Finance Select Committee Meeting Minutes - January 17, 2002

That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Select Committee held on Thursday, November 29^th, 2001, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

(Mayor Malcolm Brodie entered the meeting 4:02 p.m.)

The Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, accompanied by Senior Planner Kari Huhtala and Social Planner Lesley Sherlock, reviewed his report and the report from the RCMP on crime associated with the Great Canadian Casino (a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks Office), in detail with the Committee.

Mr. Crowe also referred to the report submitted by the Chair (a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks Office), who suggested that Part (2) of the staff recommendation, should be amended to read, "Support to maximize revenue of existing Richmond Casino, subject to gaming being consistent with "provincial" policy, there being a significant financial benefit to the City of Richmond and a detailed review of a Specific Revenue or Relocation proposal.

Reference was made to the January 16^th, 2002 announcement by the Provincial Government that future gaming expansion would only be permitted for ".those casinos which had taken significant steps and made investments based on direction from government and/or the BC Lottery Corporation to relocate and/or expand capacity. It is estimated that the four casinos currently without slot machines fall into this category (Option 2)." It was further noted that during the question and answer period held during the open Provincial Cabinet meeting on this matter, that advice was given the Provincial Government was not going to approach the four municipalities which had opposed slot machines in the past, and give them the opportunity to revisit their decisions. (A copy of a portion of the transcript of the announcement on this matter is attached as Schedule A and forms part of these minutes.)

Questions were raised about the status of the staff recommendation, which was to support an expansion of gaming in the City, subject to the expanded gaming being consistent with Provincial policy, and discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on the Provincial Governments January 16^th, 2002 announcement and the impact which this could have on any future expansion of gaming facilities in the City.

Also addressed during the discussion were such issues as:

the rationale for recommending that the existing gaming policy be rescinded

whether if the City were to receive additional gaming revenue, would the same also apply to local charities

whether the expansion of existing gaming facilities in the City to include slot machines should be supported

whether there was any point in discussing the matter further until the Provincial Government formalized its decision regarding its approval of Option 2

internet gambling

how the City would control gambling if the current policy was rescinded

how the issuance of a gaming licence to an operator and the number of slot machines permitted was determined, and by whom

whether the City had any options based on the January 16^th, 2002 Provincial Government announcement

whether the application submitted by Great Canadian Casino & Gambling in 1999 for expansion to include slot machines would have any status.

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

That the report (dated January 9^th, 2002, from the Manager, Policy Planning), regarding Gaming in Richmond, be referred to staff to take immediate action to determine (i) the status of the announcement of the Provincial Government regarding future expansion of gaming facilities as it relates to the City; and (ii) whether the City would have the opportunity to proceed with the initial rezoning application submitted by Great Canadian Casino and Gambling for relocation and expansion of their facility to include slot machines, and to report to Council through Committee accordingly.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were directed to include in the report to Committee, the rationale for recommending that the City's current gaming policy be rescinded. The Chair also thanked staff for their efforts in preparing the report considered by the Committee.

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

The General Manager, Community Safety, Chuck Gale, provided information to Committee members on possible adjustments to the parking program adopted by Council on January 14^th, 2002. Discussion ensued briefly among Committee members, during which several Councillors advised of the complaints they had received about the proposal to initiate pay parking at Garry Point. In concluding the discussion, Mr. Gale advised that he would take the concerns expressed into consideration and that he would be submitting a further report on the matter.

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Finance Select Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Thursday, January 15^th, 2002.

Chair

Executive Assistant