September 17, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Michael Wolfe, Chair
Councillor, Chak Au (by teleconference)
Councillor Laura Gillanders (by teleconference)
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Kash Heed

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:52 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on July 23, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

1.

Robert Berkhout, Board Chair, and Shelley Niemek, Administrator, London Heritage Farm Society, spoke to their submission with respect to the London Heritage Farm Society Operations (copy on file, City Clerk’s office).

In response to queries from Committee, the delegation noted (i) the new fall hours of operation are Saturday and Sunday from September through December, (ii) having the Heritage Ambassadors (Interpreters) to give tours, tell the story and have the interaction with the visitors, enables us to be able to operate the gift shop and operate the tea room, (iii) the majority of events held are private functions, and priced competitively, (iv) future plans include displaying more images with stories of how the farm started and more emphasis on the family itself, and (v) as much as speed humps helped to reduce speeding cars in the area, parking at the farm continues to be a problem, especially during larger events.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff review the request of London Heritage Farm Society and bring forward options for maintaining open hours for the London Farm House; and

(2)

That staff review opportunities to improve parking for London Farm.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE DIVISION

2.

Terra Nova Rural Park Historic Assets Phase 2 Draft Program Plan

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-TNRP1) (REDMS No. 7829163)

Kevin Takahide Lee spoke to his presentation on the Richmond Nikkei Communities (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and shared his experiences of performing and exhibiting historical Richmond Terra Nova Japanese Canadian family stories.

A brief discussion ensued noting there is no historical marker to preserve the heritage of the Terra Nova Cannery.

Mr. Lee expressed the importance of consulting with the Japanese Canadian community and descendants of those who lived in the area, noting there is a healthy Japanese Canadian community in Richmond and that further information can be acquired through the Nikkei Centre, the National Association of Japanese Canadians (membership throughout Canada) and the Powell Street Festival Society.

Mr. Lee was encouraged to share his stories and historical photographs with the City’s Archives.

Councillor Au left the meeting (5:15 p.m.) and did not return.

David Kenji Heike spoke to his presentation on the historical significance of his ancestral home, the Parson House (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2), and requested the Parson House be named the Shimano House.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Proposed Programming Priorities and Decision Making Framework for purposes of stakeholder consultation, as outlined in the staff report titled “Terra Nova Rural Park Historic Assets Phase 2 Draft Program Plan”, dated August 25, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services, be approved;

(2)

That staff proceed with Phase 3 of the Terra Nova Rural Park Historical Assets Draft Program Plan; and

(3)

That staff further review the existing Phase Two Draft Program Plan to see if there are additional consultation groups, look at the City’s existing naming policy and naming requests that have come forward to date, and report back.

CARRIED

3.

Wharves Regulation Bylaw No. 10182 Amendments

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-ILAN1) (REDMS No. 8130556)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Wharves Bylaw No. 10182, Amendment Bylaw No. 10698, be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and

(2)

That Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8366, Amendment Bylaw No. 10699, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Major Events Scheduled for 2026

Staff provided an update on (i) the Kaiwo Maru arrival in Steveston, noting the first meeting of the community working group will be in October 2025, and work has begun to ensure the docks and other infrastructure will be ready for the anticipated May 2026 arrival, and (ii) the FIFA Organization has confirmed the dates of the 2026 Canada matches as June 12, June 18 and June 24, and staff will be meeting with the presidents of the community association in the coming days to discuss what their plans for FIFA activations of the community centres will be.

(ii)

Upcoming Events

Staff provided an overview of (i) the upcoming “Culture Moves Us: A Community Celebration” at the Minoru Centre for Active Living, as part of “Culture Days In Richmond”, which celebrates the community’s contribution toward Richmond being named Canada’s most active community in the 2025 Participaction Community Challenge, and (ii) the “Maple Road Experience” exhibit at the Richmond Museum, opening on September 25, 2025, featuring a collection of skateboard memorabilia from life long Richmond resident Kevin Harris.

(iii)

Recognition of Camryn Rogers and Evan Dunfee Athletic Achievements

The recent athletic achievements of Richmond residents Camryn Rogers and Evan Dunfee was noted.  Staff advised they will be reaching out to the parties to establish an appropriate opportunity for the City to formally recognize their athletic achievements.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:48 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, September 17, 2025.

_________________________________

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Councillor Michael Wolfe
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate