Date:

Thursday, July 21, 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

Councillor Bill McNulty

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Also Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes

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, June 28, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

1.

Steveston Tram Building Project

(File Ref. No. ) (REDMS No. 3237225)

Elizabeth Ayers, Manager, Community Recreation Services and Greg Scott, Director, Project Development, provided background information and introduced Sandra Moore, Architect, Birmingham and Wood.

It was noted that Option 2 as per the staff report dated June 27, 2011 entitled ‘Steveston Tram Building Project’ is a revised design which addresses the concerns cited by Committee at the April 27, 2011 meeting, most notably in relation to the colour and roof pitch of the structure.

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

§         

four out of six community stakeholders identified Option 2 as the preferred design for the tram building;

§         

as the tram building is owned by the City, the City is responsible for the maintenance of the structure; and

§         

the revised scope and design will allow the tram building to meet the program and curatorial needs for the tram.

Discussion ensued regarding the revised scope and design of the tram project and Committee queried the progression of the proposed project, noting that initially the project was to cost half of what was currently being presented.

Mr. Scott referenced a staff report dated September 25, 2008 entitled ‘Steveston Interurban Car Barn & Tram Restoration’ (on file, City Clerk’s Office).  He noted that on October 15, 2008, Council resolved that a comprehensive facility that accommodates indoor interpretations and exhibits, onsite programming and revenue generating opportunities, be the concept for the development of the proposed project.

In reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Scott advised that various factors have raised the cost of the proposed project, particularly mandated standards for accessibility, flood plain issues, interior office space,  and air conditioning.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the proposed meeting room would be available for use by community groups; and (ii) the concept presented is not a replication of a heritage building.

With the aid of various artist renderings, Mr. Scott displayed four different options of the proposed project, and commented that the difference in each of the four renderings displayed was the colour and roof pitch of the structure.  He stated that the difference in roof pitches would not affect the functionality of the roof.

Discussion ensued and Committee cited concerns with staffing and programming for the proposed building.

Jim Kojima, President of the Steveston Community Society, stated that he was pleased to see that the proposed building would accommodate a large meeting room, which would be available for use by community groups.  He  commented on staffing needs for the proposed new building, noting that the Society may be able to staff it with appropriate staff training. 

Mr. Kojima concluded by stating that the Society supports both the amendments to the existing Operating Agreement between the City and the Society, and Option 2 as presented in the staff report dated June 27, 2011 entitled ‘Steveston Tram Building Project’.

David Fairweather, 12931 Railway Avenue, commented on the history of the tram project and noted that the concept for the project was to have a static display versus an operational display.  Mr. Fairweather cited concerns regarding (i) the location of the tram and tram building; (ii) the lack of heritage appearance of the tram building in relation to the proposed color; (iii) the location of the tram tracks; (iv) the proposed restoration costs; and (v) sight lines from various angles.  Mr. Fairweather read from his submission, attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1.

Discussion ensued regarding whether or not the proposed project was a static or operational display. 

Dave Semple, General Manager, Parks and Recreation, stated that Option 2 as presented in the staff report dated June 27, 2011 entitled ‘Steveston Tram Building Project’ maintains that the tram can be moved in and our of the building, however the tram would not be operational. 

Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services, commented that the tram tracks would not be electrified, however the tram would have the ability to be towed out from building in order to maintain it.

Mr. Fairweather commented on the potential for sponsorship opportunities with A & B Rail Services Ltd. for rails, ties, other tram related items.  He expressed dissatisfaction with the project’s budget and the building’s sight lines.

Mr. Scott displayed elevation renderings of the proposed building and noted that the sight lines cannot be altered as the proposed structure’s walls are covered with glazing.

Discussion ensued and in reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Fernyhough reviewed the process for setting the restoration budget for the proposed project.

Discussion further ensued regarding the proposed budget and the functionality of the tram and whether there were any design elements that could be eliminated in an effort to lower the cost of the proposed project.

Mr. Scott reviewed the following elements of the proposed project, which have resulted in an increase in cost estimates:

§         

accessibility – the original washroom facility was for staff only, however the BC Building Code requires that the washroom facility be fully accessible;

§         

flood plain – the location where the tram is to be placed is below the permitted flood plain elevation, therefore the space that is to be occupied must be raised;

§         

interior space – improvements such as air conditioning and architectural lighting;

§         

form and character of the tram structure – the basic one-room wood frame construction has been upgraded to a landmark form of historic architecture showcasing the tram through extensive glazing and architectural form; and

§         

interior upgrades – these upgrades include (i) a large door at the rear of the building, (ii) storage cabinets inside the tram display area, (iii) an additional exhaust fan and dust control system in the workshop, and (iv) electrical services.

Discussion ensued and Committee requested that staff provide Council, prior to this item going before Council, with a fact sheet that details the progression of the proposed project, in particular its cost estimates.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff be authorized to proceed with the Steveston Tram Building Project based on a modified conceptual design at a cost of $1.973M;

(2)

That Council confirm the final slope of roof and colour of the Steveston tram building based on Options 2 presented in this report;

(3)

That $372,600 be allocated from the approved Interurban Tram Restoration (2011) project to fund the Steveston Tram Building Project (2011);

(4)

That $427,400 be allocated from the Steveston Road Ends to fund the Steveston Tram Building Project (2011);

(5)

That the 5 Year Financial Plan Bylaw (2011-2015) be amended accordingly;

(6)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Parks & Recreation be authorized to negotiate a modification of the existing agreement between the City and the Steveston Community Society based on the terms and conditions in this report, and make staffing recommendations and report back to Committee; and

(7)

That staff:

(a)

check with A & B Rail Services Ltd. to see if there are sponsorship opportunities for rails, ties, other related items, and options for rail configurations; and

(b)

report back with more information on the Steveston Tram Building Project’s restoration budget, including amounts and standards that are foreseen.

The question on the motion was not called as a request was made to deal with Parts (1) through (5) of the motion separately.

The question on Parts (1) through (5) was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. E. Halsey-Brandt and Johnston opposed.

The question on Parts (6) and (7) was then called and it was CARRIED.

2.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Richmond Children’s First

Discussion ensued regarding Richmond Children’s First and its current activities.  It was noted that Richmond Children’s First will be mobilizing the community to create its own children’s charter, reflective of the unique and diverse population of Richmond.  A reference was made to a Fact Sheet which is part of Richmond Children’s First’s information package, attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 2.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff work with Richmond Children’s First.

CARRIED

(ii)

ECONOMUSEUM

Discussion ensued regarding the ECONOMUSE Society Network and ECONOMUSEUM – a craft of agri-food business whose products are the fruit of an authentic technique or know-how.  The business showcases artisans and craft trades by offering an area for interpreting its production and by opening its doors to the public.  Reference was made to information regarding the ECONOMUSE Society Network, attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 3.

Discussion further ensued and Committee queried whether the Lubzinski Collection would benefit from such a display.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate the ECONOMUSEUM format and its potential for the Lubzinski Collection.

CARRIED

(iii)

Richmond Nature Park

Dee Bowley-Cowan, Acting Manager, Parks Programs, referenced a memorandum dated July 18, 2011 (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) that provides an update on the Richmond Nature Park.

Councillor Johnston left the meeting (5:23 p.m.) and did not return.

(iv)

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Update

Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, provided an update on playground upgrade activities.

Councillor E. Halsey-Brandt left the meeting (5:28 p.m.) and did not return.

Ms. Fernyhough advised that the roof top garden at the Cultural Centre is anticipated to be open by mid-August 2011.  Also, she spoke of various summer film events.

Eric Stepura, Manager, Sports & Community Events, distributed highlights of community events for July 15, 2011 to August 1, 2011, attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 4.

(v)

Ships to Shore Steveston 2011

Mr. Redpath commented on the success of the Ships to Shore Steveston 2011 and played a volunteer-made video that captured some of the highlights of the event.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:39 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 Thursday, July 21, 2011.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk