Council Meeting Minutes - March 26, 2001

Time:

7:00 p. m.

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Malcolm Brodie
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Councillor Kiichi Kumagai
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Harold Steves

City Clerk - J. Richard McKenna

Call to Order:

Mayor Halsey-Brandt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

It was moved and seconded

That:

the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on Monday, March 12^th, 2001; and

the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting for Public Hearings held on Monday, March 19^th, 2001,

be adopted as circulated, and that the GVRD "Board in Brief" dated February 28^th, 2001, and the TransLink "Board in Brief" dated March 16^th, 2001, each be received for information.

CARRIED

Mr. Mark Bostwick, Chair, Heritage Commission, presented the Commissions 2000 Annual Report to Council, after which he responded to questions from Council on aspects of heritage matters. A copy of the report is on file in the City Clerks Office.

It was moved and seconded

That the Heritage Commission 2000 Annual Report be received for information.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:16 p.m.).

CARRIED

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items -

Item No. 16 - Zoning & Development Bylaw No. 5300, Amendment Bylaw No. 7218 (To add sale of outdoor plants and supplies as an accessory use to Household Furnishings and Appliances)

Mr. Bill Jones, of Jones Nurseries Ltd., 16060 Westminster Highway, expressed concern that the amendments being proposed could have a negative impact on Richmond's farming industry and would help to further erode the garden centre sales market. (A copy of the correspondence submitted by Mr. Jones (dated March 26^th, 2001) on this matter, is on file in the City Clerks Office.) Mr. Jones stated that while he was not opposed to competition, he felt that the playing field should be level.

Mr. Jeff Hastings, Store Manager of the Richmond Home Depot outlet, advised that the main motivation for the application to amend the Zoning & Development Bylaw to allow the sale of outdoor gardening supplies, was to provide the best customer service possible, which included being able to sell bedding plants and other outdoor gardening supplies to local residents, rather than sending them elsewhere.

Ms. Sheila Gow, 7631 Steveston Highway, supported the proposed amendment because it would allow her to purchase her bedding plants at the Richmond Home Depot outlet. She pointed out that other mass merchandizing stores, including London Drugs, Safeway and Canadian Tire, were already permitted to sell such plants. Ms. Gow urged Council to support the proposed amendment.

Mr. Jack Ho, a Richmond resident and regular customer at Home Depot, expressed concern that he was not permitted to purchase bedding plants, especially when other stores, including Costco, Safeway and Canadian Tire, were allowed to do so. He expressed concern about the length of time it took to travel to Home Depot outlets in other municipalities to purchase the plants he wanted.

Mr. Herbert Yee, a Richmond resident and Home Depot shopper, urged Council to support the proposed amendment.

Ms. Mary Flint, Assistant Buyer of Live Goods, at the Richmond Home Depot, provided information on Home Depots competitive retail position in the gardening market.

Mr. Jack Van Buekenhout, a resident of Steveston, supported the proposed amendment because he found it annoying that he could not purchase all his gardening supplies at the Richmond Home Depot outlet.

Ms. Cheryl Reyholt, a former local flower shop owner and a part-time employee at the Richmond Home Depot store, suggested that the smaller garden markets had to, and were already, competing with the mass merchandizing markets. She commented on the change in consumer marketing over the past few years, and suggested that it no longer made sense to deny the Richmond store the opportunity to sell outdoor gardening materials.

Mr. Roy Van Hest, a part owner and operator of Art Knapps Plantland at Fantasy Gardens, commented on (i) the study undertaken by Home Depot, (ii) the steps taken by Home Depot a number of years ago to circumvent the City's zoning regulations. He suggested that a more appropriate amendment would be to rezone the Home Depot property to a commercial designation rather than the current "I4" zoning. Mr. Van Hest talked about the need for a level playing field and good customer service.

Mr. Andrew Pottinger, Community Relations Consultant acting on behalf of Home Depot Canada, commented on the study undertaken for the store, stating that the garden market had increased considerably over the past five years, and would continue to do so. He noted that customers to Home Depot were constantly voicing their concerns about their inability to purchase bedding plants and other materials at the Richmond outlet.

Mr. Pottinger advised that the smaller speciality gardening centres would not be impacted by the proposed amendment because Home Depot would only be selling mass market gardening needs. He stated that customers would still have to patronize speciality gardening centres to purchase plants and trees not sold by Home Depot.

Mr. Phil Boname, President of Urbanics Consultants Ltd., commented on statements made by previous speakers about (i) the selling practices of Home Depot and other mass merchandizing outlets; (ii) the average annual increase in the purchase of gardening materials and supplies; and (iii) whether there would be any negative impact on the local gardening market if the proposed amendment to the Zoning & Development Bylaw was adopted.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (8:25 p.m.).

CARRIED

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATE CITY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(Recommendation forwarded from the Regular (closed) Council meeting.)

It was moved and seconded

That the recommendation from the Advisory Committee on the Environment (ACE) to appoint Paul Richard as the alternative City representative to the Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVRAA) Environmental Advisory Committee, be supported.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on Monday, March 19^th, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR FOR 2001 - 2005
(Report: Mar. 8/01, File No.: 0950-01) (REDMS No. 304267)

R01/6-7

It was moved and seconded

That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement and appoint KPMG, LLP as the City's auditor and to provide audit services for the years 2001 - 2005, and that the annual fees for such services be in accordance with the terms of the proposal submitted by KPMG, LLP.

CARRIED

2001 OPERATING BUDGET AND 5 YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN
(2001 - 2005)
(Report: Mar. 14/01, File No.: 0985-01) (REDMS No. 310317)

R01/6-8

It was moved and seconded

That staff proceed with a public consultation process in April, 2001, to present a draft of the City's 5 Year Financial Plan (2001 to 2005), which would include:

a 2001 operating budget with an average proposed property tax increase of 4.84%;

a 2001-2005 capital expenditure program; and

2001-2005 utility budgets for sewer, water, and sanitation and recycling,

and that the 5 Year Financial Plan (2001-2005) be reviewed in detail by the General Purposes Committee on April 2^nd, 2001.

That:

The projects summarized in Appendix A (attached to the report dated March 26^th, 2001, from the Director, Engineering), which are included in the proposed 2001 Capital Program, be pre-approved for construction; and

City forces construct the projects summarized in Appendix B (attached to the report dated March 26^th, 2001, from the Director, Engineering).

CARRIED

2001 CAPITAL BUDGET
(Report: Mar. 13/01, File No.: 0970-02-01) (REDMS No. 77894, 222622)

See Item 8 for action taken on this matter.

R01/6-9

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 13^th, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

RICHMOND SENIORS ADVISORY COUNCIL 2000 ANNUAL REPORT AND THE YEAR 2001 WORK PLAN
(Report: Feb. 28/01, File No.: 0100-20-SADV1-01) (REDMS No. 272361)

R01/6-10

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Seniors Advisory 2000 Annual Report (attached as Appendix A to the report dated February 28, 2001 from the Manager, Policy Planning) be received for information.

That the Richmond Seniors Advisory Year 2001 Work Plan (attached as Appendix B to the report dated February 28, 2001 from the Manager Policy Planning) be endorsed.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 20^th, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATED FOOD OPTIONAL (DFO) AREA AT EARL'S RESTAURANT, #304-5300 NO 3 ROAD
(Report: February 27/01, File No.: 8275-05) (REDMS No. 295994)

R01/6-12

It was moved and seconded

That the application of Earls Restaurant for a Designated Food Optional (DFO) area be supported, and that the Liquor Control and Licencing Branch be advised:

of this recommendation; and

that the RCMP does not object to the application.

CARRIED

APPLICATION FOR INCREASE IN LICENCED CAPACITY FOR:
ABERCORN INNS, 9260 BRIDGEPORT ROAD;
DOCK MARLIN'S, 100-8831 RIVER ROAD;
EXECUTIVE INN, 7211 WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY;
FAIRMONT VANCOUVER AIRPORT HOTEL, 3111 GRANT MCCONACHIE WAY;
J.P. MALONE'S NEIGHBOURHOOD PUB, 9031 BLUNDELL ROAD;
KINGSWOOD ARMS PUB, 9-9371 NO 5 ROAD;
LEGENDS NEIGHBOURHOOD PUB, 8220 LANSDOWNE ROAD;
PIONEERS PUB, 200-10111 NO 3 ROAD;
STEVESTON HOTEL, 12111 3RD AVENUE; AND
VANCOUVER AIRPORT MARRIOTT HOTEL, 7571 WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY.
(Report: February 21/01, File No.: 8275-05) (REDMS No. 291778)

R01/6-13

It was moved and seconded

That the applications of (i) Abercorn Inns, (ii) Dock Marlins, (iii) the Executive Inn, (iv) the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, (v) J.P. Malones Neighbourhood Pub, (vi) the Kingswood Arms Pub, (vii) Legends Neighbourhood Pub, (viii) the Pioneers Pub, (ix) the Steveston Hotel, and (x) the Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel for an increase in Licenced Capacity, be supported, and that the Liquor Control and Licencing Branch be advised:

Of this recommendation; and

That the RCMP does not object to the applications.

CARRIED

BUILDING BYLAW NO. 6920, AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 7214
(Report: February 22/01, File No.: 8060-20-7214) (REDMS No. 195668, 114336, 282024)

R01/6-14

It was moved and seconded

That Building Bylaw No. 6920, Amendment Bylaw No. 7214, which addresses the use of Sewage Holding Tanks, be introduced and given first, second and third readings, and

That Sewage Holding Tank Policy No. 9013, adopted on December 12^th, 1988, be rescinded.

CARRIED

ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT BYLAW 5300, AMENDMENT BYLAW 7218  
(Report: March 7/01, File No.: 8060-20-7218) (REDMS No. 302787, 304279, 311841)

R01/6-15

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw 7218, which amends Zoning and Development Bylaw 5300 as it relates to the sale of outdoor plants and supplies as an accessory use to Household Furnishings and Appliances, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Public Works & Transportation Committee meeting held on Wednesday, March 21^st, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

IMPLEMENTATION OF #98 B-LINE - MARKETING AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
(Report: Mar. 7/01, File No.: 6480-03-01) (REDMS No. 302679, 322518)

It was moved and seconded

That staff work with TransLink on its marketing and education plan to raise awareness of the new #98 B-Line service and to familiarize both motorists and transit users as to the operation and usage of the service.

That staff monitor the effectiveness of the #98 B-Line marketing and education plan in conjunction with TransLink and report to Council if further action is required.

That the efforts of TransLink to promote the #98 B-Line service through its marketing and education campaign be formally acknowledged with a letter from the Mayor, following implementation of the system.

CARRIED

TENDER T.1525 - SANITARY SEWER FORCEMAIN CONSTRUCTION ON SHELL ROAD WEST, FROM 120 METRES SOUTH OF HAMMERSMITH WAY TO WILLIAMS ROAD
(Report: Mar. 7/01, File No.: 0775-20-T.1525) (REDMS No. 304249)

R01/6-18

It was moved and seconded

That the Shell Road sanitary forcemain project which is included in the proposed 2001 Capital Program at a budgeted cost of $1,300,000, be approved for construction in advance of approval of the 2001 Capital Program.

That the City enter into a contract with Pedre Contractors Limited in accordance with Tender T.1525 - Sanitary Sewer Forcemain Construction on Shell Road West from 120 metres south of Hammersmith Way to Williams Road, in the total tendered amount of $833,865 plus GST.

CARRIED

LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN - STAGE 3
(Report: Mar. 8/01, File No.: 0157-20-LWMP1) (REDMS No. 278063, 301781)

R01/6-19

It was moved and seconded

That the Waste Management Plan entitled "Greater Vancouver Regional District Liquid Waste Management Plan, February, 2001", be adopted; and

That the Greater Vancouver Regional District be authorized to submit the Liquid Waste Management Plan to the Provincial Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks for approval pursuant to Section 18(1) of the British Columbia Waste Management Act.

CARRIED

That the minutes of the Corporate Sponsorship Committee meeting held on Monday, March 5^th, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Council/School Board Liaison Committee meeting held on Wednesday, February 28^th, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes and the Chairs report for the meeting held on March 14^th, 2001, be received for information.

That the recommendation of the Panel to authorize the issuance of a Development Permit (DP 00-174289) for property at 11340 No. 5 Road, be endorsed and the Permit so issued.

CARRIED

WEED CONTROL OFFICER
(Report: Mar. 20/01, File No.: 0172-03) (REDMS No. 317152)

R01/6-23

It was moved and seconded

That Mr. Troy Sutton be appointed as a:

Weed Control Officer, in accordance with Section 10 of the Weed Control Act, and

Property Use Inspector, for the purposes of issuing a ticket under Water Restriction Bylaw No. 6085, pursuant to the Municipal Ticket Authorization Bylaw No. 7139, and

Bylaw Enforcement Officer, also for the authority to issue a violation ticket, as referenced in item (2) above, consistent with the provisions of the Offence Act and the Police Act.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the following bylaws be adopted:

Zoning & Development Bylaw No. 5300, Amendment Bylaw No. 7098
(9340 Westminster Highway, RZ 00-085291)

Zoning & Development Bylaw No. 5300, Amendment Bylaw No. 7195
(8571 No. 2 Road, RZ 00-175145).

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (9:15 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, March 26^th, 2001.

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Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt

City Clerk (J. Richard McKenna)