Date:

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Absent:

Councillor Cynthia Chen

Also Present:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt (4:23 p.m.)

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 Wednesday, March 26, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

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

DELEGATION

3.

Catherine Knaus, Senior Research Manager, Ipsos Reid, regarding the 2008 Recreation and Physical Fitness survey.

With the aid of a power point presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Catherine Knaus, Senior Research Manager, Ipsos Reid, noted the following information:

§          

the primary objective of the survey was to assess citizens’ physical activity levels and recreation behaviours and needs;

§          

300 Richmond residents aged 16 years or older participated in the survey;

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the margin of error for the survey is ± 5.7%, 19 times out of 20;

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on average, residents participate in physical activity or exercise a total of 4.5 times a week;

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walking is the most common type of physical activity;

§          

residents participate in a given activity more often than in 2006;  however, the duration in which residents participate has decreased; and

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lack of time was noted as the primary barrier to participation.

In reply to a query, Ms. Knaus advised the research indicated that recreational activities should be affordable and the majority of those surveyed supported charging user fees for recreational programs and services.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

4.

Bell Mobility Inc. Telecommunications Proposal at Hugh Boyd Park, 9751 Pendleton Road

(Report:  April 8, 2008, File No.: 03-1000-14-131) (REDMS No. 2434882, 2030964)

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

a license from the City to Bell Mobility Inc. to develop and use a portion of Hugh Boyd Park for the development of a cell tower and related infrastructure be approved as detailed in the staff reports dated November 14, 2006 and April 8, 2008 and other terms as deemed necessary by the City; and

(2)

staff be authorized to take all necessary steps to complete the matter including authorizing the Manager, Real Estate Services, to negotiate and execute all documentation to effect the transaction, including all license documentation.

The question on the motion was not called as Robert Kates, Manager, Real Estate Services advised the following:

§          

the proposed fence material for the enclosure is wood;

§          

opportunities are available to have other cell towers in other parks;

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staff are developing a cell tower policy to fully understand the process of installing cell towers and other related infrastructure on City owned and controlled lands;

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contact has not been made between Bell Mobility Inc. and the Richmond School District (RSD); and

§          

a right of way for Bell Mobility Inc. is required to gain access to a hydro cabinet on RSD land.

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

5.

Paulik Gardens Neighbourhood Park Community Public Art Project, "Lulu, A Memory Garden"

(Report:  April 16, 2008, File No.:  11-7000-09-20-054/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2437594)

Artists Nancy Chew and Jacqueline Metz gave an overview of the project and highlighted the following:

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this is a rare park in an urban setting;

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the proposed design of the park offers a  sense of discovery through an overlay of culture and history;

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the research conducted included interviews with surviving family members of those who grew up in the area;

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those interviewed provided memories, quotes, and photographs that have been incorporated in the project; and

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the art project consists of two parts: (i) large pavers cut from basalt pillars with poetry sandblasted into the face of the stones; and (ii) a centre piece of large etched black stone paver slabs placed in a radial pattern incorporating the drawings of horticultural images.

In reply to a query, the artists advised that the horticultural images will be captured with detail as they will be laser inscribed into the stones.  The artists also stated the stones are very heavy and difficult to remove.

It was moved and seconded

That the final concept design, as prepared by Jacqueline Metz & Nancy Chew, be endorsed for the Community Public Art Project entitled “Lulu, a Memory Garden”, at Paulik Gardens Neighbourhood Park.

CARRIED

6.

Older Adults Service Plan – Active and Healthy Aging for Those 55+

(Report:  April 14, 2008, File No.:  11-7000-07/2008-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2354887, 2347436)

Lucy Tompkins, PRCS Planner II, noted that this report came before Council in the fall and was referred back to staff to seek feedback from key stakeholders.  Ms. Tompkins advised that the findings of the consultation have since been incorporated into the report.

Discussion ensued between the Committee and staff, and it was noted that (i) the title of the report has not been tested; and (ii) the intention of the strategy was to build a framework around current and future programs and services, and to break down existing barriers.

Julie Halfnights, Richmond resident, referred to a recent lecture from a staff member of the International Council on Active Aging, and mentioned that the service plan would be better received if its title avoided words such as seniors, aging, older adults, etc.

It was moved and seconded

That the “Older Adults Service Plan – Active and Healthy Aging for Those 55+” (as amended through stakeholder consultation) be endorsed and be re-named to “Active and Healthy Living for Richmond Adults”.

CARRIED

7.

Dogs in Parks Task Force

(Report:  April 17, 2008, File No.:  11-7200-20-DPAR1-01/2008-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2433964, 1613203, 1518124)

Discussion ensued between the Committee and Serena Lusk, Manager of Parks Programs and it was noted that (i) other off-leash areas have been investigated, such as the Railway Avenue right of way, a site in east Richmond and an enclosed area at Minoru Park; and (ii) as the City is becoming more urbanized, there will be a need to go beyond ‘dogs in parks’ and investigate ‘dogs in the City’.

Jill Seymour, Financial Director of Richmond Responsible Dog Owners Group (RRDOG), accompanied by Ryan Lake, Director of RRDOG, thanked the Committee and highlighted numerous occasions at which RRDOG had collaborated with City staff and the community.  Ms. Seymour advised that RRDOG did not fully support the report before the Committee.  Ms. Seymour and Mr. Lake also commented on funding matters and RRDOG’s grant application to the City.

Ms. Halfnights advised the Committee that she served the Task Force as a Richmond resident, park and trail user, and non-dog owner.  In reply to a query, Ms. Halfnights advised that funding for an effective dog management program was investigated and found that another municipality became revenue neutral due to high enforcement.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Vision and strategic directions identified in the report, Dogs in Parks Task Force, dated April 17, 2008 from the Director of Parks and Public Works Operations be endorsed; and

(2)

a public consultation process regarding the recommendations of 2008 Dogs in Parks Task Force be undertaken throughout the fall of 2008 and report back to Committee in early 2009.

CARRIED

The Chair requested staff to forward the Dogs in Parks Task Force report to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee for information.  In addition, the Chair requested that staff prepare a letter of thanks for each member of the Task Force for her signature.

Discussion ensued regarding RRDOG’s grant application and, as a result, staff was requested to provide RRDOG with a response to the questions regarding funding.

To further assist the delegation, Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, suggested that staff liaise with the Grants Committee to determine the process that is available for reconsideration of a grant.

Councillors Evelina Halsey-Brandt and Harold Steves left the meeting and did not return (5:18 p.m.).

8.

Street Banner Sponsorship

(Report:  April 15, 2008, File No.:  11-7200-00/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2438147, 113938, 2438253)

Discussion ensued with regard to the application approval process and staff advised that the application process could be amended to provide Council with information on Street Banner applications rather than seek Council approval of the applications.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Policy 7703 STREET BANNERS – SPONSORSHIP be rescinded; and

(2)

Policy 7707 STREET BANNERS – SPONSORSHIP as outlined in the report dated April 15, 2008 from the Director Parks and Public Works Operations be adopted with an amendment to the application process to provide Council with information on the Street Banner applications rather than seek Council approval of the applications.

9.

Britannia Shipyard Business Plan, 2008-2012

(Report:  April 7, 2008, File No.:  2025-20-003) (REDMS No. 2433209, 1399919, 2360704)

Discussion ensued between the Committee and Bryan Klassen, Site Supervisor, and Mr. Klassen advised that (i) the site currently has ongoing 2007 projects such as completing the boardwalk, restoring the exterior of buildings, and building a public washroom facility; (ii) signs outside the site will be updated to reflect an updated timeline for project completion; (iii) the proposed plan will allow for the creation of new programs to aid in populating the site; (iv) the site currently offers two different school programs, on average experiencing one school tour per week; (v) the proposed plan has the opportunity for a potential gift shop; and (vi) potential for future admission fees to the site must be determined by Council.

Ms. Carlile clarified that additional funding will be required to cover operating costs should additional programs and/or inventory be introduced.

It was moved and seconded

That the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Business Plan Update (2008 – 2012) be endorsed as the guide to future development and operations at Britannia Heritage Shipyard Site.

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

School Board

No report was given.

(b)

Snow Geese

Ms. Lusk advised that the majority of snow geese have flown north towards Wrangel Island in Siberia where they nest for the summer.  Ms. Lusk noted that the fields withstood the birds better in the Spring than they did in the Fall.  Ms. Lusk also mentioned that a broad steering committee has been formed to develop a coordinated approach to the long-term management of snow geese in the Lower Mainland.

(c)

Sports & Community Events

Eric Stepura, Manager, Sports & Community Events, referred to information distributed to Council that only included a partial list of events taking place at outdoor facilities.  Additional sports related events will be taking place at indoor and other outdoor facilities, such as the Steveston Farmer’s Market and the Lantern Festival. 

The Chair requested that a similar memo be distributed on an ad-hoc basis to keep Council informed of such events.

(d)

Visit by Lieutenant Governor

Connie Baxter, Supervisor, Richmond Museum and Heritage Services advised that the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Steven L. Point recently visited the Brighouse branch library and received a tour of the museum.

(e)

Visit by Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts

Dave Semple, Director of Parks and Public Works Operations mentioned that Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, Stan Hagen recently toured Steveston Village and particularly enjoyed visiting the Britannia Heritage Shipyard.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:40 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, April 29, 2008.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk