as '~~ ABBOTSFORD COUNCIL REPORT Report No. PRC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Date: File No: February 2, To: From: Subject:

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1 as '~~ ABBOTSFORD Report No. PRC COUNCIL REPORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Date: File No: To: From: Subject: February 2, Mayor and Council James Arden, Director, Park Services Farm Workers Memorial - Golden Tree Project RECOMMENDATION THAT Report No. PRC , dated February 2, 2015, from the Director, Park Services regarding the Farm Workers Memorial, be received for information. SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE The BC Federation of Labour and Abbotsford Community Services have been working on the installation of a memorial with the families of the three female farm workers (Sarabjit Kaur Sidhu; 31, Amajit Kaur Bal; 52 and Sukhvinder Kaur Punia; 46) that were killed in an accident on Highway #1 in March Sponsorship for the memorial project is still underway, however once completed it will be located in the International Friendship Garden. The memorial, titled a "Golden Tree" sculpture was designed by local artists Dean and Christina Lauze, and "represents the three women intertwined raising their arms to enlightenment and hope" (see Attachment "A"). The groups are requesting that an area in the International Friendship Garden be utilized for the placement of the art. Additionally, they are requesting that the City provide and install the foundation base for the art piece as well as transportation of the piece to the site. BACKGROUND In November 2008, Sheila Moir of the BC Federation of Labour came as a delegation to the Parks, Recreation & Culture Commission to request a memorial for the three farm workers killed on Highway 1 on March 7, Discussion took place about the appropriate place for this monument, the purpose of Thunderbird Square, and that the memorial should be placed so that members of the public could memorialize the farm workers. Commission referred the matter to staff. In February 2009, staff presented a report to Commission detailing the memorials in Thunderbird Square, which include the Veterans' Cenotaph, Police and Fire Memorial, the Air Wing's Memorial and the recommended addition of a City of Abbotsford staff memorial. The report spoke of these being the only memorials for Thunderbird Square and that staff would continue to work with the BC Federation of Labour for a suitable location for the Farm Workers' Memorial.

2 Report No. PRC Page 2 of 3 In September 2011, Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour, attended as a delegation to the Parks, Recreation & Culture Commission. Mr. Sinclair explained the history of the monument and introduced Mr. Jagjit Sidhu, the husband of one of the victims in the farm worker accident. They spoke of the importance and need for this memorial in Abbotsford. Mr. Sinclair advised that the BC Federation of Labour would raise the funds for the memorial which is in excess of $100,000 and requested that the City take care of the cost for the base foundation, transportation of the structure to the site, landscaping and maintenance of the grounds. Commission recommended the concept and site for approval to Council and further moved that discussion take place with Council regarding the financial contribution. Since then, staff has continued to work with the BC Federation of Labour, Abbotsford Community Services, the families of the victims and the artist. The design of the "Golden Tree" is six metres in height, covered in gold leaf, with low accessible branches and staff raised concerns about the security of the tree and safety to park users. During several discussions and site reviews, the location at Mill Lake Park was deemed not optimal and the family agreed to the location within the International Friendship Garden off of George Ferguson Way, beside the Clearbrook Library. DISCUSSION The location at the International Friendship Garden addressed some of the staff concerns with security and maintenance of the memorial, and minimized the need for landscaping and electrical. The garden allowed for public access, in a visible location while providing some protection from the garden area and proximity to Civic Plaza buildings. The memorial will now be located in a suitable area of the city to memorialize the victims. The BC Federation of Labour, through their staff liaison Nina Hansen, informed staff that the fundraising was nearly completed and the artist was well underway with construction (see Attachment "B"). The hope is to finalize the financial arrangements with the City and work toward a spring 2015 installation. FINANCIAL PLAN IMPLICATION Staff estimates the cost of for the base foundation, transportation of the structure to the site, landscaping and maintenance of the grounds to be $12,000 to be funded from PRC Operating Budget. -(10-.// Reviewed and approved by the: Chief Financial Officer IMPACTS ON COUNCIL POLICIES, STRATEGIC PLAN AND/OR COUNCIL DIRECTION This initiative is related to focus on addressing key social issues.

3 Report No. PRC Page 3 of 3 SUBSTANTIATION OF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council encourage staff to continue to work with the BC Federation of Labour, Abbotsford Community Services and the victims' families to finalize the arrangements for the installation of the Farm Workers' Memorial known as "The Golden Tree" in the International Friendship Garden. J~:i: Arden Di ctor, Park Services Heidi Enns General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Culture ATTACHMENTS Attachment "N: Artist Rendering of the "Golden Tree" Attachment "B": "Golden Tree" Under Construction

4 Attachment A

5 Attachment B