Date:

Tuesday, October 25, 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

Also Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes (arrived at 4:05 p.m.)

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, September 27, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, November 29, 2011 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

DELEGATION

Bud Sakomoto, representing the Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative, provided an update on the Cooperative’s activities and noted the following:

§          

the Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative is a non-profit group formed by local fishermen in an effort to preserve fishing heritage;

§          

to be a member of the Cooperative, one must (i) possess a valid fishing licence and (ii) be active in the fishing industry; and

§          

the Cooperative operates and manages a net float, a net storage facility and net racks at Scotch Pond.

Cllr. Barnes entered the meeting (4:05 p.m.)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Sakomoto spoke of fishing runs and concerns related to fishing stock, noting that fishing stocks are declining.  Also, he commented on the Cooperative’s past practice of holding an annual open house and remarked that communication with the City would be welcomed.

Discussion ensued regarding the status of Scotch Pond and the condition of its building and floats, in particular the roof of the building.  It was noted that a comprehensive report on Scotch Pond would be informative.

Bryan Klassen, Site Supervisor, advised that a report on the condition of the roof was completed.  The report identified asbestos in the materials of the roof and staff are now investigating how to address this circumstance.

Discussion ensued regarding the terms of the current agreement between the Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative and the City.  A comment was made regarding whether or not it would be beneficial to amend the agreement to reflect a shift in operational responsibility.

Discussion further ensued regarding the terms of the current agreement between the Cooperative and the City in relation to maintenance and dredging.  In reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Sakomoto advised that as a member of the Cooperative, he receives annual financial statements.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a detailed report on the status of Scotch Pond, including the condition of the building, the floats, the pilings, the channel, and the shoreline and provide a copy of the current agreement to determine whether the agreement needs updating.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

Request to Extend the Temporary Exhibition of the Public Artwork “Water #10”

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-129) (REDMS No. 3378876)

It was moved and seconded

That the extended temporary exhibition of the artwork “Water #10” until the end of 2013 at the Cambie Drainage Pump Station in Richmond, as outlined in the staff report dated October 11, 2011 from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage, be approved.

The question on the motion was not called as in reply to queries from Committee, Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, advised that (i) the staff are seeking additional time for the extension of the artwork in the event the development is not completed by the anticipated date; and (ii) staff can revisit the proposed insurance arrangement.

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

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

2.

Oval West Waterfront Park – Concept Design

(File Ref. No. 06-2400-20-OWWA1/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 3383678)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, advised the following:

§          

in February 2007, Council approved the Oval Site West Open Space Concept, which addressed the waterfront open space opportunities presented by the development of the Richmond Olympic Oval;

§          

the proposed concept has been updated and reflect the design for the waterfront City park between the No. 2 Road Bridge and the Oval on the middle arm of the Fraser River; and

§          

the proposed concept has worked its way up the Capital Budget process and has been identified as a priority.

With the aid of several artist renderings, Doug Shearer, Park Planner, commented on proposed dike improvements and explained how the existing dike would integrate with the proposed dike improvements.

Discussion ensued regarding a reference to the Garden City Lands in Part 1.2 of Attachment 1 to the staff report entitled “Oval West Waterfront Park – Concept Design”.  Mr. Redpath noted that Attachment 1 was published in February 2006.

Mr. Shearer advised that the proposed concept aims to visually blur the line between the public park and the adjacent private development with the use of lighting, site furnishings and planting.  Also, he commented on the width of the proposed dike trail, noting that it is anticipated that the increase in dike trail width address concerns related to mixed-uses.

Discussion ensued regarding the proposed water feature included in Phase I of the ASPAC development.  Also, it was noted that adult play equipment would be welcomed along the dike trail.

It was moved and seconded

That the concept design for the Oval West Waterfront Park, as detailed in the staff report entitled “Oval West Waterfront Park – Concept Design” from the Senior Manager, Parks, dated October 18, 2011, be endorsed.

CARRIED

Cllr. S. Halsey-Brandt left the meeting (4:50 p.m.) and did not return.

3.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Snow Geese Management

Dee Bowley-Cowan, Acting Manager, Special Projects, noted that staff have implemented the Snow Geese Management Program and, currently exploring educational programs with local schools.

Discussion ensued regarding skunks and in reply to a query, Ms. Bowley-Cowan advised that pest control companies typically release skunks within a few kilometres of where they were trapped.

(ii)

Halloween 2011

Serena Lusk, Manager, Parks Programs, referenced a memorandum entitled ‘Halloween Events’ (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) and spoke of the various upcoming Halloween events.

Eric Stepura, Manager, Sports & Community Events, spoke of a joint operations team that has been meeting regularly to ensure that Halloween is enjoyed by all, and most importantly is safe for all.

Discussion ensued regarding Halloween night fireworks and the termination of fireworks at Garry Point Park on Canada Day.  It was noted that Garry Point Park lends itself well as a community-gathering place for special events, particularly firework displays.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate additional sites for firework displays on Halloween.

CARRIED

(iii)

Onni Development in Steveston

Mr. Redpath spoke of a lighting issue at the Onni development in Steveston, noting that power has been restored and staff are continuing to work with Onni on the matter.

Discussion ensued and staff was requested to explore additional signage for the development in relation to a temporary obstruction.

(iv)

Garry Point Dock

The Chair referenced correspondence dated October 20, 2011 regarding safety concerns in relation to the new dock at Garry Point (copy on file City Clerk’s Office). 

It was moved and seconded

That the email dated October 20, 2011 regarding safety concerns in relation to the new dock at Garry Point be referred to staff.

CARRIED

(v)

Railway Avenue Corridor

The Chair referenced a staff memorandum dated October 20, 2011 entitled ‘Railway Avenue Trail Development’ (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1).

It was moved and seconded

That the staff memorandum dated October 20, 2011 entitled ‘Railway Avenue Trail Development’ from the Senior Manager, Parks, be received for information.

CARRIED

(vi)

City Hedge Adjacent to Private Property

Ted G. deCrom, Acting Manager Parks Operations, spoke of the City’s practice with respect to City-owned hedges adjacent to private property and noted that the City commits to trim the park side and top of a hedge.

(vii)

Status of Referrals

Discussion ensued regarding the status of past referrals.

Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager – Community Services, advised that staff are working on the matter, however it may be some time until a process is developed and put into practice.

(viii)

Letter from the Richmond Chinese Community Society

The Chair referenced a letter dated October 19, 2011 from the Richmond Chinese Community Society (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

Discussion ensued regarding the Society’s request and Ms. Volkering Carlile replied to Committee’s queries in relation to the Society’s current rental agreement with the City.

Discussion further ensued and concerns regarding providing space at a nominal fee to groups not affiliated with the City were expressed.

Elizabeth Ayers, Manager, Community Recreation Services, stated that staff are open to partnering opportunities with the Richmond Chinese Community Society.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff report back on the following motion from the July 25, 2006 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting:

“That staff consider the request made by the RCCS to provide free community space in exchange for RCCS’s continued creation of publicly accessible programs and report back to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee.”

CARRIED

(ix)

Cenotaph at City Hall

Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage, provided an update on the status of adding names to the Cenotaph at City Hall.

(x)

Library Services

In reply to queries, Greg Buss, Chief Librarian advised that there is a concern related to the lack of space, and more recently the use of eBooks.  Mr. Buss spoke of several concerns related to eBooks.

Cllr. G. Halsey-Brandt left the meeting (5:25 p.m.) and did not return.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:30 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 25, 2011.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk