CALL TO ORDER

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

1.

Motion to resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items.

2.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items:

Mr. Vic Poleschuk, Mr. Doug Penrose, Ms. Gail White, of the BC Lottery Corporation, and Ms. Donna Klingspohn, of the Ministry of Health Planning, regarding expansion of gaming in Richmond.

3.

Motion to rise and report.

RATIFICATION OF COMMITTEE ACTION

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1

4.

GAMING IN RICHMOND
(Report:  May 8/02, File No.:  4040-04) (REDMS No. 710769, 680602, 501240, 703502, 602352, 703535, 566374, 113735, 113736, 709597, 709598)

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

( 1 )

That Council select either the Limited Service Gaming Policy OR the Full Service Gaming Policy (as identified in the report dated May 8^th, 2002, from the Manager, Policy Planning).

( 2 )

That the following resolutions be rescinded:

( a )

Part (2) of Resolution No. CW96/4-29 (adopted on February 26^th, 1996), That as a matter of policy, casino proposals be considered on a site specific basis using the Comprehensive Development District (CD) zoning process to evaluate each application on its own merits;

( b )

Resolution No. R96/21-35 (adopted on November 25th, 1996), That the BC Gaming Commission be advised that the City will consider additional casino applications on a site-by-site basis;

( c )

Resolution No. R97/3-6 (adopted on February 10th, 1997), That Council go on record as being totally against any Las Vegas style casino gambling or video lottery terminals within the City;

( d )

Resolution No. SP97/6-3 (adopted on November 12th, 1997), That the amended Process for Reviewing Proposed New Gaming Facilities (attached to the report dated October 27th, 1997, from the Manager, Land Use), be adopted, and that the previous Process, adopted by Council on September 22nd, 1997 (Res. No. R97/17-27), be rescinded; and

( e )

Resolution No. SP97/6-4 (adopted on November 12th, 1997), That the proponents who have requested letters of City support for proposed gaming facilities be advised that the City of Richmond is not prepared to consider any new gaming facilities within its jurisdiction, and that the Provincial Lotteries Advisory Committee also be advised of this decision.

( 3 )

That the BC Lottery Corporation be advised of Councils selected gaming policy by May 31st, 2002.

COUNCILLOR KIICHI KUMAGAI

65

5.

PROPOSAL FOR FULL SERVICE CASINO
(Memo:  Apr. 8/02, File No.:  4040-04) (REDMS No. 681529)  (Referred from the May 13^th, 2002 Regular Council Meeting)

RECOMMENDATION

WHEREAS

at the regular Council Meeting of Monday, September 14^th, 1998, Council passed the following resolution:

That a letter be written to Premier Glen Clark, and to Mr. Mike Farnworth, Minister responsible for Public Gaming Policy, re-affirming Councils position that the City does not support the expansion of gaming within its jurisdiction, and that copies of this correspondence be sent to the Provincial Gaming Project working group.

WHEREAS

when Council passed the above resolution, Council did not have any track record of social consequences related to slot machines in Richmond;

WHEREAS

new information received has not created social havoc where slots are allowed in communities;

WHEREAS

slot machines have created substantial new revenue sources for host communities;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

( 1 )

That Richmond City Council support hosting of a full service casino with slot machines in Richmond as an added source of revenue under current Provincial Government policy; and

( 2 )

That a letter be written to Richmond's three MLAs, to the President of the BC Lottery Corporation, and to Premier Gordon Campbell, conveying Councils position on this matter.

Correspondence:

67

(a)

in support of, and

126

(b)

opposed to,

the expansion of gaming in the City.

ADJOURNMENT