February 22, 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

R21/4-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on February 8, 2021, be adopted as circulated;

(2)

the minutes of the Regular Council meeting for Public Hearings held on February 16, 2021, be adopted as circulated; and

(3)

the Metro Vancouver ‘Board in Brief’ dated January 29, 2021, be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to the Metro Vancouver Housing 10-Year Plan and options to expand affordable housing units in Richmond. It was suggested that the matter be added to a future Planning Committee meeting agenda.

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

PRESENTATION

With the aid of a visual presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Magnus Sinclair, Acting Coordinator, Parks Programs, highlighted that the City’s Street Banner Program is a Partners for Beautification initiative, which encourages Richmond residents to participate in the beautification of their city. He added that the banner submissions will be available to view on the City’s website.

Mr. Sinclair advised that the submissions were all original images reflecting the following themes: Wellness, Active Living, Urban Landscape, Nature, Island City, the Arts, Sustainability, and Resilience.

Prior to announcing the winning banners, Mr. Sinclair recognized the following volunteer panel of judges for their contribution to the Street Banner Program: Kathy Holt and Stephen Morris, representing the Thompson Community Association, Paul Dufor and Imu Chan, representing the Public Art Advisory Committee, and Nancy Small, representing Tourism Richmond.

The winning artists and the titles of their banners were then announced as follows:

§   

Brian Philips – Fence Sitters;

§   

Eva Wong – Boardwalk Promenade;

§   

Jen Grimm – Capturing Wellness;

§   

Dawn Levelton – Bicycle in a field of flowers;

§   

Jaida Siu – Ocean brought to Land;

§   

Micah Groberman – Blackbird meets Heron;

§   

Ver Gloriani – Golden Hour;

§   

Megan Yung – Modern Wildlife;

§   

Paul Leung – Generational Sustainability; and

§   

Alissa Ritchie – Floats and Nets.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Mayor Brodie noted that there were no members of the public present in the Council Chambers or pre-registered to participate by phone and therefore motions to resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations from the floor on Agenda items and to rise and report (Items No. 2, 3, and 4) were not necessary.

CONSENT AGENDA

R21/4-2

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items No. 6 through No. 11 be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Community Safety Committee meeting held on February 9, 2021;

(2)

the General Purposes Committee meeting held on February 16, 2021;

(3)

the Special Finance Committee meeting held on February 16, 2021;

(4)

the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting held on February 17, 2021;

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

7.

Incentivizing Single-Family Passive Houses in the City of Richmond 
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-02; 12-8060-20-010237/10238) (REDMS No. 6451497 v. 29; 6622098, 6600831 v.5, 6600370, 6600831)

(1)

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10237, which proposes a density increase to single family houses built to certified Passive House standards, identified in the report titled “Incentivizing Single-Family Passive Houses in the City of Richmond” dated January 8, 2021, from the Director, Building Approvals, and the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, be introduced and given first reading;

(2)

That Richmond Building Regulation Bylaw 7230, Amendment Bylaw 10238, which proposes a waiver of Building Permit fees, identified in the report titled “Incentivizing Single-Family Passive Houses in the City of Richmond” dated January 8, 2021, from the Director, Building Approvals, and the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, be introduced and given first, second and third readings;

(3)

That Council direct staff to prepare an outreach and education program to familiarize the community with the benefits of constructing new homes to achieve the top levels of the BC Energy Step Code and the Passive House standard; and

(4)

That the regulations related to passive homes be reviewed in 18 months, and staff report back.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

Application by BC Housing Management Commission for a Temporary Use Permit at 2520, 2540, 2560, 2580, 2600, 2640 Smith Street and 9031 Bridgeport Road 
(File Ref. No. TU 20-918062) (REDMS No. 6561529; 6567950)

(1)

That the application by BC Housing Management Commission for a Temporary Use Permit for the properties at 2520, 2540, 2560, 2580, 2600, 2640 Smith Street and 9031 Bridgeport Road to permit a three-storey supportive housing building with 40 studio units and vehicle access from Smith Street be considered for three years from the date of issuance; and

(2)

That this application be forwarded to the March 15, 2021 Public Hearing at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of Richmond City Hall.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

9.

Richmond Active Transportation Committee – Proposed 2021 Initiatives 
(File Ref. No. 01-0100-20-RCYC1) (REDMS No. 6583418 v. 2)

(1)

That the proposed 2021 initiatives of the Richmond Active Transportation Committee, as outlined in the staff report titled “Richmond Active Transportation Committee - Proposed 2021 Initiatives” dated January 4, 2021 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed; and

(2)

That a copy of the report titled “Richmond Active Transportation Committee – Proposed 2021 Initiatives” be forwarded to the Richmond Council-School Board Liaison Committee for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

10.

Traffic Safety Advisory Committee - Proposed 2021 Initiatives 
(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-TSAD1-01) (REDMS No. 6593164 v. 3)

(1)

That the proposed 2021 initiatives for the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, as outlined in the staff report titled “Traffic Safety Advisory Committee - Proposed 2021 Initiatives” dated January 4, 2021 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed; and

(2)

That a copy of the staff report titled “Traffic Safety Advisory Committee - Proposed 2021 Initiatives” be forwarded to the Richmond Council-School Board Liaison Committee for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

11.

South Dike Repairs – Gilbert Road Area 
(File Ref. No. 10-6045-09-03) (REDMS No. 6603864 v. 7)

That funding of $500,000 from the Drainage Improvement Reserve Fund be approved to complete dike armouring repairs and debris removal along the south dike at Gilbert Road, and be included in the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) accordingly.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE 
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

12.

Procurement Policy Enhancements with Circular Economy Criteria 
(File Ref. No. 01-0095-20-3104) (REDMS No. 6528211 v. 11)

R21/4-3

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Procurement Policy #3104 be revised to include Circular Economy criteria, as described in the staff report titled "Procurement Policy Enhancements with Circular Economy Criteria," dated January 20, 2021, from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy and the Acting Director, Finance; and

(2)

That Procurement Policy #3104 be reviewed in 18 months, and staff report back.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) including circular economy principles into the proposed policy, (ii) options to encourage additional salvaging and recycling into City demolition projects, (iii) reviewing new technologies that promote the circular economy, and
(iv) exploring circular economy policies adopted in European cities.

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

FINANCE COMMITTEE 
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

13.

Additional Information on the 2021 Proposed Capital Budget 
(File Ref. No. 03-0970-01) (REDMS No. 6612559 v. 2)

R21/4-4

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Additional Information on the 2021 Capital Budget” from the Acting Director, Finance dated February 9, 2021 be received for information;

(2)

That the 2021 Proposed Capital Budget as presented in Appendix 3 of the staff report titled “2021 Proposed Capital Budget” from the Acting Director, Finance dated January 15, 2021 in Attachment 2, with the addition of the following projects funded by the Gaming Revenue Provision as presented in Tables 1 and 2 of the same staff report:

(a)

Community Safety Building Emergency Power and Interior Upgrades;

(b)

Hamilton Community Centre - HVAC Replacement; and

(c)

Citywide Sidewalk and Street Light Replacement Program;

totalling $101,722,779 be approved; and

(3)

That the 2021 Proposed Capital Budget totaling $101,722,779 and the 2022-2025 Capital Projects be included in the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025).

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to the Emergency Response Fuel Facility funding source.

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

14.

Additional Information on the 2021 One-Time Expenditures 
(File Ref. No. 03-0970-01) (REDMS No. 6612560 v. 5)

R21/4-5

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Additional Information on the 2021 One-Time Expenditures” from the Acting Director, Finance dated February 9, 2021 be received for information;

(2)

That the 2021 By-Election, totalling $716,504, as outlined in Table 1 of the staff report titled “Additional Information on the 2021 One-Time Expenditures” from the Acting Director, Finance dated February 9, 2021 be approved with funding from the Rate Stabilization Account and included in the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025); and

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) options to reduce costs of the 2021 Richmond By-Election, (ii) supporting all voter opportunities including mail-in ballot voting, (iii) the cost of by-elections conducted in other municipalities, and (iv) date selection options for general voting day.

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

R21/4-6

It was moved and seconded

That staff analyse other cities’ by-election, including the City of Victoria, for options to reduce the costs of the 2021 Richmond By-Election, and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as it was noted that the City of Victoria has a smaller population compared to Richmond and as such, election costs may not be comparable.

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

Mayor Brodie noted that there was agreement to deal with Parts (1), (2) and (3) separately.

The question on Parts (1) and (2) were called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Day, Steves and Wolfe opposed.

The question on Part (3) was then called and it was CARRIED.

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

15.

Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239 
(File Ref. No. 03-0985-01; 12-8060-20-010239) (REDMS No. 6548592 v. 4; 6610216)

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 – 8:23 p.m.

R21/4-7

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw
No. 10239 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

(2)

That staff undertake a process of public consultation in accordance with Section 166 of the Community Charter.

The question on the motion was not called, as staff responded to queries regarding Provincial policies related to late penalties for property tax, noting that no new information has been provided and staff will update Council when more information is available.

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

Cllr. Au returned to the meeting –8:27 p.m.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor Brodie announced that he will be delivering his Annual Address on February 24, 2021 through an online presentation starting at 12:00 p.m. He added that additional information on the event can be found on the City’s website.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R21/4-8

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 10060 be adopted.

CARRIED

R21/4-9

It was moved and seconded

Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 10091 be adopted.

CARRIED 
Opposed: Cllr. Day

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PANEL

R21/4-10

16.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the minutes and the Chair’s report for the Development Permit Panel meeting held on July 29, 2020, be received for information; and

(2)

That the recommendations of the Panel to authorize the issuance of:

(a)

a Development Permit (DP 20-890821) for the property at 5500 Williams Road; and

(b)

a Development Permit (DP 20-893127) for the property at 11480 and 11500 Railway Avenue

be endorsed, and the Permits so issued.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R21/4-11

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:32 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, February 22, 2021.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)