Council Meeting Minutes - November 26, 2001

Time:

7:00 p.m.

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm Brodie
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Rob Howard
Councillor Kiichi Kumagai
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Harold Steves

City Clerk J. Richard McKenna

Call to Order:

Mayor Brodie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

RES NO.

ITEM

MINUTES

R01/21-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on Tuesday, November 13^th, 2001, and

(2)

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

each be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

R01/21-2

It was moved and seconded

That the following matters be added to the Council Agenda as additional items:

(a)

Appointments to the Richmond Public Library Board; and

(b)

Appointments to the Gateway Theatre Society Board and to the Gateway Theatre Endowment Committee.

CARRIED

PRESENTATION

Ms. Anne Murray, President of the BC Federation of Naturalists, accompanied by Ms. Judy Williams, Co-Chair of the Fraser River Coalition, spoke about the dedication of Sturgeon Banks as an "Important Bird Area". (A copy of her submission is on file in the City Clerks Office.) Ms. Murray then presented to Mayor Brodie, an honourary plaque which had been awarded to the City by the BC Federation of BC Naturalists, in recognition of this designation.

Mr. Perry Mazzone, Chair, accompanied by Mr. Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, presented the Richmond Public Library Board Annual Report. A copy of their submission is on file in the City Clerks Office.

That the 2000 Annual Report of the Richmond Public Library Board be received for information.

CARRIED

Opportunity for Business Licence Holder to be heard in accordance with Section 660 of the Local Government Act Mr. Chi Yau Patrick Li

Suspension of Business Licence for Swan Lake 88 Enterprises Co. Ltd.
(Report: Nov. 20/01, File No.: 8275-06) (REDMS No. 560736, 560743, 530812, 523165, 518665, 518672, 506810, 523685)

Ms. Penny Green, representing the owner of Swan Lake 88 Enterprises Co. Ltd., Mr. Chi Yau Patrick Li, spoke in opposition to the recommendation that the business licence of the operator be suspended for a period of one month. She stated that in her opinion, the evidence did not support the suspension of the licence; that the employees would be placed in financial hardship as a result of the suspension; and that the suspension would not be reasonable based on the City's past practices with similar businesses. She also read aloud, correspondence from a female employee who expressed concern about the impact which the suspension would have on not only her life but also the lives of other employees. A copy of this correspondence is on file in the City Clerks Office.

That the Business Licence of Swan Lake 88 Enterprises Co. Ltd. be suspended for the period December 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001, both dates inclusive.

CARRIED

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R01/21-5

3.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:57 p.m.).

CARRIED

4.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items

Item No. 19 Draft TransLink Program Plan for 2002

Ms. Frances Clark, 8160 Railway Avenue, spoke about the lack of quality transit service and fewer hours of service in Richmond for the HandyDart service, as compared to other municipalities.

Item No. 9 Emergency Management Program Recommended Level of Service

Ms. Frances Clark, 8160 Railway Avenue, expressed concern that only a basic level of service was being proposed for the program. She also suggested that the Chamber of Commerce be approached about the development of a recovery program for businesses in the event that a major disaster occurred.

Item No. 15 Planning Committee Referral: Princess Lane Dyke Road Access (Adjacent to 6461 Dyke Road)

Ms. Amber Williamson, 6461 Dyke Road, used a diagram to explain the proposed closure of the laneway adjacent to her home, and spoke about the best option for the placement of bollards which would close the laneway to vehicular traffic.

Mr. Curtis Eyestone, provided background information on the history of the property and the area surrounding 6461 Dyke Road. He also made a number of alternative suggestions for the placement of the proposed bollards.

Item No. 12 Richmond Tall Ships 2002

Mrs. Corisande Percival-Smith, of 5760 Granville Avenue, referred to the proposed budget for the Tall Ships event, and expressed concern about the financial exposure of the City if the event was not a success.

Mr. Brian Plato, 6260 Riverdale Drive, expressed concern that a sail training program was not being offered as part the Tall Ships event, and questioned whether Council would consider providing other space to allow the program to take place. With respect to the financing of the Tall Ships event, Mr. Plato stated that it would be more appropriate if the focus of the event was more on youth, and less on business.

R01/21-6

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (8:47 p.m.).

CARRIED

REGULAR (CLOSED) COUNCIL

R01/21-7

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City's participation in FCMs Municipal Drug Strategy Pilot Project be approved, and

(2)

That Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair of Community Safety Committee, and one member of City staff, be confirmed as the project liaisons.

CARRIED

6A.

APPOINTMENTS TO THE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
(Recommendation forwarded from the Regular (closed) Council meeting.)

R01/21-8

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Mr. Tung Chan and Mrs. Lesley Wood Bernbaum be re-appointed to the Richmond Public Library Board for a further two year term to expire on December 31^st, 2003.

(2)

That Mr. Gregory Smith, Ms. Rama Sood, and Ms. Leslie Wilson be appointed to the Richmond Public Library Board for two year terms to expire on December 31^st, 2003.

(3)

That a recommendation be made to the Public Library Board that the Board membership be increased by a minimum of two members, and that if the Library Board concurs, that the Board recommend further candidates to fill those additional positions on the Board.

CARRIED

6B.

APPOINTMENTS TO THE GATEWAY THEATRE SOCIETY BOARD AND TO THE GATEWAY THEATRE ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
(Recommendation forwarded from the Regular (closed) Council meeting.)

R01/21-9

It was moved and seconded

That the City policy requiring vacancy advertising for the Gateway Theatre Society Board and the Gateway Theatre Endowment Committee be waived, and that:

Ms. Shelley Leonhardt and Mr. Ron Climenhaga be appointed to the Gateway Theatre Society Board for a 2 year term to expire December 31, 2003;

Mr. Patrick McAndless be appointed to the Gateway Theatre Society Board for a 1 year term to expire December 31, 2002; and

Mr. Garth Edwards be re-appointed to the Gateway Theatre Endowment Committee for a one year term to expire on December 31, 2002.

CARRIED

R01/21-10

7.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Community Safety Committee meeting held on Wednesday, November 14^th, 2001 be received for information.

CARRIED

JUNE 17-21, 2001 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES EXCHANGE
(Report: Nov. 5/01, File No.: 6125-01) (REDMS No. 540459)

That the Communiqu contained in the Toronto Declaration be approved (as outlined in Attachment 2 to the report dated November 5, 2001, from the Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs).

That a letter be written to the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD), the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, advising them of the City's support of the Communiqu.

CARRIED

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM RECOMMENDED LEVEL OF SERVICE
(Report: Nov. 7/01, File No.: 5125-01) (REDMS No. 491591, 538220, 545562)

That the Emergency Management Program be developed to the basic level of service, (as outlined in the report dated November 15^th, 2001, from the Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs), as amended to include pre-recorded messages in different languages as a basic level of service.

That the funding identified to meet the basic level of service be approved, in principle, and that staff be directed to include the necessary funding as part of the 2002 budget submission for consideration by Council.

That staff be directed to modify the programs and implementation timeframe to correspond with the basic level of service.

CARRIED

APPOINTMENT TO THE RCMP MAYORS CONSULTATIVE FORUM
(Report: Nov. 6/01, File No.: 5350-01) (REDMS No. 553638)

That Resolution R01/14-6 (adopted by Council on July 23^rd, 2001), which states, "the Chair of the Community Safety Committee be appointed to the RCMP/Mayors Consultative Forum", be rescinded; and

That Mayor Malcolm Brodie (or his designate) be appointed to the RCMP/Mayors Consultative Forum.

CARRIED

R01/21-14

11.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

RICHMOND TALL SHIPS 2002
(Report: Nov. 13/01, File No.: 7400-20-TALL1) (REDMS No. 557553, 559001, 557800, 562144)

That the Richmond Tall Ships 2002 budget, projected at $2.526 million, be approved;

That the City cash exposure, at $1.256 million, be approved, and that the City underwrite any deficits related to the event;

That $45,000 in 2001 be approved for maritime engineering, surveying of Garry Point and an environmental assessment of the materials at the Gulf of Georgia site;

That the matter of a contract with the Richmond Tall Ship Society be referred to staff for review; and that staff review the proposed budget to reconfirm the budget figures as presented; and

In the event that sponsorship targets and government-funding targets are not secured by December 30, 2001, that City Council review the event.

CARRIED

R01/21-16

13.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

APPLICATION FOR REZONING - THE CITY OF RICHMOND
(RZ 01-196147 - Report: Oct. 30/01, File No.: 8060-20-7297) (REDMS No. 545959, 551269, 551283)

That Bylaw No. 7297, for the rezoning of 780 Lancaster Crescent and adjacent unconstructed road allowance from Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E) to Comprehensive Development District (CD/ 125), be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

PLANNING COMMITTEE REFERRAL: PRINCESS LANE DYKE ROAD ACCESS (ADJACENT TO 6461 DYKE ROAD)
(Report: Nov. 1/01, File No.: 4045-20-04-WA) (REDMS No. 493700, 564120)

That staff undertake actions necessary to close the laneway adjacent to 6461 Dyke Road to regular vehicular traffic, which would include the placing of bollards on the north (between the Williamson driveway and the blind curve) and south ends of the laneway

that no new vehicle access be provided to 6461 Dyke Road, and

that interim vehicle parking be permitted within the Dyke Road parcel in front of 6461 Dyke Road.

The question on Resolution No. R01/21-18 was not called, as the following amendment was introduced:

R01/21-19

It was moved and seconded

That Part (1) of Resolution No. R01/21-18 be amended by deleting the words "north (between the Williamson driveway and the blind curve) and"; and

That the placement of bollards at the north end of Princess Lane be referred to staff for a report to Council on recommendations for possible alternative locations.

CARRIED

The question on Resolution No. R01/21-18, as amended by Resolution No. R01/21-19, was then called, and it was CARRIED with Councillor Greenhill opposed to Part (2) of Resolution No. R01/21-18.

R01/21-20

16.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

NO. 3 ROAD UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES - 2001
(Report: Nov. 13/01, File No.: 6340-20-P.01201) (REDMS No. 380381)

That the 2001 capital funds allocated for undergrounding of foreign utilities along No. 3 Road from Cambie Road to Sea Island Way in the amount of $1,350,000 be re-allocated to fund undergrounding of foreign utilities along Westminster Highway, from No. 3 Road to Minoru Boulevard, and on Granville Avenue, from Minoru Boulevard to Gilbert Road; and

That the City apply for grant funding from BC Hydro & Power Authority for undergrounding of foreign utilities along No. 3 Road from Cambie Road to Sea Island Way in 2002.

CARRIED

ARTERIAL ROAD CROSSWALK UPGRADES
(Report: Sept. 23/01, File No.: 6450-17-01) (REDMS No. 455205)

That staff develop a comprehensive program involving education, engineering and enforcement initiatives to raise the level of driver compliance and promote safe pedestrian usage at amber flasher-controlled crosswalks on arterial roads, and report to Council on the proposed initiatives.

That the list of candidate locations for crosswalk upgrades on arterial roads, be endorsed (as proposed in the report dated September 23^rd, 2001, from the Director, Transportation) as part of an annual crosswalk upgrade program to be considered further in the 2002 capital budget review process.

That staff pursue cost-share funding sources such as ICBC, TransLink or the Federal Government Infrastructure Grant Program to support the above recommended crosswalk upgrades on arterial roads.

CARRIED

DRAFT TRANSLINK PROGRAM PLAN FOR 2002
(Report: Nov. 5/01, File No.: 6480-03-02) (REDMS No. 551484, 563702)

That the submission to TransLink of the list of prioritized transit service improvements in Richmond, (as described in the report dated November 5^th, 2001, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed for possible inclusion in the Draft 2002 Program Plan.

That staff work with TransLink to monitor transit service improvements implemented in 2001 and identify outstanding deficiencies that can be addressed in future submissions for service improvements, including any raised in the forthcoming public consultation processes held by both TransLink and the City on the recent changes to local transit services.

That staff report on the evaluation by TransLink of Richmond's submission of transit service improvements for inclusion in the draft 2002 Program Plan and the development of the Final 2002 Program Plan.

The question on Resolution No. R01/21-23 was not called, as the following amendment was introduced:

R01/21-24

It was moved and seconded

That Part (1) of Resolution No. R01/21-23 be amended by adding "Use and Increase in service of the HandyDart and mini-bus services for Richmond" to the list of prioritized transit service improvements.

CARRIED

The question on Resolution No. R01/21-23, as amended by Resolution No. R01/21-24 was then called, and it was CARRIED.

NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENT LEONARD ROAD (WILLIAMS ROAD TO RYAN ROAD)
(Report: Nov. 7/01, File No.: 6450-09) (REDMS No. 554438)

That the proposed traffic and pedestrian safety improvement measures for Leonard Road from Williams Road to Ryan Road be endorsed (as described in the report dated November 7^th, 2001, from the Director, Transportation).

That the source of funding for the above recommended traffic safety enhancement initiatives, at a cost of $24,000, be the 2001 Minor Capital Program for Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Improvement.

That staff advise area residents of the City's intention to proceed with this work and ensure that public feedback is incorporated into the final design.

CARRIED

R01/21-26

21.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Council/School Board Liaison Committee meeting held on Tuesday, October 30^th, 2001 be received for information.

CARRIED

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PANEL

R01/21-27

22.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

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

That the recommendations of the Panel to authorize the issuance of:

a Development Permit (DP 01-189869) for the property at 10491 Springhill Crescent; and

Development Variance Permits for the properties at:

(i)

7931 McLennan Avenue (DV 00-179925); and

(ii)

5580 and 5600 Parkwood Way (DV 01-193298),

be endorsed, and the Permits so issued.

CARRIED

AMENDMENT TO MUNICIPAL TICKET INFORMATION AUTHORIZATION BYLAW NO. 7139 REGARDING AMUSEMENT CENTRES
(Report: Nov. 21/01; File No.: 8060-20-7311) (REDMS No. 562181, 562183)

That Bylaw No. 7311, which amends the Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 7139, be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and

That Bylaw No. 7299 be abandoned.

CARRIED

PUBLIC DELEGATIONS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

R01/21-29

24.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on non-agenda items (10:07 p.m.).

CARRIED

Mr. Kevan Hudson and Mr. Orval Chapman, of Amnesty International Group 92 (Richmond), spoke about Amnesty International and its current campaign against torture. Mayor Brodie was also asked to declare Monday, December 10^th, 2001 as "International Human Rights Day for the City of Richmond".

R01/21-30

It was moved and seconded

That Monday, December 10^th, 2001 be proclaimed as "International Human Rights Day".

CARRIED

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt, in accordance with Section 231 of the Local Government Act, advised that she was in a potential conflict of interest as she was an owner of a leaky condo, and she then left the meeting (10:11 p.m.).

Ms. Carmen Maretic, President, Compensation & Accountability to Soaked Homeowners (CASH) Society, spoke about the huge financial burden faced by the owners of leaky condos and other similar buildings because of the major cost of repairing these buildings. She asked that Council support the efforts of CASH to lobby the Provincial Government for disaster relief. (A copy of her submission is on file in the City Clerks Office.)

R01/21-31

It was moved and seconded

WHEREAS many property owners in Greater Vancouver have suffered major emotional and financial setbacks due to the failure of building envelopes in multi-family buildings (leaky condos);

BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE City of Richmond contact the Federal and Provincial Governments to request that they provide meaningful relief to those impacted by the failure in building envelopes (leaky condos).

CARRIED

R01/21-32

25.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (10:22 p.m.).

CARRIED

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt returned to the meeting (10:23 p.m.).

RATIFICATION OF COMMITTEE ACTION

R01/21-33

It was moved and seconded

That Council ratify the action of the Committee of the Whole in directing:

(1)

That Monday, December 10^th, 2001 be proclaimed as "International Human Rights Day".

WHEREAS many property owners in Greater Vancouver have suffered major emotional and financial setbacks due to the failure of building envelopes in multi-family buildings (leaky condos);

BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Richmond contact the Federal and Provincial Governments to request that they provide meaningful relief to those impacted by the failure in building envelopes (leaky condos).

The question on Resolution No. R01/21-33 was not called, as Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt, in accordance with Section 231 of the Local Government Act, advised that she was in a potential conflict of interest as she was an owner of a leaky condo, and she then left the meeting (10:24 p.m.).

The question on Resolution No. R01/21-33 was then called, and it was CARRIED.

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt returned to the meeting (10:25 p.m.).

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R01/21-34

It was moved and seconded

That the following bylaws be adopted:

Official Community Bylaw No. 7100, Amendment Bylaw No. 7158
(7931 McLennan Avenue, RZ 00-084689)

Zoning & Development Bylaw No. 5300, Amendment Bylaw No. 7159
(7931 McLennan Avenue, RZ 00-084689)

DEFEATED

OPPOSED: Cllrs. Linda Barnes
Lyn Greenhill
Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Sue Halsey-Brandt
Harold Steves

R01/21-35

It was moved and seconded

That Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7148, Amendment Bylaw No. 7290
(To add to Schedule A, specific addresses to the geographic areas in which a video arcade may operate) be adopted.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R01/21-36

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (10:47 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, November 26^th, 2001.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm Brodie)

City Clerk (J. Richard McKenna)