General Purposes Committee Meeting Minutes - November 20, 2000

Date:

Monday, November 20^th, 2000

Place:

W.H. Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt, Chair
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Malcolm Brodie
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Kiichi Kumagai

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, November 6^th, 2000, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

LATE NIGHT EVENTS (RAVES)
(Report: Nov. 15/00, File No.: 8060-02) (REDMS No. 189220)

The Manager, Policy & Research, Lauren Melville, accompanied by City Solicitor Paul Kendrick, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee. In response to questions, the following information was provided:

with respect to the provision of liability insurance, staff were not aware of what the cost would be to applicants to obtain such insurance, however, the $500 amount proposed was the same amount required by the City of Vancouver

the impact on wedding, graduation parties, and other similar events if banquet halls were removed from industrial areas, would be one of the issues addressed by staff during their review

staff had reviewed the situation at the Gujarati Society of BC facility, however, because (i) the site was legally zoned, (ii) the events end by 2:00 a.m., and (iii) the society was non-profit and therefore did not require a business licence to operate, there was little that the City could do, however, the business licence issue was being pursued

with regard to the requirement for the provision of liability insurance by a promoter rather than bonding as had been requested previously, advice was given that the regulations contained in the Local Government Act did not allow the City to make such a demand; if bonds were required, the City would become a stakeholder and in the event that damage or theft should occur as a result of a rave event, the City would be responsible for resolving any claims which might arise; advice was given that the City did not have the resources to deal with these claims

the Gujarati Society of BC had not yet held its required public information meeting with the business owners and residents of the area surrounding their facility at 11460 Horseshoe Way.

During the discussion, questions were raised about whether (i) the City should continue to allow rave parties to be held in Richmond; (ii) consideration had been given to inserting a clause in the bylaw which, under certain circumstances, a rave event would not be permitted; and (iii) it might be in the best interests of the City to hold rave events in City facilities, rather than allowing private rave functions to be held.

Ms. Susan Heer, of Nautic Distributors Ltd., #107 - 11480 Blacksmith Place, and representing the Riverside Industrial Park Business Association, expressed concerns about the application of the Gujarati Society to hold late night rave events at 11460 Horseshoe Way. A copy of her submission and a 76 name petition, signed by business representatives who opposed the application, are attached as Schedule A and form part of these minutes.

Ms. Heer provided detailed information on the damage which her business had suffered as a result of the weekend rave events held at 11460 Horseshoe Way, and indicated that if the situation was allowed to continue, she would be forced to relocate to another municipality. She also circulated photographs taken after recent events at 11460 Horseshoe Way, which showed motor vehicles parked on the street, garbage strewn about, and broken bottles in adjacent parking lots.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and the delegation on such issues as (i) why the Association wished to have the public information meeting to be held by the Gujarati Society cancelled; (ii) the safety of employees of the various businesses in the area during the times that rave events were occurring; and (iii) the types of events held by the Gujarati Society and the number of people who attended these events.

Mr. Ron Martin, of #101 - 11471 Blacksmith Place, expressed concern not only about the proposal to hold late night (rave) events but also about the rave events which were currently allowed at 11460 Horseshoe Way because of the dangerous situation in which his business and employees were placed. He indicated that he too would be forced to relocate to another city if the situation was not resolved quickly.

During the discussion which ensued with the delegation, Mr. Martin clarified that all functions held at 11460 Horseshoe Way and not only the rave events, caused problems for the adjacent businesses because of the lack of sufficient on-site parking for the participants. In response to questions from Committee members, staff indicated that they hoped to report to the General Purposes Committee in one month's time with a possible solution to the problem. Discussion continued among Committee members and staff on possible options which might address the concerns of the neighbours.

Mr. John Jefferson, of #103 - 10471 Blacksmith Place, advised that he was relocating his business to Langley because of the problems created as a result of the functions held at 11460 Horseshoe Way. He expressed agreement with the statements made by the previous speakers and advised that he too was extremely concerned about the safety of his employees.

It was moved and seconded

That staff:

Prepare a Bylaw which includes insurance requirements as part of the Late Night Events (Raves) application process.

Proceed with the review of the issues raised (in the report dated November 15^th, 2000 from the Chief Administrative Officer), and report to Council through General Purposes Committee on any further Bylaw Amendments.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on the status of the application submitted by the Gujarati Society and the holding of the required public information meeting. As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the Gujarati Society of British Columbia be advised that as a result of the negative concerns expressed to the General Purposes Committee of Council on November 20^th, 2000 by representatives of businesses located in the area of 11460 Horseshoe Way, the application submitted by the Society to establish a late night (rave) party location at 11460 Horseshoe Way will be reconsidered at the General Purposes Committee scheduled to be held on Monday, December 4^th, 2000.

CARRIED

GATEWAY IMPROVEMENTS AT GARDEN CITY ROAD AND WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY
(Report: Oct. 13/00, File No.: 6340-20-P.00210) (REDMS No. 198910, 221704, 212971)

Ms. Melville briefly reviewed the report with Committee members, and in response to questions, provided information on the improvements which were proposed in the area of the Garden City Road/Westminster Highway intersection.

During the brief discussion which ensued, Councillor Greenhill expressed concern that the funds to finance the project were being taken from the 1997 Pedestrian Safety Program, even though certain pedestrian safety related projects could not be completed because of the lack of funds.

It was moved and seconded

That gateway improvements at Garden City Road and Westminster Highway be constructed at a cost of $20,000.

CARRIED

OPPOSED: Cllr. Barnes
Greenhill

AMENDMENTS TO BUSINESS LICENCING AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS REGARDING MASSAGE BUSINESSES
(Report: Nov. 3/00, File No.: 8060-20-7186/7188) (REDMS No. 212490, 221704, 212971)

City Solicitor Paul Kendrick reviewed the proposed amendments with Committee members. In response to questions he advised that businesses would be monitored if complaints were received, and when business licences were renewed, at which time staff would ensure that the massage therapists were registered with the Association of Physiotherapists and Massage Practitioners of British Columbia. Mr. Kendrick also advised, in answer to a further question, that a system could be put into place which would allow monitoring of business establishments to occur at any time.

It was moved and seconded

That:

Bylaw 7186 which amends the Business Licensing Bylaw; and

Bylaw 7188 which amends the Business Regulation Bylaw,

regarding massage businesses, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

BRITANNIA SHIPYARD BUILDING - RESTORATION
(Report: Nov. 8/00, File No.: 2025-20-003) (REDMS No. 217132)

The Director, Engineering, Jeff Day, reviewed the report with Committee members, during which he provided information on (i) the powder post beetle infestation in the substructure and foundation of the Britannia Shipyard building; (ii) the likelihood of this infestation being found in nearby buildings; (iii) the reasoning for the reduction in the amount of the work undertaken by Human Resources Development Canada work crews, which had resulted in an increase in costs to the City. Mr. Day also provided information on the repair work being undertaken and indicated that it was intended that the shipyard building remain as original in its appearance as possible.

It was moved and seconded

That funding in the amount of $91,000 be approved for the additional work required to address the powder post beetle infestation and other unforeseen conditions to allow the contractor to complete the restoration and seismic renovations of the Britannia Shipyard Building; and

Funding of $42,195 be allocated from the 1999 Minor Capital Program, Account #45099; $48,805 be allocated from the Minoru Fieldhouse, Account #45911.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:25 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, November 20^th, 2000.

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Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant