Date:

Tuesday, July 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

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Absent:

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, June 23, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, September 29 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

Richmond Athletic Commission Bylaw Amendment 8495

(File Ref. No.:  01-0100-20-RATH1-01/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2620045, 2667694)

Mike Redpath, Senior Program Manager, Corporate Programs Management Group, acknowledged the proposed amendment bylaw was a ‘housekeeping’ matter.  He then introduced three members of the Richmond Athletic Commission (the Commission).

In reply to queries from the Committee, Mr. Redpath and members of the Commission advised the following:

§         

the current bylaw only addresses professional boxing, however staff are closely following other municipalities’ bylaw amendments in relation to potential changes in provincial legislation;

§         

the Commission is a body of the City and as such, the City is also indemnified; and

§         

allocation of the Richmond Athletic Commission Scholarship may occur through other bodies such as the Richmond Sports Council.

It was moved and seconded

That Athletic Commission Bylaw No. 8035, Amendment Bylaw 8495 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate mixed martial arts and report back.

CARRIED

4.

Helmut Eppich Cultural Artefact Collection

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2671143)

Connie Baxter, Supervisor, Richmond Museum and Heritage Services, provided background information and in reply to queries from the Committee advised that seeking grants for cataloguing and digitizing the collection is typical.  Ms. Baxter also commented on different potentially different ways that the collection would be displayed, such as the donor’s tour of the world.

It was moved and seconded

That the cultural artefact collection offered for donation to the City of Richmond  Museum Collection by Helmut Eppich of Ebco Industries, Ltd., be accepted and that a letter of thanks be sent to the donor.

CARRIED

5.

City of Richmond Public Art Program Participation in the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, 2009-2011

(File Ref. No.:  11-7000-09-20-099/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2668167)

Jane Fernyhough, Manager, Cultural Services, provided background information and introduced three Biennale representatives.

In reply to queries from the Committee, Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, noted that the program is an evolution of what was offered in Vancouver and that due to the size and scale of the pieces of art, several key locations, such as along No. 3 Road, and Minoru and Garry Point parks, are being considered.

Barrie Mowatt, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, spoke of the 2009-2011 Biennale theme of ‘IN-TRANSIT-ION’ and was pleased to see Richmond’s enthusiasm.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City of Richmond Public Art Program for the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale 2009-2011, as outlined in the staff report entitled ‘City of Richmond Public Art Program Participation in the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, 2009-2011’ from the Acting Director, Recreation and Cultural Services, be endorsed;

(2)

That the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, be authorized to enter into an agreement with the Vancouver Biennale to install temporary artworks at various locations in Richmond for the Vancouver Biennale 2009-2011; and

(3)

That $75,000  be allocated from the 2007 Public Art Project for the site preparation, lighting, installation and de-installation of five artworks at various Richmond locations, generally focussed in the City Centre, as outlined in the staff report entitled ‘City of Richmond Public Art Program Participation in the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, 2009-2011’ from the Acting Director, Recreation and Cultural Services.

CARRIED

There was agreement to vary the agenda to consider Item #7 before Item #6.

7.

Richmond Oval Precinct Public Art Plan Implementation: Telling the Stories of Richmond Art Work

(File Ref. No.:  11-7000-09-20-074/2008-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2505049)

Artists Dianne Achong and Faith Moosang advised that this is a three phased project ‘Telling the Stories of Richmond – Lulu Suite’ via a website, three-monitor video screens, and iPhone interactive mobile units.  It was noted that three major Richmond stories will be told: (i) the history of land where the Richmond Olympic Oval sits; (ii) the works of other artists on the site; and (iii) the different cultural groups that call Richmond home.

In reply to queries from Committee, the artists advised that the stories will be mini-narratives repeated throughout the site and accessible in multiple ways, and the iPhones are equipped with GPS and are durable.

In reply to a comment from Committee, Mr. Fiss stated that there are strong synergies between the Oval and the City that will meet all parties’ objectives.

Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager – Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, noted that the Richmond Olympic Oval is the property of the City and the proposed public art is part of the endorsed Oval Public Art Plan.

Discussion ensued and as a result the first part of the staff recommendation was introduced in an amended form.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the concept proposal prepared by the artists Deanne Achong and Faith Moosang for the “Telling the Stories of Richmond – Lulu Suite” public art work at the Richmond Oval be endorsed subject to the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation Board being informed; and

(2)

That the General Manager, Parks Recreation and Cultural Services, be authorized to enter into a contract with the artists for the detailed design, construction and integration of the artwork into the Richmond Oval and Oval precinct.

CARRIED

6.

VANOC Sponsorship Program for Aboriginal Artworks at the Richmond Olympic Oval Precinct – Welcome Work Concept Proposal

(File Ref. No.:  11-7000-09-20-091/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2660794)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Fiss and Musqueam artist Chrystal Sparrow provided the following information:

§         

the work will be done offsite and will take approximately eight weeks;

§         

siting of the art will be determined at a later date;

§         

red cedar will be used for the proposed hand carved sculpture; and

§         

the proposed location of the art has high visibility and high traffic.

Discussion ensued regarding the location of the proposed art and protection of it from potential vandalism and weather elements.

Greg Scott, Director, Major Projects, noted that the proposed sculpture will be in a low risk, prominent spot, however, discussions regarding relocation of the sculpture could take place post-games.

It was moved and seconded

That the concept design for the Welcome Work by the Musqueam artist Chrystal Sparrow for the VANOC Venues’ Aboriginal Art Program at the Richmond Olympic Oval Precinct, be endorsed.

CARRIED

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Memorandums regarding Britannia Heritage Shipyard

Vern Jacques, Acting Director, Recreation and Cultural Services, spoke of two memorandums providing Council with an update regarding the Lubzinski Collection and maintenance of the Britannia Heritage Shipyard.

(b)

Richmond Tennis Courts

In reply to queries from Committee regarding a letter received from a Richmond resident related to tennis courts, Serena Lusk, Manager, Parks – Planning & Design advised that staff have responded to the concerned resident’s letter and noted that three new tennis courts are forthcoming at the Garden City park and the South Arm tennis courts are being upgraded.

(c)

Gateway Theatre Seats

Ms. Volkering Carlile referenced the renovations at the Gateway Theatre and advised that she has been in discussions with Gateway staff about contacting existing seat donors.  She noted that the seats will be replaced and the plaques on the old seats will be removed and placed on a donor board in the lobby.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:25 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, July 28, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk