Date:

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt, Vice-Chair

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston (arrived 4:01 p.m.)

Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes

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 Wednesday, April 27, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Thursday, July 21, 2011 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

Richmond Public Art Program 2009-2010 Annual Report and Public Art Advisory Committee 2011 Work Plan

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-01) (REDMS No. 3193125)

Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, provided background information and noted that the proposed Public Art Advisory Committee 2011 Work Plan is the result of intensive work with the Richmond Public Art Advisory Committee (RPAAC).

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Fiss advised that (i) Biennale artworks will remain in place until Biennale staff have identified buyers for the various pieces; and (ii) a revised public art proposal for the new Community Safety building site would be forwarded to the RPAAC for review.

Discussion ensued regarding self-guided walking tours and Committee commented that having a member of the RPAAC accompany a tour would be welcomed, as members are very knowledgeable.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond Public Art Program 2009-2010 Annual Report be received for information; and 

(2)

That the Richmond Public Art Advisory Committee 2011 Work Plan be approved.

CARRIED

2.

City Centre Area Public Art Plan

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-01) (REDMS No. 3233431)

Mr. Fiss provided background information and advised that in-depth stakeholder consultations helped identify high priority locations for public art, themes and medium / genres for the City Centre area.

Discussion ensued regarding the appropriate protocol for circulating public art related reports to the RPAAC and Committee queried why the proposed City Centre Area Public Art Plan was not reviewed by RPAAC.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Fiss provided the following information:

§          

a significant public art project at the Brighouse station would transform the current ‘unfinished’ terminus; and

§          

public art at the Brighouse station (end of the guide way) could be installed on the guide way itself and/or the area surrounding the station.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented that (i) the Dinsmore bridge and No. 2 Road bridge would be ideal for achieving maximum impact with public as these two bridges are heavily used; and (ii) the Brighouse Library / Cultural Centre Plaza would benefit from public art as it is a prominent location.

Discussion took place regarding the Bridgeport Market clock, which is now in the possession of the City and in storage, and a comment was made that the clock be incorporated preferably in the Bridgeport area, or elsewhere in the City.

Discussion further ensued regarding the appropriate protocol for circulating public art related reports to the RPAAC.  In reply to comments from Committee, Mr. Fiss stated that the development of the proposed Plan was created in conjunction with representatives from external stakeholders and members of the RPAAC.  However, the RPAAC has not seen the final version of the Plan.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the City Centre Area Public Art Plan as presented in the staff report dated June 15, 2011, from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services, be referred to the Richmond Public Art Advisory Committee for comment.

CARRIED

3.

Snow Geese Management Program Update 2011

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-01) (REDMS No. 3210082)

In reply to queries from Committee, Dee Bowley-Cowan, Acting Manager, Parks Programs, stated that (i) when combined with hazing, winter cover crops have been highly effective in luring snow geese away from unwanted sites; and snow geese can be ‘trained’ by means of hazing to locate the covered crop fields.

Discussion ensued and it was suggested that the same cover crop fields or adjacent fields be used each year in an effort to minimize the disruption in migratory routes.

It was moved and seconded

That in 2012, staff continue the Snow Geese Management partnerships with the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), local farmers, Richmond School Board, Canadian Wildlife Service, Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust, and Richmond residents, subject to available funding.

CARRIED

4.

Phoenix Net Loft

(File Ref. No. 11-7141-01) (REDMS No. 3104020)

In reply to queries from Committee, Dave Semple, General Manager, Parks and Recreation, advised the following:

§          

if approved, staff will be submitting $250,000 in the 2012 Capital Budget Program to (i) demolish portions of the Phoenix Net Loft that are susceptible to collapse; (ii) install lightweight shading elements; and (iii) undertake an updated condition assessment; and

§          

if approved, once the updated condition assessment is completed, staff would report back to Council in the Spring of 2012 seeking direction on the longer term future of the structure, specifically whether to demolish it or repair/rebuild it.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented on the Seine Net Loft and its current use as storage.  A suggestion was made that the Phoenix Net Loft be utilized in a similar manner to house various Richmond artefacts and equipment.

Discussion took place regarding the water lot that the Phoenix Net Loft structure is situated on and comments were made regarding the Fraser River Estuary Management Program (FREMP) and ‘red zone’ designation.

It was moved and seconded

That $250,000 be submitted for the 2012 Capital Budget Program to demolish portions of the Phoenix Net Loft structure that are susceptible to immediate collapse, install lightweight shading elements, and undertake an updated condition assessment report, as outlined in the staff report entitled “Phoenix Net Loft” dated June 7, 2011 from the General Manager, Parks and Recreation.

The question on the motion was not called as Committee requested that when staff report back in the Spring of 2012, the report provide a detailed breakdown of each possible option and their respective processes, including the costs associated with each option.

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

5.

TERRA NOVA RURAL PARK 2004-2011 UPDATE

(File Ref. No. 06-23-4520-TNRP1) (REDMS No. 3233284)

Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks and Yvonne Stich, Park Planner, provided background information and distributed an updated 2011 Work Program for the Terra Nova Rural Park (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1).

In reply to queries from Committee, staff provided the following information:

§          

the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Farm partnered with Terasen Gas and constructed a Healing Garden that is focused around medicinal plants;

§          

the Crabapple Ridge was symbolically reproduced to demonstrate the crabapple ridge that went from Terra Nova to Steveston;

§          

a number of buildings were acquired as part of the assembly of the park land and it is anticipated that these buildings be utilized once they may safely be occupied; and

§          

non-revenue generating uses were not considered, but may be at a future date.

Discussion ensued regarding public water fountains and the need for a tap to fill water bottles.

It was moved and seconded

That the future plans for Terra Nova Rural Park, as outlined in the staff report dated June 6, 2011 from the General Manager, Parks and Recreation be endorsed.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Shuchona IV

Discussion ensued regarding a vessel at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard called the Shuchona IV. 

It was noted that BC Packers donated the vessel to the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society and the Society has since been exploring options for its use.  The Society has obtained estimates for demolition and removal of the vessel from the water, but has not obtained a repair estimate.

Discussion further ensued regarding possible uses of the vessel and their cost implications.  As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate options for the Shuchona IV vessel located at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as it was requested that staff comment on the significance of the vessel to Richmond.  The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

(ii)

Parks Updates

Mr. Redpath provided an update on the status of construction for several playgrounds and noted that the upgrades to the General Currie playground would be completed by the end of July 2011.

He spoke of future community garden construction at Paulik Park and noted that 50 community garden plots have been prepared at the end of Railway Avenue.

Mr. Redpath commented on the success of the Ships to Shore Steveston 2011 event, but mentioned that there were many concerns related to kites at Garry Point Park.  He spoke of ideas for decorating the piles at Garry Point Park, noting that superimposed photographs that act as camouflage are being researched.

Councillor Johnston left the meeting (5:31 p.m.) and did not return.

Councillor Barnes left the meeting (5:32 p.m.) and did not return.

Staff also provided updates on professional dog walking and outdoor fitness equipment.

(iii)

Sport for Life Video

Vern Jacques, Acting Director, Recreation, accompanied by Eric Stepura, Manager, Sports & Community Events, highlighted that staff have developed a Richmond Sport for Life video that will be shared with all of the City’s partners involved in sport delivery in Richmond. 

Mr. Jacques provided background information and played the video.  He mentioned that staff hope to play the video for the Richmond Sport Council at their upcoming meeting.  Staff will be asking the Richmond Sport Council to post the video on their website and share with all their coaches, officials, volunteers and participants.  Also, the video will be forwarded to Richmond Community Associations, the Richmond School District, the Richmond Olympic Oval, and other Richmond sport delivery agencies.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented on other avenues of physical activity and the need to showcase those activities in an effort to reach a wider audience, specifically Richmond’s growing Asian population.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:49 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, June 28, 2011.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk