November 25, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Bill McNulty

Absent:

Councillor Ken Johnston

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 28, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, December 17, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

The Chair advised that Emergency Weather Shelters will be considered as Item No. 1A, Richmond Allotment Gardens Association will be considered as Item No. 1B, and Cultural Focus for Festivals will be considered as Item No. 1C.

DELEGATION

1.

Referring to his submission, (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) Dr. Jim Tanaka and Mary Hirano, Wakayama Kenjin Kai, presented on (i) Wakayama Kenjin Kai’s activities, (ii) the upcoming 50^th  anniversary of the founding of the organization, and (iii) a proposed Cherry Blossom Festival in Richmond.

Dr. Tanaka then requested to Committee that (i) the Wakayama Kenjin Kai’s upcoming 50^th anniversary receive City recognition under a special event category, and (ii) the Wakayama Kenjin Kai be associated with the proposed Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival.

In reply to queries from Committee, Dr. Tanaka and Ms. Hirano advised that the proposed Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival would be a family-oriented event and would include displays and activities showcasing Japanese culture.

Discussion ensued regarding other groups that hold similar events to the proposed Cherry Blossom Festival. Dr. Tanaka noted that the Wakayama Kenjin Kai would request to be associated with the proposed Cherry Blossom Festival.

Discussion then ensued with regard to the opportunity to showcase Richmond’s pioneers through the proposed festival, which could include an open house or parade and extend over the course of a weekend.

In reply to queries from Committee, Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager, Community Services, advised that staff can review the special event’s budget and report back on the feasibility of the proposed Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival.

Discussion took place regarding the City’s role in organizing festivals and coordinating with community groups. Dr. Tanaka advised that the proposed festival is not anticipated to conflict with other community events.

Discussion then ensued with regard to some of the City’s criteria for supporting a festival, including (i) having sponsors in place, (ii) being community driven, and (iii) involving different community groups.

In reply to queries from Committee with respect to the community event hosted by the Steveston Buddhist Temple, Dr. Tanaka noted that the Obon is an annual celebration held in the summer and is an unrelated event from the proposed Cherry Blossom Festival.

In reply to queries from Committee, Dr. Tanaka clarified that Wakayama Kenjin Kai is presenting a request for two separate events – first to recognize the 50^th anniversary of the Wakayama Kenjin Kai, and second to associate the Wakayama Kenjin Kai with the proposed Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival.

Ms. Carlile, noted that there are currently no plans to organize a cherry blossom festival for Richmond, however staff can examine options for developing a cherry blossom festival and acknowledging the Wakayama Kenjin Kai’s 50^th anniversary.

Discussion ensued with regard to the re-opening of the former Japanese Hospital building in the Steveston area and aligning the event to the proposed Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival. Connie Baxter, Supervisor, Museum and Heritage Sites, noted that staff anticipate that the former Japanese Hospital building will re-open in March 2015.

In response to Committee’s discussion, Mike Redpath, Manager, Parks, commented that staff can examine options for a tree planting ceremony in the Steveston area in recognition of the 50^th anniversary of the Wakayama Kenjin Kai.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine options for:

(1)

the commemoration of the Wakayama Kenjin Kai’s 50^th anniversary; and

(2)

the organization of a Cherry Blossom Festival in collaboration with community groups;

and report back.

The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued regarding (i) the different plant species used for planting at Garry Point, (ii) the source for the native plant species, and (iii) short and long-term plans for a Cherry Blossom Festival.

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

1A.

Emergency Weather Shelters
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued with respect to correspondence from the St. Alban’s Extreme Weather Shelter (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) regarding the high demand for emergency weather shelter facilities in Richmond and the possible resources the City can offer to help meet demand.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Carlile advised that the City currently does not have assets available in the City Centre area; however staff can examine other available assets that potentially may be reallocated in an effort to respond to the demand for shelters. Also, Mr. Redpath stated that staff can examine possible park assets that may be repurposed for shelter facilities.

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) the types of resources required to help meet the demand for shelters, (ii) whether the use of vacant City property is appropriate for emergency weather shelters, (iii) identifying shelters that are in proximity to transit, (iv) encouraging other community groups such as churches to provide facilities for emergency weather shelters, (v) the range of individuals and families that use emergency weather shelters, (vi) coordinating with other levels of government to address homelessness, (vii) collaborating with developers to provide emergency weather shelters, affordable housing and child care facilities in the city, and (viii) individuals from other parts of the Lower Mainland that utilize shelter facilities and other programs in the city.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff:

(1)

examine City assets that could be allocated to help meet the demand for extreme weather shelters;

(2)

examine the types of shelters that could accommodate families and women; and

(3)

examine options to increase capacity for homeless shelters in the city;

and report to the Planning Committee.

CARRIED

1B.

Richmond Allotment Gardens Association
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued with respect to correspondence received from the Richmond Allotment Gardens Association (copy on file City Clerk’s Office) regarding the classification of the property at 10711 Palmberg Road as farmland under BC Assessment.

It was noted that the organization was unable to meet BC Assessment’s criteria to have the property classified as farmland and as a result, the organization had to increase garden plot fees.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff coordinate with BC Assessment to examine options to reduce the tax rate at the site located at 10711 Palmberg Road and report back.

CARRIED

1C.

Cultural Focus for Festivals
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued with regard to events and activities that would unite cultural groups in the city.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Carlile advised that staff are currently creating a strategic plan for City events.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine potential culturally focused events and activities that the City can organize in conjunction with community groups and report back.

The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued with respect to (i) uniting cultural groups in the city, (ii) organizing block parties in the city, and (iii) including community groups in the organization of cultural events.

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

2.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Turf Pest – European Chafer in Richmond

Ted deCrom, Manager, Parks Operations, briefed Committee on the effects of the European Chafer on turf in the city and the difficulties of controlling the pest.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. deCrom noted that a brochure providing information about the control and treatment of the European Chafer is available to residents. He also noted that information on the European Chafer will also be available on the City’s website.

Dave Semple, General Manager, Community Services, advised that the information on the European Chafer could also be made available in other languages.

Discussion ensued with regard to natural treatment options for the European Chafer, and Mr. deCrom advised that other areas in the Lower Mainland have also been affected and the City is working with those municipalities to control the pest.

(ii)

Use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the City

John Woolgar, Manager, Aquatic, Arena and Fitness Services, briefed Committee on an incident that occurred in a City facility where an AED was used to resuscitate an individual.

Discussion ensued regarding the involvement of the Heart and Stroke Foundation in the installation of the City’s AED stations.

Staff were then directed to write a letter updating the Heart and Stroke Foundation on the use of AEDs in the City.

(iii)

Watermania Aquatic Centre

Serena Lusk, Senior Manager, Recreation and Sport, spoke on the Watermania Aquatic Centre facility lease. She noted that more consultation is needed with the owner of the facility and that staff will report back to Council once they have additional information.

(iv)

Branscombe House

Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, provided an update on the restoration of the Branscombe House, highlighting that it will be  open to the public early in 2015.

(v)

Alexandra Park – Alexandra District Energy Utility (ADEU)

Mr. Redpath briefed Committee on the Alexandra Park ADEU expansion and noted that public consultation will begin in early 2015.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:11 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, November 25, 2014.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Evangel Biason
Auxiliary Committee Clerk