July 23, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Also Present:

Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Alexa Loo (entered at 4:55 p.m.)

Call to Order:

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

AGENDA ADDITIONS

It was moved and seconded

That Public Art AM-PRI Partnership with Emily Carr, Branscombe House Update, Effects of Stage 3 Water Restrictions on Parks and Aquatics Update, and Residency Requirement on Local Sports Associations be added to the agenda as Items No. 7A through 7D.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on June 23, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

September 29, 2015, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COUNCILLOR CAROL DAY

1.

pUBLIC ART
(File Ref. No.)

Councillor Day spoke to public art having a dual purpose and referenced the Vancity Buzz article by Kenneth Chan on the wooden ‘Urban Reef’ street furniture.

Discussion ensued regarding public art including heritage restorations (i.e., the Rung Runner vessel and other historical artefacts) and it was noted that projects for consideration should have a high degree of prominence, public use and/or public realm impact as stated in Section 5.2.2(a) of the City’s Public Art Program Policy 8703.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the Vancity Buzz article on the wooden ‘Urban Reef’ street furniture be refer to staff to explore augmenting the City’s Public Art Program Policy 8703 to add functional and historic design criteria.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR HAROLD STEVES

2.

MARITIME MUSEUM of B.C.
(File Ref. No.)

The Chair provided background information on the Victoria Times article regarding the Maritime Museum of B.C. Society’s (the “Society”) search for a permanent location.  He proposed that staff explore (i) the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and the Britannia Shipyards National Historic sites as potential locations, (ii) the possibility of the ONNI site as a temporary location, and (iii) potential funding sources.

In reply to queries from Committee, Connie Baxter, Coordinator – Leisure and Heritage, advised that preliminary discussions with the Society indicate that they are open to a location outside of the Victoria area and that the museum would require approximately 40,000 square feet of waterfront space. Also, she commented that there was a former proposal in North Vancouver; however, support for the project was withdrawn by the Province.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the viability of the concept, particularly related to its financing and space requirements, (ii) discussions with ONNI concerning the future of the maritime use site, (iii) the potential for the museum to be included in the City’s Major Capital Program Phase II priority list, and (iv) the need for public consultation on the matter.

In response to a query from Committee, Serena Lusk, Senior Manager, Recreation and Sport Services, advised that a staff report on the Major Capital Program Phase II is anticipated for fall 2015.

Loren Slye, Chair, Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society, accompanied by Linda Barnes, Chair, 2020 Group, spoke to the available space in the Seine Net Loft building and to the loss of artefacts due to the lack of archival storage space.  Mr. Slye and Ms. Barnes urged Committee to prioritize the space available.

In reply to a query from Committee, Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, commented that a staff report related to archival spaces will be presented at a future Committee meeting.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the Maritime Museum of B.C. and archival storage space be referred to staff for analysis including but not limited to the Major Capital Program Phase II priority list.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

3.

Steveston Channel Sheer Booms
(File Ref. No. 11-7200-01) (REDMS No. 4593379 v. 10)

Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, provided background information on the condition of the sheer booms and noted that a significant financial investment will be required for the removal and replacement of the piles.

In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Redpath stated that staff is recommending that discussions on the replacement costs be undertaken with senior levels of government.  He further stated that (i) where possible, salvaged logs would be repurposed, (ii) in recent years sheer booms have become primarily a provincial concern, and (iii) a request to meet with the Chair of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities has been initiated.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Steveston Channel Sheer Booms,” dated June 25, 2015, from the Senior Manager, Parks, be received for information; and

(2)

That a letter be sent to the British Columbia Provincial Minister of Forest, Lands and Natural Resources Operations, to the Federal Minister of Transportation, Richmond’s Members of Parliament, and Richmond’s Members of the Provincial Legislative Assembly to raise awareness of the Steveston Cannery Channel floating debris issue, the continued hazards to navigation posed by it and to seek support to remedy the issue.

CARRIED

4.

Tait Riverfront Park Concept Plan
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-TRIV1) (REDMS No. 4629225 v. 8)

Mr. Redpath, accompanied by Clarence Sihoe, Park Planner, provided background information and advised that, should the proposed plan be approved, the development of the park would be included in the 2017 Capital budget.

In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Redpath advised that washrooms are generally not installed in a neighbourhood park.  Mr. Sihoe further advised that design plans for the proposed water feature will be explored during the next phase of development.

Committee suggested that, in light of the current water restrictions, staff explore natural water uses, such as a pond or river water rather than a splash park for the proposed water element.

It was moved and seconded

That the Tait Riverfront Park Concept Plan, as outlined in the staff report titled “Tait Riverfront Park Concept Plan,” dated June 29, 2015, from the Senior Manager, Parks, be approved.

CARRIED

5.

Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation Bylaw No. 8771 Referral – June 2015
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01; 12-8060-20-008771) (REDMS No. 4600713 v. 11)

In reply to queries from Committee, Marie Fenwick, Manager, Parks Programs, provided the following information:

§   

signage, including appropriate contact information for the Richmond RC Flyers Club, will be posted at Manoah Steves Park;

§   

membership to the Richmond RC Flyers Club is free;

§   

staff have been in contact with several stakeholders at the Vancouver International Airport, and these stakeholders have indicated their support for the proposal; and

§   

should the proposal be approved by Council, staff will further liaise with the airport stakeholders to carry out an aviation risk assessment.

Discussion took place on power kite activities and it was noted that the development of a Code of Conduct would be valuable.

Ken Martin, avid power kiter, stated that he has been power kiting at Garry Point Park for 17 years.  He was of the opinion that power kiting at the Park acts as a tourist attraction and spoke in favour of staff’s efforts to partner with the power kiting community to develop a Code of Conduct.  Also, Mr. Martin commented on the value of appropriate signage at the Park to inform users of the activities taking place at the Park.

Ben Baker, 3246 Regent Street, stated that his son has been power kiting for two years and the activity has allowed him to flourish.  Mr. Baker then thanked staff for their efforts in explaining the local government process and commented on liability insurance, noting that its costs can be prohibitive.

Discussion then took place on the potential to ban drones and Ms. Fenwick advised that Transport Canada recommendations do not allow the operation of a drone within nine kilometres of an airport.

Councillor Loo entered the meeting (4:55 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Manoah Steves Park be designated for model aircraft use under the code of conduct outlined in Attachment 1, in the staff report titled “Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation Bylaw No. 8771 Referral – June 2015,” dated June 29, 2015, from the Senior Manager, Parks; and

(2)

That Garry Point Park be designated for permit only – recreational power kite usage through the development and implementation of a permit system as detailed in the staff report titled “Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation Bylaw No. 8771 Referral – June 2015,” dated June 29, 2015, from the Senior Manager, Parks.

CARRIED

6.

Canada 150 Activities
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 4620635 v. 6)

Discussion ensued and it was suggested that Council, in addition to the community, be included in Richmond’s Canada 150 activities engagement process.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the vision for Richmond’s Canada 150 activities, events and infrastructure be endorsed, as outlined in the staff report titled, “Canada 150 Activities”, dated June 19, 2015, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services;

(2)

the guiding principles for determining Richmond’s Canada 150 activities, events and infrastructure be endorsed;

(3)

staff be authorized to engage Council and the community for input into Richmond’s Canada 150 activities, events and infrastructure; and

(4)

staff report back with options for Council’s consideration.

CARRIED

The meeting was recessed at 5:01 p.m.

The meeting reconvened at 5:04 p.m. with all members of Council present.

7.

Discontinuance of Fee Paying Programs by Richmond School District
(File Ref. No. 01-0155-02) (REDMS No. 4625496 v. 6)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled, “Discontinuance of Fee Paying Programs by Richmond School District,” dated June 29, 2015, from the Senior Manager, Recreation and Sport, be received for information and be forward to the next Council/School Board Liaison meeting.

CARRIED

7A.

Public Art - Ampri Partnership with Emily Carr
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion took place on an article titled “Developer give emerging artists a big boost” dated July 22, 2015 from the Richmond Review, and the potential to further partner with other post-secondary institutions.

In reply to queries from Committee, Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, advised that details of the proposed partnership has not been finalized.

7B.

BranscomBe house update
(File Ref. No.)

Ms. Fernyhough provided an update on activities at the Branscombe House, highlighting that new window coverings have been installed, and the building is available for private bookings.  Also, she noted that staff are processing applications for the artist in residence program at the House.

7C.

Effects of Stage 3 Water Restrictions on Parks and Aquatics Update
(File Ref. No.)

Ted de Crom, Manager, Parks Operations, spoke to the effects of the stage 3 water restrictions to park activities, noting that recycled water is being utilized.

John Woolgar, Manager, Aquatic and Arena Services, advised that all City pools remain open; however, should the water restriction raise to level 4, outdoor pool would be closed, and all activities at said pools would be relocated to an indoor pool.

7D.

Residency Requirement on local Sports Associations
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion took place on residency requirements for local sports associations and it was noted that a consistent requirement for all Richmond associations would be suitable.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff analyse local sport group residency requirements and report back.

CARRIED

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Community Services Division Updates

Ms. Fernyhough introduced Camilla Tibbs, Executive Director, Gateway Theatre.

Ms. Fenwick spoke to the “The Faerie Play” at the Terra Nova Sharing Farm playing from August 5 to August 15, 2015.  Also, she spoke of the 7^th Annual Garlic Festival, noting that it will take place on August 23, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mr. Tasaka highlighted that the 12^th Annual Richmond Maritime Festival will held at Britannia Heritage Shipyards on August 8 and 9, 2015  and spoke to the event’s evening concert line-up.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:12 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 July 23, 2015.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk