June 28, 2022 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair (by Teleconference)
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by Teleconference)
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail (by Teleconference)

Absent:

Councillor Chak Au

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 May 25, 2022, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

The Chair noted that an item from Councillor Loo and an item from Councillor Au will be added to the agenda as Item 2A and Item 2B.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

1.

2022 Environmental Enhancement Grant Program - Second Intake
(File Ref. No. 03-1085-01) (REDMS No. 6905434)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the second round of 2022 Environmental Enhancement Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $4,900 as identified in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “2022 Environmental Enhancement Grant Program – Second Intake” dated May 30, 2022, from the Director, Parks Services; and

(2)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly.

CARRIED

2.

Menstrual Equity Initiative Update
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 6896811)

Staff noted the School District has been informed of the program and have implemented dispensers in all their elementary and high schools, and that Youth Coordinators have also made sure the schools are aware.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Menstrual Equity Initiative be continued as outlined in the staff report titled “Menstrual Equity Initiative Update” dated May 27, 2022, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services, and the Director, Community Social Development; and

(2)

That the City join the United Way’s Period Promise Campaign by signing on to the Period Promise Policy Agreement.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR LOO

2A.

McLean Park
(File Ref. No. ) (REDMS No. )

It was noted that Councillor Loo had advised the Committee of a proposed referral regarding the condition of the field at McLean Park in need of repair and upgrade.

Councillor McNulty noted he had made a previous referral with regard to potential sites for sports amenities in East Richmond and Hamilton, as directed through the Sports Council Facility Task Force priorities, in particular looking at McLean Park and the elementary school behind the park.  It was further noted that the anticipated report back from staff will also address any drainage concerns.

COUNCILLOR AU

2B.

This item was removed from the agenda

3.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Steveston Salmon Festival

Staff noted the Steveston Salmon Festival is happening on July 1^st with programming primarily focussed from the Stevenson Community Centre as well as activation stretching from Britannia Shipyards all the way through Garry Point Park, with a shuttle bus connecting the various parts of the site.

(ii)

Hai Long Chinese Junk Boat

Staff noted the City and the Brittania Shipyard Society are working on a long term moorage agreement to have the Hai Long Chinese Junk Boat in Imperial Landing; details being worked on with the owner.

A brief discussion ensued with respect to the Chinese Bunkhouse and potential ideas and programs for the Hai Long Chinese Junk Boat.  Staff noted the owner of the boat is currently focussed on repairs to the boat, and that a number of ideas are being explored for what can be done in the Chinese Bunkhouse to augment the Chinese heritage there.

(iii)

Hamilton Pop-Up Produce Market

Staff noted that the Hamilton Community Association, in partnership with Urban Bounty, will be hosting a weekly pop-up produce market on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. beginning July 9 through November 19.  The market will enable Hamilton residents to access low cost fresh fruits and vegetables from local suppliers, and residents with diet related health conditions will also have access to the Green Prescription Program, providing them with free fruits and vegetables from the pop-up market.

(iv)

Grass Cutting

Staff provided a brief update regarding some of the recent challenges with cutting grass, specifically with the amount of rain during the spring, noting that the month of May, 2022 had 2.5 times more rain than May 2021, followed by 1.5 times more rain in June 2022 compared to June 2021.  As a result, there has been vigorous grass growth, the sites have been very wet and harder to cut with equipment getting stuck at a time when typically the ground is drying up from less rain and wind, and equipment can get on to the fields.

It was noted that Parks’ staff will perform a service review for all of Parks’ operations throughout the summer, which will include a maintenance program review for the divisions, to look for opportunities to improve efficiencies, including turf grass maintenance.

Discussion ensued with respect to sites where grass is intended to grow approximately one metre tall for the wildlife and insect habitat value, but could be seen as being neglected.  It was suggested that signage be installed at these sites to inform the City’s practices in this regard.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:17 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, June 28, 2022.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate