January 29, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Bill McNulty

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Absent:

Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

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, November 27, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, February 26, 2013 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

The Chair advised that ‘Kwantlen Farm School’ and ‘Off-Leash Dog Area at Iona Beach Regional Park’ would be added to the agenda.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

Cambie Road/Mueller Development Park Concept Plan

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-01) (REDMS No. 3567201)

Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, provided background information and introduced Peter Kreuk, Landscape Architect, Durante Kreuk.

With the aid of artist renderings, Mr. Kreuk reviewed the proposed Cambie Road / Mueller Development Park Concept Plan and the following information was highlighted:

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the park will be located at Cambie Road and Hazelbridge Way and as such, the proposed park concept plan relates to the adjacent commercial precinct;

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an urban plaza will lend itself well as the centre of action for community events;  this plaza will include a sheltered stage, public washrooms and a concession area;

§   

the proposed park concept plan aims to integrate into the City’s overall parks and open space systems and street network;  it will connect with the Middle Arm waterfront to the west, and link together with adjacent Aberdeen and Bridgeport Villages via streets, greenways and green links;

§   

a Great Lawn will be developed to accommodate a wide variety of activities and it will be sited adjacent to the urban plaza to extend the possible range of activities;

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an off-leash dog area will be enclosed by a fence and will be situated at the north-west corner of the proposed park; and

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play features will include traditional playground equipment, and more natural and informal play structures.

In reply to a query from the Chair, Mr. Redpath commented on the proposed park’s storm water management system.  The Chair remarked that information regarding local sustainable storm water management systems would be appreciated.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Redpath and Clarence Sihoe, Park Planner, commented on unique features of the proposed park, noting that it will be the first urban park in the City Centre area.  Also, it was noted that the total cost of the proposed park is estimated at $4.2 million.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that although the staff report is not directly seeking funds for the proposed park, the staff report should reflect future financial implications under the ‘Financial Impact’ heading.  Also, it was noted that the City does not currently own the land for the proposed park and as such, this information should be clearly stated in the staff report.

Peter Mitchell, 6271 Nanika Crescent, spoke in favour of the proposed Cambie Road / Mueller Development Park Concept Plan, noting that it would act as a pioneer for future urban parks in Richmond.  Mr. Mitchell commented on past community events at Lang Park and suggested that the proposed park include a hard surface in an effort to increase utility by accommodating various activities.  Also, he spoke of opportunities to connect the proposed park with the Middle Arm of the waterfront.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the design concept and proposed program of the Cambie Road/Mueller Development Park, as described in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated January 16, 2013, from the Senior Manager, Parks, be received for information; and

(2)

staff seek public input on the proposed Cambie Road/Mueller Development Park Concept plan as described in the staff report, dated January 16, 2013, from the Senior Manager, Parks.

CARRIED

2.

River Green Village Parks and Open Space Plan

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-01) (REDMS No. 3731188)

With the aid of artist renderings (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Chris Phillips, Landscape Architect, Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg, reviewed the proposed River Green Village Parks and Open Space Plan and the following information was highlighted:

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the closure and relocation of River Road enables the creation of a waterfront park along the Middle Arm of the Fraser River;

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the Hollybridge Way Plaza and future pier mark the intersection of the park and will be the park’s defining feature;

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the Hollybridge Way Plaza is composed of an upper area set on top of the dike;

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the Hollybridge Way Plaza is intended to act a gathering spot along the waterfront, and to provide access to the future pier;

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the Gilbert Greenway will connect the waterfront with the future new River Road;

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environmental and heritage resources are being conserved and enhanced in an effort to provide future park users with the opportunity to learn about the Brighouse family while minimizing impacts to the surrounding environment;

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a paver strip on top of the dike will act as a pathway separator for pedestrians and cyclists; and

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three promontories provide seating and viewing opportunities of the Middle Arm, and each promontory connects the dike pathway to internal north / south street ends and pedestrian routes.

In reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Phillips advised that the future pier’s floating walkway is intended to provide transient moorage for boaters to visit the park.

Discussion ensued and it was agreed that any reference to boating activity along the proposed park’s waterfront would be removed.

It was moved and seconded

That the conceptual designs for the River Green Village’s waterfront park, Gilbert Greenway and public mews as detailed in the staff report titled River Green Village Parks and Open Space Plan from the Senior Manager, Parks, dated January 9, 2013, be endorsed.

CARRIED

3.

Art in Unexpected Places 2012 Community Public Art Projects

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-145) (REDMS No. 3711084)

Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, provided background information and introduced Artists Leah Weinstein and Silvia Grace Borda.

It was moved and seconded

That the concept proposals for the Art in Unexpected Places 2012 Community Public Art Projects as presented in the staff report from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services dated December 17, 2012, be endorsed.

CARRIED

4.

Urban Wildlife Management Framework

(File Ref. No. 11-7200-01) (REDMS No. 3702483 v.3)

In reply to queries from Committee, Serena Lusk, Manager, Parks Programs, advised that (i) rabbits are not included under the proposed framework as rabbits are considered domestic, and as such different legislation applies to them; and (ii) staff have a strong working relationship with Canadian Wildlife Services and the Vancouver Airport Authority. 

Also, Ms. Lusk commented on the proposed framework’s education pillar, noting that the number of calls logged from residents requesting assistance regarding wildlife has decreased.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Urban Wildlife Management Framework as described in the staff report titled Urban Wildlife Management Framework, dated January 16, 2013 from the Senior Manager, Parks be received for information; and

(2)

the staff report titled Urban Wildlife Management Framework, dated January 16, 2013 from the Senior Manager, Parks be forward to the Richmond Board of Education for information.

CARRIED

5.

2013 Maritime-Themed Summer Festivals

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 3752705 v.6)

Discussion ensued and Committee commented that future summer festivals should be spread over several weeks, with the possibility of introducing a different attraction or event each week.  Also, Committee encouraged staff to better utilize volunteers. 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the transfer of up to $345,000 be authorized from the Major Events Provisional Fund to the Ships to Shore account and the Maritime Festival account to provide funding in support of the 2013 Ship to Shore program, the 2013 Tall Ship Recruitment program, and the 2013 Maritime Festival as outlined in the staff report dated January 12, 2013 from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services and the Senior Manager, Parks;

(2)

That any revenues realized from sponsorship for Ships to Shore and public sail trips be used to offset the City contribution to this event and those funds be returned to the Major Events Provisional Fund for future festival development;

(3)

That any grants awarded to the Maritime Festival 2013 be used to offset the City contribution to this event and those funds  be returned to the Major Events Provisional Fund for future festival development; and

(4)

That the City’s budget for the 2013 Ships to Shore and 2013 Maritime Festival be included in the 5 Year Financial Plan (2013-2017).

CARRIED

Kwantlen farm school

(File Ref. No.)

The Chair provided background information regarding the Kwantlen Farm School, noting that a decision on its location is anticipated by April 2013.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that various locations, including but not limited to the Garden City Lands and backlands along No. 5 Road, should be considered as temporary and / or permanent options for the school.

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

It was moved and seconded

That as part of the Garden City Lands planning process, staff consider temporary and / or permanent options at the Garden City Lands or other locations in the City of Richmond for the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Agricultural Program.

CARRIED

Off-Leash DOG area at Iona Beach Regional Park

(File Ref. No.)

The Chair advised that Metro Vancouver has recently designated a dog off-leash area at the Iona Beach Regional Park.  In light of this new area, the Chair requested that staff examine modifying the use of McDonald Beach.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff consider other use options, including a dog off-leash use, at McDonald Beach and report back.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Trees at Minoru Park

With the aid of an aerial map, Ted deCrom, Manager, Parks Operations, commented on the integrity of trees throughout Minoru Park and adjacent areas.

Mayor Brodie left the meeting (5:03 p.m.) and did not return.

At this point, the meeting was without a quorum and therefore the meeting ended at 5:04 p.m.

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, January 29, 2013.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk