Date:

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt, Vice-Chair

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Absent:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Also Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Call to Order:

The Vice-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, July 27, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, November 23, 2010 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

It was agreed that the agenda be varied to deal with Item 3 first.

3.

Wildlife Management Strategy for Snow Geese and Widgeons on the West Dyke Referral

(File Ref. No.:  11-7200-20-CGAR1/2010-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 3026327)

In reply to queries from Committee, Dave Semple, General Manager, Parks & Recreation and Dee Bowley-Cowan, Acting Manager, Parks Programs, provided the following information:

§         

approximately 30 acres of winter covered crops have been secured as part of the Snow Geese Management Strategy;

§         

City staff continue to work with YVR and Environment Canada staff to address issues regarding snow geese and widgeons;

§         

the hazing technicians utilize sirens, pyrotechnics, dogs, and lights to relocate the snow geese and continue these efforts throughout the City;

§         

if hazed enough, the snow geese learn not return to a particular location;

§         

the public can report the location of snow geese by calling the Parks Department’s 24-hour hotline at 604.244.1208;

§         

if the snow geese pose an immediate risk to public safety, YVR will kill the snow geese; and

§         

YVR liaises with airports located along the birds’ migratory route.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report entitled “Wildlife Management Strategy for Snow Geese and Widgeon on the West Dyke” dated October 13, 2010, from the General Manager, Parks & Recreation be received for information.

CARRIED

Mayor Brodie left the meeting (4:18 p.m.) and did not return.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

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

(File Ref. No.:  11-7000-09-20-099) (REDMS No. 2934353)

Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, provided background information and advised the following:

§         

the Ultramarine blue colourant is environmentally safe for the trees and the public and any potential environmental or health concerns associated with its use can be addressed with site procedures;

§         

the proposed installation will be overlooked by two residential towers, however staff are also investigating security and lighting to address any vandalism concerns; and

§         

the Parks Department would secure and maintain the trees for use in the proposed project, and these costs will be funded from the Tree Management Provision.

It was moved and seconded

That the installation of the artwork “Blue Trees” for temporary exhibition in Richmond by the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, 2009-2011, as outlined in the staff report dated October 13, 2010 from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services, be endorsed.

CARRIED

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

2.

Richmond Sport for Life Strategy 2010 to 2015

(File Ref. No.:  11-7000-10-02/2010-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2975011)

Eric Stepura, Manager, Sports & Community Events, provided background information and highlighted that the proposed strategy was a collaborative effort between the City and various Richmond agencies and community organizations.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented on the need for mandatory Physical Education (PE) throughout all high school grades and the potential of a Richmond Hall/Wall of Fame.

Discussion further ensued and it was noted that the proposed Strategy be forwarded to the Council / School Board Liaison Committee and other agencies that would find it useful.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Stepura advised that staff will regularly report back on the implementation of the proposed strategy.

Jim Lamond, Richmond Sports Council, thanked staff for all their efforts in preparing the proposed strategy.

Roger Barnes, Richmond Sports Council, highlighted that the Playbook is a vital piece of the proposed strategy.  He noted that the Sports Council would track the progress of the proposed strategy.

Bob Jackson identified himself as a retired PE teacher and noted that throughout his 37 years in the school system, PE was never mandatory through all high school grades.  He was in favour of the proposed strategy but noted that the strategy is ineffective if not executed.  Mr. Jackson stated that physical education is different than physical activity and commented on the deterioration of physical education in the elementary school system.

Discussion ensued regarding the introduction of mandatory PE through all high school grades.

As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond Sport for Life Strategy (amended through stakeholder consultation) as attached to the staff report dated October 8, 2010 from the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, be endorsed;

(2)

That a letter be sent to the Minister of Education emphasizing the need to include mandatory physical education in the curriculum for all grades; and

(3)

That the Richmond Sport for Life Strategy be forwarded to the Council / School Board Liaison Committee, the Ministry of Education, and all other appropriate agencies including the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation for information, with a cover letter requesting comments and feedback.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued and staff were directed to investigate the potential of a hall/wall of fame at the Richmond Olympic Oval. 

3.

Wildlife Management Strategy for Snow Geese and Widgeons on the West Dyke Referral

(File Ref. No.:  11-7200-20-CGAR1/2010-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 3026327)

See Page 2 for action taken on this matter.

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Steveston Off-Leash Dog Park

Ms. Bowley-Cowan noted that a temporary off-leash dog park will be opened in Steveston near the lacrosse box, north of the Steveston Community Centre.

(b)

Cultural Centre

Kim Somerville, Manager, Arts Services, referenced a memorandum dated October 21, 2010 regarding User Group Operating Agreements at the Cultural Centre, and in reply to queries from Committee, advised that all rooms are priced the same at $5 per hour.

(c)

Halloween

Mr. Semple commented on activities that will take at various community centres on Halloween.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:20 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 26, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Vice-Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk