Time:

4:00 p. m.

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall
 

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Rob Howard
Councillor Kiichi Kumagai

City Clerk Richard McKenna

Absent:

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Harold Steves

Call to Order:

Mayor Brodie called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

RES NO.

ITEM

SP04/4-1

It was moved and seconded

That the agenda - consideration of Councillor Rob Howards resolution regarding the Richmond Airport Vancouver (RAV) Rapid Transit Project, be approved.

CARRIED

Mayor Brodie, in accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, advised that he was in a potential conflict of interest because he is a member of the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Board (GVTA) which is, and has been, considering this matter.

Councillor Linda Barnes assumed the Chair as Acting Mayor, and Mayor Brodie then left the meeting (4:07 p.m.)

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

SP04/4-2

1.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (4:08 p.m.).

CARRIED

2.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items
 

Mr. Bruce Rosenhart, Executive Director of the Coalition for a Lower Mainland Rapid Transit Solution, circulated material to Council regarding the Coalition, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks Office.  Mr. Rosenhart provided information on the rationale for the formation of the Coalition, and spoke at length on the recent decisions of TransLink not to support the RAV project, and the offer of the Provincial Government to take over control of the RAV project and to provide $170 Million in funding for the North-East Sector project.

Mr. Gary Cohen, Past Chair of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and representing the Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the RAV project.  He expressed concern about the decision making of the TransLink Board and the manner in which the Board had treated this project.  Mr. Cohen advised that the Chamber of Commerce supports the Provincial Government taking over the RAV project, and urged Council to take a stand on this matter.

Mr. Greg Halsey-Brandt, MLA for Richmond Centre, expressed disappointment that the offer of the Provincial Government had been turned down by TransLink.  He then spoke about governance and the structure of the TransLink Board, and reviewed the problems in assuming responsibility for two sections of the Lower Mainlands transportation system.  Mr. Halsey‑Brandt also spoke about the need for a broader framework with TransLink and a partnership with TransLink and the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

SP04/4-3

3.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (4:35 p.m.).

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR ROB HOWARD

4.

proposed resolutions richmond airport vancouver (rav) rapid transit project
(REDMS No. 1304251)
 

SP04/4-4

It was moved and seconded

WHEREAS the Lower Mainland urgently needs more rapid transit -- to ease current traffic congestion and future traffic congestion, as well as environmental impacts.
 

AND WHEREAS the RAV line is a critical need for the Lower Mainland in that north-south congestion has reached gridlock stage in both directions at peak periods.  Peak congestion periods have grown to the extent that traffic in both directions from Vancouver to Richmond is impeding the economic movement of goods, services and people on a 24 hour basis, the economic and environmental costs of which are staggering and far reaching. 
 

AND WHEREAS the Northeast Sector Line is needed to complete the existing network and for future planning of population densities to alleviate projected future traffic congestion.  This will allow for land-shaping that will reduce traffic congestion.
 

AND WHEREAS both RAV and NES rapid transit lines are needed as critical components of an overall integrated transit system that will facilitate the free flow of goods and people, and will add to the sustainability and quality of life in the Province.
 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

(1)

The City of Richmond Council hereby confirms its  outrage in TransLink's June 18 vote against Option A -- the Provincial Government's offer to take over RAV construction and contribute $170 million to the development of the NES rapid transit line.
 

(2)

The City of Richmond Council  hereby confirms its outrage in TransLink's June 18 vote against Option B -- to proceed with the current plans for the RAV and NES rapid transit lines.
 

(3)

The City of Richmond Council are calling on the Municipal Councils through out the Lower Mainland, and throughout the Province, to express their outrage in the TransLink Board votes, as their communities will be negatively impacted by these TransLink decisions.
 

(4)

The City of Richmond Council demands that in the absence of an immediate commitment by Greater Vancouver Transit Authority to proceed to BAFO immediately, that the Province of BC be strongly urged to take over both projects.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

SP04/4-5

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:50 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, June 23^rd, 2004.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

City Clerk (Richard McKenna)