Date:

Tuesday, September 23, 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

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, July 29, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(i)

Vern Jacques, Acting Director, Recreation and Cultural Services introduced Committee to new staff member Elizabeth Ayers, Manager, Community Recreation Services.

(ii)

The Chair announced that the Province had announced that it will provide up to $100,000 for an ActNow BC Seniors Community Park in Richmond’s Hugh Boyd Park as part of a $1.8 million investment for 18 communities throughout B.C.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

SNOW GEESE MANAGEMENT PLAN

(Report:  September 3, 2008, File No.:  10-6160-06/2008-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2498913)

A brief discussion took place between Committee and Dave Semple, Director of Parks and Public Works Operations regarding the relationship the City has with the Richmond Gun Club and the club’s bag limits and how discussion could take place to adjust the bag limits to meet the City’s needs.

Serena Lusk, Manager of Parks Programs, advised that the report outlining the City’s proposed snow geese management plan should be referred to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee for information.

As a result of the suggestion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed Snow Geese Remedial Action Plan for 2008/2009 as described in the attached report (dated September 3, 2008 from the Director of Parks and Public Works Operations) be referred to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee for information.

The question on the motion was not called as Committee discussed making the staff recommendation a two-part recommendation to accommodate the referral motion.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the proposed Snow Geese Remedial Action Plan for 2008 / 2009 as described in the attached report (dated September 3, 2008 from the Director of Parks and Public Works Operations) be approved; and

(2)

the proposed Snow Geese Remedial Action Plan for 2008/2009 as described in the attached report (dated September 3, 2008 from the Director of Parks and Public Works Operations) be referred to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee for information.

CARRIED

4.

STEVESTON INTERURBAN CAR BARN & TRAM RESTORATION

(Report:  September 8, 2008, File No.: 10-6510-05-01/2008-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2492161)

Reference was made to a letter submitted to Council by Dave Fairweather a resident of Steveston (on file in the City Clerk’s Office).

Discussion ensued between Committee and staff with regard to:

·               

a lobby exhibit area and any retail space would be in addition to the proposed permanent car barn; there is enough land for a building footprint that would comprise all three spaces;

·               

staff takes all necessary actions to ensure that the tram is secure and that maintenance is done;

·               

a maintenance pit is necessary for a tram, even if it is static, in order to access the undercarriage where rust accumulates;

·               

a car barn of glass or plexi-glass would show the tram off to advantage; a replica of the original tram station could be considered;

·               

the car barn would be sited such that the tram could be pulled either north or south on the tracks;

·               

the placement of the tram and the proposed car barn is compatible with the Steveston Park’s master plan as presented to Committee;

·               

the details as outlined in the report allow for flexibility should an expansion be desired in future years; and

·               

a business plan has not yet been completed and when it is, it will address the financial impact of a retail area.

Jim Kojima, 7611 Moffat Road, President, Steveston Community Society, and Loren Slye, 11911 3^rd Avenue, Treasurer, Steveston Community Society, addressed Committee and spoke in support of Option 3.

The delegation made the following points:

(i)

the proposed lobby exhibit area offers an opportunity for interactive programming and events for visiting school groups and members of the Steveston Community Society would be willing to staff that portion of the proposed building;

(ii)

the retail area would be ideal for artisans to exhibit their works, as well as for historians to tell the story of the tram; and

(iii)

a meeting room where non-profit organizations could convene would be an advantage; in addition this extra meeting room space could act as an annex to a future new community centre, as the Steveston Community Centre is now at full capacity.

Discussion ensued among Committee, staff and the delegation regarding: (i) the merits of Option 2 and the merits of Option 3 and (ii) the estimated total project cost of Option 2’s 2500 square feet structure and Option 3’s 3500 square feet structure. 

When asked by Committee if the Steveston Community Society would be prepared to provide some funding if Option 3 was recommended, the delegates advised that it was possible for the Society to provide some funds.

The Chair cautioned that progress on the tram project would be done in increments.

As a result of the discussion the following recommendation was made:

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the location of the permanent Steveston Interurban Tram Car Barn within Steveston Park as identified in the attached report from the Director, Parks and Public Works Operations be endorsed; and,

(2)

Option 3 as identified in the attached report from the Director, Parks and Public Works Operations for the development of the Steveston Interurban Tram Car Barn be endorsed; and

(3)

the conceptual design of the Steveston Interurban Tram Car Barn for recommended Option 3 be prepared using funds from the tram project number 40886.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding the budget necessary to achieve the elements outlined in Option 3. Advice was given that if Option 3 was endorsed, staff would explore a multi-year funding proposal in the capital budget and would submit the costs associated with Option 3 for consideration.

Comments were made that all elements of Option 3 should be: (i) viewed as increments and (ii) would be developed incrementally when and if funding is available or forthcoming. As a result, it was agreed that the following would be added to the recommendation as Part (4):

That the Capital submission be amended to address a phased approach.

The question on the motion, as amended to read as follows:

That:

(1)

the location of the permanent Steveston Interurban Tram Car Barn within Steveston Park as identified in the attached report from the Director, Parks and Public Works Operations be endorsed; and,

(2)

Option 3 as identified in the attached report from the Director, Parks and Public Works Operations for the development of the Steveston Interurban Tram Car Barn be endorsed; and

(3)

the conceptual design of the Steveston Interurban Tram Car Barn for recommended Option 3 be prepared using funds from the tram project number 40886; and

(4)

the Capital submission be amended to address a phased approach.

was then called, and it was CARRIED.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chair congratulated staff’s efforts in the addition of two synthetic turf fields in Richmond and announced that:

(i)

the King George Synthetic Turf Field Grand Opening Celebration was scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2008, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at King George Park, 4100 No. 5 Road; and

(ii)

The Minoru Synthetic Turf Field Grand Opening Celebration was scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Minoru Park, 7191 Granville Avenue.

FOOD SECURITY

The Chair referenced the staff team that works on the issue of food security and suggested that the team could explore what other communities do with regard to the food security issue.

As a result of the mention of the food security issue, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the food security staff team investigate food security and urban agriculture best practices.

CARRIED

GRAFFITI

In response to queries in connection with graffiti in the City, especially on public utilities, mail boxes and hydro boxes, staff advised that they had noticed a recent increase in graffiti, specifically on the City’s parking metres.

Staff further advised that: (i) graffiti applied to City property is cleaned within 24 hours, (ii) the City works closely with representatives of other organizations, such as BC Hydro, to try to achieve graffiti clean up within a three day period, (iii) staff would consider, as per a suggestion from the Chair, working with organizations that may have people enrolled in employment programmes. 

BRITANNIA SHIPYARD

In response to a query regarding the status of the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Advisory Board, Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services stated that it was not determined whether the Board was required past December 31, 2008, but that if the issue was referred to staff, staff could report back to Committee.

As a result of the brief discussion the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff evaluate the continuation of the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Advisory Board.

CARRIED

In response to a comment made regarding the costs involved, and time invested by those volunteering at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard, on repairs to and maintenance of the growing fleet of boats at the Shipyard, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine how to (i) maintain and (ii) manage the fleet of boats at Britannia Heritage Shipyard in conjunction with the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society.

CARRIED

GRAYBAR PIER

The Chair drew attention to the grand opening and dedication of the Graybar Pier, located at the southernmost end of Graybar Road, on September 26, 2008. The event commemorates the contributions by Farrell Estates Ltd. and the McPhail family.

In response to a query, Mr. Semple advised that the City has not yet forwarded a letter of thanks to the McPhail family.

As a result of the discussion the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee send a letter to the McPhail family thanking it for its contribution to the construction of the Graybar Road Pier; and

(2)

if the Mayor has not already done so, Mayor Malcolm Brodie send a letter to the McPhail family thanking it for its contribution to the construction of the Graybar Road Pier.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Advisory Committees to Council

Ms. Volkering Carlile advised that the annual Advisory Committee appointment process, coordinated through the City Clerk’s Office, is underway and that October 10, 2008 is the deadline receipt of applications.

She added that there are positions available on the following Committees that are affiliated with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department: (i) Aquatic Services Board, (ii) Britannia Heritage Shipyard Advisory Board, (iii) Gateway Theatre Society Board, (iv) Museum Society Board, and (v) Public Art Commission.

(b)

Richmond Museum Feasibility Study Open House

Jane Fernyhough, Manager of Heritage and Cultural Services advised that on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at the Minoru Cultural Centre, an open house would be held for the Museum Feasibility Study.

RIVERMANIA

Mr. Slye announced that on Sunday, September 28, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. residents could enjoy: (i) B.C. River Day, (ii) Rivermania, and (iii) the final Sunday of the Steveston Farmers and Artisans Market in Steveston that day.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:54 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, September 23, 2008.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Sheila Johnston

Committee Clerk