Date:

Tuesday, October 28, 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, September 23, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, November 25 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

It was moved and seconded

That the order of the agenda be varied to consider Item 3 last .

CARRIED

PRESENTATION

3.

RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES – 2008 SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

(PowerPoint Presentation, File No.: 11-7375-02) (REDMS No. 2515013, 2520471)

Please see Page 4 of these minutes for discussion regarding Item 3.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

4.

Richmond Event Approval Coordination Team (REACT) and Status of Community Events

(Report:  October 3, 2008, File No.:  11-7200-01) (REDMS No. 2497892)

In reply to queries, Eric Stepura, Manager, Sports & Community Events, advised that it is anticipated that discussion with external organizations, such as the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Richmond, commence at the implementation plan stage of the Sport Hosting Strategy.  He also noted that many other large municipalities like Vancouver and Burnaby charge application fees.

Dave Semple, Director of Parks and Public Works Operations, offered that the additional funds outlined in the report would be included in the 2009 budget request.

Discussion ensued regarding the benefit of distributing this staff report to all members of Council and some external organizations.  As a result of this discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report Richmond Event Approval Coordination Team and Status of Community Events dated October 3, 2008 from the Director of Parks and Public Works Operations be received for information; and

(2)

That all members of Council, the Council/School Board Liaison Committee, the Richmond Sports Council, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Richmond be provided with a copy of the report.

The question on the motion was not called as further discussion took place regarding hosting grants and staff was directed to further investigate this matter.

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

5.

Hugh Boyd Park Fieldhouse

(Report:  October 6, 2008, File No.:  06-2345-20-HBOY1) (REDMS No. 2511670 V.4)

Roger Barnes, Richmond Youth Soccer Association, and Aiman El-Ramly, Richmond Girls’ Soccer Association, were present to respond to question about the fieldhouse project.

In reply to a query, Mr. Barnes advised that this project was initiated by the Soccer Associations.

Mr. El-Ramly noted that the Soccer Associations and its partners would be primarily responsible for raising the funds required to construct the building.  Richmond Soccer will set aside a minimum $100,000 each year for the next three years and anticipates receiving matching contributions from Provincial gaming.

Mr. Semple anticipated that detailed cost estimates will be available within a year.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That approval be granted to Richmond Youth and Girls’ Soccer Association’s building committee to proceed with concept design work for a fieldhouse building to be located at Hugh Boyd Park; and

(2)

That the concept design, detailed cost estimates, funding plan and project timeline be brought back to Council for approval before proceeding.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued regarding a letter dated October 21, 2008 from the Richmond Sports Council (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), requesting Council to adopt a ‘Tobacco Free’ policy for all indoor and outdoor sports facilities.  As a result of this discussion, the following referral was made:

It was moved and seconded

That staff report back, including a bylaw amendment if necessary, on the implications of prohibiting smoking at all indoor and outdoor sports facilities.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Halloween Night

With the aid of a map (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Mr. Semple identified locations and the various levels of patrolling throughout the City in order to ensure a safe Halloween night.

(b)

Museum Open House

Vern Jacques, Acting Director, Recreation and Cultural Services, indicated that approximately 178 questionnaires were completed at the October 1, 2008 Museum Open House.  Mr. Jacques also noted that Chinese language interpreters were well received.

(c)

Canadian Women’s Soccer Team

Mr. Stepura highlighted that the national Women’s Soccer team is practicing at the Minoru Oval in preparation for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile.

(d)

Richmond Rugby Club

Mr. Semple advised that the Richmond Rugby Club has been relocated to King George Park, however, delays have occurred in securing washroom/change room facilities.

At this point, Committee members recessed, and reconvened in Room 2.002 for the following presentation (4:31 p.m.).

PRESENTATION

3.

RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES – 2008 SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

(PowerPoint Presentation, File No.: 11-7375-02) (REDMS No. 2515013, 2520471)

Mr. Jacques introduced Elizabeth Ayers, Manager of Community Recreation Services.

Ms. Ayers advised that the video highlights events and services that allow Richmond residents to live healthier lives and provide the opportunity for people to connect with others in the community.

Discussion then ensued regarding the quality and creativity of the video, and it was suggested that it be shown to all members of Council at a future Council meeting.

In reply to a query, staff advised that volunteers receive a letter from the City indicating their role and the number of hours they worked.  It was noted that City staff contact information is included in that letter, should volunteers require reference letters.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:45 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 28, 2008.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk