November 28, 2017 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Bill McNulty
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 October 24, 2017, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

December 20, 2017, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATION

1.

Community Garden Program

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Anita Georgy, Executive Director, Richmond Food Security Society, highlighted the following information regarding the Community Garden Program:

§   

the Program is very popular and there is a 262 person waitlist for a garden plot;

§   

there are nine sites with 321 plots, and 57 community group plots;

§   

certain plots are designed in a manner to accommodate the primary users; for instance, plots are raised to assist older adults with mobility issues; and

§   

the Program has partnered with other local groups such as the Richmond School District, Vancouver Coastal Health, the Richmond Society for Community Living, and Pathways Clubhouse.

Ms. Georgy then shared several experiences by users of the Program, noting that the gardens truly make a difference in residents’ quality of life.  Also, she commented on the Program’s financials, and reviewed the food security continuum.

Discussion took place regarding the Program’s financials and it was noted that holistic financial information would be valuable.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Georgy provided the following information:

§   

the waitlist for a plot remains steady;

§   

the sites are primarily maintained by the gardeners;

§   

the Society is working with Parks Department staff to secure new sites, with the Garden City Lands earmarked as the next site for community garden plots;

§   

produce theft from community garden plots is common in the Lower Mainland; the installation of cameras and fencing have been examined in an effort to address this concern; 

§   

new signage will be installed in the immediate future with clear icons that illustrate appropriate community garden behaviour; and

§   

a gardener must agree to adhere to a set of strict rules when accepting a community garden plot; for instance, there are regulations on the number of pots and other gardening equipment that may be stored on-site.

It was suggested that the Society present the Community Garden Program to its other partners like Vancouver Coastal Health and the Richmond School District.

In reply to a query from Committee, Serena Lusk, Interim Director, Parks and Recreation, advised that additional sites are reviewed on a park-by-park basis as part of the park development process.

In light of the current waitlist for a community garden plot, Committee expressed the desire to see additional plots in the imminent future.  Ms. Lusk advised that staff could examine potential sites such as the former Fantasy Gardens.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine potential sites for additional community garden plots in the near future and report back.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

2015-2020 Youth Service Plan: 2015-2016 Update
(File Ref. No. 07-3425-02) (REDMS No. 5611038 v.6)

Kim Somerville, Manager, Community Social Development, introduced Krista Germyn, Youth Coordinator and provided an update on the 2015-2020 Youth Services Plan.

Discussion took place and it was suggested that an update on the 2015-2020 Youth Services Plan be presented to the Richmond Sports Council. 

In reply to queries from Committee, staff provided the following information:

§   

the inter-municipal Youth Coordinator Committee’s mandate is to examine best practices and common youth trends;

§   

staff will continue to encourage youth involvement on City advisory committees and develop strategies to support youth in this capacity; and

§   

the City’s summer programs act as an ideal avenue in developing youths’ work and volunteer  skills.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “2015-2020 Youth Service Plan: 2015-2016 Update” dated November 8, 2017 from the Manager of Community Social Development, be received for information; and

(2)

That the 2015-2020 Youth Service Plan: 2015-2016 Update be distributed to key stakeholders and posted on the City website.

CARRIED

3.

City Centre Community Centre 2017 Public Art Projects
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-240) (REDMS No. 5649656)

In reply to queries from Committee, Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, advised that community art projects are of good value and that the material utilized for the installation in the Fitness Centre will be reviewed to ensure it does not affect the usability of the wall.

It was moved and seconded

That the concept proposals and installations of the City Centre Community Centre Community Art Project by artist Laara Cerman, and Legacy Artwork by artists Nadine Flagel and Deirdre Pinnock, as presented in the staff report titled “City Centre Community Centre 2017 Public Art Projects,” dated November 6, 2017, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be endorsed.

CARRIED

4.

Richmond Canada 150 – Year in Review
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 5583205 v.5)

Bryan Tasaka, Manager, Major Events and Film, provided background information and with the aid of a video presentation, highlighted various events and activities hosted as part of Richmond’s Canada 150 Celebrations.  Mr. Tasaka also demonstrated various features of the City’s Canada 150 website: www.richmondcanada150.com

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Tasaka highlighted that (i) community spirit in Richmond is strong as shown in the high number of volunteers for events, and (ii) there are approximately 1,800 volunteers who have contributed to a total of 14,360 hours served.

In response to comments regarding various events and whether there were opportunities to reduce costs, Mr. Tasaka advised that various factors affect event turnout; for instance, he noted that poor weather significantly affects attendance at outdoor events.  In addition, he remarked that many events in 2017 were new and therefore there were first-time costs associated with these events.  Mr. Tasaka then commented on the City’s procurement process for events, noting that “best value” is a cornerstone.

Committee then requested that the Richmond Canada 150 – Year In Review video be played at a Council meeting in the new year.  Also, it was suggested that the video be shared with Richmond Members of Parliament as federal funding was received.

Discussion then took place on the Canada 150 Steering Committee’s discussion regarding the 2018 budget for major events.  It was noted that Council had approved $1,510,000 during the 2017 budget process for 2018 events.  Following the Canada 150 Steering Committee’s consideration and evaluation of 2018 events at its November 27, 2017 meeting, it recommended that the total 2018 event budget be reduced to $1,000,000 with recommended events receiving $950,000, and the remaining $50,000 being held as the program’s contingency.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Richmond Canada 150 – Year in Review,” dated November 6, 2017, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be received for information;

(2)

That the “Richmond Canada 150 – Year in Review” report be circulated to the community partners and funders for their information; and

(3)

That the Budget for 2018 events be $1 million, whereby $950,000 be allocated for events, and $50,000 be held as program contingency for the Steering Committee’s decision.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place on the proposed new 2018 event budget and in reply to a query from Committee, Joe Erceg, General Manager, Planning and Development, advised that the allocation of unutilized funds previously approved by Council would be at Council’s discretion.

Discussion further ensued regarding the potential to set aside previously approved and unutilized funds for 2019 as it will be a significant year for the City.

In reply to a query from Committee, Councillor McNulty, Chair of the Canada 150 Steering Committee, commented on the event cutbacks recommended by the Steering Committee.

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

5.

Richmond’s Participation in the Active Well-being Initiative
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-10-01) (REDMS No. 5652462 v.2)

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Lusk advised that as a pilot participant in the Active Well-Being Initiative, the City is part of a network of cities worldwide with a shared interest in active well-being for their communities.  She advised that thus far the Initiative has reinforced staff’s awareness to address particular areas; for instance, the measurement and evaluation of programs needs to be ameliorated and there needs to be a more holistic approach in what defines a stakeholder.

Ms. Lusk then advised that as an original pilot city, the annual fee to become a Partner City is waived.  Also, she stated that further evaluation of the program will be ongoing to determine the long-term benefits of participation to Richmond.

It was moved and seconded

That the City become a Partner City of the Active Well-being Initiative by signing the “Partner City Charter of Commitment,” included as Attachment 2 of the attached staff report titled “Richmond’s Participation in the Active Well-being Initiative,” dated November 8, 2017, from the Interim Director, Parks and Recreation.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Moorage at Steveston Harbour

The Chair distributed various renderings of piers along the Steveston waterfront (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1) and referenced the discussion that took place at the October 2017 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting regarding a 300-foot floating dock along the Steveston waterfront.

As a result, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

staff examine costs for sheet piling beside the Imperial Landing Pier;

(2)

staff examine costs for replacing the Gillnet Pier, including piles for a 300-foot float at Phoenix Gillnet Loft; and

(3)

staff examine costs for piles for a 300-foot at Phoenix Gillnet Loft;

and report back.

CARRIED

(ii)

Correspondence from Boating BC Association

The Chair distributed a letter from Boating BC Association (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 2) regarding their concern on the number of access points to waterways across the province.

As a result, the following referral was introduced:

That correspondence dated October 27, 2017 from the Boating BC Association be referred to staff for response.

CARRIED

(iii)

Governance of City Centre North Community Centre

Discussion took place on the potential to incorporate the future City Centre North Community Centre Association as part of the current City Centre Community Centre Association and what such a governance model would entail.  Staff was requested to report back within six weeks.

As a result, the following referral was introduced:

That staff examine potential governance models for the future City Centre North Community Centre Association and report back.

CARRIED

(iv)

Community Services Division Updates

Liesl Jauk, Manager, Arts Services, spoke of ArtRich 2017, a feature on artworks by local and regional visual artists from the Lower Mainland, and invited Council to visit the exhibition at the Richmond Art Gallery, which opens on December 1^st.

Paul Brar, Manager, Parks Programs, advised that volunteer recruitment for the Snow Angels Program is underway.

Mr. Tasaka noted that the Canada 150 Volunteer Appreciation event will be held on December 6^th at the City Hall Plaza.

Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, spoke of the arrival of the 25-foot Menorah at the Cultural Centre Plaza on December 8^th, noting that the opening ceremony will take place on December 17^th.

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 and Cultural Services Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, November 28, 2017.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Legislative Services Coordinator