May 28, 2019 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Chak Au – entered at 4:03 p.m.
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Michael Wolfe

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 April 24, 2019, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

June 25, 2019, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATIONS

1.

Dr. Rebecca Harbut, Chair, Department of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, accompanied by Dr. Michael Bomford, Faculty, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, presented an annual report (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) on the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) research and teaching farm on the Garden City Lands and highlighted the following:

§   

south half of the parcel had mineral soil deposited to be up above the contaminated native soil to allow for planting and the north half the field is yet to be developed;

§   

the southern half has been divided into two sections, the market garden and three high tunnels and above that the cover crops;

Councillor Au entered the meeting (4:03 p.m.).

§   

a wide variety of cover crop has been planted in the cover crop area and different cropping combinations are being utilized to increase diversity within the cover crops;

§   

the KPU farm is in the process of being certified organic and are currently in year two of the three year transition process;

§   

the geodesic passive solar dome was built in five days last fall as a part of a kit and can operate completely off the grid, which is aligned with the KPU values of demonstrating agricultural practices that are conscientious of climate change concerns;

§   

final inspection of the dome is set for June 16^th and once complete, will be finishing the perimeter beds and planting the interior of the space but the inside space will mostly be left open to be used for transplant production;

§   

striving to find long term ways to benefit all farmers in the community through the testing and development of agricultural technologies and high tunnels are valuable tools that extend the growing season with no additional energy use;

§   

once permits are granted for the other two tunnels, hoping to do a community building event for farmers to participate in the construction;

§   

will be developing a processing area with all stainless steel tables and sinks to go between the two shipping containers to provide a covered area to clean crops to take to market;

Councillor Au left the meeting (4:09 p.m.) and returned (4:11 p.m.).

§   

ongoing weekly farmers market as of this week will accept debit and credit payments;

§   

a twilight tour of the farm will be held the first Monday of every month from June to October to provide education to the community about the site;

§   

a sorghum plant labyrinth has been planted for the Farm Fest event on August 10^th in the shape of the KPU “k” and the event will also include tractor and equipment demonstrations; and

§   

one student assigned every week to post about the farm on social media.

In reply to questions from Committee, Dr. Harbut and Dr. Bomford further noted that:

§   

the July 1 twilight tour will most likely be held on the Tuesday to account for Canada Day;

§   

the moveable high tunnel can be moved manually with three or four people and there are strap anchors, which anchor to its track and also bearing lock blocks will be installed to anchor to the soil;

§   

soil samples were collected at one point in time from various locations, the test results over the agricultural threshold in appendix b are highlighted in red and generally these elements are not terribly mobile through the soil;

§   

the twilight tour length will be approximately one hour and large groups should be able to be accommodated;

§   

different activities are planned for Farm Fest including kids’ activities, guided tours, and demonstrations on weed management; and

§   

one of KPU’s environmental protection technology students is monitoring water quality on the site and KPU is looking to expand the scope it.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Update on Sustainable Food Service at City Facilities and Events
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-10-00) (REDMS No. 6167334 v. 4)

In response to queries from Committee, Gregg Wheeler, Manager, Sport and Community Events advised that (i) staff work with various food vendors for City events to promote the use of wax paper for food wraps as it is compostable, (ii) the largest events are held by the City and staff work to encourage various smaller events to provide various compostable materials and disposal containers to mitigate waste, (iii) staff are aware of the neighbourhood grants events program and can approach groups regarding sustainable food service at their events, and (iv) the cafeteria at City Hall does provide water jugs for various meetings and staff can work to encourage subcommittees and various groups who hold meetings at City Hall to avoid the use of water bottles.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Update on Sustainable Food Service at City Facilities and Events,” dated April 30, 2019, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Proposed Tidally Influenced Terra Nova Slough Update
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-TNOV4) (REDMS No. 6160886 v. 10)

In reply to queries from Committee, Milton Chan, Acting Director, Engineering and Jason Ho, Manager, Engineering Planning, provided further information on the hydrology of the existing freshwater pond and water-flow management.

In response to additional questions from Committee, Alexander Kurnicki, Research Planner 2, and Jamie Esko, Manager, Parks Planning, Design and Construction remarked that when this report was originally updated a year ago it was reviewed by a biologist and engineer and the 2007 design was updated with cost estimate and reengineered to current standards. Staff further noted that the original plan was to have it open to the river and option 1 in the staff report would retain the slough as a fresh water pond.

Discussion then took place on (i) the potential for creating a destination site for salmon and sturgeon migration, (ii) reviewing options for implementing the original plan, and (iii) referring the matter back to staff to explore additional design options and sources of funding including federal. 

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 2: Create a Tidally Influenced Terra Nova Slough, as outlined in the staff report titled “Proposed Tidally Influenced Terra Nova Slough Update” dated April 5, 2019 for the Director, Parks Services, be endorsed; and

(2)

That staff be directed to explore (i) design options for the tidally influenced Terra Nova slough, including the original plan, and (ii) additional funding sources.

CARRIED

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 – 4:47 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 – 4:47 p.m.

Councillor Chak Au assumed the role of Vice-Chair.

4.

Tree, Bench, and Picnic Table Dedication Program Review
(File Ref. No. 11-7200-30-ADON1) (REDMS No. 6158916 v. 20)

Paul Brar, Manager, Parks Programs, in response to questions from Committee advised that:

§   

staff would work with program participants who experience financial hardship to set up payment plan for renewal fees or provide options for sharing a bench or table to reduce cost;

§   

staff have been in contact with as many of the 357 existing program participants as possible, some indicated that they would like to exit the program, others wish to continue and some are waiting to see how the process will be finalized;

§   

lifespan of a bench is approximately 10-15 years so many of the originally installed benches would have been replaced and a vast majority of those installed prior to 2003 would have been refurbished especially prior to the Olympics in 2010;

§   

the dedication program began in specific areas of the city but has expanded and any bench or picnic table in the city is available for dedication;

§   

the program was originally created to fund the installation of benches and picnic tables at new parks however, benches and picnic tables are now installed as a part of the construction of new parks; and

§   

when the program began there was no operating budget set aside for bench and picnic table repairs or replacement.

Discussion then took place on (i) grandfathering the 357 existing program participants with a renewal exemption with the option of a ten year extension or in perpetuity, (ii) creating a fixed term basis of 10, 20, or 30 years for new participants in the program and potential increase in dedication fees, and (iii) placement of new dedication benches and tables in newer areas and creating a list of available spaces.

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

It was moved and seconded

That Option 2: 10-Year Renewal Exemption for Pre-2003 Program Participants as outlined in the staff report titled “Tree, Bench, and Picnic Table Dedication Program Review,” dated May 1, 2019, from the Director, Parks Services be referred back to staff for further clarification and revision including:

(1)

options for fixed term lengths and renewal;

(2)

a list of available spaces; and

(3)

a review of the maximum number of plaques permitted per bench and picnic table.

CARRIED

Councillor McPhail and Councillor Steves returned to the meeting – 5:17 p.m.

Councillor Steves resumed the role of Chair.

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Update on Seniors Age Change Pricing

David Ince, Manager, Community Recreation Services, provided an update to the change in seniors’ age pricing and noted that promotion of the change started on May 17 and beginning June 1 current pass holders aged 55-64 can renew their passes as well as visit cards up to a year at the current rate. Mr. Ince further noted that seniors programming remains at 55 years plus.

Discussion took place on the option of implementing free admission to community recreation centres for seniors over the age of 80 or 90 and the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff review options for an appropriate age for free admission to community recreation centres.

CARRIED

(ii)

ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge

Gregg Wheeler, Manager, Sport and Community Events, advised of the ParticipACTION event running May 31 to June 16 to encourage more activity in the community. Mr. Wheeler noted that (i) individuals can sign-up online, through the application, and at various community centres, (ii) the challenge is meant to compare activity between cities and prize money will be granted at $25,000 for most active community in BC and $150,000 for most active in Canada, and (iii) the event will kick off this Friday night at Minoru Park with a free yoga class.

(iii)

Update on Doors Open and the Nikkei Memorial Public Art Project Unveiling

Marie Fenwick, Senior Manager, Arts, Culture and Heritage, provided a reminder of two upcoming events, (i) Doors Open Richmond this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and (ii) on June 2 the Nikkei Memorial Public Art Project unveiling in front of the tram building followed by a reception.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:27 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, May 28, 2019.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Amanda Welby
Legislative Services Coordinator

_________________________________

Councillor Chak Au
Vice-Chair (Item 4 Exclusively)