March 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

R21/6-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

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

(2)

the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on March 15, 2021, be adopted as circulated; and

(3)

the minutes of the Regular Council meeting for Public Hearings held on March 15, 2021, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PRESENTATION

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on-file City Clerk’s Office), Diane Purvey, Chair, Gateway Theatre Society Board, and Camilla Tibbs, Executive Director, Gateway Theatre, reviewed the Gateway Theatre’s activities and operations in 2020. Ms. Tibbs, spoke on the challenges of operating during the COVID-19 Pandemic and upcoming programming in 2021.

Discussion ensued with regard to the upgrades to the Gateway Theatre building and Council commended the Theatre for their work in the community.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R21/6-2

2.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:11 p.m.).

CARRIED

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Cllr. Au declared to be in a conflict of interest as his son is a member of Richmond Fire-Rescue, and Cllr. Au left the meeting – 7:11 p.m.

3.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items

Bylaws for Adoption – Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239

Sheldon Starrett, Richmond resident, spoke on the survey initiated by the Richmond Community Coalition and expressed concern with regard to the proposed tax increase. He suggested that the City reconsider the proposed increase to the tax rate and review the deferral of hiring additional Richmond RCMP members.

Bylaws for Adoption – Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239

Alice Wong, Richmond resident, expressed opposition to the proposed tax increase and spoke on the potential negative financial impact to the city’s senior population with fixed incomes and residents facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Bylaws for Adoption – Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239

Richard Lee, Richmond resident, expressed his opposition to the proposed tax increase and spoke on the financial hardships of seniors in the city and residents facing financial pressures as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Bylaws for Adoption – Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239

Albert Lo, Richmond resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed tax increase, expressing that such an increase would further increase financial pressure to residents affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Bylaws for Adoption – Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239

Tom Clarke, Richmond resident, expressed concern with regard to the proposed tax increase, commenting that taxes are generally increasing relative to incomes and suggested that the City manage expenses to reduce taxes.

Bylaws for Adoption – Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239

Alice Tang, Richmond resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed tax increase, expressing that such an increase would negatively impact residents and businesses already affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Bylaws for Adoption – Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239

Zach Segal, Richmond resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed tax increase, expressing that a low tax environment would be favourable to businesses in the city and that tax revenues would normalize after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Bylaws for Adoption – Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239

Kari Leoganda, Richmond resident, expressed concern with regard to the proposed tax increase and the potential negative impact to residents. She urged that the City reconsider the tax increase.

Cllr. Au returned to the meeting –7:50 p.m.

R21/6-3

4.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (7:50 p.m.).

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

R21/6-4

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items No. 6 through No. 9 be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

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

(2)

the General Purposes Committee meeting held on March 15, 2021; and

(3)

the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting held on March 16, 2021;

be received for information.

7.

RCMP Monthly Activity Report -– January 2021 
(File Ref. No. 09-5375-02) (REDMS No. 6608584)

That a letter be drafted for the Mayor’s signature and sent to the Province of BC, outlining Richmond’s auxiliary police program, including additional needs and successes of the program.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

City Centre District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9895, Amendment Bylaw No.10245  
(File Ref. No. 01-0060-20-LIEC1; 12-8060-20-010245) (REDMS No. 6615254 v. 3; 6615314)

That the City Centre District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9895, Amendment Bylaw No. 10245 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

9.

2021 Liquid Waste Management Plan Biennial Report 
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01; 10-6400-09-01; XR: 01-0157-30-LWMP1) (REDMS No. 6606775; 6599619)

That the staff report titled “2021 Liquid Waste Management Plan Biennial Report,” dated February 12, 2021, from the Director, Engineering, be submitted to Metro Vancouver.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

PUBLIC DELEGATIONS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

R21/6-5

10.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on non‑agenda items (8:09 p.m.).

CARRIED

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1), Naomi Leung and Karina Reid, Richmond residents, spoke on addressing racism and hate crimes in the community. They encouraged the City to develop equitable anti-racism policies and enhance the City’s Cultural Harmony Plan.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) the diverse cultural make up of Richmond, (ii) the increasing incidents of hate crime, (iii) options to develop programs and policies to address racism, (iv) options to enhance the City’s Cultural Harmony Plan, (v) enhancing policies on Indigenous groups as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and (vi) engaging community groups such as the Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee and Richmond School District No. 38.

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

R21/6-6

It was moved and seconded

That staff work with the Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee and analyze the submission from the delegation on Anti-Racism, and report back.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to engaging the Richmond RCMP and options to rename the Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee.

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

R21/6-7

11.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (8:35 p.m.).

CARRIED

PUBLIC ANNOUNCMENTS AND EVENTS

Mayor Brodie declared a proclamation that the week of March 22 to 27, 2021 as Elimination of Racial Discrimination Week in Richmond.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Cllr. Au declared to be in a conflict of interest as his son is a member of Richmond Fire-Rescue, and Cllr. Au left the meeting – 8:41 p.m.

R21/6-8

It was moved and seconded

That the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239 be adopted.

The question on the motion was not called as staff responded to queries, noting that the proposed average household tax increase would be approximately $99 per year and if the proposed hiring of Richmond RCMP officers and Richmond Fire-Rescue Firefighters are deferred, each household, on average, would save approximately $17 and $13 per year respectively. Staff added that the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan has already gone through public consultation and any further amendments to the Plan would require additional public consultation.

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

R21/6-9

It was moved and seconded

That the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) Bylaw No. 10239  be referred back to staff to review the deferral of the proposed hiring of additional Richmond Fire-Rescue Firefighters and the 1% funding to reserves for one year, and report back.

DEFEATED 
Opposed: Mayor Brodie 
Cllrs. Loo 
McNulty 
McPhail 
Steves

Discussion then ensued with regard to (i) supporting community safety and emergency services, (ii) improving the city’s crime rates, (iii) the comparative tax rates in other municipalities, (iv) locating cost savings in other City services and utilities, and (v) options to minimize the tax rate in the future.

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

Cllr. Au returned to the meeting – 9:05 p.m.

R21/6-10

It was moved and seconded

That the  following bylaws be adopted:

Public Health Protection Bylaw No. 6989, Amendment Bylaw No. 10240

Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 8856, Amendment Bylaw No. 10241

Market Rental Housing Agreement (5500 No. 3 Road) Bylaw No. 10242

Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 10007

CARRIED

R21/6-11

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 9953 be adopted.

CARRIED 
Opposed: Cllr. Day

R21/6-12

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 10130 be adopted.

CARRIED

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PANEL

12.

It was noted that the corresponding bylaw related to DP 17-781907 will require adoption prior to issuance of the Development Permit, as a result the following referral motion was introduced:

R21/6-13

It was moved and seconded

That the recommendation of the Panel to authorize the issuance of a Development Permit (DP 17-781907) for the property at 6017 No. 4 Road (formerly 9980 Westminster Highway) be referred to staff, and placed back on the next Regular Council meeting agenda.

CARRIED

R21/6-14

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Development Permit Panel meeting held on
March 10, 2021 and the Chair’s report for the Development Permit Panel meeting held on October 30, 2019, be received for information.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R21/6-15

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (9:08 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, March 22, 2021.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)