Date:

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Bill McNulty

Absent:

Councillor Ken Johnston, Vice-Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Also Present:

Councillor Chak Au

Councillor Linda McPhail

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, February 28, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

RICHMOND 2011 HERITAGE UPDATE

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3472212)

Connie Baxter, Supervisor, Richmond Museum and Heritage Services, provided background information.

Discussion ensued regarding the lack of signage identifying the heritage of various buildings in Steveston Village, in particular the Hepworth Building located at 3580 Moncton Street.  In reply to a query from Committee, Ms. Baxter advised that staff coordinate some programming with the Steveston business community, however additional efforts could be examined.  Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage, stated that staff would further explore this concept with the Heritage Commission.

Discussion further ensued and Committee expressed their support for signs and/or plaques that identify the heritage value of buildings in Steveston Village.

The Chair commented on parking in Steveston.  It was suggested that Heritage staff work with Transportation staff to explore the possibility of constructing a parkade or building on the parking lot adjacent to the Hepworth Building and include provisions to protect and to preserve the building for the future. 

The Chair pointed out that he believed the operating cost per visit for particular City programs in Steveston was not feasible given the low public turnout.

Discussion ensued and it was suggested that consideration be given to reallocating staff resources within some City facilities in Steveston.  As a result of the discussion the following referral was made:

It was moved and seconded

That staff review the Programmer position assigned to the Steveston area and consider reassigning the personnel to Britannia and report back.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond 2011 Heritage Update be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3476713)

Kim Somerville, Manager, Arts Services, provided background information.

Discussion ensued and Committee expressed concern regarding utilizing the 2011 surplus to fund the proposed project as it may delay it.  It was noted that identifying alternate available funding sources would allow staff to proceed with the proposed project in a timely manner.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond City of Readers Strategic Plan 2011-2014 be updated by the Richmond Public Library in consultation with the community;

(2)

That staff identify various sources of funding for the feasibility study for the library system; and

(3)

That City staff present a revised Strategic Plan to Council in 2013.

CARRIED

3.

No. 3 Road Centre Median Railing Public Art Project: Browngate Road to Cambie Road

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-01) (REDMS No. 3491005)

It was moved and seconded

That the Call to Artists for the No. 3 Road Centre Median Railing Public Art Project: Browngate Road to Cambie Road as presented in the report dated March 12, 2012 from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage, be endorsed.

CARRIED

4.

Britannia Heritage Shipyard National Historic Site

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3389337 v.7)

Bryan Klassen, Britannia Site Supervisor, provided background information.

In reply to comments from Committee, Mr. Klassen and Ms. Fernyhough advised that the creation of a Britannia Building Task Force was recommended as the group would have a specific role within a finite timeframe.  Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager – Community Services, stated that staff were not opposed to amending the terminology from Britannia Heritage Shipyard Building Task Force to Britannia Heritage Shipyard Building Committee.

Also, it was noted that the Seine Net Loft had been altered to accommodate the Lubzinski exhibit, and that the modifications carried out were consistent with the required upgrades to the building.

The Chair referenced the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Business Plan dated September 2000 (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) and requested that staff circulate a copy of the Plan to all members of Council.  In addition, the Chair reviewed the composition of the Building Committee as set out on Page 20 of the Plan.  He commented on the mandate of the Building Committee, noting that three buildings remain to be addressed: (i) the Seine Net Loft; (ii) the Japanese Duplex; and (iii) the First Nations Bunkhouse.

Discussion ensued regarding amending the terminology from Britannia Building Task Force to Britannia Building Committee and it was noted that the proposed Terms of Reference would also require revision.

Discussion further took place and Committee noted that a revised Terms of Reference should be reflective of Committee’s comments and of Council’s initial intent for the Building Committee’s mandate.  As result of the discussion, the following referral was made:

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report entitled “Britannia Heritage Shipyard National Historic Site” dated March 9, 2012 from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage be referred back to staff to examine the Terms of Reference for the Building Committee to oversee the final three buildings.

The question on the referral was not called.

Loren Slye, 11911 3^rd Avenue, representing the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society, noted that the Society supports the proposal and looks forward to working with staff.  However, Mr. Slye expressed concern regarding the Society’s representation; he noted that the Society would like that the Building Committee’s Terms of Reference include two appointed members of the Society.

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

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

5.

Woodward School / Neighbourhood Park Characterization Plan

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-WOOD1) (REDMS No. 3480276)

In reply to a query from Committee, Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, advised that the City requires the School Board’s consent for this project as the proposed park improvements occur on their property.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the “Woodward School/Neighbourhood Park Characterization Plan” as detailed in the staff report dated February 23, 2012, from the General Manager, Parks & Recreation be approved;

(2)

That staff seek approval for implementation of the plan from School District No. 38 (Richmond);

(3)

That the funds held for Thomas Kidd School/Neighbourhood Park be transferred to Woodward School/Neighbourhood Park, and be included in the 5 year Financial Plan (2012-2016); and

(4)

That the Woodward School/Neighbourhood Park Characterization Plan be forwarded to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee for information.

CARRIED

6.

Floating Net Shed

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3471011 v.9)

The Chair remarked that an additional recommendation was required in order for staff to report back to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee in the event the owner does not agree to the potential City acquisition with no occupancy.

Discussion ensued and Committee expressed concern regarding the acquisition of the Net Shed as there are many City owned heritage assets that have not been maintained and restored due to financial limitations.  Also, it was noted that the cost of upgrading the structure to bring it up to code for public occupancy may be prohibitive.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That, the General Manager, Community Services and the Manager, Real Estate Services, be authorized to enter into negotiations with the owner regarding the acquisition of the floating net shed with no occupancy expectations provided:

(a)

that the current owner agrees to enter into discussions regarding potential City acquisition without expectations of occupancy, and then,

(b)

that the findings of the Statement of Historical Significance find the net shed to be historically relevant, and then,

(c)

that the findings of a Building Condition Report and Marine Survey are positive;

(d)

that should the owner not agree to the potential City acquisition with no occupancy, that staff report back to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee for further consideration;

and report back to Council on the conditions of acquisition;

(2)

That staff be authorized to expend no greater than $17,000 in order to complete a Statement of Historical Significance, Building Condition Report and Marine Survey and that funding be provided from the Council Provision Account; and

(3)

That the 5 Year Financial Plan (2012-2016) be adjusted accordingly.

CARRIED

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:55 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, March 27, 2012.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Hanieh Berg

Committee Clerk