Date:

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt, Vice-Chair

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Absent:

Councillor Sue 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, October 25, 2011x, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, December 14 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

Request to Extend the Temporary Exhibition of the Public Artwork “Wind Waves”

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-099) (REDMS No. 3408489)

It was moved and seconded

That the extended temporary exhibition of the artwork “Wind Waves” until the end of August 2012 at Garry Point Park in Richmond, as outlined in the staff report dated November 16, 2011 from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage, be approved.

CARRIED

2.

Maintenance and Management of the fleet at Britannia

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3405577)

In reply to queries from Committee, Robert James, 13400 Princess Street, and Don Rolls, 4133 Cavendish Drive, members of the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society, provided the following information:

§         

as part of the decommissioning of the Shuchona IV, all contaminants removed from the vessel will be discharged appropriately; and

§         

the Shuchona IV is primarily made up of wood, as such there are minimal concerns regarding the discharge of fibreglass.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report regarding the Maintenance and Management of the fleet at Britannia dated November 15, 2011 from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be received for information.

CARRIED

In reply to a query from the Chair, Mr. James and Mr. Rolls stated that the Society would be pleased to continue working with the City on the maintenance and management of the fleet at the Shipyard.  As a result, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff report back on:

(1)

cost estimates for the restoration of the remaining vessels at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard; and

(2)

cost estimates for the restoration of the Fleetwood for the following types of displays:

(a)

a restoration suitable for the vessel to be on stationary display;

(b)

a restoration that restores the vessel as much as possible as it currently stands in its modified condition; and

(c)

a full restoration that brings the vessel back to its original condition.

The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued and Committee noted that when reporting back, staff should also address the following: (i) what is the priority of the restoration of the various vessels; (ii) what funding sources would be utilized for the restorations; (iii) whether a fundraising program would be feasible as a source of funding for the restorations; and (iv) what type of timeline can be anticipated for these restorations.

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

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

3.

Proposed Annual Inflationary Increase in Playing Field User Fees

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3377997)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That playing field user fees be annually increased by an amount equal to the previous year’s Consumer Price Index for Greater Vancouver, effective January 2012, and that the applicable fees be included in the annual Consolidated Fees Bylaw for 2013; and

(2)

That 2012 playing field user fees be increased by 1.75%.

The question on the motion was not called as in reply to a query from Committee, Eric Stepura, Manager, Sports & Community Events, advised that field users that go through the City’s rentals office have the privilege of receiving dedicated time slots for field use.  Staff address concerns regarding ad-hoc field users on a complaint basis.

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

4.

GARRATT WELLNESS CENTRE, NEW LICENCE

(File Ref. No. ) (REDMS No. 3404098)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City enter into a new licence agreement with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority for a term of five years, plus an option to renew for a further term of five years, at an annual licence fee of $1.00, and on the other terms and conditions set out in the staff report dated November 16, 2011; and

(2)

That staff be authorized to take all necessary steps to complete all matters detailed herein including authorizing the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to negotiate and execute all documentation required to effect the transaction.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Parks Update

Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, provided an update on various parks department activities:

§         

the cleaning of the Railway Avenue corridor is nearly complete;

§         

piling at Imperial Landing is nearly complete and will be followed by the installation of floats in the upcoming weeks;

§         

staff are clearing several sites along Odlin Road, near Tomsett Elementary school in preparation of a new neighbourhood park; and

§         

staff are removing invasive species at the former Fantasy Gardens site as part of the site’s park plan.

In reply to a queries from Committee, Mr. Redpath advised that staff are examining past agreements between the City and owners of properties along the Railway Avenue corridor.  He noted that the majority of the agreements have expired.  In addition, Mr. Redpath remarked that staff would examine an all-metal bench at the west-end of River Road in relation to its comfort for users.

Ted deCrom, Acting Manager Parks Operations, commented on the City’s commitment for snow removal and highlighted that the installation of Christmas lights throughout the City would be completed shortly.

Serena Lusk, Manager, Parks Programs, provided an update on the City’s snow geese management plan and commented on high call volumes as a result of an effective awareness campaign.  Also, Ms. Lusk advised that the Snow Angels program is active and currently recruiting volunteers.  However, she stated that Snow Angels services are only provided following major snowfall, which is defined as 48-hours of snowfall with an accumulation of fifteen or more centimetres of snow.

Ms. Lusk spoke of the Richmond Animal Protection Society’s Dog Adopt-A-Thon and distributed a copy of the campaign’s advertisement (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

(ii)

Steveston Tram Track

Elizabeth Ayers, Manager, Community Recreation Services, referenced a memorandum dated November 25, 2011 (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) and advised that staff was quoted a cost of $150 per foot for supply and installation of track.  She noted that staff currently do not see the need for any additional track to be added to the site.

(iii)

Arts Services Update

Kim Somerville, Manager, Arts Services, provided an update on the Cultural Centre’s upcoming events.  Also, she referenced a recent article in a local newspaper regarding the public art piece “Wind Waves”.  She stated that in April 2011, Council resolved to take no further action in regards to the acquisition of Biennale artwork.

Discussion ensued regarding the Richmond Potters Club.  The Chair encouraged that a staff report on the Club’s concerns be drafted as it would provide the Club with an opportunity to meet with the Committee.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:30 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, November 29, 2011.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk