MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, July 15^th, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the order of the agenda be varied to deal with Item Nos. 4, 5 and 6 at this time.

CARRIED

4.

Bill 16, Community Care Facility Act
(Report:  August 16/02, File No.:  4057-03) (REDMS No. 834080)

The Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe advised that because the deadline for a response from the City had been August 15^th, 2002, the recommendations now being considered by the Committee had been forwarded to the Director, Community Care & Licencing Branch, subject to ratification by Council. 

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on the proposed Community Care Facility Act and the possible delicencing of drug and alcohol recovery homes should the new regulations be adopted.  Clarification was provided by Mr. Crowe on the criteria by which an unlicenced facility would be permitted.  In response to further questions, the following information was provided:

individuals who required medical care and supervision could not live in a group home facility by themselves; a means test would most likely be initiated to determine the needs of a particular individual

the implementation of a graduated community care licence system would provide a consistent level of service for the many categories and types of uses which exist within the health care system

the Ministry of Health would make the decision on the degree of supervision which should be provided to those individuals who required care.

During the discussion, concern was expressed that those individuals receiving care could become vulnerable as a result of the implementation of the new regulations.  Also discussed was the question of whether the new regulations would benefit the City, and the comment was made that any benefit would be dependent on a number of issues, including a potential financial impact.

The proposed recommendations were reviewed with the Committee, during which Mr. Crowe provided clarification on the intent of each part.  Questions were raised about the rationale used by staff, to support the proposed recommendations, and discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on this matter. 

The Honourable Greg Halsey-Brandt, MLA, Richmond Centre, in speaking to the report, expressed concern that two issues were being mixed.  He stated that it was important to ensure that licencing was in place to ensure that a group home was providing good care, however, also of importance was the need to deal with the impact of a group home on the surrounding neighbourhood.  Mr. Halsey-Brandt suggested that Council might wish to advise the Minister that the City (i) had community impact criteria in place, and (ii) that the medical and neighbourhood issues should not be blended together.

As a result of the discussion, the following amended recommendation was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1 )

the Minister of Health Services be requested to re-instate the requirement that drug and alcohol supportive recovery residences (group homes) comply with licensing requirements under Bill 16: Community Care Facility Act;

(2 )

the Ministry of Health Services be requested not to remove other types of community care residential facilities from complying with the Community Care Facility Act;

(3 )

Council concur with the Union of B.C. Municipalities recommendation to the Ministry of Health Services to establish a graduated community care license for supportive care facilities (including addiction recovery homes and assisted living facilities) rather than completely de-licensing them as the Bill proposes, and advise the Minister accordingly; and

(4 )

That when forwarding the recommendations to the Minister, that staff provide the medical and neighbourhood planning reasons for the suggested changes to the Community Care Facility Act.

CARRIED

5.

2010 Vancouver Winter Games Bid Promotion City Participation
(Report August 16/02, File No.:  7400-20-OLYM1) (REDMS No. 834732)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on the proposal to participate in the upcoming newspaper supplement, during which it was noted that the City had already contributed $500,000 to support the Olympic Games bid.  Concern was also expressed about the sample article which many Committee members found to be dull and boring, and the suggestion was made that any promotional material should highlight Richmond's many awards and accomplishments, including the City's recent success in hosting the Tall Ships festival.  The comment was made that these achievements could be a major asset in promoting the Olympic Games bid.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the City not participate in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games Bids upcoming newspaper supplement promotion.

CARRIED

A brief discussion ensued on the length of time required for the oral report on the Economic Impact/Benefit Assessment Richmond Tall Ships Festival.  As a result Ms. Freeman was asked to make her report.

8.

ECONOMIC IMPACT/BENEFIT ASSESSMENT RICHMOND TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL
(Oral Report)

The Manager, Business Liaison & Development, Marcia Freeman, explained that she had been asked to make a brief presentation regarding the possible retention of consultants to undertake an assessment of the financial impact of the recent Tall Ships festival.

A brief discussion ensued, during which Ms. Freeman was requested to provide a written report to the September 3^rd, 2002 meeting of the General Purposes Committee, on the rationale for conducting such an assessment, the terms of reference for the Request for Proposal, and the cost.  Cllr. Kumagai, as Chair of the Finance Select Committee, expressed his concern that the request would be an exercise in futility because the Tall Ships festival had already taken place, and he could see no benefit in completing the assessment after the fact.

It was moved and seconded

That there be a ten minute recess (5:50 p.m.).

CARRIED

The meeting reconvened at 6:10 p.m., with all members of the Committee present.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

6.

Positions on the Community Charter
(Report:  August 14/02, File No.:  0035-02) (REDMS No. 822550)

Committee members reviewed with City Solicitor Paul Kendrick the recommendations being proposed by staff for each part of the proposed Community Charter.  During the discussion ensued, suggestions were made that:

with regard to Part 1:  Principles and Interpretation (a) Order of Government, a recommendation should be included that cities and municipalities be declared an order of government;

with regard to Part 3:  Additional Powers & Limits on General Powers (a) Animal Controls, the second recommendation be amended to read, The Charter should be amended to include adequate powers to deal with nuisances.;

with regard to Part 4:  Public Participation and Council Accountability (b) Conflict of Interest (second recommendation), the term should be reduced to six months or deleted in its entirety;

with regard to Part 5 Municipal Government & Procedures (a) Role of Mayor, Council & CAO, the recommendation should be amended to include the words and or direction by a single individual outside the Council framework..

During the discussion, Mr. Kendrick was requested to:

under Part 1:  Principles and Interpretation (c) Downloading, provide clarification on the intent of downloading and resources;

with regard to Part 4:  Public Participation and Council Accountability (a) Annual Public Meeting and Annual Report, clarify the opening paragraph of this section

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

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated August 14^th, 2002, from the Acting Chief Administrative Officer), regarding the Community Charter, be referred to staff for clarification and submission to the September 3^rd, 2002 General Purposes Committee.

CARRIED

The Chair directed that those matters which were not considered at todays meeting would be submitted to the September 3^rd General Purposes Committee meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:58 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, August 26^th, 2002.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant