Date:

Tuesday, May 27, 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

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

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, April 29, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

2.

(a)

Steveston Community Society – Tram 1220;

(b)

Steveston Community Society – Japanese Nurses House;

(c)

Recycling Requirements for Private Park and Event Rentals;

(d)

British Columbia Children’s Art and Literacy Centre Society;

(e)

Steveston Road Ends;

(f)

Closure of Moncton Street for the July 1, 2008 Salmon Festival Parade; and

(g)

Richmond Responsible Dog Owners Group (RRDOG) City Grant Application.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

Hugh Boyd Park Master Plan Update

(Report:  May 13, 2008, File No.: 06-2345-20HBOY1 Xr: 03-1000-03-043) (REDMS No. 2448204)

In reply to queries, Yvonne Stich, Park Planner, advised that (i) both chain link and timber rail fencing will be used, and (ii) the outdoor fitness equipment will be securely bolted down.

Linda Samuels, Chair of the West Richmond Community Association Park Committee, highlighted that the West Richmond Community Association (Association) received the maximum funding of the Rick Hansen Let’s Play grant to help fund play equipment for children with disabilities.

In reply to several queries, staff provided the following information:

§         

park equipment vandalism is always a concern; however, the park is very well lit and has activities scheduled day and night;

§         

the play equipment supplier offers a warranty on its products; and

§         

it is anticipated that the upgrades be completed by Fall 2008.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the updated Hugh Boyd Park Master Plan as presented in the report (dated May 13, 2008 from the Director of Parks and Public Works Operations) be approved;

(2)

the updated Hugh Boyd Park Master Plan be sent to School Board District No. 38 for their approval; and

(3)

staff be authorized to enter into a Contribution Agreement with the West Richmond Community Association for the Wellness Circuit and updated Play Area as outlined in this report.

CARRIED

4.

Steveston Community Society – Tram 1220

The Chair advised that Mayor and Council received a letter from the Steveston Community Society (SCS), dated May 20, 2008 (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) stating that the Board of Directors of the SCS unanimously approved the following motion:  “That we accept the tram be positioned on the tracks with a station house in Steveston Park north of Rolston Square”.

Discussion ensued and the following recommendation was made:

It was moved and seconded

That the tram be permanently located in Steveston Park.

CARRIED

Lorne Slye, Director of the SCS, noted that the tram was an asset for any group and the SCS welcomed the tram as it would support and generate tourism activity.  Mr. Slye also mentioned that the tram required a facility.

Jim Kojima, President of the SCS, mentioned that a new tram station should be roofed but open, replicating how the station appeared 50 years ago.

Discussion further ensued and the following recommendation was made:

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a submission for the 2009 capital budget regarding siting, refurbishment, and building options for a tram facility, to come to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee prior to going to the Finance Committee.

The question on the motion was not called as it was clarified that this motion was merely a submission to the 2009 capital budget, and not a budget approval.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a letter to thank the Steveston Community Society for their offer to permanently house the tram and to advise them of the City’s action in this regard, and that staff will further consult and work with the Society on this matter.

CARRIED

5.

Steveston Community Society – Japanese Nurses House

The Chair advised that Mayor and Council received a letter from the SCS, dated May 20, 2008 (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) stating that the Board of Directors of the SCS unanimously approved the following motion:  “That we do not accept the Japanese Nurses House in the Steveston Park”.

Discussion ensued, as a result of which the following referral motion was made:

It was moved and seconded

That staff solicit the seven Steveston non-profit societies’ input and recommendations with regard to the Japanese Nurses House, in conjunction with the existing staff referral on the issue, and report to the Planning Committee.

CARRIED

6.

Recycling requirements for private park and event rentals

The Chair spoke about recycling requirements for private park and event rentals and suggested that this requirement should be included on the application forms filled out by those wishing to book a park and/or to hold an event. 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff prepare the appropriate resolution to be sent to the Union of BC Municipalities requesting that cities and municipalities include the requirement for recycling when a group wants to book a park or hold an event, for consideration at a future Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting; and

(2)

That City staff put into practice the requirement that recycling be mandatory when booking a park or holding an event.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued, and the following information was provided: (i) rental application forms would be updated to reflect mandatory recycling; and (ii) there are several organizations that provide mobile recycling services, such as the Salvation Army.

Mayor Brodie left the meeting (4:54 p.m.).

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

Mayor Brodie returned to the meeting (4:55 p.m.).

7.

British Columbia Children’s Art and Literacy Centre Society

The Chair referred to a letter, dated May 21, 2008 (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), from Bruce Beairsto, Superintendent of Schools, and mentioned that the letter noted that the British Columbia Children’s Art and Literacy Centre Society (Society) was seeking a permanent home for its programs.  The Chair also clarified that the Society is a separate organization, not affiliated to the School District.

It was moved and seconded

That the issue be referred to staff to consult with the Society to determine whether it would be appropriate to consider Richmond when investigating potential future sites.

CARRIED

8.

Steveston Road Ends

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the matter be referred to staff to investigate the road ends in Steveston and provide information on:

(i)

the number and location of road end properties remaining in Steveston;

(ii)

the potential land value of each property;

(iii)

the feasibility of selling the road ends and using the funds in conjunction with Steveston non-profit societies to further improve Steveston; and

(2)

That staff report back to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place on the history of specific road ends in Steveston.

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

9.

Closure of Moncton Street for the July 1, 2008 Salmon Festival PARADE

It was moved and seconded

That the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee recommends that Council approve the same road closure for the July 1, 2008 Salmon Festival Parade as last year.

The question on the motion was not called as staff was directed to provide Mayor and Council a memo outlining the 2007 parade route.

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

10.

Richmond Responsible Dog Owners Group (RRDOG) City Grant Application

Discussion ensued between the Committee and Dave Semple, Director of Parks and Public Works Operations, and the following was noted:

§         

Committee clarified it was requesting that staff assess whether or not RRDOG’s grant proposal included suitable projects, and if so, identify what those projects were and assess them to determine how much funding would be required to proceed with the projects;

§         

RRDOG’s grant application was denied by the Grants Committee;

§         

it would be premature to assess RRDOG’s grant application as the ‘Dogs in Parks Task Force’ report is in progress;

§         

once the ‘Dogs in Parks Task Force’ report is complete, it will be brought before the Committee;

§         

the City’s dog handling contract will be up for renewal in early Fall 2008;

§         

there cannot be two organizations dealing with dogs; and

§         

there was concern regarding whether or not the City required an advisory group discussing household pets.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff comment on the possible establishment of a household pet advisory group and possible funding.

CARRIED

11.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Council / School Board Liaison Committee

No report was given.

(b)

Annual Aquatic Fitness Challenge

David McBride, Manager, Aquatic and Arena Services, advised that the annual Aquatic Fitness Challenge, whereby participants exercise 36 times in a three month period, had wrapped up.  Mr. McBride noted that 850 participants successfully completed the challenge.

Mr. McBride also highlighted that Watermania hosted the national Under 16 Water Polo competition with a BC team taking the championship.

Mr. McBride further mentioned that the City has received the maximum funding of $12,500 for its grant application to the Union of BC Municipalities in regard to the Healthy Food and Beverage Program.

(c)

‘Doors Open’

Jane Fernyhough, Manager of Heritage and Cultural Services, advised that the ‘Doors Open’ program was very successful and Richmond residents and business owners have been calling to be included in the program next year.

(d)

Environment Week

On behalf of Serena Lusk, Manager of Parks Programs, Ms. Stich stated that Environment Week will be kicked off with over 200 Telus employees volunteering in stewardship activities, such as blackberry removal, at Terra Nova Rural Park on Saturday, May 31, 2008.

(e)

Garden City Community Park

The Chair noted that the official opening of the Garden City Community Park is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2008.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:26 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, May 27, 2008.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk