Time:

7:00 p.m.

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Cynthia Chen
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Rob Howard
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Harold Steves

Director, City Clerk’s Office – David Weber

Call to Order:

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

RES NO.

ITEM

MINUTES

R06/20-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on Tuesday, November 14^th, 2006, and

(2)

the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting for Public Hearings held on Monday, November 20^th, 2006,

each be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

R06/20-2

It was moved and seconded

That Item No. 11– “Canada Line” be deleted from the Council Agenda.

CARRIED

PRESENTATIONS

Leslie Wilson, Board Chair, and Greg Buss, Chief Librarian, Richmond Public Library, presented the Library’s annual report, and responded to questions from Council regarding the operation of the Library.

Development Coordinator Holger Burke, gave a PowerPoint presentation to further explain the following reports, “A City-Wide Interim Amenity Contribution Policy”, and “Draft Affordable Housing Strategy” (Item Nos. 23 and 24 of the Council agenda).

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R06/20-3

2.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:54 p.m.).

CARRIED

3.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items –

Item No. 15 – Relocation of Community Bylaws and Fire Prevention Staff

Vince Mielle, Chair, Richmond Committee on Disability, read aloud an email from Ms. Frances Clark, a member of the Committee, and whose comments were supported by the Committee, regarding the possible use of the balance of the floor space at 6931 Granville Avenue by the Disability Resource Centre (DRC).  In concluding her email, Ms. Clark urged Council to support the allocation of the balance of the floor space to the Richmond Committee on Disability.  A copy of the email from Ms. Clark is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.

Adoption of Bylaw No. 8154 – Business Licence Amendment Bylaw to increase the number of taxi vehicles licenced in the City 

Mr. Ed Montague, a lawyer representing interested parties who were considering the establishment of a new taxicab service in Richmond, spoke about the proposal to increase by two licences each, the number of Class A and Class N taxicab licences in the City.  He referred to a previous staff recommendation which recommended the removal of the cap on Class A and Class N Licences, and Mr. Montague urged Council to reconsider this recommendation.  He then commented on the benefits which could result if this restriction was removed and spoke about the need for additional taxicab services in Richmond.  In concluding his submission, Mr. Montague voiced the opinion that the proposed bylaw was a ‘stop gap’ measure and that the staff recommendation should be reviewed. 

Item No. 10 – Rental Premises Standards of Maintenance Bylaw No. 8159; Item No. 24 – Draft Affordable Housing Strategy

David Reay, a member of the Poverty Response Team, with reference to Item No. 10, voiced his support for the proposed bylaw.

With reference to Item No. 24, Mr. Reay stated that the affordable housing strategy did not appear to address ‘universal design guidelines’, and he commented that these guidelines should be included in the strategy.  He also commented on developments and ‘cash in lieu’ in relation to rezoning applications, and suggested that the City had every right to determine that a portion of a development should be put towards affordable housing.  Mr. Reay also commented on (i) the hiring of an additional staff person and voiced concern that this individual could become ‘lost in the bureaucracy’; and (ii) skyrocketing housing prices.

Item No. 8 – Amendment Bylaw No. 8155, Scrap Metal Dealer, Second-Hand Dealer and Pawnbroker Bylaw

Mr. Harbinder Dhillon, General Manager, Richmond Steel Recycling, and the BC Director for the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries, provided information on the amount of scrap metal which was processed annually. 

Mr. Dhillon then commented on the ‘Findings of Facts’ contained in the staff report, advising that Richmond Steel Recycling did not pay cash for any material purchased; did not deal with any individual who was selling shopping carts or bicycles; all transactions were recorded electronically, and that his company was in the process of installing cameras at its weigh scale to monitor the sellers.

Speaking on behalf of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries, Mr. Dhillon voiced the opinion that the proposed bylaw posed a number of problems for Association members in that it was difficult to identify stolen metal products.  As well he referred to the requirement that certain information be recorded about the seller which had to be forwarded to the RCMP, and he voiced concern that this requirement could be in contradiction to existing privacy regulations.  Mr. Dhillon also voiced concern that the information gathered by the purchaser could fall into the hands of competitors.

Mr. David Lu, the purchaser and seller of scrap metal for Richmond Steel Recycling, commented on the differences between his company and pawnbrokers.  He talked further about the process followed by Richmond Steel Recycling when accepting scrap metal and the difficulties encountered in determining whether this material was stolen.  Mr. Lu spoke about those individuals who were responsible for metal thefts and stated that his company wished to be part of the solution and not be a facilitator of the problem.  He stated that as stakeholders, Richmond Steel Recycling would like to have the opportunity to provide input and to help the City develop a program relating to the recycling of scrap metal.

Item No. 23 – A City-Wide Interim Amenity Contribution Policy

Grant Goodwin, a real estate agent and a part owner of Richmond Holdings Ltd., voiced support to the recommendation that staff seek input from local smaller developers and asked that this action occur sooner rather than later in the process.  He then expressed concern about the proposal to share the increase in the land value created from rezoning a property (land lift) between the developer and the City, and the goal of the City to provide affordable housing.

Arthur Winestein, the operator of Allied Salvage & Metals, advised that his company was small in size; dealt with the smaller scrap metal sellers, and that he paid cash for any purchases made.  He talked at length about the theft of scrap metal, especially copper pipe and wiring, during which he stated that the problem was epidemic throughout the world, and the legal problems which he could face if he accused an individual of trying to sell him stolen scrap metal. 

Mr. Winestein also commented on the proposed requirement that information collected by the scrap metal companies would have to be forwarded to the RCMP, and whether this requirement would be violation of existing privacy regulations.

Item No. 10 – Rental Premises Standards of Maintenance Bylaw No. 8159

Mr. Peter Mitchell suggested that the first clause in Part 1 of the bylaw which dealt with the “Owner’s Duties and Obligations”, which indicated that ‘An owner of rental premises must not use, permit the use of, lease, rent or offer to lease or rent any rental unit that does not at all times conform to the minimum maintenance standards for rental premises prescribed in this bylaw,’ created the opportunity for a building owner to close any rental unit rather than make repairs where the units were occupied by individuals who were not the tenants and the occupants were the persons who were breaking the rules.

Mr. Mitchell also noted that the proposed bylaw did not address such issues as (i) lighting in parking lots; (ii) broken windows; (iii) parkade entrance doors and lighting in indoor parkades; (iv) the provision of sewer to remove waste hot and cold water to individual apartments; (v) entrance door locks; (vi) elevators, and (vii) the structural components of an apartment building, including maintenance of the building’s exterior.  He also suggested that the bylaw could also be used to protect those individuals who had had their power cut off because of operating a grow op or durg lab in their units.

R06/20-4

4.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (9:21 p.m.).

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

R06/20-5

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items 6 through 22, with the deletion of Item No. 11 – Canada Line, be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Community Safety Committee meeting held on Wednesday, November 15^th, 2006;

(2)

the General Purposes Committee meeting held on Monday, November 20^th, 2006;

(3)

the Planning Committee meeting held on Tuesday, November 21^st, 2006; and

(4)

the Public Works & Transportation Committee meeting held on Thursday, November 16^th, 2006,

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

7.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM – AN ALTERNATE APPROACH TO COMBATING GROW OPERATIONS

(Report:  Nov. 8/06, File No.:  09-5000-03) (REDMS No. 1796540, 1796733, 2043402)

(1)

That the creation of an Electrical Safety Inspection Program for Richmond be endorsed on a one-year trial basis.

(2)

That:

(a)

A temporary 2007 funding source of $560,100 for a pilot Electrical Safety Inspection program be identified through the 2007 budget process and that inspection revenues be used to offset the program expenses;

(b)

The BC Safety Authority provide cost-effective electrical inspection services for a one-year period, and that the Fire Chief be authorized to execute all necessary documents;

(c)

A one-year temporary clerical position, a fire inspector, and two police officers be funded to run the new Electrical Safety Inspection program for the trial period;

(d)

The appropriate bylaw changes required for the new Electrical Safety Inspection program be presented to Council;

(e)

Richmond’s unusual electrical consumption records be requested from BC Hydro; and

(f)

Program status reports be provided after the first 6 months and 12 months of the program.

(3)

That upon request, BC Hydro provide records for single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, warehouses and commercial properties in Richmond that exhibit unusual levels of electrical consumption.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

Amendment Bylaw No. 8155, Scrap Metal Dealer, Second-Hand Dealer and Pawnbroker Bylaw

(Report:  October 24, 2006, File No.:  12-8060-20-8155/8163/8162) (REDMS No. 2032417, 2032680, 2038027, 2038058)

That the following bylaws each be introduced and given first, second and third readings:

(1)

Business Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 8155, which:

(a)

repeals and replaces Part 19, Second-Hand Dealer/Pawnbroker Regulations of the Business Regulation Bylaw No 7538; and

(b)

establishes new regulations to include Scrap Metal Dealers;

(2)

Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 8163, which:

(a)

repeals section 2.1.22 of the Business Licence Bylaw No. 7360; and

(b)

deletes definition of Second-Hand Dealer/Pawnbroker of section 3.6 of the Business Licence Bylaw No 7360 and substitutes the same definition introduced in Bylaw No. 8155 for consequential amendments; and

(3)

Municipal Ticket Authorization Amendment Bylaw No. 8162, which establishes fines and introduces new ticketable offences for the Municipal Ticket Authorization Bylaw.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

9.

REVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE MODELS OF DELIVERY OF POLICING SERVICES UPDATE

(Report:  Oct. 31/06, File No.:  09-5350-08-01-01/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2009465, 2043403)

(1)

That the report (dated October 31^st, 2006, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety), regarding the Review of Alternative Models of Delivery of Policing Services, be received for information.

(2)

That the Chair of the Community Safety Committee, plus one additional Councillor, being Councillor Dang, be designated to the Police Review Steering Committee.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

10.

RENTAL PREMISES STANDARDS OF MAINTENANCE BYLAW NO. 8159

(Report:  Nov. 2/06, File No.:  12-8060-20-8159) (REDMS No. 2037890, 2039551)

That Rental Premises Standards of Maintenance Bylaw No. 8159 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

11.

CANADA LINE

Please see Page 2 of these minutes for action taken on this matter.

12.

Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538, Amendment Bylaw No. 8156 and Municipal Ticket Authorization Bylaw No 7321, Amendment Bylaw No. 8164

(Report:  Nov. 9/06, File No.:  12-8060-20-8156/8164) (REDMS No. 2037800, 2041090, 2041072)

That the following bylaws each be introduced and given first, second and third readings:

(1)

Business Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 8156,  which:

(a)

repeals and replaces Part 10, Karaoke Box Room Regulations of the Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538;

(b)

regulates hours of operating for karaoke establishments.

(2)

Municipal Ticket Authorization Amendment Bylaw No. 8164, which establishes fines and introduces new ticketable offences for the Municipal Ticket Authorization Bylaw.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

13.

UBCM COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION FUND 2006

(Report:  Nov. 8/06, File No.:  03-1080-01) (REDMS No. 2040686, 1668983, 2017263)

That Richmond City Council support the “Building Community Capacity – Walking for Health” project, and that the City take the lead on this initiative, working with community partners to make a significant improvement to the health of our community.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

14.

UBCM/BCMSA FUNDED SAFETY COORDINATOR

(Report:  Nov. 1/06, File No.:  01-0060-20-UBCM1-01) (REDMS No. 2041017)

That Richmond City Council support the proposed BC Municipal Safety Association funded Coordinator position, and that the UBCM Executive be advised accordingly.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

15.

Relocation of Community Bylaws and Fire Prevention Staff

(Report:  Nov. 23/06, File No.:  06-2052-01) (REDMS No. 2035857, 2045995)

(1)

That staff be authorized to expend the budgeted allocation of $371,877 to relocate the Community Bylaws section from City Hall, 3rd Floor, to 6931 Granville Avenue;

(2)

That Richmond Fire Rescue relocate the Fire Prevention Office and Community Relations staff from Fire Hall No. 1 to 6931 Granville Avenue and that funding be provided from previously allocated additional level funding for Fire Hall No. 1; and

(3)

That the matter of the balance of the floor space at 6931 Granville Avenue being reserved for future City expansion, be referred to staff to review and take into account the needs of the community groups and report to Committee accordingly.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

16.

APPLICATION FOR REZONING - H. A. BERG INVESTMENTS LTD.

(RZ 05-296591 - Report:  November 23, 2006, File No.:  12-8060-20-8115) (REDMS No. 2008973, 2031581, 1895294, 2031360, 2045777)

(1)

That Bylaw No. 8115, for the rezoning of 11991 No. 1 Road and 3931 Chatham Street from “Service Station District (G2)” to “Steveston Commercial (Three-Storey) District (C5)”, be introduced and given first reading.

(2)

That Rezoning Application RZ 05-296591 be referred to staff in order for staff and the applicant to:

(a)

revise the proposed exterior, including finishing materials, and the awning design to reflect more heritage character; and

(b)

incorporate a community garden on the roof deck; and

(3)

That the  applicant present modified drawings at the Public Hearing.

17.

APPLICATION FOR REZONING - PATRICK COTTER ARCHITECT INC.

(RZ 05-296361 - Report:  November 6, 2006, File No.:  12-8060-20-8158) (REDMS No. 2031024, 2032439)

That Bylaw No. 8158, to add minimum road setbacks along Keefer Avenue of 4.57 m (15 ft.) and along Bridge Street of 5 m (16.4 ft.) in Comprehensive Development District (CD/128), and for the rezoning of 7700, 7720, 7740, 7760 Bridge Street from “Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area F (R1/F)” to “Comprehensive Development District (CD/128)”, be introduced and given first reading.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

18.

NEW LOCATION FOR RICHMOND FAMILY PLACE

(Report:  November 9, 2006, File No.:  03-1000-14-138) (REDMS No. 2041059, 912750)

(1)

That Debeck House, located at 8660 Ash Street, be designated as the new location for Richmond Family Place; and

(2)

That staff prepare a sub-licence agreement for the exclusive use of Debeck House by Richmond Family Place Society for a period of not less than five (5) years in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in this report as well as such other terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the General Manager – Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services in consultation with the City Solicitor; and

(3)

That the General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services be authorized to execute the sub-licence agreement contemplated by these recommendations as well as such other documentation including plans as are necessary to ensure compliance with these recommendations; and

(4)

That the offer to Richmond Family Place Society for exclusive use of Debeck House be subject to the Society occupying the premises by December 31, 2007; and

(5)

That staff be authorized to prepare correspondence under the Mayor’s signature in support of Richmond Family Place fundraising initiatives.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

19.

TELECOMMUNICATION STRATEGY

(Report:  October 31, 2006, File No.:  04-1355-01) (REDMS No. 2037212)

(1)

That staff develop an integrated telecommunication strategy for the City; and

(2)

That upon completion of the telecommunication strategy, a public request for expressions of interest be issued for interested proponents.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

20.

LOCAL AREA SERVICES PROGRAM CONSTRUCTION – 3231, 3233, 3235 AND 3251 REGENT STREET - BYLAW NO. 8127

(Report:  October 10, 2006, File No.:  12-8060-20-8127, Xr: 6190-20-024) (REDMS No. 2014170, 2014264)

(1)

That the Local Area Services Program for Basic Ditch Elimination on 3231, 3233, 3235 and 3251 Regent Street  be adopted in accordance with Section 211 and 212 of the Community Charter; and

(2)

That Bylaw No. 8127 which authorizes local area services construction at 3231, 3233, 3235 and 3251 Regent Street be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

21.

NEPTUNE CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR THE VOLUNTEER WATER METER PROGRAM EXTENSION

(Report:  October 26, 2006, File No.:  03-1000-20-2533P) (REDMS No. 2035700, 2036543)

That the Volunteer Water Meter Program contract with Neptune Technology Group be extended from 2007 through 2009.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

22.

BRITISH COLUMBIA AVIATION COUNCIL (BCAC)

That a letter be prepared to the British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC) for the Chair’s signature to:

(a)

invite BCAC representatives to meet with City staff to discuss BCAC’s initiatives, and

(b)

request that BCAC representatives attend a future General Purposes Committee meeting to present information on:

(i)

airport regionalization, and

(ii)

other BCAC activities and the impact on Richmond.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

PLANNING COMMITTEE –
Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

23.

A CITY-WIDE INTERIM AMENITY CONTRIBUTION POLICY

(Report:  Nov. 23/06, File No.:  08-4000-00/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2035850, 2041103, 1897212, 2045780)

24.

DRAFT AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGY

(Report:  Nov. 23/06, File No.:  08-4057-05/2006-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2037757, 2041103, 2045785)

R06/20-6

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the following two reports be referred to the Urban Development Institute (UDI) and Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association (GVHBA) for comment and discussion by December 15, 2006:

(a)

Staff report (dated November 10^th, 2006, from the Director of Development and Manager, Policy Planning) entitled “A City-Wide Interim Amenity Contribution Policy”; and

(b)

Report (dated October 31, 2006, from G.P. Rollo & Associates Ltd.) entitled “Amenity Contributions from New Development”.

(2)

That staff bring forth final recommendations, based on the input from UDI and the GVHBA, in January 2007.

(3)

That staff seek input from local smaller developers on the proposed “City-Wide Interim Amenity Contribution Policy”; and

(4)

That staff investigate commercial rezoning in terms of the City-Wide Interim Amenity Contribution Policy.

(5)

That the draft Affordable Housing Strategy (dated November 1, 2006) and the report (dated November 10^th, 2006, from the Manager, Policy Planning) be referred to stakeholders, Richmond MPs and MLAs, and the general public for input;

(6)

That staff and the consultants prepare a final Strategy, which would include an implementation program, for consideration in January 2007; and

(7)

That the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund be amended as recommended in the draft Affordable Housing Strategy, so that the process of hiring an additional staff person, contract person, or consultant in the Lands Section of the Business and Financial Services Department can be started as soon as possible.

CARRIED

PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE –
Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair

25.

ARTHUR LANG BRIDGE TRAFFIC / GEORGE MASSEY TUNNEL TRAFFIC

R06/20-7

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter be prepared to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) for the Mayor’s signature emphasising the need for YVR to station tow trucks at either end of the Arthur Lang Bridge during both the morning and afternoon peak travel periods.

(2)

That transportation staff investigate with the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, the best means for the quick removal from Highway 99 of vehicles that are stalled or have been involved in a traffic accident, and which impede the flow of traffic through the Massey Tunnel.

CARRIED

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

26.

(Report:  Nov. 14/06, File No.:  12-8060-20-8161) (REDMS No. 2041535v2, 2041529)

R06/20-8

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Road Closure and Removal of Highway Dedication Bylaw No. 8161 be introduced and given first, second and third readings;

(2)

That staff be given the authority to take all necessary steps as required by the Community Charter to:

(a)

give the public notice in accordance with s. 94 of the Community Charter;

(b)

provide an opportunity for persons who consider they are affected by the bylaw to make representations to Council; and

(c)

give notice to the operators of utilities whose transmission or distribution facilities or works the City considers will be affected by the closure; and

(3)

That staff be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to grant rights of way as required for City and non-City utilities and for public rights of access (including vehicular access), and that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute on the City’s behalf all documentation (including agreements and plans) as may be necessary or advisable in connection with the granting of such rights.

CARRIED

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R06/20-9

It was moved and seconded

That the following bylaws be adopted:

Zoning & Development Bylaw No. 5300, Amendment Bylaw No. 8086
(10171 No. 1 Road, RZ 06-329965)

Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7100, Amendment Bylaw No. 8111
(10171 No. 1 Road, RZ 06-329965)

Zoning & Development Bylaw No. 5300, Amendment Bylaw No. 8110
 (10551 Williams Road, RZ 06-341092)

Commercial Vehicle Licence Bylaw No. 4716, Amendment Bylaw No. 8145

Business Licence Bylaw No. 7360, Amendment Bylaw No. 8146

Drainage, Dyke and Sanitary Sewer System Bylaw No. 7551, Amendment Bylaw No. 8151

Solid Waste & Recycling Regulation Bylaw No. 6380, Amendment Bylaw No. 8152

Waterworks & Water Rates Bylaw No. 5637, Amendment Bylaw No. 8153

Business Licence Bylaw No. 7360, Amendment Bylaw No. 8154 (To increase the number of taxi vehicles licenced by the City.)

Richmond Tree Protection Bylaw No. 8057, Amendment Bylaw No. 8157.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R06/20-10

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (10:24 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 27^th, 2006.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (David Weber)