Date:

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Bill McNulty

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, May 29, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

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

PRESENTATIONS

1.

(1)

Sharon Bulger, Facility & Program Manager, UBC Boathouse, to provide an update on the Boathouse’s activities.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Sharon Bulger, Facility & Program Manager, UBC Boathouse, provided an update on the Boathouse’s activities.  In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Bulger provided the following information:

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the event hall is 90% booked for evening and weekend events;

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the Boathouse’s peak season runs from May 1^st to October 31^st and the low season runs from November 1^st to April 30^th;

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bookings in the event hall during the low season are approximately 50% the cost of bookings during the peak season;

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bookings for day time events cost approximately $100 per hour, including tables and chairs, and audio-visual equipment;

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the junior rowing program is nearly at full capacity;  capacity is determined by the availability of equipment;

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river conditions are continually monitored to ensure the safety of those on the water;

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the cost of a child participating in the junior rowing program is approximately $2000 to $2500; and

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team building sessions include 90 minutes of on-water time, followed by various team building exercises;  team building sessions can be customized based on the client’s needs.

In response to a comment made by Committee, Serena Lusk, Manager, Parks Programs, advised that the Parks division has been working with Port Metro Vancouver and the UBC Boathouse to remove several abandoned dolphins along the river.

(2)

Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, to provide a demonstration on iPark Navigator.

Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, introduced Stephen Suddes, Public Programs & Community Development Division Manager, Regional Parks, Metro Vancouver.

Mr. Suddes provided background information and noted that the iParks Nagivator application may be downloaded from the iTunes store.  He stated that the application initially only showcased Metro Vancouver parks, however Richmond was invited to participate in an expanded version of the application that would include Richmond parks.

He commented that the latest version of the iParks Navigator application would be free to download and is anticipated to be available in the near future.  Metro Vancouver will partner with the City to create a media release once the application is available for download.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presenation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Christina Lazar-Schuler, Parks Design Technician, reviewed the iParks Navigator application and highlighted the following information:

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all Richmond parks pages will include the City logo;

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parks will be identified with green pins;

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the letter ‘E’ will identify major entrances to parks including other amenities like parking, playgrounds, and sports fields;

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blue arrows will provide detailed park information and will be used to convey additional information such as closures; and

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the ‘What’s New’ section will include updates such as the opening of seasonal swimming pools and promote events taking place in a park.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Lazar-Schuler and Mr. Suddes advised that (i) a joint media release will be carried out once the new version of the application is available for download; (ii) staff at community centres will be encouraged to download the application and become familiar with it; (iii) the latest version of the application will be free to download; (iv) the City’s Recreation Guide is a good avenue to promote the application; (v) multi-amenity spaces are included in the application; and (vi) a link to download the application will be available on the City’s website.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

Scotch Pond Status Report

(File Ref. No. 06-2025-20-008) (REDMS No. 3477770 v.5)

Bryan Klassen, Britannia Site Supervisor, advised that members of the Scotch Pond Cooperative were not available to attend the meeting.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Klassen advised that (i) there are 22 boats moored at Scotch Pond; and (ii) membership of the Scotch Pond Cooperative is stable.

Discussion ensued and staff was requested to consider the following Committee comments:

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amend clause seven of Schedule A of the proposed agreement to include that the City reserves the right to add appropriate vessels; and

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amend clause 21 of Schedule A of the proposed agreement to include that the City reserves the right to provide heritage displays and water borne programs including water access to the channel from the east-end of Scotch Pond or the south-side of Scotch Pond.

Discussion further ensued and Committee queried (i) what benefit the community received from the Scotch Pond Cooperative; (ii) what the moorage rate is at Scotch Pond; (iii) what the sheds’ rental costs are at Scotch Pond; (iv) what the Cooperative does with the funds collected; and (v) how much the Cooperative is going to contribute to dredging and other works required.

Also, it was noted that (i) the area is not inviting to the public and the site is visually restricted; (ii) the proposed agreement does not stipulate that the Scotch Pond Cooperative report back to Council annually regarding their activities and future plans; and (iii) the Cooperative has not embarked on any programming efforts.

Committee expressed that they wished to see the proposed agreement be further detailed to include financial information and how the Cooperative intends on providing access to the water for kayakers and canoers. 

Discussion ensued regarding the Cooperative’s mandate and goals and it was noted that Committee is not aware of the Cooperative’s current membership.

The Chair commented that the option of the City running Scotch Pond as a marina also be explored.

Also, Committee queried who verified that the insurance requirements of the vessels moored at Scotch Pond were met.  As a result of the discussions, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Scotch Pond Status Report, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, dated June 4, 2012 be referred back to staff for inclusion of (a) works required on the site; (b) list of members of the Cooperative; and (c) the Cooperative’s future plans for community benefit to the City.

The question on the referral was not called as Committee requested that the comments made during the discussions be taken into consideration when reporting back on the proposed referral.

Also, it was clarified that the option of the City running Scotch Pond as a marina also be explored and be included in the report back.

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

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

3.

Experience the Fraser Concept Plan Overview

(File Ref. No. 06-2400-01) (REDMS No. 3545962)

Mr. Redpath provided background information and introduced Heather McNell, Senior Regional Planner, Metropolitan Planning, Environment and Parks, Metro Vancouver.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Ms. McNell highlighted the following information regarding the Experience the Fraser (ETF) project:

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in 2009, the Province provided $2.5 million to develop the Experience the Fraser Concept Plan and build two demonstration projects;  recently, the Province provided an additional $1 million for parks and trails along the Lower Fraser River;

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it is a recreational, cultural and heritage project that extends along the Lower Fraser River connecting Hope to the Salish Sea by means of over 550 kilometres of trail (43% of which is already in place) and via the river itself;

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it presents a framework for the long-term development of this land and water based initiatives that aim to showcase the Fraser River and its rich natural and cultural heritage;

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by bringing together existing points of interest and features along the river, ETF will add strength to local tourism and economic development initiatives; and

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it is hoped that this project will inspire the communities to become more active stewards on behalf of the river, and for the Lower Fraser River to become one of the world’s great river destinations.

Ms. McNell commented on the project’s next steps, noting that the final concept plan and implementation strategy is anticipated to be considered by the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley Regional District Boards in September 2012.

Discussion ensued and Committee queried the City’s ability to fill gaps in the existing trail network that are not on City property.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. McNell advised that the project identifies a new waterfront ‘Port Park’ where the industrial working river is interpreted at the Riverport Node in Richmond.  It is intended that such a park would showcase the importance of the river to the economy.  Also, she commented that transportation concerns have been echoed by other municipalities.  Ms. McNell advised that improvements along the river will consider the view from the water as much as the view to the water.

It was moved and seconded

That the Experience the Fraser: Lower Fraser River Corridor Project Concept Plan as described in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled Experience the Fraser Concept Plan Overview, dated May 31, 2012 from the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, be endorsed as a regionally beneficial initiative.

CARRIED

4.

Terra Nova Play Environment Concept Plan

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3547707)

Mr. Redpath provided background information and stated that subject to Council’s approval, staff would commence with site preparation and phased construction of the proposed play environment.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) Joseph Fry, Hapa Collaborative, reviewed the proposed Terra Nova Play Environment Concept Plan.  He highlighted the following information regarding the proposed project:

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the play environment makes up less than 1% of the park;

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the play environment will respond to the natural and cultural history of the area and will be able to accommodate all ages;

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consultation included five meetings with ‘big kids’ (community and staff adults) and ‘little kids’ (students from local elementary schools);

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the ‘little kids’ consultation process involved the children describing in words what play meant to them, and making clay models and drawings of play structures they would like to see;

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on June 6, 2012 an open house was held at the Thompson Community Centre; approximately 50 people attended and positive feedback was received;

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there is two general zones of play:  the homestead and the paddocks;

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the paths and entrances to the parks are relative to the two play environments; and

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the play environment includes the following areas: (i) the orchard; (ii) the slough ferry; (iii) the sand factory; (iv) the fishing net gymcrazium; (v) the homestead tree house; (vi) the fence and meadow maze; (vii) the racing hedgerow ziplines; (viii) the rolling hill and slide tangle; and (ix) play outposts.

Ian Lai, 3711 Robson Court, spoke in favour of the proposed project and stated that he has been active at the Terra Nova Rural Park for six years.  He spoke of competing desires for the park but emphasized that the proposed play environment would make up less than 1% of the park.  Mr. Lai was of the opinion that any initiative that can get children outside and playing is worthwhile.  Also, he commented that the proposed play environment would be one-of-a-kind, therefore it would attract non-Richmond residents to the park.

Kate Dawson, 3711 Robson Court, was in favour of the proposed project and stated that as an Early Child Educator and mother of three young children, she would not be supportive of a big box playground.  However, the proposed play environment is not only beautiful and sensitive to the environment, but it meets children’s need for challenge.  Ms. Dawson requested that Committee approve the proposed project.

In reply to a query from the Chair, Ms. Dawson stated that kids are not as fragile as adults have made them out to be.

Emily Vera, 11671 Kestrel Drive, Preschool Coordinator, spoke in favour of the proposed play environment.  She stated that the proposed project would allow children to be involved in the land, therefore teaching them to respect and care for the land.  She believed that the proposed project would draw non-Richmond residents as it would create a destination play environment.  Also, she requested that Committee approve the proposed project.

Councillor Johnston left the meeting (6:05 p.m.) and did not return.

Discussion ensued regarding the most suitable name for the proposed play environment.

It was moved and seconded

That the Terra Nova Play Environment Concept Plan as detailed in the staff report dated June 5, 2012 from the General Manager, Parks and Recreation be approved for implementation.

CARRIED

Councillor Au left the meeting (6:09 p.m.) and did not return.

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Garry Point Park

The Chair distributed a list of priorities for Garry Point Park as identified by Richmond residents (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1) and requested that staff investigate completing Phase V of Garry Point Park.  He noted that the installation of an interpretative centre is all that remains to be done to complete Phase V.  As a result, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine completing Phase V of Garry Point Park by installing an interpretative centre and report back.

CARRIED

(ii)

City Hall Catering

Discussion ensued regarding take-out products such as plates, cups, and tableware used by the caterer at City Hall.  As a result the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff examine the City’s current contract with the caterer at City Hall and determine the feasibility of implementing mandatory use of biodegradable take-out products; and

(2)

That the contract for the City Hall caterer be brought before Council prior to the tendering process.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:19 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 26, 2012.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Hanieh Berg

Committee Clerk