Date:

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt, Vice-Chair

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Call to Order:

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

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, January 26, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, April 27, 2010 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

1.

COMMUNITY GARDEN ADMINISTRATION

(File Ref. No.:  11-7375-00/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2793361v5)

Jodie Shebib, Acting Manager, Parks Programs, distributed a map of Richmond that indicated locations of: (i) City owned community gardens, (ii) future community gardens, and (iii) private owned community gardens. (Map is on file in the City Clerk’s Office).

Discussion ensued between staff and Committee on the proposed agreement with the Richmond Food Security Society (RFSS) for the administration of community gardens on lands owned, or controlled, by the City, and in particular on:

·          

the most appropriate site within Paulik Park, at 7620 Heather Street, for the projected 25 community garden plots;

·          

available City office space at Terra Nova Rural Park for RFSS personnel in order for RFSS to effectively administer the community gardens program;

·          

the adequacy of the $15,000 one time operating funding for the RFSS, and the RFSS’s ability to fundraise;

·          

at present, the approximate $8,000 in revenue generated from garden fees; the source of the $8,000; and the potential source account of the $15,000 one time operating funding;

·          

in future years with no City funding forthcoming, the RFSS: would (i) fundraise, and (ii) partner with other groups in the City;

·          

the RFSS would make an annual presentation to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee, to provide an update on the previous gardening season;

·          

the RFSS would assign community garden plots using the wait list currently maintained by the City;

·          

fees collected by private owned community gardens are retained by the private organizations;

·          

Parks and Recreation Department staff are responsible for the selection of future community gardens, and under a ‘terms of agreement’ document with the City the RFSS would site the individual plots within the gardens;

·          

the wait list for community garden plots stays relatively constant at approximately 100 names, despite garden plots being assigned and new inquiries generating new names; and

·          

the City assumes much of the cost for such support mechanism as sheds and water equipment, and the City works with community organizations that undertake some of the cost of some of the support mechanisms.

The Chair invited representatives of the Richmond Food Security Society to address Committee.

Arram Stephens, RFSS Chair, accompanied by Larry Tolton, RFSS Treasurer, and Arzeena Hamir, RFSS Food Security Coordinator, addressed Committee and spoke in support of the proposed agreement, between the City and the RFSS, for the RFSS to administer community gardens. 

Mr. Stephens further remarked that: (i) the RFSS was committed to supporting and developing community garden plots in the City; (ii); the RFSS’s stated long-term goal is that people in Richmond make healthy food choices supported by a sustainable, affordable and equitable food system that maximizes community self-reliance and cultural inclusion; and (iii) the RFSS is a grassroots organization founded in 2002, with a stable track record, and has spearheaded the Local Food Guide, the 10 Mile Diet Challenge and the Community Garden Roundtable, among other activities.

In response to a query regarding the number of individuals involved in the RFSS, Mr. Stephens advised that the RFSS’s “action team” comprises 20 people, there are four board members, one Food Security Coordinator, and 400 individuals on the food security list.

Mr. Tolton addressed Committee and advised that: (i) $35,000 in funding was secured by RFSS in 2006 through Vancouver Coastal Health’s CFAI fund and this enabled the RFSS to hire two part-time staff members and to carry out projects in the community; (ii) the RFSS has achieved a surplus; (iii) RFSS collaborates with other community societies, such as the Richmond Food Bank, to identify just one; (iv) examples of RFSS disbursements include the Richmond Public Library, the Community Garden Seed Fund, and the Canadian Mental Health Association/Pathways Club house; and (v) in 2009 the RFSS received a provincial Healthy Community Seed Grant and it supports four community gardens.

In conclusion, Mr. Tolton stated that the RFSS is committed to carrying out its work in a fiscally responsible manner.

The Chair thanked the RFSS representatives for their information.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the City enter into an agreement with the Richmond Food Security Society for the administration of community gardens that have been designated by the City on lands owned or controlled by the City on the terms and conditions set out in the attached report.

(2)

the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Parks and Recreation be authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of the City; and

(3)

Council approve one time funding of $15,000 to be funded from Council contingency   in order for the Richmond Food Security Society to provide educational outreach, community garden enhancements and other community garden related programming in Richmond in 2010 – 2011.

The question on the motion was not called as Lois Carson Boyce addressed Committee and requested that the City consider: (i) provision for smaller garden plots, or a discounted fee, for seniors; and (ii) ways and means for seniors to use public transit to travel to garden plots.

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

3.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(1)

Middle Arm Waterfront Greenway

Serena Lusk, Manager, Parks - Planning & Design advised that construction continues on the project.

(2)

Minoru Bowling Green Artificial Turn

Ms. Lusk reported that the project is moving along fast, and that if good weather prevails the project would be done in the near future, and would only be delayed if the weather becomes inclement.

In response to a Committee request, Ms. Lusk stated that a memorandum to Council outlining the status of 2010 Parks and Recreation construction projects would be forthcoming.

(3)

Ipsos Reid 2010 Recreation and Physical Fitness Study

Lucy Tompkins, Acting Manager, Parks and Recreation Projects and Programs, referenced her recent memo to Council that summarized some of the key findings regarding: (i) Physical Activity, (ii) Children’s Physical Activity, and (iii) Arts and Culture participation, on the part of Richmond residents, as noted in a recent Ipsos Reid study.

Ms. Tompkins added that the City has participated in the Ipsos Reid Recreation and Physical Fitness Study for three years and that consistent participation enables the City to better track trends.

(4)

Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)

Elizabeth Ayers, Manager, Community Recreation Services, advised that staff is monitoring the impact the introduction of the HST will have on programs, services, rentals and passes, and noted that effective July 1, 2010 (after a transition period that begins May 1, 2010), the HST means a 7% increase in cost to the end user.

(5)

Pre-School Registration

Ms. Ayers referred to last year’s line ups for pre-school registration, and stated that staff has reviewed the registration process with a view to: (i) minimize line ups and (ii) create a fair and equitable registration process for participants.

(6)

Hamilton School Park

Ms. Ayers reported that the location of the park has been identified, and that the park’s footprint would impact the parking lot, as well as the school’s portable. Planning continues in order to accommodate the park, the portable and parking spaces.

(7)

Olympic Encore Public Skate at Richmond Olympic Oval

Eric Stepura, Manager, Sports & Community Events, advised that the Richmond Olympic Oval would offer the public an opportunity to: (i) relive the Olympic excitement, and (ii) skate on the ice where medals were won and speed skating records established. The special skate scheduled for April 3, 4, and 5, 2010 and large crowds are expected. 

(8)

Area Signage and Wayfinding for Britannia Shipyards

Bryan Klassen, Site Supervisor, Britannia Heritage Shipyard, referenced his recent memorandum to Council that summarized information regarding signs at the entrances of the Historic Zone and how they create a sense of arrival for the site.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:49 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, March 23, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Sheila Johnston

Committee Clerk