September 20, 2017 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Ken Johnston (entered at 4:47 p.m.)
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail

Also Present:

Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Alexa Loo

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:37 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on July 20, 2017, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

October 24, 2017, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

1.

Recreation Fee Subsidy Program – Proposed Program Revision and Consultation Results
(File Ref. No. 07-3190-01) (REDMS No. 5346044 v. 12)

Kim Somerville, Manager, Community Social Development, introduced Donna Lee, Inclusion Coordinator.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) Ms. Lee provided background information and highlighted the following:

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the recreation fee subsidy program (RFSP) was approved by Council in 1998;

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the RFSP provides subsidized access to parks, recreation and cultural services opportunities for Richmond residents with low income;

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the RFSP is made possible through the City in partnership with and community partners;

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as part of the consultation process, community partners agreed that a revised RFSP should include free admission for all ages and a 90% discount on program registration fees;

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Richmond’s recreation delivery system involves 14 different associations and societies in the delivery of programs and services, and therefore the funding strategy is complex; however, all partners have agreed to collectively contribute to a Central Fund;

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community partners have agreed to contribute 1.1% of gross revenues less grants, donations, sponsorship, and interest to the Central Fund;

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it is proposed that 10% of the registration fee would be paid by the RFSP client, and the remainder would be drawn from the Central Fund; and

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the RFSP stakeholder consultation indicated that community partners and City operations support shifting the age at which seniors pricing take effect from 55 to 65 years of age.

Councillor Johnston entered the meeting (4:47 p.m.).

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Lee advised that community partners were invited to attend three consultation meetings to discuss the various proposed changes to the RFSP.  

Further to Committee queries, Ms. Somerville provided the following information:

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community partners unanimously consented to the notion of a Central Fund following the receipt of detailed information regarding how the funding model would function;

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a contingency fund is necessary to cover subsidies for registered programs in the event that registrations increase significantly;

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full-time administration support is needed to ensure proper customer service;

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the Richmond Olympic Oval will provide access to certain programs that complement the programming available at Community Centres; however they would not be contributing to or drawing from the Central Fund; and

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no minimum is required for a class before clients participating in the RSFP program may register.

Ms. Somerville then advised that applicants go through a thorough screening process to receive funding as part of the RFSP.

Julie Halfnights, President, Thompson Community Association and Paige Robertson, President, City Centre Community Association, provided the following information:

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although the Associations were concerned regarding the funding model of the Central Fund, they are in favour of it following discussion with their respective Association’s treasurers;

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the Associations are in favour of changing the age at which seniors pricing takes effect from 55 to 65 years of age;

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from previous experience, it was observed that it is not equitable to place a minimum registration requirement before allowing RFSP participants to register;  and

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the Associations are agreeable to the proposed quarterly reporting, one year progress report and two year review of the revised RFSP.

In reply to a further query from Committee, Ms. Lee advised that some programs will not be available as part of the RFSP, specifically private lessons and non-basic recreation programs.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That revisions to the Recreation Fee Subsidy Program and funding strategy as outlined in the report titled “Recreation Fee Subsidy Program – Proposed Program Revision and Consultation Results,” dated August 24, 2017 from the General Manager, Community Services, be adopted;

(2)

That staff bring forward a progress report to Council on Recreation Fee Subsidy Program participation after one year of implementation, and a final evaluation report after two years of implementation that includes any recommended adjustments to the program and a long-term funding strategy; and

(3)

That the age at which seniors pricing takes effect in the City’s Community Services programs and services shift from 55 to 65 years of age, concurrent with implementation of the updated Recreation Fee Subsidy Program.

2.

Skateboarding Facilities in Richmond
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 5447137 v. 6)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Skateboarding Facilities in Richmond,” dated August 30, 2017, from the Interim Director, Parks and Recreation, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Garry Point Park Master Plan Update
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-GARR2) (REDMS No. 5518740 v. 7)

Jamie Esko, Manager, Parks Planning, Design and Construction, introduced Alexander Kurnicki, Research Planner 2.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Esko advised that the original Garry Point Park Master Plan did not envision that steel piles and associated dock infrastructure be installed in order to host large ships and other maritime themed festivals.  Therefore, should the Garry Point Park Master Plan be updated, she stated that the new Plan would incorporate the Park’s current features and activities; also, Ms. Esko advised that staff would update Council on the progress of the Plan such as the results of the public consultation process, and the guiding principles for the development of the Plan.

Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager, Community Services, advised that a staff report regarding the Garry Point Park Legacy Pier Proposal would be forthcoming.  Ms. Carlile then noted that should the Garry Point Park Master Plan not receive funding as part of the 2018 budget process, the current Plan would remain in place.

In reply to a query from Committee, Marie Fenwick, Manager, Museum and Heritage Services, spoke to power kite flying at Garry Point Park, and noted that (i) a permit is required, (ii) kites must display identification cards, and (iii) the activity may be managed through the City’s Public Parks and School Grounds Bylaw No. 8771.

Councillors Dang and Loo left the meeting (5:16 p.m.) and did not return.

Discussion ensued regarding the potential to update the Garry Point Park Master Plan and the Chair queried whether an update was needed.

Ms. Esko stated that should the Plan be updated, staff anticipate incorporating the Park’s current features and activities into it, in addition to examining current trends and other notions that may be highlighted as part of a public consultation process.

Discussion further took place and it was noted that the current Plan has not been updated since 1983 and the results of a public consultation on the Plan would be valuable.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Garry Point Park Master Plan Update,” dated September 1, 2017, from the General Manager, Community Services, be received for information, and that a funding request to update the Garry Point Park Master Plan Update not be submitted as part of the 2018 budget process.

CARRIED
Opposed: Cllr. McPhail

4.

West Richmond Pitch and Putt Golf Course
(File Ref. No. 11-7200-01) (REDMS No. 5340498 v. 12)

In reply to queries from Committee, Gregg Wheeler, Manager, Sport and Community Events, advised that the number of rounds played per year has decreased and that trends indicate that people are engaging in other activities rather than investing the time and money required to successfully play golf.

Mr. Wheeler advised that maintenance costs for the Pitch and Putt’s failing infrastructure are increasing rapidly, and thereby decreasing the number days the course is available for use.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “West Richmond Pitch and Putt Golf Course,” dated September 1, 2017, from the Interim Director, Parks and Recreation, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Summer 2017 Program Update
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 5501954 v. 6)

Serena Lusk, Interim Director, Parks and Recreation, introduced Angela Rai, Planner 1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office). Ms. Rai highlighted the following information regarding the 2017 summer program session:

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a vast array of programs were offered;

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programs were available for preschoolers, children and youth;

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over 28,000 registrants participated;

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testimonials were provided by participants and parents to demonstrate the positive impact of these programs;

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low-cost and no-cost events were provided by the City to ensure that all children had access to the same benefits as those registered in programs and camps;

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often children who participate in the City’s programs return as volunteers, and youth leaders; and

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the City and its partners delivered a summer of high quality programs.

In reply to a query from Committee, Ms. Rai advised that program registration has been consistent since last year.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Summer 2017 Program Update,” dated August 31, 2017, from the Senior Manager, Recreation and Sport Services, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Garden City Lands

Ms. Esko provided an update on the condition of soil at the Garden City Lands, noting that hot spots indicated that lead was detected in the soil.  As such, she remarked that new soil be deposited on top of the existing soil.  Ms. Esko then noted that the newly deposited soil meets all Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) requirements; also, she remarked that staff is working with the ALC in an effort to increase the newly deposited soil’s nutrient levels.  She added that Kwantlen Polytechnic University is in favour of the new soil for their Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Farm; however the University would like to increase the soil’s organic matter and nutrient levels.

Discussion took place and Committee requested that Council be provided copies of the (i) soil report, (ii) documentation from the ALC, and (iii) documentation from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

(ii)

Steveston Post Office

Discussion ensued regarding the Steveston Post Office and how it would be managed and operated following the expiry of the operating agreement between the Steveston Historical Society and Tourism Richmond.

Ms. Carlile advised referenced a referral made at the July 20, 2017 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee, and noted that a staff report on the Steveston Post Office is forthcoming.

(iii)

Update on Culture Days and Harvest Fest

Ms. Fenwick highlighted that Culture Days launches on September 29^th, and as part of Culture Days, the restoration of the tram will be commemorated on October 1^st. Also, she noted that  Harvest Fest will take place on September 30^th at the Garden City Lands and Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be in attendance to mark the opening of the school’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Farm.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:44 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 Wednesday,   September 20, 2017.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Sarah Kurian
Legislative Services Coordinator