Date:

Tuesday, September, 29, 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

Absent:

Councillor Bill McNulty

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

It was moved and seconded

That “Bed and Breakfast Businesses in Richmond” be added to the agenda as item 5A.

CARRIED

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 28, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, October 27 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

RICHMOND PUBLIC ART PROGRAM COMMUNITY PUBLIC ART PROJECTS, 2008 – 2009

(File Ref. No. 7000-09-20-089) (REDMS No. 2723537)

Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, provided background information on the public art concept proposals for the Richmond Nature Park, Gateway Theatre, South Arm Community Association. Representatives from each facility were present.

In reply to queries from the Committee, Mr. Fiss stated the following: (i) the proposed LED sign for the Nature Park was chosen over traditional signage as the LED sign was thought more visually effective and offered more options for display, and (ii) the proposed art work at the Gateway Theatre is deemed vandal proof, consisting of polished stainless steel, and that the placement of the art work was purposely set back from the roadway in order to encourage a gathering place for the public. 

Committee requested that staff provide colour diagrams and pictures for this item in time for the Tuesday, October 13, 2009 Council meeting.

It was moved and seconded

That

(1)

the concept proposal prepared by artist Jeanette G. Lee for the Community Public Art Project at the Richmond Nature Park, as outlined in the staff report dated September 17, 2009 from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services, entitled Richmond Public Art Program Community Public Art Projects, 2008 - 2009, be endorsed;

(2)

the concept proposal, as prepared by artist Corinna Hanson, for the Community Public Art Project at the South Arm Community Centre, as outlined in the staff report dated September 17, 2009 from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services, entitled Richmond Public Art Program Community Public Art Projects, 2008 - 2009, be endorsed; and

(3)

the concept proposal, as prepared by artist Tyler Hodgins, for the Community Public Art Project at the Gateway Theatre, as outlined in the staff report dated September 17, 2009 from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services, entitled Richmond Public Art Program Community Public Art Projects, 2008 - 2009, be endorsed.

CARRIED

4.

HAMILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE EXPANSION

(File Ref. No.  06-2055-20-008) (REDMS No. 2720640)

Discussion took place between Committee and staff on the proposed Hamilton Community Centre expansion plan and, in particular, on:

§            

whether recreational programming would be interrupted and how that might be addressed;

§            

the soil conditions on the proposed site and how this will affect building construction, and the budget; and

§            

the potential inclusion of space for a library.

Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, addressed Committee and advised the following:

§            

there is a clear demand for library services in Hamilton and that the current level of service consists of six hours on Saturdays via roll-out cabinets, an on-going kiosk, as well as limited programming, which results in approximately 15, 000 circulations per year;

§            

a 4000 square foot space is needed to meet the demands of the community, and could be modelled on the Cambie Library Branch, which is approximately 5000 square feet with a circulation of  300,000 to 350,00 per year. Mr Buss noted that even in a small space, a wide range of effective library services can be provided; and

§            

independent spaces in the community, such as a local mall, could also be considered for a potential library site.

During discussion, Committee requested that staff provide to Council a sketch of possible future additions to the proposed project.

Dick Chan, President of Hamilton Community Association stated that the community looks forward to enhanced recreational services in the near future.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the existing Hamilton Community Centre be expanded to approximately 8,600 square feet as recommended in the Hamilton Space Feasibility Study, with the facility to be located on the Hamilton School Park site; and

(2)

the General Manager of Project Development & Facility Management or delegate be authorized to execute all documents required to receive the Western Economic Diversification Canada grant for the Hamilton Community Centre Expansion.

CARRIED

5.

Food Security – Follow-up to July 2009 Council Referrals

(File Ref. No. 4040-08-01) (REDMS No. 2723440)

A concern was raised by Committee regarding staff recommendation Part (2), specifically, the assignment of  “three (3)” to the number of desired additional community gardens to be developed on City lands. It was believed that assigning the number (3) was a limiting factor.

Staff responded with the following advice:

• that there are already three potential sites identified for community gardens; and

• to prevent limiting the number of community gardens to three, consideration could be given to include the wording: “a minimum of three additional community gardens”.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the City work with the Richmond Food Security Society and other non-profit organizations to establish a community-based delivery system for Richmond’s community gardens; and

(2)

the City develop a minimum of three (3) additional community gardens on City land, with a minimum of 20 plots each, over the next three (3) years.

The question on the motion was not called as staff was asked to provide information on the current number of community gardens and garden plots; and, how many people were on the program waitlist; and, the financial impact of a volunteer run program.

It was also pointed out that there is no need to confine community gardens to City land only, and that owners of private lands and gardens could be encouraged to participate in the community garden program.

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

5A.

BED AND BREAKFAST BUSINESSES IN RICHMOND
(File Ref. No.:  12-8275-06, XR: 12-8080-01)

A member of the Committee raised the concern that there may be a conflict between Bed and Breakfast businesses and Bylaw enforcement in Richmond. It was noted this conflict could provide challenges for visitors coming to Richmond during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate and report back, on a priority basis:

(i) the discrepancy between provisions related to Bed and Breakfast businesses as contained in the Zoning Bylaw and in the Residential Tenancy Act; and (ii) potential additional licensing costs for Bed and Breakfasts, both of which may impact Richmond during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(1)

Middle Arm Waterfront Greenway

Serena Lusk, Manager, Parks - Planning & Design, reported that the project is expected to be completed by the end of January 2010 and will provide a unique waterfront experience as well as a desirable pedestrian path from Aberdeen Station to the Oval. She also indicated that the trees removed during the project construction will be replaced upon completion.

(2)

Street Banners on Westminster Highway

Serena Lusk, Manager, Parks - Planning and Design, reported that the United Way charitable organization was invited to place its banners along Westminster Highway, which will remain in place until late Fall.

(3)

PRCS 2009 Community Needs Assessment Presentation

Lucy Tompkins, Acting Manager, PRCS Projects and Programs, reported that the PRCS 2009 Community Needs Assessment (as presented to Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee in June 2009) is to be presented to some of the community partners (Richmond Communities Committee, Richmond Arenas Community Association and Richmond Aquatic Services), at an evening meeting on Wednesday, September 30, 2009.  The study provides information on community needs in Richmond which is a key element in developing collaborative goals for services in the respective community areas over the coming years.

(4)

Fruit Tree Sharing Project

Jodie Shebib, Acting Manager, Parks Programs reported that the Fruit Tree Sharing Project which operates out of Terra Nova Rural Park and grows food for the local food bank, was featured throughout the morning on Canada AM on September 29th. The Fruit Tree Sharing Project was one of only four volunteer groups across the country to be featured. Mary Gazetas, the Fruit Tree Sharing Farm founder, was interviewed about the project and highlighted the need for volunteers and the donation of City land for the project.   

Further, Ms. Shebib reported that the Trees for Tomorrow project, sponsored by the Province and the City, will be taking place on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 9:30 am at the south end of Gilbert Road. Volunteers will be planting over 300 trees as part of the South Dyke Urban Forest. Mayor Malcolm Brodie, MLA's John Yap and Linda Reid and others will be present to say a few words.

(5)

Gateway Theatre 25 Years

Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager - Community Services, announced that exactly 25 years ago, on September 29, 1984, Richmond’s Gateway Theatre opened.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:46 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 29, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Susan Steeves

Committee Clerk