March 26, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Ken Johnston 
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Bill McNulty

Absent:

Councillor Linda Barnes

Also Present:

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 26, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, April 23, 2013, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

Museum Feasibility Study Update

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3690866 v.9)

Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager, Community Services, spoke of the Corporate Facility Implementation Plan, suggesting that the proposed staff recommendation be revised to also direct staff to update the Plan.

Discussion ensued and there was agreement to further revise the proposed staff recommendations.

Connie Baxter, Supervisor, Museum and Heritage Sites, provided background information and the following information was noted:

§   

since 2009, the Richmond Museum Feasibility Study was updated to reflect current information;

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global tourism is rebounding, reinforcing the 2009 findings that cultural tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing tourism segments; and

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Richmond’s population continues to grow, increasing the demand for services and types of facilities, such as a destination museum.

Keith Liedtke, Chair, Richmond Museum Society Board, spoke in favour of a destination museum, noting that the Board supports the project. 

Joe Da Silva, member of the Richmond Museum Society Board, commented on traditional fundraising models and was of the opinion that the widespread use of social media would ameliorate the manner in which funds are raised.  As such, Mr. Da Silva stated that the Board has updated the fundraising model to be online.

The Chair spoke of the fundraising model, querying whether it could generate adequate funding for a destination museum.  In response to the Chair’s comments, Mr. Da Silva stated that the Board anticipates fundraising approximately $5 million.  Also, Mr. Liedtke commented on the need for a destination museum versus a community museum, and thanked Helmut Eppich for his continued support.

Greg Walker, Vice-Chair, Richmond Museum Society Board, spoke in favour of a destination museum, noting that the updated Richmond Museum Feasibility Study has captured what is current in cultural tourism.  Mr. Walker requested that Council support this project by including it in the City’s Capital Plan.

Mr. Liedtke advised that the Board has received letters of support for a destination museum from both the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Richmond.  He then requested that Council support the project so that a destination museum master plan can be developed.

In reply to a query from Committee, Ms. Baxter advised that the Richmond Museum Feasibility Study does not include land acquisition costs.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond Museum Feasibility Study October 2012 update, (included as Attachment 1) to the staff report dated March 9, 2013 from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage, be received for information;

(2)

That staff be directed to prepare an updated Corporate Facility Implementation Plan, outlining new and existing corporate facilities; and

(3)

That the proposed destination museum be incorporated into the updated Corporate Facility Implementation Plan.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued and Committee commented that (i) Council has not committed any funds towards a new museum; (ii) additional detailed financial information is needed; (iii) the economy is recovering; and (iv) Richmond’s rich history should be showcased.

Discussion further ensued regarding potentially seeking approval of the electors for a destination museum.

The Chair commented on the list of proposed potential sites for a destination museum, noting that Duck Island should be included on this list.  Also, the Chair suggested that staff approach the Vancouver Airport Authority to examine potential partnership opportunities with its destination outlet mall on Sea Island.  

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

2.

Hugh McRoberts Secondary School Community Public Art Project

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-132) (REDMS No. 3733839 v.3)

Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, provided background information and commented on how the proposed art project would be made.

It was moved and seconded

That the concept proposal for the Hugh McRoberts Secondary School Community Public Art Project by artist Jasmine Reimer as presented in the staff report from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage dated February 25, 2013, be endorsed.

CARRIED

3.

Canada Line Elevated Guideway Terminus Public Art Project Terms of Reference

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-109) (REDMS No. 3808638 v. 3)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Canada Line Elevated Guideway Terminus Public Art Project Terms of Reference for an artist call, as outlined in the staff report dated March 7, 2013 from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage, be endorsed; and

(2)

That prior to issuance of the artist call, staff report back to Council seeking authority to modify the City Infrastructure Protocol and the Richmond Access Agreement, if needed, in order to accommodate the Canada Line Elevated Guideway Terminus Public Art Project.

CARRIED

4.

Richmond Arts Update 2012

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 3813486)

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Kim Somerville, Manager, Arts Services highlighted the City’s 2012 achievements in the arts and the following information was noted:

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the Arts and Culture Grant Program was introduced to help the infrastructure of arts and culture organizations by offering two types of grants;

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the Cultural Centre was renovated to better serve the community;

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Minoru Chapel Opera expanded to include both Fall and Spring series with matinee and evening performances;

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the Richmond Arts Awards continued in its fourth year, recognizing artistic achievement and contributions to the community;

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the Richmond Arts Strategy was endorsed by Council in Fall 2012, which will help facilitate growth of the arts in Richmond;

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the Richmond Art Gallery presented five exhibitions;

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the Rooftop Garden has become increasingly popular for those visiting the Brighouse Library / Cultural Centre;

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the Richmond Youth Media Program recorded more than 4,000 hours of youth programming;

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the Richmond Public Art Program continued to grow; the total number of completed Public Art projects is 97, with 41 active projects in progress; and

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Gateway Theatre produced four main stage productions, and two studio series productions.

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Arts Update 2012, as presented in the staff report of the same name, dated March 5, 2013 from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage , be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

King George Park Master Plan Update

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-KGEO1) (REDMS No. 3813134)

In reply to queries from Committee, Yvonne Stich, Park Planner, advised that (i) if in the future field upgrades are required and funding is in place, it would be feasible to upgrade the existing rugby / soccer sand field, and the baseball diamond into a one large artificial turf field; and (ii) recent improvements such as adding banners, and clearing the Woodlot and Hollow areas has opened up previously unused and unsafe spaces.

Balwant Sanghera, President, East Richmond Community Association, spoke in favour of the proposed upgrades to King George Park, highlighting that the Association has committed a minimum of $24,000 towards the proposed upgrades.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled King George Park Master Plan Update dated March 4, 2013 from the Senior Manager, Parks be endorsed as the guide for future development of King George Park.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Garden City Lands Public Consultation

In reply to a query from Committee, Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, advised that the Garden City Lands public consultation process is scheduled for May / June 2013. 

In reply to a comment regarding the Corporate Facility Implementation Plan, Ms. Carlile advised that staff require adequate time to draft a comprehensive report for Council’s consideration.

Discussion ensued regarding the upcoming Garden City Lands public consultation and staff was directed to provide Council with an update on the process.  It was suggested that information regarding the upcoming Garden City Lands public consultation process also be provided in an upcoming City Page.

(ii)

Museum Feasibility Study Update

The Chair referenced past suggestions related the feasibility of partnering with the Vancouver Airport Authority for a destination museum on Sea Island.

As a result, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate with the Vancouver Airport Authority if there is an opportunity for the Vancouver Airport Authority to provide land and a major donation for a destination museum in connection with their mall.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:06 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 26, 2013.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk