January 25, 2021 - Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Corporate Officer – Claudia Jesson

Call to Order:

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

RES NO.

ITEM

MINUTES

R21/2-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on January 11, 2021, be adopted as circulated; and

(2)

the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on January 18, 2021, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PRESENTATION

Ed Gavsie, President and CEO, Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives, and Wayne Duzita, Co-Chair, Christmas Fund Army, presented an online video (link copy on-file, City Clerk’s Office) and provided an update on the Richmond Christmas Fund’s fundraising work during the 2020 Christmas season.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R21/2-2

2.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:14 p.m.).

CARRIED

3.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items

Item No. 16 – Banning Rodenticides On City-Owned Property In Richmond

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on-file, City Clerk’s Office), Deanna Pfeifer, Saanich resident, spoke on the negative effects of rodenticides in the environment and expressed support for its prohibition for use on City-owned properties in Richmond.

Item No. 16 – Banning Rodenticides On City-Owned Property In Richmond

Sharon MacGougan, Richmond resident, expressed concern with regard to the effects of rodenticides on wildlife such as birds of prey and expressed support for a ban on its use on City-owned properties in Richmond.

Item No. 16 – Banning Rodenticides On City-Owned Property In Richmond

Robert Vanzella, Saanich resident, expressed support for the ban of rodenticide use in Richmond and advocated to expand such a ban Province-wide.

R21/2-3

4.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (7:33 p.m.).

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Brodie noted that there was agreement from all members of Council that Item No. 16 - Banning Rodenticides on City-Owned Property In Richmond, be amended to include references to the development of an education component and that letters be sent to local Members of the Legislative Assembly in Part (4) and that a Part (6) be added to submit the proposal to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) for consideration at their annual meeting.

R21/2-4

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items No. 6 through No. 16 be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Community Safety Committee meeting held on January 12, 2021;

(2)

the General Purposes Committee meeting held on January 18, 2021;

(3)

the Special Finance Committee meeting held on January 18, 2021; and

(4)

the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting held on January 19, 2021;

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

7.

Update: Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - Minoru Place Activity Centre Conversion to Arts Centre 
(File Ref. No. 03-1087-19; 06-2052-20-MP) (REDMS No. 6582221 v. 4)

That Option 1, to delay tendering of the Minoru Place Activity Centre Conversion to an Arts Centre, as described in the staff report titled “Update: Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - Minoru Place Activity Centre Conversion to Arts Centre,” dated January 6, 2021 from the Director, Facilities and Project Development and the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream: Thompson Community Centre and Hall Infrastructure Renewals 
(File Ref. No. 03-1087-19-02; 06-2050-20-TCC) (REDMS No. 6577995 v. 5)

(1)

That the submission to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, requesting funding of up to $900,000 as outlined in the staff report titled, “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program -  COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream: Thompson Community Centre and Hall Infrastructure Renewals,” dated December 18, 2020 from the Director, Facilities and Project Development be endorsed;

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to enter into funding agreements with the government for the aforementioned project should it be approved for funding, as outlined in the staff report titled, “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream: Thompson Community Centre and Hall Infrastructure Renewals,” dated December 18, 2020 from the Director, Facilities and Project Development; and

(3)

That a capital project in the amount of $900,000 be considered in the 2021 budget process as described in the staff report titled “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream: Thompson Community Centre and Hall Infrastructure Renewals” dated December 18, 2020 from the Director, Facilities and Project Development.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

9.

2021 Operating and Capital Budgets for Richmond Public Library 
(File Ref. No. 03-0970-01; 01-0155-01) (REDMS No. 6598804)

That the 2021 Richmond Public Library budget of $10,182,368 as presented in Attachment 1 from the Chief Librarian and the Secretary to the Board, be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

10.

TransLink 2021 Cost-Share Funding Applications 
(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 6559547 v. 4; 6606240)

(1)

That the submission of road, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facility improvement projects as part of the TransLink 2021 cost-share programs as described in the staff report titled “TransLink 2021 Cost-Share Funding Applications” dated December 2, 2020 from the Director, Transportation be endorsed and that the information be considered in the 2021 Capital Budget process; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to execute the successful funding agreements.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

11.

Amendment to Traffic Bylaw No. 5870 to Revise Speed Limit on Ferguson Road 
(File Ref. No. 10-6450-15-01; 12-8060-20-010216) (REDMS No. 6546592 v. 3; 6524374)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10216, to revise the posted speed limit on Ferguson Road between McDonald Road and Shannon Road to 30 km/h, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

12.

Municipal Access Agreement with Rogers Communications Canada Inc. 
(File Ref. No. 03-1000-21-023) (REDMS No. 6557459 v. 4)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Engineering & Public Works be authorized to negotiate and execute, on behalf of the City, a Municipal Access Agreement between the City and Rogers Communications Canada Inc. containing the material terms and conditions set out in the staff report titled, “Municipal Access Agreement with Rogers Communications Canada Inc.”, dated December 10, 2020 from the Director, Engineering.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

13.

Flood Protection Grant Funding Applications 
(File Ref. No. 10-6045-11-01; 03-1090-14; 03-1087-19-02; 03-1087-36-01)  (REDMS No. 6584389 v. 5)

(1)

That the Steveston Island Preliminary Dike Design submission to the National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) for Mitigation Planning as outlined in the staff report titled “Flood Protection Grant Funding Applications” dated January 5, 2021 from the Director, Engineering be endorsed;

(2)

That the Drainage Pump Station Backup Power Upgrade submission to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for Adaptation, Resilience & Disaster Mitigation as outlined in the staff report titled “Flood Protection Grant Funding Applications” dated January 5, 2021 from the Director, Engineering be endorsed, and that any associated project costs beyond the eligible grant funding be funded from the City’s Drainage Reserve;

(3)

That the Dike Operation & Maintenance Manual Update submission to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for Flood Planning as outlined in the staff report titled “Flood Protection Grant Funding Applications” dated January 5, 2021 from the Director, Engineering be endorsed; and

(4)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to negotiate and execute the funding agreements with the Government of Canada, the Province of BC, or UBCM for the above mentioned projects should they be approved for funding and that the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) be amended accordingly.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

14.

Award of Contract 6577P – On Call Collection of Hazardous Materials 
(File Ref. No. 10-6405-12-01; 03-1000-20-6577P) (REDMS No. 6520351 v. 5)

(1)

That Contract 6577P – On Call Collection of Hazardous Materials be awarded at the unit rates quoted for a three-year term, commencing February 1, 2021 as follows:

(a)

GFL Environmental Inc. at an estimated total contract value of $450,000; and

(b)

Tervita Corporation at an estimated total contract value of $200,000; and

(2)

That staff report to Council for extensions beyond the initial three-year term, up to the maximum identified eight-year term under the provisions of Contract 6577P – On Call Collection of Hazardous Materials.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

15.

Global Container Terminals Deltaport Expansion – Berth Four Project 
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-30-011) (REDMS No. 6548529 v. 4; 6606277; 6606274; 6582357; 6573666; 6582353)

That the comments outlined in the staff report titled "Global Container Terminals Deltaport Expansion – Berth Four Project ", dated December 10, 2020, from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, be endorsed and submitted to the BC Environmental Assessment Office, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, local MLAs and local MPs in response to the provincial and federal environmental assessments.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

16.

Banning Rodenticides on City-owned Property in Richmond 
(File Ref. No. 03-1000-18-061; 10-6125-04-15) (REDMS No. 6544080 v. 8; 6545190; 6606007)

(1)

That the City discontinue the use of rodenticides on city-owned property for one year, as described in the staff report titled “Banning Rodenticides on City-owned property in Richmond,” dated December 10, 2020 from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy;

(2)

That staff assess the outcomes of the one-year ban on city-owned property and report the findings to Council;

(3)

That staff be directed to develop an integrated rodent management program, as described in the staff report titled “Banning Rodenticides on City-owned property in Richmond,” dated December 10, 2020 from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy;

(4)

That staff be directed to write a letter to the provincial Ministry of Environment and local Members of the Legislative Assembly, requesting that a review of the province’s existing policies that allow for the retail sale and/or use of rodenticides be conducted and an education program be developed; and

(5)

That the 2021 rodent management transition program be endorsed with funding in the amount of $67,000, from the Sanitation and Recycling Provision, and be included in the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025).

(6)

That the proposed ban on rodenticides be submitted to Union of British Columbia Municipalities for consideration at their annual meeting.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

FINANCE COMMITTEE –
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

17.

2021 Proposed Operating Budget 
(File Ref. No. 03-0970-25-2021-01) (REDMS No. 6466396 v. 7)

R21/2-5

It was moved and seconded

That the 2021 Proposed Operating Budget (City-Wide excluding Fire-Rescue) as presented in Budget Option 3 (City-Wide excluding Fire-Rescue) be approved as outlined below:

(1)

A same level of service budget increase of $2,380,910 after tax growth with a tax increase of 0.99% be approved;

(2)

Transfer to reserves for Investment in Community Facilities as per Council’s Long Term Financial Management Strategy for 2021 in the amount of $2,393,567 with a tax increase of 1.00% be approved;

(3)

Senior government increase of $255,000 with a tax increase of 0.11% be approved;

(4)

Amounts deferred for Community Safety increases from the 2020 Operating Budget totalling $1,609,318 with a tax increase of 0.67% be approved;

(5)

A partial funding of the operating budget impact from the 2019 Capital Budget Year 3 of 3 of $311,220  with a tax increase of 0.13% be approved;

(6)

The remainder of the operating budget impacts totaling $1,409,684 with a tax increase of 0.59% be approved; and

(7)

Council’s Safe Community Priority Program of 16 RCMP officers and 11 municipal employees in the amount of $2,990,022 with a tax increase of 1.24% or a portion thereof, be approved.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) supporting the development of new and maintaining current City facilities, (ii) focusing on core City services, (iii) comparing tax rates of other municipalities, (iv) improving community safety services in the city, and (v) improving the city’s per capita ratio of RCMP officers.

Discussion then ensued with regard to lowering the proposed tax rates by deferring the hiring of additional RCMP officers to a future budget, and as a result, the following amendment motion was introduced:

R21/2-6

It was moved and seconded

That the 2021 Proposed Operating Budget (City-Wide excluding Fire-Rescue) as presented in Budget Option 4 (City-Wide excluding Fire-Rescue) be approved as outlined in the staff report titled 2021 Proposed Operating Budget, dated January 4, 2021, from the Acting Director, Finance.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to minimizing tax increases and enhancing public safety.

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

The question on the main motion was called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Au, Day and Wolfe opposed.

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Cllr. Au declared to be in a conflict of interest as his son is a firefighter in Richmond Fire-Rescue, and Cllr. Au left the meeting – 8:40 p.m.

R21/2-7

It was moved and seconded

That the 2021 Proposed Operating Budget (Fire-Rescue) as presented in Budget Option 2 (Fire-Rescue) be approved as outlined below:

(1)

A same level of service budget increase of $421,700 with a tax increase of 0.18% be approved;

(2)

Senior government increase of $45,000 with a tax increase of 0.02% be approved; and

(3)

That the inclusion of the remaining 12 firefighter positons from Council’s Safe Community Program in the amount of $1,801,859 with a tax increase of 0.75% be approved.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to options to minimize the proposed tax increase, and as a result, the following amendment motion was introduced:

R21/2-8

It was moved and seconded

That Part (3), as noted below, be removed:

That the inclusion of the remaining 12 firefighter positons from Council’s Safe Community Program in the amount of $1,801,859 with a tax increase of 0.75% be approved.

DEFEATED 
Opposed: Mayor Brodie 
Cllrs. Loo 
McNulty 
McPhail 
Steves

Discussion then ensued with regard to deferring the hiring of additional Richmond Fire-Rescue firefighter positions to a future budget, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

R21/2-9

It was moved and seconded

That the inclusion of the remaining 12 firefighter positons from Council’s Safe Community Program in the amount of $1,801,859 with a tax increase of 0.75% be referred back to staff for review and consideration after one year.

DEFEATED 
Opposed: Mayor Brodie 
Cllrs. Loo 
McNulty
McPhail 
Steves

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

Cllr. Au returned to the meeting –8:48 p.m.

R21/2-10

It was moved and seconded

That the 2021 Operating Budget as approved be included in the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025).

CARRIED

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R21/2-11

It was moved and seconded

That Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 10214 be adopted.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R21/2-12

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:54 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, January 25, 2021.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)