May 26, 2021 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair (by teleconference)
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)
Councillor Chak Au (by teleconference) (entered the meeting at 4:25 p.m.)
Councillor Bill McNulty (by teleconference)
Councillor Linda McPhail (by teleconference)

Also Present:

Councillor Alexa Loo (by teleconference)

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 27, 2021, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

June 29, 2021, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers

DELEGATION

1.

Linda Barnes, Chair, Richmond Arts Coalition, reported that the Richmond Arts Coalition launched a social media platform and are soliciting sponsorships from businesses, and the platform is to promote, support and showcase Richmond artists to a global audience. Ms. Barnes shared two videos with Committee.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Barnes advised that (i) the social media platform was launched on May 19, 2021, (ii) applications for cultural arts grants have been submitted, and (iii) Richmond Arts Coalition media addresses will be forwarded to Council.

Susan Skemp, Richmond Arts Coalition, advised that (i) sponsorship for the social media platform will fund the artists involved and production costs,
(ii) subscriptions and Patreon will result in a self-sustaining platform, and
(iii) subscriptions will be free and can garner advertisers to generate funding.

Discussion ensued with regard to a recommendation that both videos be shown at a future Richmond Council meeting.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond Arts Coalition promotional videos be shown at a future Richmond Council Meeting, and

(2)

That staff address opportunities to work with the Richmond Arts Coalition to support the social media initiative.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Magical Bridge Playground Foundation
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-01) (REDMS No. 6656538)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that
(i) playground distribution standards in the Parks and Open Space Strategy requires playgrounds every 400 square meters and for every new park to include a playground in the City Centre area where there is increasing density, (ii) staff seek opportunities for the addition of playgrounds and open spaces in all new development proposals, (iii) public consultation is undertaken for every new playground, including through “Let’s Talk Richmond”, and
(iv) accessibility elements, similar to the Magical Bridge initiative, are considered in the design of all new playgrounds.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) a suggestion that organizations that work with youth with accessibility challenges be included as stakeholders in future public engagements on Magical Bridge playgrounds, (ii) Magical Bridge playground concepts being added to existing and new parks in the future, and (iii) whether Magical Bridge playgrounds could be considered a cultural harmony opportunity due to the involvement of ambassadors and youth.

Councillor Au entered the meeting by teleconference (4:25 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Magical Bridge Playground Foundation,” dated April 29, 2021, from the Director, Parks Services, be received for information.

CARRIED

Councillor Loo left the meeting (4:27 p.m.).

3.

Renaming of Minoru Place Activity Centre – 7660 Minoru Gate
(File Ref. No. 06-2050-20-MP) (REDMS No. 6623702)

In reply to a query from Committee, staff advised that the translation of the word “Annex” was not considered.

It was moved and seconded

That the Minoru Place Activity Centre at 7660 Minoru Gate, currently awaiting renovation for conversion to a Community Arts Education and Program Space, be renamed Richmond Cultural Centre Annex as presented in the report titled “Renaming of Minoru Place Activity Centre – 7660 Minoru Gate,” dated April 12, 2021, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services.

CARRIED

4.

Museum and Heritage Services Year in Review 2020
(File Ref. No. 11-7141-01) (REDMS No. 6661284)

Staff shared a video titled “Museum and Heritage Services year in Review 2020”.

In reply to a query from Committee, staff advised that the walking tours developed by the Richmond Museum Society identify the historical value in Richmond’s neighbourhoods.

Committee requested that the video be shown at the next Richmond City Council meeting.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled, “Museum and Heritage Services Year in Review 2020,” dated April 24, 2021, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be circulated to Community Partners and Funders for their information.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Community Gardens by Branscombe House

In reply to queries from Committee regarding correspondence on community gardens, staff advised that (i) meetings have been arranged with the strata council of the development adjacent to Branscombe House regarding a community garden in the area, and (ii) a plan on potential locations of community gardens is in development and will be shared with Council when completed.

(ii)

Hamilton Dog Park

In reply to a query from Committee regarding the Hamilton dog park, staff advised that improvements have been approved and funding has been secured to update some of the existing parks.

(iii)

Usage Fees at McDonald Beach

In reply to a query from Committee regarding usage fees at McDonald Beach, staff advised that fees are presented for Council’s approval through the annual consolidated fees bylaw.

(iv)

Walkway Adjacent to 3880 Bayview Street

Staff was requested to provide information on approvals previously granted for the walkway adjacent to 3880 Bayview Street.

(v)

Vegetation on Recreational Trails

Staff was requested to ensure vegetation is trimmed on recreational trails to encourage their use during Bike to Work week on May 31 to June 6, 2021 and Bike Month in June 2021.

(vi)

City Initiated Tree Sale

Staff reported that they are pursuing options to provide tree sales to the public in winter 2021 and spring 2022 which will synchronize with the optimum planting season.

(vii)

Urban Forest Management

Staff reported that guidelines and protocols for managing city trees is contained in the document entitled “City of Richmond Public Tree Management Strategy, 2045” and key aspects of the document are to conserve and protect Richmond’s city trees and to increase the canopy cover from the current 20% to 30% by 2045.

In reply to a query from Committee, staff clarified that tree retention is a priority for all new developments in addition to fostering new growth.

(viii)

The Gardens Agricultural Park

Staff reported that improvements and updates include removal of invasive species, replacing dead hedges and installation of more benches and tables.

(ix)

Railway Bike Park

Staff reported that construction is nearing completion and the park should be open in June 2021.

In reply to a query from Committee, staff advised that an asphalt surface was selected as public consultation identified a preference for inclusivity for all uses such as bicycles, scooters, and inline skates.

(x)

14^th Annual Doors Open Richmond event

Staff advised that the event will be online and will launch on June 5, 2021.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:09 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, May 26, 2021.

_________________________________

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Debbie Reimer
Recording Secretary