Council Meeting Minutes - January 14, 2002

City Clerk J. Richard McKenna

the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on Monday, December 10^th, 2001;

the minutes of the Special Council Meeting held on Monday, December 17^th, 2001;

the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting for Public Hearings held on Monday, December 17^th, 2001; and,

the minutes of the Special Council Meeting held on Monday, January 7^th, 2002,

each be adopted as circulated; and that the GVRD "Board in Brief" dated November 30th/December 14th, 2001, and the TransLink "Board in Brief" dated December 18th, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

That Item No. 26 (3) "Development Variance Permit (DVP 01-196905), for property at 4811 and 4831 Pendlebury Road", be deleted from the Council Agenda and referred to the Regular Open Council Meeting on Monday, January 28^th, 2002.

CARRIED

CARRIED

Mr. Bob Carkner, spoke in support of the proposed exchange visit, during which he provided information on (i) the history of the sister city relationship between Richmond and Wakayama, (ii) the many exchange trips which had taken place over the past years, and (iii) the negative impact which cancellation of the proposed visit could have on the Richmond/Wakayama sister city relationship.

Ms. Sylvia Gwozd, 4686 Mahood Drive, also spoke in support of the proposed visit. She spoke about the volunteer efforts of committee members, and their involvement in the Sister City Committee because of the need for global relationships with other countries.

Ms. Gwozd expressed disappointment that only two members of the Committee were being recommended to participate in the event, but indicated that she understood the budget constraints being faced by Council. Ms. Gwozd also provided information on the history of the delegation request now being considered. In conclusion, she stressed that it was the duty and commitment of Council to attend the All Japan Flower Competition to show the City's support of the Sister City relationship.

Mr. Jim Kojima, spoke about his long time involvement with the Sister City Committee, and about the opportunity given to Richmond youth to participate in exchanges with Japanese students. He spoke about the need for the Mayor to be visible to his Japanese counterpart and the importance of City Councils participation in the event. Mr. Kojima asked the Mayor and Council to consider the long relationship between Richmond and Wakayama, and to support the attendance of a small delegation at the All Japan Flower Competition.

CARRIED

That the following persons each be appointed to the Child Care Development Board, for two year terms to expire on December 31 2003:

That the following persons each be re-appointed to the Child Care Development Board for two-year terms to expire on December 31 2003:

CARRIED

That the following persons each be re-appointed to the Richmond Seniors Advisory Council for two-year terms to expire on December 31, 2003:

That the following persons each be re-appointed to the Richmond Seniors Advisory Council for one-year terms to expire on December 31, 2002:

That the following persons each be appointed to the Richmond Seniors Advisory Council for one-year terms to expire on December 31, 2002:

CARRIED

Ken Chow, Architect;
Bruce Knapp, Architect; and
Al Tanser, Landscape Architect.

CARRIED

That Mrs. Sylvia Gwozd be appointed to the Sister City Committee for a period of 3 years commencing January 14, 2002 and ending December 31, 2004.

CARRIED

That the minutes of the Finance Select Committee meeting held on Thursday, November 29^th, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meetings held on Monday, December 17^th, 2001, and on Monday, January 7^th, 2002, be received for information.

CARRIED

replacement of community safety buildings - financing options
(Report: Oct. 24/01, File No.: 2052-02) (REDMS No. 580012, 539084)

That the funding method for the replacement of Community Safety Buildings be approved (as outlined in Option C of the report dated October 24^th, 2001, from the General Manager, Community Safety).

That the following, Parts 1 and 4 of Resolution IC01/15-4 (adopted by Council on Monday, July 23, 2001), be rescinded:

That funding for the replacement of community fire hall facilities, at an estimated value of $22 million (including land acquisition), be presented to the electorate as a referendum question at the 2002 civic election.

That funding for the replacement of a new RCMP/Public Safety Building, at an estimated cost of $27 million, be presented to the electorate as a referendum question at the 2005 civic election."

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-11 was not called, as the following amendment was introduced:

That Resolution No. R02/1-11 be amended by adding the following as Part (3), "That staff examine and report on additional alternative financing methods for the replacement of the community safety buildings."

WITHDRAWN

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-11 was not called, as a further amendment was introduced:

That Resolution No. R02/1-11 be amended by deleting Part (1) in its entirety, and by substituting the following, "That an internal financing method for the replacement of community safety buildings, be approved, and that staff report to Council on ways to achieve that."

CARRIED

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-11, as amended by Resolution No. R02/1-13 was then called, and it was CARRIED.

That additional alternative financing methods for the replacement of the community safety buildings be identified.

WITHDRAWN

That an opinion referendum be held on the replacement of community safety buildings at the 2002 General Local Election.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-15 was not called, as the following tabling motion was introduced:

That Resolution No. R02/1-15 be tabled until staff report to Council on internal financing options for the replacement of the community safety buildings.

CARRIED

OPPOSED: Cllr. Howard

REPLACEMENT OF COMMUNITY SAFETY BUILDINGS - COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY
(Report: Nov. 28/01, File No.: 2025-02) (REDMS No. 580079)

That the Communications Strategy for the Replacement of Community Safety Buildings (outlined in the report dated November 28^th, 2001, from the Manager, Divisional Programs), be approved.

CARRIED

13.

That the following Phase 1 and 2 recommendations relating to parking revenue be endorsed:

Phase I activities:

(1)

Confirm the practice of pay parking on the following four City parking lots:

(a)

Gateway/Chapel/Family Place;

(b)

Brighouse Park;

(c)

Lawn Bowling Green Road; and

(d)

Gravel Lot Westminster Highway and Alderbridge Way.

(2)

Add the balance of Minoru Park parking lots as an additional site to the pay parking lot inventory;

(3)

Authorize a call for proposals from private contractors to operate the pay parking lots identified in recommendations 1 and 2 above for a two year period;

(4)

Authorize staff to introduce time parking restrictions in the remainder of Minoru Park;

(5)

Authorize staff to explore and if feasible enter into an agreement with the Vancouver/ Richmond Health Board that would allow local Health Care Nurses on-street time exempted parking permits for a fee;

(6)

Authorize staff to explore the opportunity of revenue sharing with ICBC for the collection of outstanding city issued parking tickets;

(7)

Endorse the philosophy of towing from both on and off street parking where violators have two or more outstanding unpaid parking tickets.

(8)

Staff to prepare a Report to Council that contains a communications strategy for Phase I activities.

(9)

The City Centre area (bounded by Garden City Road, from Blundell Road north to Sea Island Way; Sea Island Way, from Blundell Road, west to the Middle Arm of the Fraser River; Blundell Road, west from Garden City Way to Gilbert Road; Gilbert Road, north from Blundell Road to Westminster Highway; Westminster Highway, west from Gilbert Road to No. 2 Road, and north to the Middle Arm of the Fraser River), to be given a high priority to determine the feasibility of implementing pay parking in this area.

Phase II activities:

(1)

Instruct staff to identify new on-street timed parking areas that would be feasible areas for on-street pay parking;

(2)

Instruct staff to identify existing on-street timed parking areas that would be feasible areas for on-street pay parking;

(3)

Authorize staff to conduct a proposal call for the introduction of pay parking on selected new and existing on-street timed parking areas (identified in (1) and (2) of Phase II above);

(4)

Staff to identify areas into which monthly on-street parking permits should be introduced;

(5)

Staff to prepare a Report to Council on the required capital expenditures in order to introduce recommendations (1) through (4) of Phase II above;

(6)

Staff to prepare a Report to Council (companion to (5) of Phase II above) that provides a cost comparison on delivery of parking services by the city and by private contract.

(7)

Staff to prepare a Report to Council that contains a marketing and public communications strategy for Phase II activities.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-18 was not called, as the request was made that Parts (1), (2), (3) and (4) (of the Phase I activities) of Resolution No. R02/1-18 be dealt with separately.

The question on Part (1) (of the Phase I activities) of Resolution No. R02/1-18 was then called, and it was CARRIED with Councillor McNulty opposed.

The question on Part (2) (of the Phase I activities) of Resolution No. R02/1-18 was then called, and it was CARRIED with Councillors Greenhill, Evelina Halsey-Brandt and McNulty opposed.

The question on Part (3) (of the Phase I activities) of Resolution No. R02/1-18 was called, and it was CARRIED.

The question on Part (4) (of the Phase I activities) of Resolution No. R02/1-18 was called, and it was CARRIED with Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt opposed.

The question on Parts (5) to (8) (of the Phase I activities) and Parts (1) to (7) (of the Phase II activities) of Resolution No. R02/1-18 was then called, and it was CARRIED.

That the method of pay parking to be established in Minoru Park be referred to staff to (i) report on the feasibility of including either free passes and/or paid parking in the paid parking inventory, and (ii) undertake a review of parking rates.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-19 was not called, as staff were directed to:

report on the feasibility of implementing a similar plan to the one initiated by the Gateway Theatre, which includes a free parking pass with the purchase of season tickets (ie. provide parking passes to the participants of such sports as hockey, where the entire season would be played at the Arenas), with the administration of the passes being undertaken in the same way as the Gateway Theatre;

report on the feasibility of allowing residents to purchase monthly timed parking passes;

report on the manner in which parking passes have been provided to the users of Family Place and Caring Place;

report on how staff would ensure that parking was available for users of the Library, especially if parking passes were issued to sports groups who, in turn, could occupy all available parking spaces;

create a parks parking policy which could be applied to all City parks;

report on whether the Minoru Park parkade would have paid parking;

provide a complete list of all user groups of Minoru Park and report on how staff intended to deal with these user groups with regard to the provision of parking passes;

report on the feasibility of providing monthly passes to residents living in the immediate area of Minoru Park, and the impact that such passes would have on potential City revenue;

indicate whether there was a space availability concern in Minoru Park for users of the Park, or if the proposal was simply a revenue generator; and

report on what basis parking passes would be granted.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-19 was then called, and it was CARRIED.

14.

(1)

That the Richmond Committee on Disability be awarded an additional grant in the amount of $15,500, for a total of $17,000; and that RADAT and the Steveston Community Society be awarded grants in the amount of $7,500 and $4,000 respectively, which represent the amounts awarded to these organizations in 2001.

(2)

That the report (dated December 19th, 2001, from the Manager, Customer Service), regarding 2002 Richmond City Grants, be referred to staff for review, and that an amount be included in the Grants Budget for the Richmond Christmas Hamper Fund.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-20 was not called, as the following referral motion was introduced

That the report (dated December 19^th, 2001, from the Manager, Customer Services), regarding 2002 Richmond City Grants, be referred to staff for a report to the General Purposes Committee on the allocation of funding to grant applicants, with the proposed grants to the Richmond Committee on Disability, RADAT, the Steveston Community Society, and the Richmond Christmas Hamper Fund, being used as guidelines for those four applicants.

CARRIED

SISTER CITY COMMITTEE 2002 BUDGET AND EXCHANGE VISIT
(Report: Jan. 3/02, File No.: 0100-20-SCIT1-01) (REDMS No. 589648)

That a 2002 base level operating budget of $4,135 be approved for the Sister City Committee;

That the Mayor and Councils elected representative to the Committee (Councillor Lyn Greenhill) or a Council alternate, as well as the Committees Chair and Vice Chair, or their alternates, be authorized to attend the All Japan Flower Competition; and

That the appropriate funding be allocated from the 2002 Council Contingency Account.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-22 was not called, as the following amendment was introduced

It was moved and seconded

That Resolution No. R02/1-22 be amended by adding the following as Part (4), That the Sister City Committee be requested to (i) work with City staff on the itinerary for the proposed visit to Wakayama, and (ii) assist the City to determine if there may be opportunities for sponsorships.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-22, as amended by Resolution No. R02/1-23 was then called, and it was CARRIED.

That the request of the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club to forego the rental charges levied by the City for the Winter Wonderland festival, BE DENIED.

CARRIED

That the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 8^th, 2002, be received for information.

CARRIED

(Councillor Barnes left the meeting at 10:27 p.m.)

SENIORS ADVISORY COUNCIL 2001 ANNUAL REPORT AND THE YEAR 2002 WORK PROGRAM
(Report: Dec. 5/01, File No.: 0100-20-SADV1) (REDMS No. 574455, 566685)

the Seniors Advisory Council 2001 Annual Report (Attachment 1 to the report dated December 5, 2001 from the Manager, Policy Planning), be received for information;

the Seniors Advisory Council 2002 Work Program, (as outlined in the 2001 Annual Report), be endorsed;

the Seniors Advisory Council 2002 Operating Budget of $1,000 be approved (Attachment 2 to the report dated December 5, 2001 from the Manager, Policy Planning).

CARRIED

BUSINESS REGULATION BYLAW 7148, AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 7316
(Report: Dec. 7/01, File No.: 8060-20-7316) (REDMS No. 577393,577397)

That Bylaw No. 7316, which amends Schedule A of Business Regulation Bylaw 7148 to include Unit 101 4411 No 3 Road among the geographic areas in which a video arcade may operate, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

(Councillor Barnes returned to the meeting at 10:30 p.m.)

That the following bylaws each be introduced and given first reading:

Bylaw No. 7313, for the rezoning of 10571 Williams Road from "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)" to "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area K (R1/K)";

Bylaw No. 7314, for the rezoning of 11171 and 11191 Williams Road from "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)" to "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area K (R1/K)";

Bylaw No. 7317, for the rezoning of 11231 Williams Road from "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)" to "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area K (R1/K)"; and

Bylaw No. 7318, for the rezoning of 11671 Williams Road from "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)" to "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area K (R1/K)".

(Councillor Kumagai left the meeting at 10:31 p.m.)

CARRIED

That the minutes of the Public Works & Transportation Committee meeting held on Tuesday, December 11th, 2001 and on Wednesday, January 9^th, 2002, be received for information.

CARRIED

22.

(1)

That the Downtown Clean-up Program be endorsed.

(2)

That staff continue to develop and implement the Downtown Clean-up Program Initiatives.

(Councillor Kumagai returned to the meeting at 10:32 p.m.)

Prior to the question on Resolution No. R02/1-30 being called, Councillor Kumagai requested that copies of the reports on Items 22 and 23 of the agenda, be provided to the Richmond Chamber of Commerce for information.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-30 was called, and it was CARRIED.

That the following transit service improvements proposed by TransLink to address concerns with the #98 B-Line and other Richmond transit services, be endorsed for possible implementation as part of TransLinks 2002 Program Plan:

(a)

implement new peak period express routes to provide direct service from southwest and southeast Richmond respectively to downtown Vancouver via Garden City Road, the Sexsmith Park and Ride lot and Oak Street;

(b)

revise downtown Vancouver routing of Richmond peak period express services to avoid congested areas and shorten overall travel times;

(c)

work with the City of Vancouver to increase enforcement of parking regulations and HOV lane use and implement transit priority measures for the downtown area and the southbound approach to the Arthur Laing Bridge;

(d)

work with the City of Richmond and the City of Vancouver to complete the installation of transit priority measures and the optimization of traffic signals along the #98 B-Line route;

(e)

refine the schedule of the #98 B-Line service to ensure that local services operating through Richmond City Centre are timed to minimize wait times for transferring passengers;

(f)

extend the operation of the #98 B-Line service along No. 3 Road to Steveston Highway and on Steveston Highway to Shell Road during peak periods;

(g)

monitor service utilization of the #98 B-Line and introduce additional buses as required to ensure that adequate capacity is provided to meet demand;

(h)

continue to monitor bus operations at the #98 B-Line Anderson Road terminus to ensure that operators adhere to policies regarding idling and stopping procedures;

(i)

review the routing and stopping procedure of the Richmond-UBC service (#480) to identify potential improvements;

(j)

improve the Richmond HandyDART service and, in particular, extend the evening hours of operation;

(k)

introduce new community shuttle (mini-bus) services for the City Centre circulator; and

(l)

provide improved service to the Crestwood industrial area during peak periods, particularly on No. 6 Road north of Bridgeport Road.

That staff undertake the following activities to enhance traffic flow efficiencies, pedestrian movements and overall traffic safety for all road users in the City Centre:

(a)

pursue implementation of the various short-term and long-term road and traffic improvements (described in the staff report dated December 11^th, 2001, from the Director, Transportation);

(b)

ensure that any road and traffic improvements initiated are consistent with the principles and policies established in the City's Official Community Plan and the City Centre Transportation Plan; and

(c)

report to Council on the progress of the implementation of the various measures.

That Recommendation 1 (of the report dated December 11^th, 2001 from the Director, Transportation) be conveyed to the TransLink Board of Directors.

That the Public Works & Transportation Committee hold a public meeting in July, 2002, to provide the public with the opportunity to comment on the results of the improvements implemented to address the concerns relating to the #98B Line and the provision of local transit service in Richmond.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-31 was not called, as the following amendment was introduced:

That Resolution No. R02/1-31 be amended by adding the following as Part (5), "That a committee be reconstituted, made up of those stakeholders who comprised the Area Transit Plan Advisory Committee, and that the committee work with staff and the City to comment on and monitor the progress of recommendations suggested by City staff and TransLink relating to No. 3 Road transit issues."

CARRIED

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-31, as amended by Resolution No. R02/1-32, was then called and it was CARRIED.

That the minutes of the Council/School Board Liaison Committee meeting held on Tuesday, November 27^th, 2001 be received for information.

CARRIED

That the Board of School Trustees (Richmond) and the City investigate opportunities to work together regarding the Tall Ships (August 2002) initiative for mutual benefit.

CARRIED

******

That the Council Meeting proceed beyond 11:00 p.m. (10:56 p.m.)

CARRIED

******

That the minutes and the Chairs report for the meeting held on December 12th, 2001 and on December 20^th, 2001, be received for information.

That the recommendation of the Panel to authorize the issuance of a Development Variance Permit for property at 5691 Parkwood Way (DV 01-196074), be endorsed and the Permit so issued.

That the following be deemed to be in general compliance with their respective Development Permits:

(a)

Alterations to the landscape and walkway plan and the addition of a garbage enclosure at 9711, 9731, 9751 and 9771 Bridgeport Road (Development Permit DP 00-175054);

(b)

The addition of balconies to some units and changes to the amenity space at 3100 Francis Road (Development Permit DP 98-138455); and

(c)

The moving of the courtyard east to the street corner, relocating the Hazelbridge Way entry, deleting the 2nd level deck at the north east street corner, separating the loading area and parking entries, altering the parkade and revising the roof form at 4151 Hazelbridge Way (Development Permit DP 01-115457).

That the recommendation of the Panel to CANCEL the Development Permit No. 00-183611 issued for property at 9371 Blundell Road, be endorsed.

CARRIED

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on non-agenda items (10:59 p.m.).

CARRIED

(Councillor Greenhill left the meeting at 10:59 p.m.)

Ms. Maria Glaze, accompanied by Ms. Pauline McCallum, President, Board of Directors, Richmond Society for Community Living, spoke about the impact of proposed Provincial cutbacks on people with developmental disabilities and their families. A copy of Ms. Glazes submission is on file in the City Clerks Office.

(Councillor Greenhill returned to the meeting at 11:01 p.m., during the above presentation.)

That Richmond City Council go on record as supporting the Society for Community Living, and that a letter be written to the Minister of Children & Families, the Honourable Gordon Hogg, opposing:

any possible cutbacks to programs for people with developmental disabilities and their families;

the creation of two separate ministries for people with developmental disabilities, one being for children and one being for adults; and

reversion to the concept of congregate care.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-38 was not called, as staff were directed to ensure that copies of the correspondence were provided to:

Staff were also directed to ensure that copies of any correspondence received in response to the City's letter be sent to the Society for Community Living.

The question on Resolution No. R02/1-38 was then called, and it was CARRIED.

CARRIED

That Richmond City Council go on record as supporting the Society for Community Living, and that a letter be written to the Minister of Children & Families, the Honourable Gordon Hogg, opposing:

any possible cutbacks to programs for people with developmental disabilities and their families;

the creation of two separate ministries for people with developmental disabilities, one being for children and one being for adults; and

reversion to the concept of congregate care.

CARRIED

Zoning & Development Bylaw No. 5300, Amendment Bylaw No. 7262
(7091 Marrington Road, RZ 01-188624)

Zoning & Development Bylaw No. 5300, Amendment Bylaw No. 7280
(7500 Railway Avenue, RZ 01-188957)

Zoning & Development Bylaw No. 5300, Amendment Bylaw No. 7296
(8111 No. 1 Road, RZ 01-194899).

CARRIED

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, January 14^th, 2002.