March 1, 2022 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair (by teleconference)
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail

Also Present:

Councillor Andy Hobbs (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 January 25, 2022, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

March 29, 2022, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

1.

2022 Feral Rabbit Update
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-01) (REDMS No. 6831199)

Staff noted completion of the study is anticipated this year and will follow up with a report back.

A brief discussion ensued with respect to the responsibilities of the Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship as it relates to invasive species.  Staff noted they will review and advise accordingly.

Sorelle Saidman, Rabbitats Rescue Society (“Rabbitats”), was in attendance to provide a short presentation on Rabbitats’ successes, future goals and increased funding requirements (copy of presentation on file in the City Clerk’s office).  Rabbitats’ need for expansion to grow capacities, multiple destinations and educational opportunities (public awareness campaign) were noted.  In addition to expressing support of the feasibility study outlined in the staff report, Ms. Saidman further noted that a study run by Rabbitats, encompassing a number of concerns and opportunities, including potential partnerships with businesses and residents affected by the rabbits, as well as a review of the current bylaws, would be beneficial.

Further discussion ensued with respect to the classification of rabbits as wildlife and the inability to adopt them, noting that rabbits cannot be picked up to rehome without permits unless they are being taken to sanctuaries, wherein a permit would not be required.  In addition to Rabbitats’ funding requirements, education options to demonstrate the detrimental impacts of releasing rabbits in public landscapes was also discussed, noting there has been an increase in rabbit sales online (e.g. Kijiji) since the ban on the sale of rabbits in pet stores.

In response to discussion regarding opportunities through UBCM to address challenges that reside as a result of the provincial regulations regarding rabbits, staff noted they will investigate to see what could be garnered from the province and will prepare background information and a proposed resolution for Council’s consideration.  It was then requested that a list of other motions that have gone to the UBCM regarding this issue be provided, noting that the City had previously advocated to the province on this matter    and that further correspondence to the province to seek direction should be considered.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed feral rabbit management strategy for 2022, as described in the staff report “2022 Feral Rabbit Update”, dated February 2, 2022, from the Director, Parks Services, be approved.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Public Art Program 2021 Annual Highlights and Public Art Advisory Committee 2022 Work Plan
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-01) (REDMS No. 6836762)

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Public Art Advisory Committee 2022 Work Plan, as presented in the staff report titled “Richmond Public Art Program 2021 Annual Highlights and Public Art Advisory Committee 2022 Work Plan”, dated February 7, 2022, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be approved

CARRIED

3.

2022 Engaging Artists in Community Program Public Art Projects
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-089) (REDMS No. 6825532)

It was moved and seconded

That the three artist proposals included in Attachment 1 for the community public art projects in partnership with Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association, Turning Point Recovery Society and Urban Bounty as presented in the staff report titled “2022 Engaging Artists in Community Program Public Art Projects,” dated February 1, 2022, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be endorsed.

CARRIED

4.

Naming of the Community Centre in the YuanHeng Development – 3311 No. 3 Road
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 6835468)

A brief discussion ensued with respect to the definition of a capstan.

It was moved and seconded

That the City’s community centre planned as part of the YuanHeng Development be named Capstan Community Centre, as presented in the staff report titled “Naming of the Community Centre in the YuanHeng Development – 3311 No. 3 Road”, dated January 31, 2022, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services.

CARRIED

5.

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Green Infrastructure Environmental Quality Stream GranT Application
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-MINO1 ) (REDMS No 6833451)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City’s grant application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Green Infrastructure Environmental Quality Stream be endorsed;

(2)

That a capital submission of $820,000 for drainage infrastructure and capacity enhancement components in Minoru Park be approved from the Drainage Improvement Reserve;

(3)

Should the application be successful, that the Chief Administrative Officer and the Deputy CAO/General Manager, Community Services be authorized on behalf of the City to enter into an agreement with the Province of British Columbia for the above mentioned project; and

(4)

That the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2022-2026) be amended accordingly.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

2022 Family Day

Staff noted the City and community associations received a total of $10,000 from the Provincial Government to support community-based Family Day initiatives, which included a variety of free and low cost activities at many of the community centres, both virtually and in-person.  Strong participation was noted, particularly for the in-person activities, where over 1,000 people were welcomed in the City’s community centres and arts’ centres, over 3,000 people at the pools and over 500 people at the Nature Park.

(ii)

Chinese Canadian Museum

Staff provided an update regarding conversations around the Chinese Canadian Museum Society (“Society”) work happening in the province, noting that discussions with the Society had taken place in November, 2020, regarding the potential to work with the Society and explore opportunities that offer historical interpretation of Chinese Canadians in Richmond, as part of the Chinese Canadian storey in BC.  It was also noted the Richmond Museum and University of British Columbia initiative for student teaching and research in Chinese Canadian studies, signed an MOU in October 2020 to collaborate on research projects in the Richmond community, which will support museum content shared through the Richmond Museum’s online platforms, exhibition spaces and in-person.  This work is ongoing and the launch of a new online video series is anticipated in the spring.  It was further noted that staff reached out to the Society again recently to have a follow up conversation and are waiting to hear back.

Discussion ensued with respect to the need for a Chinese Canadian museum to recognize and highlight Richmond’s pioneers, the unique history of farming and fishing and the stories that can be told of the past, present and future.  It was suggested the Steveston Bunkhouse at Brittania could provide double the space for a museum, offering the opportunity to showcase steps in time of Richmond’s Chinese history.

Staff will follow up with the Society to discuss opportunities for a Chinese museum more broadly, and a clear plan of what the Society envisions for communities outside of Vancouver.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:56 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, March 1, 2022.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate