March 19, 2020 - Minutes (Special)
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Special Council
Thursday, March 19, 2020
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie Corporate Officer – Claudia Jesson |
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Call to Order: |
Mayor Brodie called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. |
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RES NO. |
ITEM |
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SP20/2-1 |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Special Council meeting be recessed for a Special Closed Council meeting. |
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CARRIED |
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Mayor Brodie recessed the meeting at 4:31 p.m. for the Special Closed Council meeting. |
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The meeting reconvened at 5:06 p.m. with all members of Council present. |
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DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY FOR purposes of ENHANCING PREPAREDNESS for dealing with cOVID-19 pandemic |
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Staff spoke on the proposed declaration of emergency, noting the following: |
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the proposed measures encourage City staff to work from home, when possible, and would minimize exposure to COVID-19; |
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the language used in the proposed declaration of emergency would be consistent with emergency provisions in the Community Charter; |
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the City’s emergency staff and associated support staff would be maintained during the state of emergency; |
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unlike the emergency provisions in the Emergency Program Act which expires after seven days, the proposed declaration would be open ended; |
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the City’s Spring Break Camps and City childcare programs will be cancelled and staff have been in contact with participants; |
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independent childcare providers leasing City facilities will continue to operate at their discretion; |
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the City can examine measures to support local businesses that can manufacture essential supplies; |
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the City coordinates with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) on mitigation efforts including use of City sites, if required; |
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the proposed declaration of emergency will not be in conflict with the Provincial declaration of emergency; however such a declaration will give the City the ability to rapidly react to issues specific to Richmond; |
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the City encourages residents to access City services through the telephone, online and the MyRichmondBC app; and |
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the City is coordinating with social service providers and community groups to support residents facing potential hardship. |
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Discussion ensued with regard to the following: |
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maintaining of essential City services during the proposed declaration of emergency, including issuance of building permits and electronic inspections in exceptional cases; |
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reviewing the proposed declaration of emergency after 30 days; |
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maintaining access to childcare for first responders; |
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advocating the Province to implement provisions to freeze rental evictions and curb hoarding behaviour; |
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the declarations of emergency enacted in other local municipalities; and |
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The implementation of daily briefings, including coordination of COVID-19 case details with VCH to ensure residents receive accurate information. |
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SP20/2-2 |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Council, to address the pandemic spread of COVID-19 in the City of Richmond, declare that an emergency exists and authorize the making of staffing adjustments and working at home arrangements, and with the approval of the Mayor, the exercising of all powers necessary to deal with the emergency including the closing of public access to City Hall and other City facilities, and the full closure of City Hall and other City facilities, and that Council direct the CAO to implement these measures and other supporting administrative measures in consideration of the operational needs of the City. |
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The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) ensuring a robust communication strategy, (ii) providing personal safety equipment for City staff, (iii) options to curb reselling of essential supplies, (iv) options to provide limited in-person services in City Hall, and (v) extending the review of the proposed declaration of emergency beyond 30 days. |
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In reply to queries from Council, staff noted that (i) shelter operations in the city will not be affected by the proposed facilities closure, (ii) bylaws staff can ticket illegal reselling activities, (iii) residents can interact with staff and access timely information through the MyRichmondBC app, and (iv) staff will be providing a list of current available City services that will be regularly updated. |
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As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to provide a daily public update on the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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Discussion ensued with regard to playground use and staff noted that staff are monitoring playground use. Also, staff noted that educational signage on handwashing and social distancing have been installed on-site at playgrounds. Staff added that staff can coordinate with Richmond School District No. 38 regarding playground signage on their sites. |
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The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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Mayor Brodie then declared that City Hall will be closed to the public effective Monday, March 23, 2020, except for the purposes of the Council and Standing Committee meetings to be held in the Council Chambers and the Anderson Room, and such closure will be reviewed in 30 days’ time. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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SP20/2-3 |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (6:08 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Special meeting of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Thursday, March 19, 2020. |
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Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie) |
Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson) |