May 26, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Ken Johnston (entered at 4:45 p.m.)
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Bill McNulty

Absent:

Councillor Linda McPhail

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That Garry Point Park Pier and Accessible Float be added to the agenda as Item No. 4A.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, June 23, 2015, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATION

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, Kara Fredrick, Manager, Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS), accompanied by Donna Murray, Director, provided an update on the Society’s activities.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Fredrick commented that the RAPS would prefer that another location be explored to accommodate the expansion or replacement of the current facility.  Also, Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, referenced a feasibility study, which would be forwarded to new Council members, commenting that it identified the need for open space for additional programming, including exercising the animals.

Discussion ensued regarding the potential for the RAPS to consider expansion of the facility at its current location and contracting with a bon-a-fide farmer for the care and shelter of farm animals.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

1.

Richmond Heritage Update 2014
(File Ref. No. 11-7141-01) (REDMS No. 4573983)

With the aid of a video presentation, Connie Baxter, Supervisor, Museum and Heritage Sites, accompanied by Sheila Hill, Curator of Exhibitions, highlighted the 2014 Richmond Heritage Update.

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Heritage Update 2014 as presented in the staff report titled “Richmond Heritage Update 2014”  from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage, dated May 7, 2015, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Arts Update 2014
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 4502337)

A video presentation highlighting the 2014 Richmond Arts Update was viewed by Committee.

In reply to queries from Committee, Kim Somerville, Manager, Arts Services, noted that the installation of the second public art project at the Canada Line’s Brighouse Station will be installed in fall 2015.  She further noted that staff anticipates continued growth in arts and public education programming, such as (i) the adult dance company, (ii) the children’s festival, (iii) the arts festival, and (iv) the exhibits and programming at the Richmond Art Gallery.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled, “Richmond Arts Update 2014” from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, dated May 4, 2015, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Garden City Lands 2015 Update
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-GCIT1) (REDMS No. 4573521 v. 4)

In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Redpath, accompanied by Jamie Esko, Park Planner, provided the following information regarding progress on the Garden City Lands:

§   

a public information session is anticipated to take place in fall 2015;

§   

detailed planning and development of the Lands is ongoing; Phase 1 work includes the design and construction of the perimeter trail, the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) agriculture farm, and the completion of the hydrology report;

§   

the final hydrology study, expected to be presented to Council in fall 2015, will report on the height and delineation of the dyke;

§   

existing drainage on the Lands will allow access to KPU for the development of a agriculture and research farm;

§   

construction of the southwest perimeter trail will commence in fall 2015; and

§   

the “Sanctuary” and “Wetland” areas will be protected natural habitats.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the location of the dyke, (ii) the suspension of development planning pending the results of the hydrology study, and (iii) the removal of the “mound” area.

Jim Wright, 8300 Osgoode, spoke on behalf of the Garden City Conservation Society and read from the written submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1).

Councillor Johnston entered the meeting (4:45 p.m.).

In reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Redpath advised that further public consultation will take place in fall 2015 and staff will continue to liaise with many groups including the Garden City Lands Conservation Society.

Discussion ensued regarding staff conducting a workshop to obtain further public input, and examining agricultural lands drainage on any future development.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Garden City Lands 2015 Update,” dated May 6, 2015, from the Senior Manager, Parks, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

King George Park Rugby Field Upgrades
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-KGEO1) (REDMS No. 4570342 v. 2)

In response to queries from Committee, Gregg Wheeler, Manager, Community Services Division, advised that approximately $300,000 will remain in the Special Sports Reserve sub-fund following the completion of the rugby field upgrades.  Also, he advised that every effort is being taken to ensure construction will have minimal impact on the sports fall schedule.

It was moved and seconded

That the City’s 5 Year Financial Plan (2015-2019), as outlined in the staff report titled “King George Park Rugby Field Upgrades,” dated May 7, 2015, from the Senior Manager, Parks, be amended to include $115,000 for rugby field improvements at King George Park to be funded from the Sports Fund within Capital Building Infrastructure Reserve.

CARRIED

4A.

garry point park pier and accessible float
(File Ref. No.)

Councillor McNulty spoke to the need for a permanent pier and accessible float at Garry Point Park.  As a result of the discussion the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a concept and develop cost estimates for the modification of the Garry Point Park marine pilings and associated structures for the creation of a permanent pier and accessible float to be considered as a legacy project for the Canada 150 Fund and report back to Committee.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:51 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk