January 29, 2019 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Chak Au, Vice-Chair
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

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 December 19, 2018, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

February 26, 2019, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COUNCILLOR HAROLD STEVES

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Councillor Linda McPhail declared a conflict of interest as her husband’s family owns a memorial bench, and Councillor Linda McPhail left the meeting – 4:01 p.m.

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Councillor Harold Steves declared a conflict of interest as his family owns a memorial bench, and Councillor Harold Steves left the meeting – 4:01 p.m.

Councillor Chak Au assumed the role of Vice-Chair.

1.

Bench and picnic Table Dedications
(File Ref. No. 11-7200-01) (REDMS No. 6034574; 6034668; 6034889; 6092830)

Discussion took place on examining the bench and picnic table dedications policy including (i) the historical implementation and evolution of the program (ii) removing the 10-year dedication period restriction, (iii) expanding the maximum number of plaques on each picnic table and bench, and (iv) emphasising the memorial significance.   

In response to questions from Committee, Paul Brar, Manager, Parks Programs, offered the following information:

§  payment plans are being established for renewals for those unable to pay within the six month period;

§  every attempt is made to contact donors and their families for renewals, however it is the responsibility of the donor keep their address updated;

§  of the 343 for up for 10-year renewal, staff have been unable to contact 75 donors and will continue trying to reach them however, if after a six month period there has been no contact, the plaque will be removed with the space to remain vacant for one year;

§  there is a waiting list primarily for park benches in popular locations such as along the Dyke Trail and Garry Point Park however there are new park spaces coming online including at Garden City Lands and the waterfront park and new park bench space will become available;

§  32 donors have advised the City that they will not be renewing; and

§  staff found three different variations of the dedication forms however none speak to maintenance costs or mention the program being in perpetuity.

James Clowes spoke in opposition to the renewal fee for bench and picnic table dedications and noted that his family has two benches. Materials relating to Mr. Clowes’ initial application were distributed to Committee (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).  Mr. Clowes expressed further concern that he had not been contacted by the City since initially purchasing the benches and that he had not been notified of the removal of his benches due to renovations along the dyke. He further remarked that he was of the opinion that the purchase of the benches was in perpetuity.

Mr. Clowes, in response to queries from Committee, noted he was of the opinion that dedications purchased prior to the adoption of the renewal policy should be grandfathered and the dedication granted in perpetuity and any plaque removal should be put on hold until more effort is made to contact donors or their families.

Loretta Byrnes expressed concern regarding the 10-year renewal policy, noting that her family has owned a bench at Garry Point Park for 22 years. Ms. Byrnes further commented that her family utilized the bench as a memorial place and was of the understanding that the bench dedication was to be in perpetuity. She also remarked that her family had requested a third plaque be placed on the bench however the request was denied.

Frances Lorenz, Richmond resident, spoke on her family’s purchase of a bench 30 years prior, noting that has been used as a memorial site.  Ms. Lorenz further commented that she was of the opinion that the bench was the family’s purchased property and they have allowed public use of the bench.  She further noted opposition to the 10-year renewal policy.  

Bryan Caron, Richmond resident, commented that he purchased a bench with two plaques in 1999 in Minoru Park in honour of his mother, noting that he understood the purchase to be in perpetuity. Mr. Caron expressed concern regarding the financial impact of the renewal fees on families and remarked that others may not have been contacted by the City. He further stated that this program is a way for Richmond residents to memorialize family.

In response to questions from Committee, Mr. Caron expressed concern regarding the implementation of the new renewal system and was of the opinion that it was merely a new method to generate funds for the City.

Discussion further ensued regarding the option to provide maintenance funding for the program and placing a moratorium on bench dedication renewals.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a moratorium be put on the Tree, Bench, and Picnic Table Dedication Program pending staff review of Policy 7019; and

(2)

That the Tree, Bench, and Picnic Table Dedication Policy 7019 be referred back to staff, and in particular to (i) review the 10-year dedication period restriction, (ii) examine increasing the maximum number of plaques allowed, and (iii) review budget options.  

The question on the motion was not called as, in response to queries from Committee, Mr. Brar remarked that of the 32 donors who indicated they will not renew, some have indicated cost as the reason and others have left Richmond and expressed interest in taking the plaque.

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

Councillor McPhail and Councillor Steves returned to the meeting – 4:57 p.m.

Councillor Steves resumed the role of Chair.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

2019 Farm Fest at Garden City Lands Update
(File Ref. No. 11-7200-01) (REDMS No. 6066225 v. 7; 6076849)

Discussion took place on delaying the consideration of the 2019 Farm Fest event at Garden City Lands until after the 2019 budget discussions and in response to questions from Committee, Mr. Brar advised that there would be no financial impact resulting from a delay. He further remarked that an application for non-farm use to the Agricultural Land Commission would be required and would be the only timing consideration.  

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

It was moved and seconded

That consideration of the 2019 Farm Fest at Garden City Lands be deferred until after approval of the 2019 budgets.

CARRIED

3.

Minoru Centre for Active Living Program Update
(File Ref. No. 06-2052-55-08-01) (REDMS No. 5854882 v. 36)

John Woolgar, Manager, Aquatic and Arena Services, provided Committee with an update to the program for the Minoru Centre for Active Living (MCAL), highlighting the involvement of key stakeholders and delivery partners including the Minoru Senior’s Society (Society), Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association, Aquatic Services Board, and Richmond Sports Council. He further commented that the Society was responsible for the programs and services within the seniors’ centre, operation of the cafeteria and bistro, and providing vital outreach services to vulnerable seniors in the community.

In response to questions from Committee, Mr. Woolgar advised that regulatory signage is required by the health authority and the Public Health Act and that additional etiquette signage using symbols are planned in English and Chinese simplified.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Minoru Centre for Active Living Program Update,” dated January 7, 2019, from the Director, Recreation Services, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Award of Contract 6318P - Delivery of Advanced Aquatic Courses
(File Ref. No. 11-7143-01) (REDMS No. 6056728 v. 17)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff be authorized to award a contract with LIT First Aid and Lifeguard Training for the delivery of advanced lifeguarding, lifesaving and first aid instructional and recertification courses, as outlined in the staff report titled “Award of Contract 6318P – Delivery of Advanced Lifeguarding, Lifesaving and First Aid Instructional and Recertification Courses (Advanced Aquatic Courses)” dated January 10, 2019 from the Director, Recreation Services;

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Community Services be authorized to execute, on behalf of the City, an agreement for the delivery of advanced lifeguarding, lifesaving and first aid instructional and recertification courses, as outlined in the staff report, with LIT First Aid and Lifeguard Training; and

(3)

That staff be authorized to extend the current contract with LIT First Aid and Lifeguard Training for up to an additional six-month period to provide continuity of services until a new contract is executed.

CARRIED

5.

Award of Contract 6333Q - Supply and Delivery of Pool Chemicals
(File Ref. No. 11-7140-20-MCAL1) (REDMS No. 6024861 v. 21)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff be authorized to award a contract to Brenntag, ClearTech and DB Perks & Associates, for the supply and delivery of pool chemicals, as outlined in the staff report titled “Award of Contract 6333Q – Supply and Delivery of Pool Chemicals” dated January 8, 2019 from the Director, Recreation Services; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Community Services be authorized to execute, on behalf of the City, an agreement for the delivery of pool chemicals, as outlined in the staff report, with Brenntag, ClearTech and DB Perks & Associates.

CARRIED

6.

Blue Dot Campaign
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

Materials relating to the Blue Dot Campaign were distributed on table (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) as well as a copy of the Blue Dot Municipal Toolkit (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office.) Discussion then took place on the potential of staff to prepare an updated report on the status of the environment and climate change to meet the five-year reporting requirement of the Blue Dot Campaign, including an opportunity to consult with the Advisory Committee on the Environment and residents.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff report back by fall of 2019 with a State of the Environment report, encompassing all the City's environmental sustainability initiatives including a review on the City's objectives, targets, timelines, and actions. 

CARRIED

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

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, January 29, 2019.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Amanda Welby
Legislative Services Coordinator

_________________________________

Councillor Chak Au
Vice-Chair (Item 1 Exclusively)