(Translation)

Minutes of the 5th Meeting of the District Works and Facilities Management Committee 5th Wan Chai District Council Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Date : 28 July 2016 (Thursday) Time : 4:05 p.m. Venue : Wan Chai District Council Conference Room, 21/F Centre, 130 Road, Hong Kong

Present Chairperson Mr WONG Wang-tai, Ivan, MH

Vice-chairperson Mr LEE Man-lung, Joey

Members Mr NG Kam-chun, Stephen, BBS, MH, JP Dr CHOW Kit-bing, Jennifer, BBS, MH Ms NG Yuen-ting, Yolanda, MH Ms LEE Pik-yee, Peggy Mr LAM Wai-man, Wind, Anson Miss YEUNG Suet-ying, Clarisse Mr CHENG Ki-kin Ms CHUNG Ka-man, Jacqueline

Representatives of Government Departments Mr CHAN Tin-chu, Rick, JP District Officer (Wan Chai) Miss LAI Wai-yee, Renie Assistant District Officer (Wan Chai) Miss WONG Wing-yee, Amy Assistant District Officer (Wan Chai) (designate) Ms CHAN Siu-ping, Daphne Senior Liaison Officer (Community Affairs), Wan Chai District Office Mr KAM Chun-cheong, Patrick Senior Executive Officer (District Management), Wan Chai District Office Mr LIU Wai-shing, Simon Chief Leisure Manager (Hong Kong East), Leisure and Cultural Services Department Miss LEE Pui-ling, Becky District Leisure Manager (Wan Chai), Leisure and Cultural Services Department Mr CHU Ka-chun, Gordon Acting District Leisure Manager (Wan Chai), Leisure and Cultural Services Department Mr SIN Yiu-shun Senior Librarian (Wan Chai), Leisure and Cultural Services Department

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Representatives of other Government Departments and Organisations Mr LEE Kit-wai Inspector of Works (Hong Kong), Works Section, Home Affairs Department Mr CHIANG Kon-pung Assistant Inspector of Works (Hong Kong), Works Section, Home Affairs Department Ms AU Pui-yin, Rosa Senior Executive Officer (Planning)4, [Agenda Item 4] Leisure and Cultural Services Department Mr KWAN Wing-yip Engineer/Wan Chai 3, Transport Department [Agenda Item 5] Mr LAI Cheuk-yiu Task Force Sub-Unit Commander (Wan Chai Division), Hong Kong Police Force [Agenda Item 6] Mr LAW Chun-cheong Electronics Engineer/Project 8/2, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Secretary Miss LAU Po-ki, Kiki Executive Officer I (District Council), Wan Chai District Office

Action Opening Remarks The Chairperson welcomed Members and representatives of government departments to the 5th meeting of the District Works and Facilities Management Committee (DWFMC).

2. The Chairperson reminded Members to declare their interests at the meeting where necessary, and to complete the “Registration Form for Declaration of Interests in Respect of a District Works Application”.

Item 1: Confirmation of Minutes of the 4th Meeting of DWFMC th 3. The minutes of the 4 meeting were confirmed by means of a motion moved by Dr Jennifer CHOW and seconded by Mr Joey LEE.

Information Items Item 2: Bi-Monthly Report on the Management of Recreation and Sports Facilities (May – June 2016) and Works Progress in Wan Chai District by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) (DWFMC Paper No. 26/2016) 4. Miss Becky LEE of LCSD introduced the paper with the key points summarised as follows:

(I) Management of Facilities - The usage of recreation and sports facilities in Wan Chai District was stable in May and June 2016; - During the same period, the performance of the contractors providing security guard and horticultural maintenance services respectively was good. LCSD would continue to urge the cleansing service contractor to strengthen their anti-mosquito work and eliminate mosquito

5th_dwfmc_minutes_5_e - 2 - Action breeding.

(II) Greening Works - In May and June 2016, LCSD planted three trees at Tai Wo Street Playground; and 1 826 shrubs at Wan Chai Gap Park, Tin Hau Temple Road Garden No. 3, Kennedy Street Sitting-out Area and amenity plot at Canal Road Flyover, in order to beautify the environment; - During the same period, 28 trees located in Victoria Park and Wan Chai Gap Park were removed. They were infected by pests and diseases or found to have structural problems. Despite the careful maintenance by LCSD, the trees continued to deteriorate in health and showed no sign of recovery. LCSD had to remove them as there were no other feasible alternatives to improve their health. Replanting of trees would be considered depending on the actual circumstances of the sites.

(III) District Works Projects and Facility Improvement Works Funded by DWFMC - Provision of additional changing rooms and toilets at Happy Valley Recreation Ground (WC-DMW 128): The Drainage Services Department (DSD) was the works agent for this project. The structural works were completed in January 2016. Interior renovation works and installation of electrical and mechanical facilities were underway. The facility was scheduled to be opened in the third quarter of 2016. - Renovation and extension of the jogging track at Happy Valley Recreation Ground (HVRG) (WC-DMW 140): The works agent was DSD. The works were divided into five phases. The first and second phases of the works were completed and the facilities had been open to the public since March 2016. In view of the pitch refurbishment works at HVRG, the third phase of the jogging track renovation works would commence in 2017. The whole project was scheduled to be completed by mid-2017. - Greening works in the parks and roadside amenity plots in the Wan Chai District (WC-DMW 152): The works agent was LCSD. The works were divided into four phases. The first phase of greening works commenced in mid-May 2016 and would be completed in July 2016. The second phase of greening works was scheduled to commence in August 2016 and would be completed by the end of September 2016. - Improving the circulation system, the ventilation system, CCTV cameras and installation of heat exchanger system at the foot baths of the changing rooms at Morrison Hill Swimming Pool (WC-DMW 153): The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) was the works agent for this project. The works commenced in mid-May 2016 and were scheduled to be completed in June 2017. - Upgrading of water heater system at Lockhart Road Sports Centre (WC-DMW 154): The works agent was EMSD. The works were

5th_dwfmc_minutes_5_e - 3 - Action scheduled to commence in September 2016 and would be completed in October 2016. - Upgrading of the aquatic timing system of Victoria Park Swimming Pool (WC-DMW 155): The works agent was EMSD. The procurement works commenced in July 2016 and were scheduled to be completed in December 2016. - Installation of exhaust fans in men’s and ladies’ toilets and changing rooms at Causeway Bay Sports Ground (WC-DMW 157): The works agent was EMSD. The installation works were completed on 22 June 2016. - Improvement works for the air conditioning system at the male toilet of Lockhart Road Sports Centre (WC-DMW 158): The works agent was EMSD. The works were scheduled to commence in December 2016 and would be completed in March 2017.

(IV) Review of the Provision of Designated Smoking Areas at Public Pleasure Grounds - In view of a change in the demarcation of the district boundaries in 2016, the number of public pleasure grounds where smoking was prohibited increased from 69 to 77 in Wan Chai District. There were 10 venues in which smoking was allowed and 5 venues in which designated smoking areas were provided in the district. It was proposed to maintain the aforesaid provision of designated smoking areas at the public pleasure grounds of LCSD in the district.

5. Members raised the following enquiries/comments: (i) A Member said that switching on the lighting system at Victoria Park in the afternoon was not environmental friendly, and enquired about the operating hours of the system; (ii) Ms Yolanda NG said that LCSD had committed to expand the no-smoking areas. But the expansion turned out to be merely a transfer of smoking prohibited venues from the two additional constituencies to Wan Chai District, instead of a conversion of smoking venues into smoking prohibited venues. Therefore, she urged LCSD to review the number of “no-smoking areas” and “smoking areas”; (iii) A Member enquired LCSD about the way to handle lifeguards’ strike and the corresponding plan to address the issue; (iv) A Member suggested LCSD opening the Wan Chai Swimming Pool for public use at designated timeslots, and requested for information and usage details of the swimming pool for reference.

6. Miss Becky LEE of LCSD responded that the light system was operated by a brightness sensor, and would later check if any individual light band was out of order. Besides, as the “smoking areas” of LCSD venues were quite popular among the users, LCSD was worried that introduction of a total smoking ban might divert them to smoke in the other areas of the pleasure grounds. While the “smoking areas” designated by LCSD constituted around 1% of the venue area, smoking was prohibited at the pleasure grounds and

5th_dwfmc_minutes_5_e - 4 - Action venues provided with sports facilities, in order to reduce the nuisance to non-smokers as much as possible. Regarding the lifeguards’ strike, Miss Becky LEE said that LCSD had by all means appealed to the lifeguards not to go on strike. If the swimming pool had to be closed, LCSD would remind the swimmers by issuing a press release, and distribute admission tickets to the temporarily affected swimmers such that they could enjoy a complimentary swimming session at the pool within 12 months from the date of issue. As for the proposed arrangement of opening the Wan Chai Swimming Pool to the public, LCSD responded that the swimming pool was a professional training pool rented exclusively to swimming associations or sports associations for use, and the pool design might not be suitable for public use. While the usage rate of the pool was exceptionally high, opening the pool for public use might require redeployment of manpower. Relevant information would be provided later to the Committee for perusal.

7. Mr Simon LIU of LCSD added that they would actively follow up the arrangement on setting up “smoking areas” at various venues, and would work in close liaison with trade unions to recruit temporary or part-time lifeguards whenever necessary in order to maintain the service quality. Moreover, the Wan Chai Swimming Pool was a standard pool with a length of 50 metres and a depth of 2 metres suitable for high-level training. While the usage rates of other public swimming pools in Wan Chai District were unsaturated, LCSD had no plan to open the Wan Chai Swimming Pool for public use at this stage.

[Post-meeting note: LCSD submitted on 30 September the supplementary information on Wan Chai Swimming Pool, and the Secretariat also sent out the information to Members for perusal on the same day.]

(Ms Peggy LEE, Ms Jacqueline CHUNG and Mr Stephen NG joined the meeting at 4:10 p.m.)

Item 3: Progress Report on District Minor Works Projects by the Wan Chai District Office (DWFMC Paper No. 27/2016) 8. Mr Patrick KAM reported to the Committee on the progress of various district minor works projects, with the following key points:

(I) Erection of Fences under the Flyover along the Section of Gloucester Road in Causeway Bay (off Marco Polo Mansion) (WC-DMW 143) 9. Replanting of trees was carried out by the contractor of LCSD at the above site. The whole project was completed in June 2016.

(II) Anti-blockage Scheme of Community Facility Drains 2015/2016 (WC-DMW 144) 10. The whole project was expected to be completed by August 2016.

5th_dwfmc_minutes_5_e - 5 - Action (III) Replacement of the District Council Logo Signs in Victoria Park and Tin Hau Constituencies (WC-DMW 156) 11. The logo signs concerned had been replaced and the whole project was completed.

Discussion Items Item 4: Conversion of Lots 11SE-A/R56 and 11SE-A/R57 at Dragon Road into a Rest Garden (DWFMC Paper No. 29/2016) 12. The Chairperson welcomed the following representative of LCSD to the meeting for discussion of agenda item 4: Ms Rosa AU Senior Executive Officer (Planning)4, Leisure and Cultural Services Department

13. Miss Becky LEE of LCSD briefed the Committee on the background information, and Ms Rosa AU of LCSD briefed the Committee on the latest situation of the conversion works.

14. Mr Joey LEE hoped that the lots concerned could be redeveloped for public use and advised to keep the retaining wall which was made of granite.

15. Members raised the following enquiries/comments: (i) Ms Yolanda NG pointed out that the development of the lots should not be confined to the two possibilities mentioned in the paper. Also, the feasibility study should not be conducted from the aspects of professional engineering and the land uses of government only, but to include the public engagement factor as well. She supported the conduction of feasibility study, and opined that the future direction should not be fixed at this stage; (ii) A Member enquired about the area, useful life of the lots and the project cost of constructing a new rest garden / refurbishing an existing rest garden; (iii) A Member suggested conducting the feasibility study first to understand the stability and safety of the facilities before discussing the future direction, and pointed out that the paper did not mention the engagement of DC Members of the constituency concerned. It was hoped that this information could be presented clearly under the background information as in the other papers; (iv) The District Officer suggested LCSD conducting a more extensive feasibility study. Consideration could be given to providing passive and active facilities for different building structures, in order to reduce the cost of stabilisation works and the overall project cost. While the useful life of the lots concerned was yet to be confirmed, the possibility for coming up with other development proposals in the future could not be ruled out. The lots should therefore be developed

5th_dwfmc_minutes_5_e - 6 - Action in a cost-effective way; (v) The Chairperson said that the loading capacity of the building was the major concern of the works project, and the study should focus on the way to develop under limited resources.

16. Ms Rosa AU of LCSD responded that development of the lots was not confined to the two proposals in the paper which were illustrated mainly for estimation of the project cost. Besides, the topography and uses of the land would directly affect the complexity of works. As the project involved slopes, land formation and provision of drainage facilities, etc., the project cost was anticipated to be higher than that in developing rest gardens of comparable area. Safety would be the primary concern for the whole project. If the idea of developing a low-cost rest garden at the podium was technically feasible, LCSD would be pleased to put it into practice. Ms Rosa AU added that LCSD would relay to the Works Section the Committee’s views, and request for the most cost-effective proposal as far as possible. No matter whether the works project would be carried out eventually, the cost of feasibility study would be inevitable for the continuous implementation of the project.

(Remarks: The Committee approved a funding amount of $1,100,000 for conducting a feasibility study for the works project at Dragon Road. Please refer to paragraphs 46 to 47.)

17. After discussion, the Committee supported LCSD in carrying out a feasibility study for the works project. LCSD was asked to submit the funding application at the next meeting.

[Post-meeting note: In order to describe more accurately the location of the rest garden to be developed, LCSD would amend the project title to “Redevelopment of the Vacant Government Land at Dragon Road near 11SE-A/R56 and 11SE-A/R57 into a Rest Garden”.]

Item 5: Opinion Survey on the Establishment of a Pet Garden in Tai Hang (DWFMC Paper No. 30/2016) 18. The Chairperson welcomed the following representative of the Transport Department (TD) to the meeting for discussion of agenda item 5: Mr KWAN Wing-yip Engineer/Wan Chai 3

19. Miss Becky LEE of LCSD briefed the Committee on the paper.

20. Members raised the following enquiries/comments: (i) Mr Joey LEE reminded the departments concerned that the entire area of a residential estate/ building should be covered in the consultation exercise, and proposed that since Tsuen Wing Lau of Lai Tak Tsuen was also a major user, it should be included in the exercise as well;

5th_dwfmc_minutes_5_e - 7 - Action (ii) Miss Clarisse YEUNG pointed out that there was an additional question in the questionnaire asking the respondents how they would get to Lin Fa Kung Garden, and supported that a more extensive and in-depth consultation should be conducted. Since the departments concerned had to follow an established practice in conducting consultation exercises, LCSD was asked to interview the users as well, and DC Members of the constituency also planned to organise a briefing session and gauge views from more residents through various channels. She also enquired if TD had prepared any information for the Committee’s reference; (iii) A Member pointed out that while the departments concerned were confined within an area in assisting to conduct the consultation exercise, DC Members of the constituency concerned who were most familiar with the situation of the area should help gauging more views. It was also expected that the views collected could help DC making the right decision for the residents; (iv) A Member expressed concern over the amount of resources allocated by LCSD to this project. Respondents generally had different comments in different seasons, but the survey was scheduled for August and September to cover summer only; it was suggested conducting another opinion survey in winter in order to obtain more extensive views. Besides, she opined that apart from briefing sessions, consideration could also be given to printing brochures and setting up a website to provide more details on the project. As the consultation exercise was conducted by several parties including LCSD, WCDO, DC Members of the constituency concerned and other DC Members simultaneously, more comprehensive comments could be collected and hence reduce the risk of being questioned by the public; (v) Mr Joey LEE suggested LCSD inviting interested Members to engage in the design of the questionnaire. He said that he would interview the residents of Lai Tak Tsuen by using the questionnaires printed on his own under the name of his personal office, and would share the views collected at the next meeting; (vi) Miss Clarisse YEUNG opined that in order to conduct a comprehensive consultation exercise, the departments concerned had been providing comments and support, while DC Members of the constituency concerned had also been maintaining good communication with the residents. DC was therefore considered an effective advisory role in this matter; (vii) Ms Yolanda NG indicated that WCDC had been supportive of the establishment of a pet garden, and was pleased to witness the significant improvement of the departments concerned in handling the consultation exercise. The departments concerned were also expected to adopt the same approach in addressing other key issues; (viii) The Chairperson was pleased to see that the departments concerned had allocated more resources in gauging views, and suggested adding remarks to the questionnaire so as to assist the respondents in understanding the content. He opined that conducting the questionnaire survey by DC Members could avoid the existence of

5th_dwfmc_minutes_5_e - 8 - Action a pre-determined position.

21. Miss Clarisse YEUNG supplemented that the questionnaire was comprised mainly of questions without giving too much details on the proposal. DC Members of the constituency concerned would keep on printing leaflets in order to assist the residents in understanding about the project. The questionnaires enclosed in the Annexes to the paper were only a draft; Members were invited to raise comments.

22. Miss Becky LEE of LCSD responded that the issue had been repeatedly discussed at previous meetings. Members had different views towards the issue and LCSD had also conducted questionnaire survey on this subject. The public’s opinions varied towards the establishment of a pet garden, according to the results of an opinion survey on this subject. Survey on this issue was regularly conducted by LCSD, which might be the first time in Wan Chai District. LCSD had consulted the Committee on the content of the questionnaire at the 3rd meeting of DWFMC, the comments collected were consolidated and re-submitted to the Committee for consideration. The Committee was invited to give further comments, if any, to LCSD at this stage.

23. Mr KWAN Wing-yip of TD added that the Lin Fa Kung Garden in Tai Hang did not take up much space and was situated at a relatively remote location where both pedestrian flow and vehicular flow were low. As the traffic flow nearby was not high, the impact on traffic was minimal. The absence of restricted parking zones also facilitated pick-up/drop-off of passengers within the area. Besides, roadside parking spaces (metered parking spaces) were provided near Lin Fa Kung Garden for use by drivers. Therefore, it was expected that redevelopment of Lin Fa Kung Garden in Tai Hang into a pet garden would not cause significant traffic impact.

24. The District Officer added that WCDO was highly supportive of public engagement and public consultation exercise, and would actively find a way to make the best use of resources in conducting a comprehensive consultation exercise in the face of various controversial issues, with a view to assisting the DC in making a wise decision.

25. Having regard to LCSD’s response, Ms Yolanda NG expressed that the Committee raised comments on key issues and expected that department would adopt the same approach in addressing other major issues. Also, this was not the first consultation exercise in Wan Chai District, and WCDC had initiated for numerous times in the past to conduct a survey. Moreover, the pet garden proposed to be established was not the first of its kind in Wan Chai District, and the previous experience had laid a solid foundation for the current proposal.

26. After discussion, LCSD noted the Committee’s comments and suggestions.

5th_dwfmc_minutes_5_e - 9 - Action [Post-meeting note: LCSD amended the questionnaire by making reference to the Committee’s comments, and the revised questionnaire was sent to Members for perusal by circulation of papers from 8 to 19 September.]

Item 6: Operation and Maintenance Arrangements of the CCTV System at Causeway Bay Pedestrian Precinct (DWFMC Paper No. 31/2016) 27. The Chairperson welcomed the following representatives of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and EMSD to the meeting for discussion of agenda item 6: Mr LAI Cheuk-yiu Task Force Sub-Unit Commander (Wan Chai Division) Mr LAW Chun-cheong Electronics Engineer/Project 8/2

28. Mr Patrick KAM briefed the Committee on the paper.

29. Members raised the following enquiries/comments: (i) Mr Joey LEE enquired whether the CCTV system was supported by a high-definition system and was functioning properly; (ii) Ms Yolanda NG opined that the system could effectively avoid a reoccurrence of incidents of throwing objects from heights; the retrieval of CCTV footage was restricted exclusively to the investigation of the above-mentioned incidents but not for any other purposes. Prior approval from the DC and personnel concerned must be sought in order to retrieve the footage record; (iii) A Member opined that the CCTV system had a deterrent effect, hence it was suggested extending the operation of the system; (iv) The District Officer enquired how the system demonstrated a deterrent effect, for instance, whether there was any signage showing that the location concerned was equipped with a CCTV system to watch over the pedestrians.

30. Mr LAW Chun-cheong of EMSD responded that the 3-megapixel lenses used for the CCTV system were of ultra-high definition.

31. Mr LAI Cheuk-yiu of HKPF responded that the Police did not submit any application for retrieval of the CCTV footage in the past three years. The system had certain effect of surveillance, and the Police could submit applications to obtain the footage record for investigation whenever necessary.

32. Mr Patrick KAM responded that the coverage area of the CCTV system was provided with signage in order to remind the pedestrians that the location was put under surveillance.

33. After discussion, the Committee agreed to extend the operation of the system for another three years until 31 March 2020 after the expiry of the

5th_dwfmc_minutes_5_e - 10 - Action existing maintenance contract on 31 March 2017.

(Ms Jacqueline CHUNG left the meeting at 4:50 p.m.)

Information Papers Item 7: Position of the District Minor Works Funds 2016/17 (DWFMC Paper No. 28/2016) 34. The Secretary reported that prior to this meeting, the Committee had approved around $10,297,700 from the District Minor Works Funds 2016/17 for the implementation of various district minor works projects.

35. The Committee noted the report.

Item 8: Dates of Meetings of the DWFMC in 2017 (DWFMC Paper No. 35/2016) 36. The Committee agreed and noted the content of the above paper.

Applications for District Minor Works Funds 37. The Chairperson said that three applications for District Minor Works Fund would be discussed at this meeting.

Item 9: Relocation of a Seat Off No. 9-13 O’Brien Road (DWFMC Paper No. 32/2016) 38. After discussion, the Committee agreed to conduct the above project and approved the funding application.

Item 10: Repainting of the Footbridge Connecting Yee Wo Street and Leighton Road (Olympic Bridge) (DWFMC Paper No. 33/2016) 39. Members raised the following enquiries/comments: (i) Miss Clarisse YEUNG enquired if any additional Olympic Years were added to the footbridge; (ii) A Member enquired whether hoardings would be provided for the railings of the footbridge.

40. Mr Patrick KAM responded that the locations of the Olympic Years on the footbridge would be slightly altered to allow the addition of years of 2012 and 2016. Details were provided at the Annex.

41. Ms Yolanda NG added that the works application was intended to perform renovation works specifically for the design of the Olympic Bridge. If other Members had better suggestions, consideration could be given to submitting an alternative works application later.

5th_dwfmc_minutes_5_e - 11 - Action 42. After discussion, the Committee agreed to conduct the above project and approved the funding application.

Item 11: Provision of a Rain Shelter off Lai Tak Plaza at Lai Tak Tsuen Road in Tin Hau (DWFMC Paper No. 34/2016) 43. After discussion, the Committee agreed to conduct the above project and approved the funding application.

Item 12: Any Other Business 44. A Member told the meeting about the breakdown of the lighting and audio equipment in the Leighton Hill Community Hall, and asked WCDO to examine and repair the equipment.

45. Another Member suggested that a captions display screen be installed in the Leighton Hill Community Hall, and asked WCDO to follow up the suggestion.

46. The District Officer proposed that if the Committee supported LCSD conducting a feasibility study for the Dragon Road works project, consideration could be given to approving $1,100,000 at the same time such that the feasibility study could be carried out as soon as possible.

47. After discussion, the Committee agreed to conduct the above study and approved the funding application.

Item 13: Date of Next Meeting 48. The Chairperson announced that the next meeting would be held on 11 October 2016 (Tuesday).

49. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

Wan Chai District Council Secretariat October 2016

These minutes of meeting were confirmed on 11 October 2016.

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