June 23, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Carol Day (entered at 4:01 p.m.)
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail

Absent:

Councillor Ken Johnston

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That Steveston Harbour Authority Lands 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, May 26, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

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

Cllr. Carol Day entered the meeting (4:01 p.m.).

DELEGATIONS

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) James Gates, Executive Director, accompanied by Norm Goldstein, Henry Pietraszek, and Pietro Widmer, Directors, Richmond Sharing Farm Society, updated Committee on the Society’s activities.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Gates provided the following information:

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to date, production has increased and harvesting is earlier due to the warm spring weather;

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the Society plans to formally have the community barn named after Mary Gazetas, founder of the Richmond Sharing Farm; also, a plaque will be considered as part of the her commemoration;

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the proposed barn is designed to accommodate expansion should the need arise in the future; and

§   

the Society is working with staff to examine green building options for the barn, such as solar power and a self-contained grey water system.

Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, advised that staff would work with the Society to bring forward a report to Council which meets the criteria of Policy 2016 - Naming Public Buildings – Parks or Places.

Discussion ensued regarding the drier climate and Committee suggested that staff consider opening the drainage ditches for irrigation purposes.

Committee then thanked the Society for the successful operation of the Richmond Sharing Farm.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Oris Development The Pier at London Landing - Donation of Public Artwork
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-116) (REDMS No. 4592981 v. 3)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the artwork donation by Oris Development to the City of Richmond, as presented in the staff report titled “Oris Development The Pier at London Landing - Donation of Public Artwork”, dated June 12, 2015, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be approved; and

(2)

That an amendment to the City’s Five Year Financial Plan (2015-2019) to include $59,897 for the cost of the artwork with funding coming from the Oris Development’s contribution as part of the rezoning application to the Public Art Reserve Fund be brought forward for Council’s consideration.

CARRIED

3.

Intracorp River Park Place Donation of Public Artwork
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-163) (REDMS No. 4588298 v. 2)

Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the selected artwork and Committee expressed concern with regard to whether the piece was timeless, engaging, and appropriate for such a significant gateway to the city.

Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, commented that the proposed concept was considered by the selection panel and they were of the opinion that the public would find the artwork engaging.

It was moved and seconded

That the artwork donation by Intracorp River Park Place to the City of Richmond, as presented in the staff report titled “Intracorp River Park Place Donation of Public Artwork,” dated June 2, 2015, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be approved.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding the timelessness and appropriateness of the artwork and whether the piece was reflective of the city.

The question on the motion was then called and it was DEFEATED with Cllrs. Day, McPhail, and Steves opposed.

Discussion continued related to (i) the potential to re-evaluate the public art fund, (ii) the selection panel’s review process and recommendation, and (iii) the appropriateness of the proposed artwork.  As a result of the discussion the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the artwork donation by Intracorp River Park Place to the City of Richmond be referred back to staff for further review.

CARRIED

4.

Steveston Town Square Park Concept Plan
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-00) (REDMS No. 4586522 v. 10)

Mr. Redpath provided background information on the Steveston Town Square Park Concept Plan and in response to queries from Committee, commented that the Park could be renamed at Council’s discretion and funding for the project could be achieved by transferring $250,000 from other completed projects approved as part of the 2015 Capital Program.

Discussion ensued regarding the infusion of Steveston and Japanese heritage in the concept plan and that a portrayal of the site’s history complete with a map of the various buildings (i.e., hospital, gambling den, saloon, and brothel) be included in the plan.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Steveston Town Square Park Concept Plan as described in the staff report titled “Steveston Town Square Park Concept Plan,” dated June 3, 2015,  from the Senior Manager, Parks, be approved; and

(2)

That $250,000 from the following completed projects, McLennan South ($23,000), McLennan North ($119,000), and Woodwards School ($55,000), and Parks General Development ($53,000) be transferred to fund the Steveston Town Square Park Concept Plan project and that this project be included in the 5 Year Financial Plan (2015–2019) amendment.

CARRIED

4A.

steveston harbour authority paramount site

The Chair circulated information related to the Steveston Harbour Authority’s (SHA) paramount site (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).  Discussion took place and the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That Parks and Public Works staff consider:

(1)

continuing Westwater Drive as far northeast as possible and connecting it directly with No. 2 Road;

(2)

moving the fence around Paramount Pond far enough north to consolidate SHA properties and allow internal SHA access around Paramount Pond; and

(3)

any future opportunities to exchange lands (e.g., road and dyke right-of-way) in order to acquire additional land east of the Britannia Shipyard.

The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued regarding the possible acquisition of land required to extend Westwater Drive to No. 2 Road and that staff report on the feasibility and associated costs for the proposed works.

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

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Community Services Division Updates

Marie Fenwick, Manager, Parks Programs, advised that the 20^th Anniversary of the Rivershed Society of BC 2015 Fraser River Swim Relay has been cancelled; however, the Society is organizing a series of paddles on the Fraser River between Prince George and Vancouver.  Staff is working with the Society and the Richmond Blue Dot team to organize an event for Friday, September 24, 2015.

Dee Bowley-Cowan, Britannia Site Supervisor, commented on the upcoming Ships to Shore Steveston 2015 event scheduled from June 29 to July 1, 2015, noting that the Canada Day parade will commence at 10 a.m. and fireworks at the Imperial Landing site will begin at 10 p.m.

Mr. Redpath noted that the credentials, caps and event details for Ships to Shore Steveston 2015 would be provided to Council in the near future and that the King George Park Rugby Field upgrades have been completed.

Serena Lusk, Senior Manager, Recreation and Sport Services, provided information on the public and stakeholder consultation process related to the community needs assessment update and advised that the results would be forwarded to Committee in fall 2015.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:46 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, June 23, 2015.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk