January 30, 2024 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au,Chair
Councillor Michael Wolfe
Councillor Bill McNulty

Absent:

Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Andy Hobbs

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

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 December 20, 2023, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

1.

(1)

Chad Wetsch and Yvonne Chow, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region, Destination BC, presented on "Experience the Fraser," a recreational, cultural, and heritage initiative along the Lower Fraser River Corridor, and referred to their PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

In reply to queries from Committee, the delegation noted that
(i) Destination BC is looking to partner with the City on this initiative, alongside opportunities to work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners, (ii) there are multiple resources available to the City for this initiative, and (iii) this initiative would provide positive economic and community impacts while promoting a safe and sustainable way to move around the city.

Discussion ensued regarding the Experience the Fraser presentation and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the Experience the Fraser presentation by Destination BC, dated January 31, 2024, be referred to staff for analysis.

CARRIED

(2)

Debbie Jiang and Kelvin Higo, provided a summary of the service of Richmond soldiers Private Hikotaro Koyanagi and Private Kazuo Harada to Canada’s war effort and expressed that their sacrifice be recognized by adding their names to the Richmond City Cenotaph.

Discussion then ensued regarding other memorials in Canada and the process to add names to the Richmond Cenotaph, and as a result the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City of Richmond acknowledge Canadian soldiers Private Hikotaro Koyanagi and Private Kazuo Harada and their sacrifice for Canada; and

(2)

That their names be appropriately added to the Richmond City Cenotaph in time for the National Civic Ceremony on November 11, 2024.

CARRIED

Discussion then ensued with regard to recognizing other Richmond veterans, and as a result the following referral motion was introduced:

That the City investigate through appropriate bodies, if there are any fallen members of South-East Asian and or including First Nations descent, who resided in Richmond.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

LONDON/STEVESTON DOG OFF-LEASH AREA UPDATE
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-LSTE1) (REDMS No. 7461802)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that the distance from the off-leash dog park fence to the residential property lines has increased to 15 metres and the increase in budget is for the excavation and drainage work for the new concept plan that contains a 1 metre high berm and additional trees to mitigate noise levels.

Sergei Volpov, Richmond resident, expressed concerns with regard to the proposal and spoke on the (i) proposed off-leash dog park and the concerns about the proximity to the residents, (ii) the potential noise level and (iii) alternate locations for the off-leash dog park within London Steveston park.

Discussion ensued regarding the consultation process and it was suggested that staff continue to engage property owners adjacent to the proposed off-leash area.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 1, as outlined in the staff report titled “London/Steveston Dog Off-Leash Area Update”, dated December 20, 2023, from the Director, Parks Services, be endorsed; and

(2)

That staff write a letter to the residents adjacent to the proposed off-leash area advising of the proposed options outlined in the staff report, before the next Council meeting.

CARRIED

3.

AWARD OF CONTRACT 8239P – DELIVERY OF ADVANCED LIFEGUARDING, LIFESAVING AND FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONAL AND RECERTIFICATION COURSES
(File Ref. No. 11-7125-01) (REDMS No. 7431664)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Contract 8239P – Delivery of Advanced Lifeguarding, Lifesaving and First Aid Instructional and Recertification Courses be awarded to L.I.T. Aquatics Ltd. for a three-year term for the projected contract value of $1,449,000 exclusive of taxes, as described in the report titled, “Award of Contract 8239P – Delivery of Advanced Lifeguarding, Lifesaving and First Aid Instructional and Recertification Courses”, dated January 2, 2024, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services;

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Community Services, be authorized to extend the initial three-year term, up to the maximum total term of five years, for the maximum total amount of $2,415,000 exclusive of taxes, as described in the report titled, “Award of Contract 8239P – Delivery of Advanced Lifeguarding, Lifesaving and First Aid Instructional and Recertification Courses”, dated January 2,2024, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services; and

(3)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Community Services, be authorized to execute the contract and all related documentation with L.I.T. Aquatics Ltd.

CARRIED

4.

FIRST NATIONS BUNKHOUSE INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM AND LEVEL OF SERVICE
(File Ref. No. 11-7141-01) (REDMS No. 7373274)

Staff presented on the First Nations Bunkhouse and noted that (i) the bunkhouse was built in the 1890s, (ii) the proposed reconstruction of the bunkhouse will incorporate as much salvage material as possible, (iii) the exhibits and programs will align with existing programs at Britannia Heritage Shipyards and include interpretative programs of Indigenous peoples, and
(v) First Nations will be involved in the Bunkhouse restoration process.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that an assessment of available salvageable materials can be done following deconstruction of the building and once the engagement and design process is complete, construction could begin simultaneously with the Phoenix Seine Loft with an estimated completion in 2027.

Harold Steves and Loren Slye, Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site Society, referenced their submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and expressed support for the proposal and restoration of the bunkhouse, noting that additional research is required to determine if the building was used as a smokehouse and that careful consideration must be done in order to preserve Indigenous historical elements during the deconstruction process

Discussion ensued regarding the further study of the building’s original purpose and staff noted that these details of interpretation will be provided in the consultation stage. As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the First Nations Bunkhouse Interpretive Program and Level of Service as detailed in the staff report titled “First Nations Bunkhouse Interpretive Program and Level of Service”, dated January 9, 2024, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services and Director, Facilities and Project Development be approved;

(2)

That staff investigate the historical use of the building as a smokehouse;

(3)

That a joint committee of Council and Britannia Heritage Society members be formed to oversee the restoration; and

(4)

That the National Historical Sites and Monuments Board should be consulted on the restoration process.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Steveston Playground Project

Staff highlighted that the Steveston Playground project design is approaching the procurement stage. Staff consulted the Rick Hansen Foundation, the Richmond Centre of Disability and the Steveston Community Society and incorporated their comments on design functionality and accessibility. The project is on track with construction to begin after this year’s Steveston Salmon Festival with an estimated completion date of June 2025.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:26 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, January 30, 2024.

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Mizuguchi,Andrea
Legislative Services Associate