January 28, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

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 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, October 29, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, February 25, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

2014 Maritime Themed Summer Festivals
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 4124153)

In response to queries regarding grant funding and the festival budgets, Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, advised that the City received grant funding in 2012; however, the application in 2013 was not submitted in time to be considered.  It is anticipated that the City will be successful in receiving grant funding for 2014.  Ms. Fernyhough noted that there had been no increase to the Richmond Maritime Festival budget from the 2013 figures.

Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, advised that the Ship to Shore budget was increased by approximately $20,000 in order to ensure adequate funding for the program and ship equipment.  Any excess revenues would be returned to the Major Events Provisional Fund.  Mr. Redpath noted that staff had received preliminary commitments from several Class B and C vessels, including a Coastal Patrol Vessel; however, final commitments are pending the approval of the project.

The Chair spoke regarding the City considering celebrating British Columbia’s 150^th Birthday in 2016 with a bigger and better “Tall Ship” event and directed that staff review the matter.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the transfer of $430,000 be authorized from the Major Events Provisional Fund to support Ships to Shore 2014, Maritime Festival 2014 and Richmond Days of Summer promotional campaign to provide funding support as outlined in the staff report from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services and the Senior Manager, Parks dated January 8, 2014;

(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 2014 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 Ships to Shore 2014, Maritime Festival 2014 and Richmond Days of Summer be included in the 5 Year Financial Plan (2014-2018).

CARRIED

1A.

maritime and heritage venues
(File Ref. No.)

Committee raised a concern related to opportunities for Council to attend heritage and maritime venues and the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the matter of Maritime and Heritage venues be referred to staff to investigate and bring a report for information on best practices in Maritime and Heritage themed destinations and governance models.

The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued regarding opportunities to attend Canadian and American destinations, such as Mystic, Connecticut. In terms of future plans for Steveston and the Britannia Shipyard, discussion ensued regarding the need for a policy concerning heritage and maritime venues, including funding avenues, government models, ship recruitment, volunteer recruitment, and management.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the question on the referral was then called and it was CARRIED.

1B.

Rescheduling parks, recreation and cultural services committee meeting for may 27, 2014
(File Ref. No.)

Committee directed that the City Clerk reschedule the May 27, 2014 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting due to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference in Ontario.

1C.

minoru aquatic facility
(File Ref. No.)

Committee questioned when staff would be bringing forward a report on the status of the Minoru Aquatic Facility project.  Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager, Community Services, advised that advertising and information regarding membership to the Advisory Committee will be going out shortly and staff is looking at different architectural elements.  Specific details on the facility are not available at this time.  A community consultation process will take place in order to examine the needs and constraints in the current programming.

Serena Lusk, Senior Manager, Recreation and Sport Services, noted that the consultation process is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2014.  Based on the information provided through the Advisory Committee and consultation process, the Architects will formulate the design of the facility.

2.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Community Services Department Updates

Ms. Fernyhough advised that the Children’s Arts Festival, held in conjunction with Family Day on February 10, 2014, includes programming and events throughout Richmond Community Centres, pools and arenas for family swim, skating and photo booth events.  Staff has put together a variety of free or low cost programs to give families an opportunity to participate in yoga, dance, gym time and art classes.  Also, she noted that the next Art Gallery Show opens on Saturday, February 8, 2014 titled “Time Travellers Children’s Trilogy.”  PechaKucha Night with the theme “What’s your story?” will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2014.

Elizabeth Ayers, Manager, Community Recreation Services, noted that Wednesday, February 26, 2014 is Anti-bullying Day.  It is an opportunity to work with the Richmond School District, RCMP, and Richmond Fire-Rescue to create awareness for ongoing friendly and safe environments for people throughout the City.  T-Shirts and buttons would be available as a fund raising opportunity. Also, staff is asking that the Mayor proclaim February 26^th as Anti-Bullying Day.

Liesl Jauk, Manager, Community Cultural Development, stated that staff are accepting nominations for the Richmond Art Awards with a deadline of March 17, 2014.  The deadline for Writer-in-Residency applications was yesterday with thirteen submissions received.  The applications are being reviewed by Richmond Arts Centre, Minoru Place Activity Centre, and Richmond Library staff in advance of interviews to select a candidate by the end of February. The residency will take place in the fall, with an opening event during Culture Days at the end of September. The Lulu Series: Art in the City kicks off with Cath Brunner speaking on the subject of “Public Art in Public Works Buildings and Infrastructure” on Thursday, March 13, 2014.  On Thursday, April 10, 2014, Richard Tetrault will speak on the use of murals to explore cultural identity and origin.  Charles Montgomery rounds out the series speaking on “Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design” on Thursday, May 15, 2014.

(ii)

Branscombe House

In response to a query regarding uses for the Branscombe House, Ms. Fernyhough stated that an Expression of Interest is being prepared and staff is researching the Artist in Residence use and anticipates bringing forward a report for Council’s consideration in the near future.

(iii)

Railway Avenue Greenway Trail

In response to a query regarding landscaping along the greenway trail, Mr. Redpath noted that there is a significant replanting program associated with the trail reconstruction and the first phase of the planting is underway with a mix of evergreen and deciduous plantings.  Also, he noted that benches are planned to be installed along the trail.

The proposal for constructing a small station stop at each end of the historical trail was discussed.  Mr. Redpath advised that the bus stops along the trail would be upgraded as funds were available.  The interpretation program has yet to be rolled out which uses signage to tell the story of the rail line, the tram, and the stations.  As well, thermal plastic anti-slip stencils replicating the tram schedule and the original tickets will be placed along the route.  Committee suggested that the tram station buttons produced during the public consultation process be made available to the public.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:36 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, January 28, 2014.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk