October 23, 2012 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, October 23, 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

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 25, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, November 27, 2012, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

Dirt Bike Terrain Park Consultation Process

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-01) (REDMS No. 3671130 v.2)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, accompanied by Clarence Sihoe, Park Planner provided the following information:

§   

staff have utilized a list of site selection criteria to analyse the suitability of potential locations to accommodate the proposed Dirt Bike Terrain Park; however, should a more suitable site be identified, staff would consider it;

§   

the proposed Dirt Bike Terrain Park would accommodate a range of skill levels; and

§   

the current temporary bike park is primarily utilized seasonally, with heavy usage during the summer months and weekend usage during the winter months.

Discussion ensued and it was suggested that the proposed Park include comfort and artistic elements such as seating and public art.  Also, a comment was made that those utilizing the proposed Park be required to wear helmets.

Mr. Redpath advised that should the proposed consultation process be approved, staff would report back with the findings of the consultation and present concepts for the Park on the proposed recommended sites.

Discussion further ensued and it was suggested that local members of the cycling community and Richmond youth be included in the proposed consultation process. 

The Chair queried how many Richmond youth utilize the current temporary bike park.  Also, he commented on the Steves School Park site, noting that the park plan for that area should be examined.

It was moved and seconded

That staff begin the public consultation process regarding the selection of Garden City Community Park and Railway Avenue Corridor Greenway/Granville Avenue as potential dirt bike terrain park sites, as detailed in the staff report titled Dirt Bike Terrain Park Consultation Process dated October 1, 2012 from the Senior Manager, Parks.

CARRIED

2.

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada Field Use Agreement

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-HDEL1) (REDMS No. 3682551 v.2)

In reply to queries from Committee, Serena Lusk, Manager, Parks Programs, advised that Sun Life intends to develop the site and as such, an alternate playing field for current field users needs to be identified.

It was noted that the term of the proposed license should read from September 1, 2012 to April 14, 2013.

It was moved and seconded

That the City enter into a license with Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (“Sun Life”) whereby Sun Life licenses to the City a portion of the lands legally known and described as Lot 8, Section 32, Block 5 North, Range 5 West, New Westminster District, Plan 64718 as described in the staff report titled Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada Field Use Agreement, from the Senior Manager, Parks and on the terms and conditions set out in the staff report, including, specifically, that the City grant to Sun Life an indemnity for any losses that Sun Life may suffer in relation to the City’s use of the lands.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR LINDA BARNES

2A.

terms of reference for site building committees

(File Ref. No.)

Councillor Barnes commented on the activities of past Site Building Committees and spoke of communication and protocol challenges.  As a result, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the terms of reference for Site Building Committees for heritage projects include the following:

(a)

Review the tender package prior to the tender process;

(b)

Review any subsequent changes that affect heritage conservation outside of the Council approved project scope; and

(c)

Appropriate heritage documents be included in the orientation package.

CARRIED

2B.

heritage buildings information session

(File Ref. No.)

Councillor Barnes spoke of the benefits a heritage focused information session would have for staff.  She commented on several ongoing heritage-related projects, noting that such an information session would help build on staff’s knowledge.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented that a small handbook detailing important information related to heritage buildings would be valuable.  It was noted that such a handbook could act as a tool for staff and for Site Building Committees.  As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff host a workshop for key City staff including heritage conservation, preservation, restoration, heritage standards, building codes and alternatives when dealing with heritage buildings.

CARRIED

3.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Snow Geese Update

In reply to a query from Committee, Ms. Lusk advised that a contractor carries out the City’s hazing program for snow geese; however, she noted that staff have been examining other hazing programs that utilize residential dogs and anticipate introducing a similar program in the immediate future.

(ii)

Railway Avenue Greenway

Mr. Redpath highlighted that the public consultation for the Railway Avenue Greenway was successful and staff anticipate reporting back in November 2012.

(iii)

7300 Elmbridge Way

Mr. Redpath provided background information, noting that 7300 Elmbridge Way was identified as a park and open space under the Council approved City Centre Area Plan.

Discussion ensued regarding the future of the lot and Committee cited concern regarding the designation and recent improvement of the lot.

(iv)

Watermania Pool

Vern Jacques, Senior Manager, Recreation Services, commented on the recent closure of Watermania Pool and stated that the pool is anticipated to be reopened by the end of the week.

(v)

Trees on Boulevards

Discussion ensued regarding trees on boulevards and Ted G. deCrom, Manager, Parks Operations, advised that many of the trees on City boulevards were voluntarily planted by residents.  He noted that once planted, the City takes ownership of the trees.

Discussion further ensued and Mr. Redpath stated that staff would provide Council with a memorandum clarifying the City’s Boulevard Maintenance Regulation Bylaw.

(vi)

West Dike Retaining Wall

Discussion ensued regarding a private retaining wall along the west dike.

(vii)

Museum Coordinator in the Steveston Area

The Chair referenced a memorandum dated October 16, 2012 from the Supervisor, Richmond Museum and Heritage Services (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), and stated that this memorandum addresses the referral made at the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting on March 27, 2012 regarding the programmer position in the Steveston area.

It was moved and seconded

That the memorandum dated October 16, 2012 from the Supervisor, Richmond Museum and Heritage Services, addresses the referral made at the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting on March 27, 2012 regarding the programmer position in the Steveston area.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:46 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 23, 2012.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Hanieh Berg

Committee Clerk