April 23, 2024 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day (entered the meeting at 4:01 p.m.)

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 March 26, 2024, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PRESENTATION

Mandy Hadfield, Manager, Sports and Community Events, presented the Volunteer Video (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) in honour of National Volunteer Week (April 14-20, 2024), highlighting that the week celebrates the valuable contributions of community volunteers who have helped make Richmond a vibrant community. The video recognizes those who contributed over 55,000 hours of their time to various events, programs, and services within Richmond.

In response to a query from Committee, staff noted that the video was created by the Media Lab with support from the Program Manager, Marketing, Community Services, and will be shown at the next Council meeting.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

1.

DESIGNATED BMX TRACK AND PUMP TRACK FACILITIES

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-01) (REDMS No. 7597668)

Discussion ensued regarding Lower Mainland BMX track and pump track facilities reviewed in the case study.

It was moved and seconded

That Option 1, as outlined in the staff reported titled “Designated BMX Track and Pump Track Facilities”, dated March 20, 2024, from the Director, Parks Services, be endorsed.

CARRIED

2.

AQUATICS INSTRUCTOR AND LIFEGUARD SUBSIDY PROGRAM UPDATE

(File Ref. No. 11-7143-01) (REDMS No. 7625305)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) there are funds to support the Instructor/Lifeguard Subsidy Program through 2024 and a continuation of the program can be considered with the 2025 budget process, (ii) while there is no longer a critical shortage of trained lifeguards in British Columbia, the City continues to be in need of additional aquatics instructors and lifeguards due to shifts in the workforce, (iii) the completion rate is higher for Subsidy Program candidates compared to non-Subsidy Program candidates, primarily due to the swim assessment and interview process as part of the Subsidy Program requirements, and (iv) increasing the availability of swim lessons is a priority.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a subsidy program for aquatics instructors and lifeguards, as outlined in the report titled “Aquatics Instructor and Lifeguard Subsidy Program Update”, dated March 21, 2024, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services, be endorsed; and

(2)

That a one-time additional level request to continue the subsidy program for aquatics instructors and lifeguards be considered in the 2025 budget process.

CARRIED

 3.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Hugh Boyd Community Facility and Fieldhouse Project

Staff provided a brief update on the stakeholder engagement plan, noting that a building committee comprised of 13 members representing various stakeholders and organizations with knowledge and understanding of local needs has convened. Staff noted that a report is forthcoming and expected to be presented at an upcoming Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting.

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) public washroom facilities are included in the proposed plan and (ii) staff are currently developing a timeline for the project as part of the forthcoming staff report.

Discussion ensued regarding the stakeholder groups included in the building committee and including a representative from the Musqueam Indian Band.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff reach out to the Musqueam Indian Band to appoint a member to the building committee of the Hugh Boyd Community Facility and Fieldhouse project.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding the composition of various committees and community groups.

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

(ii)

No. 3 Road Bark Park

Staff provided an update on the No. 3 Road Bark Park (“Bark Park”), noting:

§   

Since the March 26, 2024 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Committee meeting, Parks staff have added new, more robust temporary barriers and enhanced interim signage throughout the Bark Park as well as along the trail around the Crown Packaging site Public Right of Passage;

§   

Following additional discussions, staff are further reviewing existing site conditions and enhancement options as outlined in the referral;

§   

Various considerations will be taken into account with respect to safety, parking lot access and impacts, potential conflict reduction, sensitivity around the Riparian Management Area, tree impacts, and allowances within the dike structure; and

§   

A staff report to the PRCS Committee is forthcoming, with a targeted meeting date of May 28, 2024.

In response to a query from Committee, staff noted that they would be reaching out to the petition groups and various user groups prior to the report being presented at a future Committee meeting.

(iii)

Street Banner Program

Discussion ensued regarding the City’s street banner program.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff examine the possibility of installing street banners along No. 5 Road from Steveston Highway to Blundell Road; and

(2)

That staff provide further details of the street banner program including quantities, distribution, and placement of banners

and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding (i) the current infrastructure in place on No. 5 Road and (ii) the cost to modify or install additional infrastructure.

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

(iv)

Minoru Chapel

In response to a query from Committee, staff advised that background information on the Minoru Chapel operator will be provided via a staff memorandum.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:35 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, April 23, 2024.

_________________________________

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Shannon Unrau
Legislative Services Associate