October 15, 2019 - Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Kelly Greene
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves 
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Corporate Officer – Claudia Jesson

Call to Order:

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

RES NO.

ITEM

MINUTES

R19/16-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on September 23, 2019, be adopted as circulated

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

R19/16-2

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the following recommendation for Item No. 7 - Richmond Sports Council Facility Needs Assessment 2018 Update, be amended to the following:

That staff:

(1)

work with the Richmond Sports Council and other stakeholders to develop a City of Richmond sport facility and infrastructure priority list for consideration in future corporate facility or park plans; and

(2)

report to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee within one month on a timeline for completing this sport facility and infrastructure priority list; and

(2)

That George Massey Crossing – Phase 2 Discussion, be added to the Agenda as Item No. 17A with the following recommendation:

(1)

That the report titled “George Massey Crossing Project – Phase 2 Crossing Options”, dated October 15, 2019 be received for information;

(2)

That based on the Province’s technical analysis, the City of Richmond endorse a new eight-lane immersed-tube tunnel with multi-use pathway and two dedicated transit lanes as the preferred option for the George Massey Crossing for the purposes of public engagement; and

(3)

That a request be made to the Province to develop further plans to improve transit along the entire Highway 99 corridor to improve transit speed, reliability and capacity.

CARRIED

PRESENTATION

Elizabeth Ayers, Director, Recreation and Sport Services, presented a video on the Community Services 2019 Summer Programs Update for Children, Youth and Families (copy on-file, City Clerk’s Office).

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R19/16-3

2.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:05 p.m.).

CARRIED

3.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items.

Item No. 15 – Age of Eligibility for Seniors Pricing

Rory Sutter, Richmond resident, spoke on the City’s recreation pricing policies and subsidies, expressing that recreation fees should be kept low and programs remain accessible to all groups. Also, he was of the opinion that funding is available to maintain low recreation fees and that large capital projects should be reviewed to avoid potential higher recreation costs.

R19/16-4

4.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (7:09 p.m.).

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

R19/16-5

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items No. 6 through No. 14 be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting held on September 24, 2019;

(2)

the General Purposes Committee meeting held on October 7, 2019;

(3)

the Finance Committee meeting held on October 7, 2019; and

(4)

the Planning Committee meeting held on October 8, 2019;

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

7.

Richmond Sports Council Facility Needs Assessment 2018 Update 
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-10-01; 11-7025-09-002) (REDMS No. 6197503 v. 49; 6198084)

That staff:

(1)

work with the Richmond Sports Council and other stakeholders to develop a City of Richmond sport facility and infrastructure priority list for consideration in future corporate facility or park plans; and

(2)

report to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee within one month on a timeline for completing this sport facility and infrastructure priority list.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

Replacement of the Richmond Tennis Club Bubble 
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-10-01; 11-7025-09-008; 06-2050-20-MPTC) (REDMS No. 6273960 v. 11)

That Council approve funding of $241,000 from the Council Community Initiative Account, to the Richmond Tennis Club, and that the expenditure be included in the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2020-2024), as outlined in the staff report titled, “Replacement of the Richmond Tennis Club Bubble,” dated August 29, 2019, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

9.

City Centre District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9895, Amendment Bylaw No. 10100 
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-010100) (REDMS No. 6285408; 6285447)

That the City Centre District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9895, Amendment Bylaw No. 10100 presented in the “City Centre District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9895, Amendment Bylaw No. 10100” report dated September 6, 2019, from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

10.

INDEMNIFICATION BYLAW 
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-9911) (REDMS No. 6092440; 5928448)

That Indemnification Bylaw No. 9911 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

11.

Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, Amendment Bylaw No. 10056 
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-010056) (REDMS No. 6292400; 6292427)

That Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, Amendment Bylaw No. 10056 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

12.

Permissive Exemption (2020) Bylaw No. 10027 
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-10027) (REDMS No. 6170200; 6170225)

That Permissive Exemption (2020) Bylaw No. 10027 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

13.

Non-Profit Social Service Agency Current and Future Space Needs 
(File Ref. No. 07-3000-01) (REDMS No. 6221117 v. 4; 6287846; 6322908)

(1)

That non-profit social service agency space needs be communicated and a letter be sent to key stakeholders, including the Premier, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, the Minister of Health and Addictions, the Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Ministries, the Richmond Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), the Richmond Members of Parliament (MPs) and appropriate Federal ministers, the Richmond School District,  Vancouver Coastal Health, and the  Urban Development Institute, to encourage collaboration in addressing the concerns of social service agencies;

(2)

That the City and key stakeholders seek immediate opportunities to prevent the loss of at-risk, high priority social service agencies in Richmond as described in the staff report titled “Non-Profit Social Service Agency Current and Future Space Needs”, dated September 20, 2019 from the Director, Community Social Development; and

(3)

That options to increase the supply of affordable non-profit social service agency space in the City Centre and other appropriate locations be identified.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

14.

Application by Maple Hill School Inc. for a Temporary Commercial Use Permit at 2370 - 4000 No. 3 Road 
(File Ref. No. TU 19-855101) (REDMS No. 6276214)

(1)

That the application by Maple Hill School Inc. for a Temporary Commercial Use Permit for the property at 2370- 4000 No. 3 Road to allow education (limited to an independent school offering grades 9 to 12) as a permitted use be considered until August 31, 2020; and

(2)

That this application be forwarded to the November 18, 2019 Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Richmond City Hall.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES COMMITTEE 
Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

15.

Age of Eligibility for Seniors Pricing 
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-07) (REDMS No. 6245774 v. 26; 6272948; 6272956; 6272957)

R19/16-6

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a pricing policy for Community Services programs, rentals and admissions be developed, and report back to Council with a draft policy for consideration, as described in the staff report titled “Age of Eligibility for Seniors Pricing,” dated August 29, 2019, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services;

(2)

That $25,000 from the Recreation Fee Subsidy Program (RFSP) contingency fund of $50,000, previously approved by Council be allocated to the central fund, as described in the staff report titled “Age of Eligibility for Seniors Pricing,” dated August 29, 2019, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services; and

(3)

That a one-time additional level request of $82,000 to support the Recreation Fee Subsidy Program (RFSP) be submitted for consideration in the 2020 budget process, as described in the staff report titled “Age of Eligibility for Seniors Pricing,” dated August 29, 2019, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) Recreation Fee Subsidy Program qualification, (ii) a descending scale of recreation fees for senior users and an elimination of recreation user fees for those over 85 years old, and (iii) the timeline to develop a pricing policy for Community Services programs.

In reply to queries from Council, staff noted that staff can provide a memorandum on the qualification requirements for the Recreation Fee Subsidy Program. Also, staff noted that preliminary work has been initiated prior to the consultation process and that stakeholders will be participating throughout the development phases of the pricing policy.

As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to provide an update to the development of the pricing policy for Community Services programs every three months.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

FINANCE COMMITTEE 
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

16.

Amendments to the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2019-2023) Bylaw No. 9979 
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-010078) (REDMS No. 6253556 v. 9; 6260485)

R19/16-7

It was moved and seconded

That the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2019-2023) Bylaw No. 9979, Amendment Bylaw No. 10078, which incorporates and puts into effect the changes as outlined in the staff report titled “Amendments to the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2019-2023) Bylaw No. 9979” dated August 22, 2019, from the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

The question on the motion was not called as Mayor Brodie advised that the proposed bylaw addresses administrative aspects of the 5 Year Financial Plan that have previously been approved by Council and that the proposed bylaw will have no tax implications.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) source funding for the proposed Richmond Lawn Bowling Clubhouse, (ii) tax revenue transfers to reserves, and (iii) cost recovery for City electric vehicle charging stations.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Day, Greene, Steves and Wolfe opposed.

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES

17.

Vaping Products Advertising Policy 
(File Ref. No. 01-0270-02-2019-096; 01-0095-2001; 07-3000-02) (REDMS No. 6321962 v. 2)

R19/16-8

It was moved and seconded

That the general policy, which reads that the City opposes the placement of vaping product advertising on sites and property that the City owns and/or has sufficient control over, including transit shelters, transit benches and other street furniture, as set out in the staff report titled “Vaping Products Advertising Policy,” dated October 9, 2019, be adopted.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with public awareness of the City’s position on the advertising of vaping products.

As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to notify residents and businesses on the City’s position on the advertising of vaping products.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

18.

George Massey Crossing – Phase 2 Discussion 
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

R19/16-9

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled “George Massey Crossing Project – Phase 2 Crossing Options”, dated October 15, 2019 be received for information;

(2)

That based on the Province’s technical analysis, the City of Richmond endorse a new eight-lane immersed-tube tunnel with multi-use pathway and two dedicated transit lanes as the preferred option for the George Massey Crossing for the purposes of public engagement; and

(3)

That a request be made to the Province to develop further plans to improve transit along the entire Highway 99 corridor to improve transit speed, reliability and capacity.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to developing a strategy to reduce vehicle use and improve public transit along the Highway 99 corridor.

As a result of the discussion the following amendment motion was introduced:

R19/16-10

It was moved and seconded

That the following recommendation be added as Part (4):

That:

(a)

a letter be forwarded to the Premier and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure advising of the City of Richmond’s position regarding the George Massey Crossing;

(b)

a letter be forwarded to the local Members of the Legislative Assembly seeking support for  City of Richmond’s position regarding the George Massey Crossing; and

(c)

copies of the letter be sent to the Provincial Leader of the Opposition, Provincial Leader of the Green Party, Federal Minister of Transportation, Federal Party Leaders and Richmond Members of Parliament.

The question on the amendment motion was not called as discussion ensued on (i) assigning dedicated transit lanes in the new George Massey Crossing, (ii) the timeline of the environmental assessment and Fraser River dredging, (iii) the consultation and construction process and timeline, (iv) potential additional emissions from bridge use compared to tunnel use, and (v) reviewing the number of general traffic lanes in the proposed George Massey Crossing.

The question on the amendment motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Loo opposed.

The question on the main motion, which reads as follows:

(1)

That the report titled “George Massey Crossing Project – Phase 2 Crossing Options”, dated October 15, 2019 be received for information;

(2)

That based on the Province’s technical analysis, the City of Richmond endorse a new eight-lane immersed-tube tunnel with multi-use pathway and two dedicated transit lanes as the preferred option for the George Massey Crossing for the purposes of public engagement; and

(3)

That a request be made to the Province to develop further plans to improve transit along the entire Highway 99 corridor to improve transit speed, reliability and capacity; and

(4)

That:

(a)

a letter be forwarded to the Premier and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure advising of the City of Richmond’s position regarding the George Massey Crossing;

(b)

a letter be forwarded to the local Members of the Legislative Assembly seeking support for  City of Richmond’s position regarding the George Massey Crossing; and

(c)

copies of the letter be sent to the Provincial Leader of the Opposition, Provincial Leader of the Green Party, Federal Minister of Transportation, Federal Party Leaders and Richmond Members of Parliament.

was not called as there was agreement to deal with Parts (1) to (3) and Part (4) separately.

The question on the motion for Parts (1) to (3) of was then called and it was CARRIED.

The question on the motion for Part (4) was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Loo opposed.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R19/16-11

It was moved and seconded

That the following bylaws be adopted:

Traffic Bylaw No. 5870 Amendment Bylaw No. 10076;

Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636 Amendment Bylaw No. 10079;

Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 9914.

CARRIED

It was noted that the third reading of Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 9681 would require rescindment in order to change subsection (g) of the bylaw into subsection (f), and as a result, the following motion was introduced:

R19/16-12

It was moved and seconded

That the third reading of Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 9681 be rescinded.

CARRIED 
Opposed: Cllr. Wolfe

R19/16-13

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 9681, with amendments to change subsection (g) into subsection (f), be given third reading.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to limiting development on the site’s environmental sensitive area and expanding the development’s affordable housing options.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Wolfe opposed.

R19/16-14

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 9681 be adopted.

CARRIED 
Opposed: Cllr. Wolfe

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PANEL

R19/16-15

19.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the minutes of the Development Permit Panel meeting held on September 25, 2019 and the  Chair’s report for the Development Permit Panel meeting held on September 11, 2019, be received for information; and

(2)

That the recommendation of the Panel to authorize the issuance of a Development Permit (DP 18-829140) for the property at 8820, 8840, 8860, 8880, 8900, 8911 and 8931 Spires Road and the surplus portion of the Spires Road road allowance be endorsed, and the Permit so issued.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R19/16-16

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:28 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 Tuesday, October 15, 2019.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)