July 23, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Michael Wolfe, Chair

Mayor Malcolm Brodie (left the meeting at 6:08 p.m.)
Councillor, Chak Au
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day (left the meeting at 6:20 p.m.)

Councillor Kash Heed (by teleconference) (left the meeting at 5:39 p.m.)

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:13 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on June 24, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

A.

Linda Barnes and Joanne Teraguchi, Steveston Historical Society co-chairs, referred to their submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes asSchedule 1) requesting additional funding from the City of Richmond to support and enhance the programs they offer to the Steveston community. 

In response to a query from Committee, the delegation advised that they can provide Committee with a detailed plan of the programs and initiatives they plan to undertake with the additional funding.

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) Tourism Richmond’s role within the Steveston Historical Society, (ii) current operations and impacts, (iii) Steveston Historical Society’s collaboration with other historical sites in Steveston, and (iv) proposed expansion of programming.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff review the submission presented by the Steveston Historical Society, obtain a detailed plan for the additional funding and present options and analysis to Council by the 2026 budget process.

CARRIED

Councillor Kash Heed left the meeting (5:39 p.m.) and did not return.

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE DIVISION

1.

Railway Greenway Solar Lighting Options

(File Ref. No. 06-2400-20-RAIL1) (REDMS No. 8067412)

Discussion ensued with respect to the phased in implementation of the solar pedestrian lighting.

It was moved and seconded

That Option 2, “Two Phase Implementation”, as outlined in the staff report titled “Railway Greenway Solar Lighting Options”, dated June 30, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services, be approved.

CARRIED

2.

Street Banner Referral Response

(File Ref. No. 11-7200-20-SBAN1/CL) (REDMS No. 8081632)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) upon Council approval of Option 1, the next steps would be to have a consultant perform a detailed assessment and design to confirm load-bearing capacity and overall suitability of each individual pole and base for banner arm retrofits, (ii) staff will report back to Council with the recommended banner implementation plan and an updated cost estimate for consideration, and (iii) some poles are specifically designed for banners, while retrofitted poles in the City would require review.

Materials were distributed by Council member (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2) and discussion ensued with respect to (i) the potential locations for banner installation along No. 5 Road between Steveston Highway and Blundell Road, (ii) placement of banners on poles that can be retrofitted, not on poles that need to be replaced, (iii) estimated costs related to the options, (iv) staff meeting with the Highway to Heaven Committee to ascertain the specifics around banner installation along No. 5 Road, and (v) the requirement for hiring a consultant to perform a detailed assessment of the street light poles versus staff conducting the assessment in house.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Street Banner Referral Response”, dated June 30, 2025 be referred back to staff to meet with the Highway to Heaven Committee on their request for welcome signs on each end of No. 5 Road and that City staff concurrently assess the condition of the existing poles and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as staff advised that the engineering assessment for the base and streetlight pole requires both a Structural Engineer and a Geotechnical Engineer.  Staff are only able to provide a visual condition inspection. 

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

Mayor Malcolm Brodie left the meeting (6:08 p.m.) and did not return.

3.

Draft Richmond Arts Strategy 2025-2030

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-11-01) (REDMS No. 8061570)

Staff presented the Draft Richmond Arts Strategy 2025-2030 video, (Copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) the benefits of the community roundtable discussions, and (ii) the connection between culture and art.

In addition, staff was asked about the status of an economic viability study request. Staff advised there is no outstanding direction but would review past minute information pertaining to an economic viability study and provide information back to Committee.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Draft Richmond Arts Strategy 2025-2030, included as Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “Draft Richmond Arts Strategy 2025-2030”, dated June 30, 2025, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be endorsed for the purpose of seeking interest holders’ and public feedback on the strategy; and

(2)

That the Final Richmond Arts Strategy 2025-2030, including the results of the interest holders’ and public feedback, be brought back to Council for consideration following the interest holders’ and public consultation.

CARRIED

3A.

veteran STREET banners

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

Discussion ensued with respect to public correspondence received regarding a proposal for installation of commemorative banners on No. 3 Road.

Councillor Carol Day left the meeting (6:20 pm) and did not return.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff consult with the appropriate Committee on a customized Veteran Street Banner program for the City and report back.

CARRIED

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Update on Kaiwo Maru

Staff advised Committee that they have begun the procurement process of engaging a new shipping agent and are starting planning for engaging the Community including a community working group.

(ii)

Update on Richmond Celebrates FIFA

Staff advised that procurement of a sponsorship has begun and staff are in discussions with one potential sponsor, and the Vancouver Host Committee has confirmed that the FIFA game times will be released in December 2025.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:27 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, July 23, 2025.

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Councillor Michael Wolfe
Chair

Raman Grewal
Legislative Services Associate