December 17, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Michael Wolfe, Chair
Councillor, Chak Au
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Councillor Carol Day

Councillor Kash Heed

Councillor Alexa Loo

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on November 25, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

Experience the Fraser: Richmond Opportunities and Next Steps

(File Ref. No. 06-2400-01) (REDMS No. 8165641)

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Experience the Fraser: Richmond Opportunities and Next Steps”, dated November 24, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Public-Facing Name of Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society Building – 3811 Moncton Street

(File Ref. No. 11-7141-01) (REDMS No. 6623702)

Dr. Jim Tanaka was in attendance to speak on behalf of the elders within the Japanese community, expressing some of the concerns with respect to the Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society building, the consultation process and the timeline provided to respond to the online survey.

Staff noted the online survey was circulated through the Steveston Historical Society, the Japanese Cultural Centre groups and Dr. Tanaka to share with his groups within the community and recipients were encouraged to share the survey broadly in an effort to receive as much input from as many as possible.  An extension to the response timeline was granted to allow additional time to translate and share with others.

It was moved and seconded

That the Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society building at 3811 Moncton Street be given the public-facing name Steveston Japanese Canadian Museum, as presented in the report titled “Public-Facing Name of Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society Building – 3811 Moncton Street”, dated November 24, 2025, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services.

CARRIED

3.

Heritage Alteration Permit Application at 3811 Moncton Street (Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society Building)

(File Ref. No. HA 25-026393) (REDMS No. 8220478)

Dr. Tanaka expressed concern with respect to the location and the placement of the National Historic Event plaque (NHE Plaque).

In response to a query from Committee, staff noted with respect to the mounting of the signage and placement of the NHE Plaque, there has been input from the Japanese community on the Heritage Alteration Permit with the landscaping as well as letters of support from representatives of the Japanese Cultural Centre, and that the landscape architects, Hapa Collaborative (Joseph Fry), were involved with the project which was very well received.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a Heritage Alteration Permit be issued for the protected heritage building at 3811 Moncton Street (Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society Building), which would permit a new exterior sign, plaque and plantings; and

(2)

That staff be directed to discuss with the Richmond School District No. 38 appropriate commemorative signage at Tomekichi Homma Elementary School to commemorate Mr. Homma.

The question on the motion was not called as a brief discussion ensued with respect to the presentation to the Council School Board Liaison Committee.

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

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Kaiwo Maru – May 2026

In response to the positive feedback, staff are scheduled to present to the Steveston 2020 group in January to engage with more of the Steveston associations and groups and how they would like to be involved in the Kaiwo Maru event.  Staff are in communication with the ship and working to finalize the details of their visit.

(ii)

Richmond Celebrates Soccer

The announcement from FIFA on December 5, 2025 confirmed which teams will be playing on some of the dates in Richmond, and more information about the Fan Zone in Vancouver has been released.  Staff are awaiting to hear about the broadcast rights and will share with Council once received.

(iii)

Snow Angels Program

Staff advised of the great participation levels this year for the Snow Angels program and that a new online sign-up process was initiated whereby residents were automatically mapped through a system which then ties in with the registration for the volunteers to connect them by location.  Currently there are 100 residents that will be supported by 110 volunteers this year.  An orientation session for the volunteers was recently held and they are fully ready for the snow season should it come.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:06 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, December 17, 2025.

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Councillor Michael Wolfe
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate