Time:

4:00 p.m.

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt (via teleconference)

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Harold Steves

Director, City Clerk’s Office – David Weber

Call to Order:

Mayor Brodie called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

RES NO.

ITEM

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

SP10/3-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (4:01 p.m.).

CARRIED

2.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items.

Item No. 4 – 2010 Capital Budget and 5 Year Financial Plan (2010-2014)

Jim Wright, 8300 Osgoode Drive, President of the Garden City Lands Coalition Society, spoke in favour of Part 1 of the proposed staff recommendation regarding the Garden City Lands (GCL), funding to be provided from the Community Legacy and Land Replacement Reserve.  He advised that although the Society’s Board of Directors unanimously supports the staff recommendation in principle, the Society asks that the following concerns be addressed prior to the funds being spent: (i) any problems with the agreement be resolved; and (ii) the City show its commitment to using the GCL for ALR-permissible purposes.  Mr. Wright read from his submission that is attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1.

In reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Wright stated his belief that particular uses for the GCL, such as trails and sports fields, could exist with the Agricultural Land Commission’s (ALC) approval.

Item No. 4 – 2010 Capital Budget and 5 Year Financial Plan (2010-2014)

Susan Match, President of City Centre Community Association, was in favour of the City acquiring all of the GCL.  She spoke of the City’s growing population and was of the opinion that the community needs a variety of spaces, particular green space.  Ms. Match offered her support and advised that the Association is very interested in knowing what uses the City foresees for the GCL and noted that the Association would like to be involved.

Item No. 4 – 2010 Capital Budget and 5 Year Financial Plan (2010-2014)

Jim Lamond, Chair of the Richmond Sports Council, supported the proposed decision to acquire the GCL.  Mr. Lamond referenced the City’s decision to purchase the Brighouse Estates and highlighted what that acquisition did for the community.

In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Lamond stated that the GCL should not remain completely as-is, and commented that Minoru Aquatic Centre and Minoru Arenas need to be upgraded, and the GCL could accommodate new structures.

Item No. 4 – 2010 Capital Budget and 5 Year Financial Plan (2010-2014)

Arzeena Hamir, 8480 Dayton Court, advised that the Richmond Food Security Society and the Garden City Lands Coalition supported the purchase of the GCL so long as the lands remain in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).  Ms. Hamir spoke of the community’s interest in growing food and the well-attended food events and fundraisers.

In response to queries from Committee, Ms. Hamir stated the following:

§          

the Food Security Society and the Garden City Lands Coalition believe that the City has enough major City facilities and sport fields, and if there is a community need for more in the future, those facilities could be built on non-ALR land;

§          

the City could acquire farmland in the outskirts of Richmond for a better price, however, the GCL is a unique urban agricultural parcel due to its central location; and

§          

it would be nice to see the Terra Nova Rural Park back in ALR.

Item No. 4 – 2010 Capital Budget and 5 Year Financial Plan (2010-2014)

Carol Day, 11631 Seahurst Road, spoke in favour of staff’s recommendation to purchase the GCL.  She was of the opinion that there was no better use for the Community Legacy and Land Replacement Reserve fund, which was created to replenish the City’s land inventory.  Ms. Day commented that the acquisition of this land would create a legacy that generations would enjoy for years to come.  Ms. Day noted that the price and acquisition of the land is a good deal for all the parties involved.  Ms. Day read from her submission that is attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 2.

In response to queries from Committee, Ms. Day was of the opinion that (i) the GCL should remain in the ALR, with exceptions to sport fields, which would require special applications to the ALC; and (ii) if the proposed purchase of the GCL were to go to referendum, it would pass with an overwhelming majority.

Item No. 4 – 2010 Capital Budget and 5 Year Financial Plan (2010-2014)

Nancy Trant, 10100 No. 3 Road, stated that the GCL should remain in the ALR, and be purchased by the City.  Ms. Trant believed that the proposed land acquisition was an excellent use of taxpayers money.  She stated that the GCL would enrich Richmond and noted that surveys indicate that Canadians want home grown food, and the days of processed, imported foods are over.

Item No. 4 – 2010 Capital Budget and 5 Year Financial Plan (2010-2014)

Derril Gudlaugson, 8351 Fairfax Place, supported the purchase of the GCL but expressed qualified support for staff recommendation one.  Mr. Gudlaugson stated that should the GCL be acquired and funded from the Community Legacy and Land Replacement Reserve, the GCL should remain in the ALR.

Item No. 4 – 2010 Capital Budget and 5 Year Financial Plan (2010-2014)

Lorraine Bell, 10431 Mortfield Road, stated that this parcel of land is central to the City and doesn’t have to resemble any other park.  She was of the opinion that the purchase price is not a lot of money as the cost is 1/60^th the cost of most single-family dwellings currently being built in Richmond.  Ms. Bell was in favour of acquiring the lands, and wished to see the lands remain in the ALR.

SP10/3-2

3.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (4:59 p.m.).

CARRIED

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

4.

2010 capital budget and 5 year financial plan (2010-2014)

(File Ref. No.:  03-0970-01, Xr.:12-8060-20-8568) (REDMS No. 2810772, 2812129)

SP10/3-3

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Council-approved 2010 Capital Budget be amended to increase the land acquisitions by $28.17M to $59.17M to accommodate the purchase of Garden City Lands, funded from the Community Legacy and Land Replacement Reserve.

(2)

That the Council-approved 2010 Capital Budget be amended to increase the amount of strategic land acquisitions by $2.82M to $5.42M, funded from the Capital Reserve-Industrial Use.

(3)

That the Council-approved 2010 Capital Budget be amended to include the costs relating to the Lubzinski exhibit in the amount of $0.30M, funded from the Steveston Road Ends Reserve.

(4)

That the Council-approved 2010 Capital Budget be amended by $2.80M to include an increase in grant and developer funding for a number of miscellaneous projects. 

(5)

That the 5 Year Financial Plan (2010 – 2014) be approved, that the 5 Year Financial Plan (2010 – 2014) Bylaw No. 8568 be introduced and given first, second and third readings and that staff undertake a process of public consultation as required in Section 166 of the Community Charter.

The question on Resolution SP10/3-3 was not called as Council expressed their views on the proposed acquisition of the Garden City Lands and staff’s recommendations.

The question on Part 1 of Resolution SP10/3-3 was then called and it was CARRIED with Councillors E. Halsey-Brandt, and G. Halsey-Brandt opposed.

The question on Parts 2 to 5 of Resolution SP10/3-3 were then called and they were CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

SP10/3-4

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:47 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 Monday, March 8, 2010.

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Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (David Weber)