April 24, 2018 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

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 March 27, 2018, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

May 29, 2018, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATIONS

1.

(1)

Annual Update on the Richmond Arts Coalition

Linda Barnes, representing the Richmond Arts Coalition, introduced Rob Fillo, Executive Director, Richmond Arts Coalition (RAC), and thanked members of the Richmond Arts Coalition Board for their support.

Mr. Fillo referenced his notes (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as  Schedule 1) and highlighted the following information:

§   

the Richmond Arts Coalition embarked on an infrastructure overhaul to accommodate increases in membership;

§   

with the assistance of a grant from Tourism Richmond, the RAC was able to hire a professional web-designer to develop a more accessible website;

§   

community outreach initiatives were made in an effort to grow and solidify relationships with other communities and organizations;

§   

the RAC meet with City staff on a regular basis to discuss the changing needs of the community; and

§   

the RAC participated in the Culture Days Festival, co-hosted the Richmond Arts Awards, and provided artists for the Maritime Festival.

Discussion took place on the annual membership fee and the programs that it funds and it was noted that the annual membership fee has increased to $10.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Fillo advised that the RAC wishes to further its relationships with the community, and in particular with local businesses; he then remarked that the website upgrade allows for the RAC to connect with local businesses through potential advertisements on the site.  

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Minoru Centre for Active Living Inaugural Artist-in-Residence Project
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-204) (REDMS No. 5764707)

Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, advised that the proposed artist project will appeal to a multi-generational audience through a series of art activities and projects; also, he noted that the artist has expertise in photography and art books.

It was moved and seconded

That the concept proposal for the Minoru Centre for Active Living inaugural artist-in-residence project by artist Sylvia Grace Borda, as presented in the report titled “Minoru Centre for Active Living Inaugural Artist-in-Residence Project,” dated April 4, 2018, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be endorsed.

CARRIED

3.

Gilbert Road Greenway Public Art Concept
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-225) (REDMS No. 5754558)

Mr. Fiss highlighted that the proposal for Wind Flowers responds to the environment and history of the Gilbert Road Greenway with a series of wind catchers placed on planted beds to provide a visual gateway through the site and an entry landmark for passing vehicles.

Materials were distributed (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 3). Discussion took place on the fabrication team, Stuart’s Yacht Renovations, and in response Mr. Fiss advised that the budget for the project is substantial, and through extensive research by the artist, it was determined that Stuart’s Yacht Renovations had the most expertise with regard to the concept proposal. He then noted that the project is fully-funded through public art contributions by developers.

Discussion took place on the Gilbert Road Greenway Public Art Concept and it was noted that the budget for the project is high; however there is no additional costs to taxpayers, as it’s fully funded by public art contributions by developers.

It was moved and seconded

That the concept proposal and installation for the Gilbert Road Greenway public artwork “Wind Flowers” by the artist team Atelier Anonymous, as presented in the report titled “Gilbert Road Greenway Public Art Concept,” dated April 4, 2018, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be endorsed.

CARRIED
Opposed: Cllrs. Day
Steves

4.

Arts Update 2017
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 5791094)

In reply to queries from Committee, Liesl Jauk, Manager, Arts Services, advised that the City’s Arts and Culture Grants are distributed to non-profit arts and culture organizations and that $109,754 has been budgeted for overall community grants. She noted that the Street Banner Contest B is carried out by the City’s Parks Department; however, staff can examine the potential to include other arts-related initiatives as part of the annual arts update. Also, Ms. Jauk remarked that the Media Lab provides individuals opportunities to work with photography and video and then display their work around the City. She then noted that pottery and weaving clubs are non-profit community groups who utilise space at the Richmond Arts Centre.

Linda Barnes, representing the Richmond Arts Coalition, thanked the City for their efforts with the various art programs and was of the opinion that public art falls under the umbrella of arts programs as youth require professional artists to look up to.  Ms. Barnes then spoke of the Arts Update 2017 video and requested that it be shared at an upcoming Council meeting.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled, “Arts Update 2017,” dated April 5, 2018, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be received for information;

(2)

That the Arts Update 2017 be circulated to the Community Partners and Funders for their information;

(3)

That the staff report titled “Arts update 2017” be forwarded to the next Council/School Board Liaison Committee for information; and

(4)

That the Arts Update 2017 video be shown at the next Council meeting.

CARRIED

5.

Proposed Tidally Influenced Terra Nova Slough Update
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-TNOV4) (REDMS No. 5794336 v. 13)

The Chair distributed materials (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 4) and remarked that the Terra Nova Slough was designed to accommodate salmon spawning and in particular, the gravel base is ideal for fish.  Discussion took place on the history of the Terra Nova Slough and the potential for salmon to spawn.

In reply to queries from Committee, Alexander Kurnicki, Research Planner 2, advised that staff have discussed the conditions of the Slough with marine biologists and it was noted that the Slough could function as a transition site for salmon travelling down the Fraser River. 

Discussion took place on the Slough and the potential to support annual salmon runs, and it was noted that, should this not be feasible, staff consider converting the area back to agricultural land.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Proposed Tidally Influenced Terra Nova Slough Update” dated April 16, 2018, from the General Manager, Community Services, be referred back to staff.

CARRIED

6.

Hosting the 2020 55+ BC Games
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-10-01) (REDMS No. 5802061 v. 10)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Richmond Sports Council’s bid to host the 2020 55+ BC Games be endorsed;

(2)

That $60,000 from the Council Community Initiatives Account and a minimum of $55,000 of in-kind services be committed to host the 2020 55+ BC Games should Richmond be awarded the event as detailed in the staff report, “Hosting the 2020 55+ BC Games,” dated April 13, 2018 from the General Manager, Community Services; and

(3)

That the Five Year Financial Plan (2018-2022) be amended accordingly.

CARRIED

7.

Draft Community Wellness Strategy 2018–2023
(File Ref. No. 01-0370-20-002) (REDMS No. 5784755 v. 9)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Draft Community Wellness Strategy 2018-2023, included as Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “Draft Community Wellness Strategy 2018-2023,” dated April 5, 2018, from the General Manager, Community Services, be adopted for the purpose of seeking stakeholder and public validation of the strategy; and

(2)

That the Final Community Wellness Strategy 2018-2023, including the results of the stakeholder and public validation, be reported back to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee.

CARRIED

7A.

Public Art program
(File Ref. No.)

Councillor Day distributed a photograph of existing public art (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 5) and spoke to developer contributions to public art and in particular, the potential to expand how the funds collected for public art are allocated.

In reply to queries from Committee, Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, spoke to a referral currently underway regarding the Private Development Public Art Program, noting that it does not examine the potential to expand how the funds collected for public art are allocated.  Ms. Fernyhough then noted that the funds from the City’s Grant Program are allocated to non-profit organizations and all the programs highlighted in the Arts Update are funded by other sources.  She then noted that the developer contribution rates for public art were tied to the Consumer Price Index as part of the Policy’s 2010 review.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Fiss noted that $100,000 is annually allocated from the Public Art Reserve, solely funded from private developer contributions, to community type projects such as public education initiatives, outreach and promotion of the public art program, community public art projects with community centres and community groups, and so forth; also, he remarked that the funds may only be utilized for public art projects.

Discussion further took place on the potential to amend Policy 8703 – Public Art Program to be less restrictive and provide more options for the allocation of developer contributions.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff provide options for the Public Art Program Policy regarding developer contributions for public art such as directing funds towards alternative options.

CARRIED
Opposed: Cllrs. McNulty
McPhail

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Richmond Regional Heritage Fair

Marie Fenwick, Manager, Museum and Heritage Services, referenced a staff memorandum dated April 20, 2018, regarding the Richmond Regional Heritage Fair and noted that the event will take place on May 12^th.

(ii)

Implementation of the Soil Amendment Plan for the Garden City Lands farm plot

Jamie Esko, Manager, Parks Planning, Design and Construction, referenced a staff memorandum dated April 23, 2018, regarding the implementation of the soil amendment plan at Garden City Lands, and noted that the soil for the Kwantlen Polytechnic University farm plot will be altered to incorporate chicken manure. Ms. Esko then remarked that chicken manure can be malodourous; therefore, it will be incorporated into the soil as quickly as possible. She then advised that staff have a developed a communication strategy to inform the public about the soil amendment plan.

(iii)

Mitchell Island Park

Ted deCrom, Manager, Parks Operations, advised that the Mitchell Island Park will be closed for repairs to the pier.

(iv)

Earth Day

Paul Brar, Manager, Parks Programs, noted that Earth Day was celebrated on Sunday April 22^nd and highlighted that through the Partners for Beautification Program, 211 volunteers participated in 10 different events.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:21 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, April 24, 2018.

_________________________________

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Sarah Kurian
Legislative Services Coordinator