Date:

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt, Vice-Chair

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes

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, March 24, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

DELEGATION

3.

Bill Zylmans, local farmer, regarding the Shell Road Trail and its impacts on adjoining farm operations.

Bill Zylmans, Co-Chair, Agricultural Advisory Committee, advised that theft and vandalism along the Shell Road Trail have for long significantly impaired adjoining farm operations.  Mr. Zylmans suggested the following in an attempt to curb these issues, that (i) multi-lingual signage, with strong language be installed; (ii) fencing, particularly along key areas of the trail, be installed; and (iii) the trail be temporarily closed for the harvesting month.

Discussion ensued between Committee and Mr. Zylmans and it was noted that the entire or part of the trail could be barbed wired; and a key area of concern is the part of the trail that runs from Francis Road to Westminster Highway.

J. Gaskin, local farmer, spoke of concerns related to access to the lands in the case of a fire.

Dave Semple, Director of Parks and Public Works Operations, advised that this issue should be a shared approach and that staff can arrange a meeting with the concerned farmers in order to seek a solution.

In reply to queries from Committee, the delegates noted that the trail covers lots of farm acreage, and the current signage does not have strong language.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the matter of the Shell Road Trail and its impacts on adjoining farm operations be referred back to staff to determine (i) the appropriate type of fencing; (ii) where the fencing should be installed; (iii) who will cover the costs associated to this matter; and (iv) appropriate signage language.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued and it was noted that multi-lingual signage be considered.  The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

Mr. Zylmans, spoke of trail concerns related to development near Princess landing. 

Yvonne Stich, Park Planner, advised that work along the trail will commence shortly.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

4.

Steveston Legacy Project Statue

(Report:  April 14, 2009, File No.:) (REDMS No. 2600294)

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Stich noted that the sculpture was almost completed, and should Council and the Steveston Harbour Authority approve the proposed Steveston Legacy Project Statue installation will commence immediately.  Ms. Stich also mentioned that the proposed new location is more appropriate as it better ties into the history of Steveston.

Loren Slye, 11911 3^rd Avenue, mentioned that the Steveston Harbour Authority is awaiting a memorandum of understanding and wishes for a longer term agreement with the City.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the park at the southwest corner of Moncton Street and 3^rd Avenue be approved as the location for placement of the Steveston Legacy Project Statue; and

(2)

the General Manager, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services be authorized to execute an Agreement with the Steveston Harbour Authority for the placementof the Steveston Legacy Project Statue.

CARRIED

5.

Cultural Spaces Canada Program – Projects for Submission

(Report:  April 17, 2009, File No.:  06-2055-20--INBOX/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2596148)

In reply to queries from Committee, Vern Jacques, Acting Director, Recreation and Cultural Services, advised that the list of projects are not in order of priority, but instead reflect projects that have been identified as requiring funding and that meet the criteria set out in the Cultural Spaces Canada Program.

Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager - Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, noted that the funds listed in the staff report represent Council approved matched funds.

In reply to a query from Committee, Ms. Volkering Carlile spoke of the process staff would follow should the projects for submissions be approved.

Connie Baxter, Supervisor, Richmond Museum and Heritage Services, advised that currently no funding from the Province is anticipated at this time, however, these avenues are being investigated.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that this staff report be forwarded to the Minister of Canadian Heritage & Official Languages and that staff communicate with local Members of Parliament.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Baxter advised that as a part of the submission package, stakeholders provide letter of support and that the Steveston Museum & Education Coordinator will soon be available to focus on other projects.

Loren Slye, 11911 3^rd Avenue, spoke of his involvement in various societies in Steveston Village and wished to be consulted should the Interurban Tram receive funding.

Ms. Volkering Carlile mentioned that the staff report merely reflects Council approved projects and that the Interurban Tram was unsuccessful in the capital budget process.

It was moved and seconded

That the following projects be endorsed for submission for funding to the Department of Canadian Heritage - Cultural Spaces Canada and any other appropriate grant programs:

(a)

Britannia Heritage Shipyard Site - Cannery office restoration, completion of the Historic Zone, and upgrades to the Main Dock, to facilitate community gathering and programming. The Seine Net Loft, Japanese Duplex and First Nations House;

(b)

Steveston Museum – Final design drawings, fabrication and installation of exhibit upgrades to implement new exhibit planning and design;

(c)

Terra Nova Rural Park Historic District – Completion of the exterior and interior restoration of the 1892 Parson’s House.  Exterior and interior restoration of the 1910 Cannery House for a potential artist-in-residence program;

(d)

Gateway Theatre - New theatre seats and interior finishes upgrades (including public washrooms and dressing rooms, and new carpeting in theatre auditorium); and

(e)

Interurban Tram – Completion of building design process, construction of car barn and restoration of Tram.

CARRIED

6.

Potential City of Richmond Community Service Scholarship

(Report:  April 22, 2009, File No.:) (REDMS No. 2603452)

In reply to queries from Committee, Wayne Yee, Coordinator Youth Services, provided the following information:

§         

all nominations of Grade 12 students will be considered for the U-ROC Scholarship for Community Service;

§         

the proposed scholarship amount is consistent with scholarships by community association;

§         

approximately ten to twenty Grade 12 students are eligible for the proposed scholarship;

§         

the City staff youth team administers and judges nominations; and

§         

students in private schools are also eligible for nominations.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that the criteria for award submissions for scholarship consideration should be wide enough to consider students wishing to pursue other means of education and those with a wide range of needs.

It was moved and seconded

That a scholarship program of $500.00 from the existing PRCS Youth budget for community service be approved.

The question on the motion was not called and discussion ensued regarding the proposed scholarship amount and the need to review this program in due time.  The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Lubzinski Collection

A brief discussion took placed regarding the Lubzinski Collection.  As a result of this discussion, the following referral was made:

It was moved and seconded

That the matter of the Lubzinski Collection be referred back to staff in order to set up the shop exhibit once the Seine Net Loft inventory has been completed.

CARRIED

(b)

Connaught Figure Skating Club

David McBride, Manager, Aquatic and Arena Services, advised that the Connaught Figure Skating Club is one of five associations effected due to the O Zone celebration site.  The notion was brought before the Richmond Arenas Community Association and was approved in principle.  Mr. McBride commented that arena scheduling will be closely examined in order to split the impact of ice time across various ice user groups.

(c)

British Columbia Library Association – Helen Stewart Gordon Award

It was highlighted that Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, was presented with the British Columbia Library Association’s most prestigious award in recognition of an outstanding career in librarianship involving visible or readily identifiable achievements that bring honour to the entire profession.

It was moved and seconded

That a letter under the Mayor’s signature be sent to Greg Buss in recognition of his achievement.

CARRIED

(d)

Earth Day

Jodie Shebib, Acting Manager, Parks Programs, highlighted that Earth Day was  a huge success and participants celebrated with the planting of crabapple trees and native shrubs at the Terra Nova Rural Park.  Ms. Shebib also mentioned that funding measures were also very successful.

(e)

Preschools

Elizabeth Ayers, Manager, Community Recreation Services, provided background information regarding preschools and spoke of current registrations practices.  She advised that Richmond is currently at 88% capacity and has 52 preschool programs, and eight programs for two year olds.  It was also mentioned that registrations practices would be reviewed.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:31 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 28, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk