver Airport Authority, Richmond School District 38, neighbouring municipalities and other stakeholders, inclusive of an implementation strategy and financial plan; and

(3)

Staff report back to Council with a proposed Snow Geese Management Plan in Fall 2008.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(1)

Minoru Park Hedge Replacement

With the aid of several pictures, Gordon Barstow, Manager, Parks Operations spoke about the hedge along the northern boundary of Minoru park. The hedge had been recently removed as it had become a safety concern due to poor lighting and people walking through the hedge in the dark to get to a local restaurant. It was also discovered that someone had cut the wires leading to five of the nine street lights around the Bowling Green parking lot, and several cars had been vandalized. The owner of the property had agreed to fund the replacement of the hedge.

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be written to thank the business owner, on behalf of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee, for providing funding for the removal of the hedge at Minoru Park.

CARRIED

(2)

Pendlebury Road BC Hydro Line Clearance Pruning

Mr. Barstow displayed pictures of the drastic pruning to nine trees along Pendlebury Road by a BC Hydro Contractor. Due to the power outages resulting from storms in 2007, an aggressive approach had been taken for line clearance. Negotiations are underway with BC Hydro to replace the nine trees with trees that would not require pruning for line clearance.

(3)

King George Park Tree Moving

Mr. Barstow referenced two overhead photos taken from the GIS system of Kinsmore park, illustrating approximately sixty trees that need to be removed from one area to be re-planted within the park. Signage will be put in place to inform the public.

(4)

Memorial Park Expression of Interest

Mike Redpath, Manager, Parks Planning, Design & Programs updated the Committee on the status of the Memorial Park Expression of Interest which will proceed in 2008.

(5)

Artificial Turf Fields

Mr. Redpath updated the Committee on the progress of consultation on the location of the proposed two artificial Turf Fields planned for construction in 2008.  Mr. Redpath noted that three public open houses had been held in January, at King George, South Arm and at Minoru Park.  It was also noted over 400 people attended in the two-hour session that at the Minoru open house, and approximately 200 supportive written responses were received.

(6)

Foundational Workshop on the Pricing Policy

Vern Jacques, Manager, Projects and Programs reported that a Foundational Workshop on the Pricing Policy is scheduled for Wednesday evening, March 5th, 2008 from 6:60 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The goal for this workshop is to provide staff and community partner representatives with sound foundational information on City funding of Parks Recreation and Cultural Services, as well as to have discussions on what is important to consider and maintain in the preparation of a comprehensive pricing policy.

The Chair requested that an update on the results of the Workshop be presented at the next PRCS Committee meeting.

(7)

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Open House

Mr. Jacques updated the Committee on an Open House scheduled for Thursday March 13th from noon to 8:00 p.m. This event is targeted at PRCS partner and stakeholder organizations, with the goal to provide information about all PRCS services, particularly about staff, their roles and expertise. Council members will be provided the details of the event well in advance of the date of the event.

(8)

Update - Community Bylaws

Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws provided an update on several issues, including: (i) the specialized dog handling training that had been provided to staff, (ii) average tickets and fines, (iii) the Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw; (iv) the challenges faced by City Bylaw Officers, and (v) the partnership model with Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS).

Councillor McNulty left the meeting at 6:18 p.m., and did not return.

(9)

Taste of Literacy

Anne Stevens, Manager, Community Recreation Services, reported that a Literacy Community Forum “Taste of Literacy” will be held on April 12, 2008 at Richmond City Hall.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:29 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, January 29, 2008.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal
Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office