May 25, 2020 - Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Corporate Officer – Claudia Jesson

Call to Order:

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

RES NO.

ITEM

MINUTES

R20/10-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on May 11, 2020, be adopted as circulated;

(2)

the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on May 19, 2020, be adopted as circulated;

(3)

the minutes of the Regular Council meeting for Public Hearings held on May 19, 2020, be adopted as circulated; and

(4)

the Metro Vancouver ‘Board in Brief’ dated April 24, 2020, be received for information.

CARRIED

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R20/10-2

2.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:01 p.m.).

CARRIED

3.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items

Item No. 11 – Revised City Event Program 2020

Linda Barnes, 4551 Garry Street, Chair Person, Richmond Arts Coalition, spoke on the Richmond Maritime Festival and urged Council to approve option three as outlined in the staff report. She advised that (i) the event would be conducted safely and follow the current rules of the pandemic, (ii) the event would be held over a period to not exceed 29 days, (iii) a good portion of the arts component would be virtual, (iv) in-person performances would be done safely and within the confines of the pandemic guidelines of the time, and (v) should Council cancel the Richmond Maritime Festival the Richmond Arts Coalition would lose their grant funding.

R20/10-3

4.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (7:21 p.m.).

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

R20/10-4

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items No. 6 through No. 10 be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Special Finance Committee meeting held on May 11, 2020; and

(2)

the General Purposes Committee meeting held on May 19, 2020; and

(3)

the Council/School Board Liaison Committee meeting held on April 8, 2020;

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

7.

LETTER FOR LIQUOR LICENSING 
(File Ref. No. 12-8275-05; XR: 09-5125-13-01)(REDMS No. 6471837)

To write a letter to the BC Attorney General, B.C. Minister of Jobs, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), and the Richmond MLAs, in favour of a temporary, expedited, and low-cost application process for liquor licenses for businesses who are adding patio space as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

A Statement Against Racism Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic 
(File Ref. No. 07-3300-01; XR 09-5125-13-01)(REDMS No. 6471838)

(1)

That Council adopt and endorse the following statement:

A Richmond Statement Against Racism and Violence Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

In Richmond, we are a community that celebrates a rich history of culture, diversity and heritage linked to the arrival and influence of immigrants that began over a century ago.

The City of Richmond does not - and never will - condone or tolerate racist behaviour in any form. Such attitudes and actions do not reflect our community's cultural diversity or the spirit of inclusion that we are all proud of.

Events of the past few months have created uncertainty, frustration and fear for some. But that is no excuse to cast blame on others. COVID-19 should not be blamed on any single culture or country and it is certainly not the fault of anyone in our community.

Now, more than ever, we must stand together and be true to our shared values of diversity, inclusion and respect. Racial and discriminatory responses and actions have no place in Richmond. They have no place in our society.

(2)

That the statement be sent to Mayors in the Metro Vancouver Region.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

Staff were directed to liaise with the Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee to reach out to other networks to raise awareness of the statement and to post this statement on the City’s website.

9.

2019 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program and Corporate Carbon Neutral Progress Report 
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01/2020; 10-6125-07-03) (REDMS No. 6451162 v.13; 6458636; 6449838; 6459638)

That the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program Report and Carbon Neutral Progress Report, as described in the staff report titled, “2019 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program and Corporate Carbon Neutral Progress Report” dated April 24, 2020, from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, be posted on the City’s website for public information, in accordance with Provincial requirements.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

10.

UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund 
(File Ref. No. 09-5126-01/2020; 03-1087-36-01) (REDMS No. 6439542 v. 3)

(1)

That the application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for up to $25,000 in grant funding to support Emergency Support Services for the City of Richmond be endorsed;

(2)

That the application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for up to $25,000 in grant funding to support Emergency Operations Centres & Training for the City of Richmond be endorsed;

(3)

That the application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for up to $25,000 in grant funding to support Evacuation Route Planning for the City of Richmond be endorsed;

(4)

That should the funding application be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Community Safety be authorized to execute the agreements on behalf of the City of Richmond with the UBCM; and

(5)

That should the funding application be successful, the 2020-2024 Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw be adjusted accordingly.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

11.

Revised City Event Program 2020 
(File Ref. No. 11-7375-20-002) (REDMS No. 6450908 v.5)

R20/10-5

It was moved and seconded

That aside from the Richmond Maritime Festival:

(1)

That the Revised City Event Program 2020 and budget as outlined in Table 1 of the staff report titled “Revised City Event Program 2020”, dated April 20, 2020, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services be approved; and

(2)

That $780,000 be returned to the Rate Stabilization Account after payment of $17,000 for the Providence contract and an increase to $20,000 for farm markets.

CARRIED

R20/10-6

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Maritime Festival program and budget of $28,000 as outlined in the staff report titled “Revised City Event Program 2020”, dated April 20, 2020, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services be approved.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place on (i) providing the community an opportunity to be outdoors and celebrate the Richmond culture, (ii) crowd control can be managed by the City’s Bylaw Officers, (iii) concerns over large crowds, (iv) removing the City’s funding, (v) opportunities to reach a greater number of people through in-person and online activities, and (vi) flexibility of dates for the event.

In reply to queries from Council, staff advised that (i) the Richmond Arts Coalition grant is not tied to the funding from the City, (ii) a timing of late August early September is being considered; however, dates are not definitive, (iii) the event will be organized to ensure physical distancing through geography and timing of activities, (iv) the boats can be spread out geographically and can be viewed by land or by walking on the docks, and (v) anything related to the event will be done under the guidelines of the time.

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

R20/10-7

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Maritime Festival be approved without the budget for 2020 and that City funding of $28,000 be returned to the Rate Stabilization Account.

The question on the amendment motion was not called as discussion took place on concerns with crowd control, and ensuring the community has opportunities to get outdoors.

The question on the amendment motion was then called and it was DEFEATED with Mayor Brodie, Cllrs. Au, Day, Loo, McNulty, McPhail, Steves and Wolfe opposed.

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

12.

Agricultural Signage Review and Consultation 
(File Ref. No. 12-8350-03) (REDMS No. 6469276; 6469420; 6469085; 6431695)

R20/10-8

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Agricultural Signage Review and Consultation” from the General Manager, Community Safety, dated May 14, 2020, be received for information;

(2)

That the Communication Plan described in the staff report titled “Agricultural Signage Review and Consultation” from the General Manager, Community Safety, dated May 14, 2020  be endorsed; and

(3)

That staff be directed to continue working with Richmond farmers to retain “legacy signs” that meet safety requirements to promote agricultural activities.

CARRIED

13.

expedited temporary patios for restaurants, cafes and pubs 
(File Ref. No. 12-8275-00) (REDMS No. 6468957 v.3)

R20/10-9

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Council endorse a program to facilitate the creation of temporary patios as described in the staff report titled “Expedited Temporary Patios for Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs”, dated May 22, 2020, from the General Manager of Community Safety, which would include:

(a)

the delegation of authority to the General Manager of Engineering and Public Works to approve and execute temporary license agreements permitting the temporary use and occupation of City owned property including portions of sidewalks and highways for the purposes of operating a temporary patio;

(b)

the temporary suspension of enforcement of the minimum on-site vehicle parking requirements specified in City of Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500 to the extent any temporary patio created under the program impacts the ability to meet those requirements until the sooner of November 1, 2020 or until a Council resolution to cancel; and

(c)

the temporary suspension of enforcement of the requirements to obtain a Heritage Alteration Permit within the Steveston Village Heritage Conservation Area to the extent any temporary patio created under the program would otherwise require a Heritage Alteration Permit, until the sooner of November 1, 2020 or until a Council resolution to cancel.

(2)

That one pre-approval is provided to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for all individual requests for temporary patios for liquor primary and manufacturer establishments; and

(3)

That staff provide regular updates on the number of applications and report back to Council at the conclusion of the program.

The question on the motion was not called as in reply to queries from Council, staff advised that (i) there have been inquiries about patios from 4 or 5 business, (ii) patios are only allowed on their own property or on the sidewalk directly adjacent to their business, (iii) when a tenant is requesting patio in a multi-tenant building, the property owner must provide approval, and (iv) as this is meant to be an expedited process staff do not anticipate issues with large volumes of applications.

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

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Council approved flexible uses of 2020 City Grants, due to the impact of COVID 19 and related public health measures on the community and non-profit societies.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R20/10-10

It was moved and seconded

That the following bylaws be adopted:

Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 10090

Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 9867

CARRIED

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PANEL

R20/10-11

14.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the minutes of the Development Permit Panel meeting held on April 29, 2020 and May 13, 2020, and the Chair’s report for the Development Permit Panel meeting held on January 29, 2020, be received for information; and

(2)

That the recommendation of the Panel to authorize the issuance of a Development Permit (DP 18-841057) for the property at 7811 Alderbridge Way be endorsed, and the Permit so issued.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R20/10-12

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:48 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, May 25, 2020.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)