MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, July 21^st, 2003, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Road Exchange Bylaw 7463 to Facilitate a Road Exchange at 4020 No. 3 Road (S.E. Corner of Cambie and No. 3 Road)
(Report:  August 6/03, File No.:  8060-20-7463) (REDMS No. 922004, 921722)

The Manager, Lands and Property, Christine McGilvray, distributed a map, which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes, that outlined the proposed exchanges. 

It was moved and seconded

That Road Exchange Bylaw 7463 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

3.

ROAD EXCHANGE BYLAW NO. 7577 - CAMBIE ROAD/ODLIN CRESCENT(Report:  August 11/03, File No.:  8060-20-7577) (REDMS No. 1050683, 1050382)

The Manager, Lands and Property, Christine McGilvray, was present.

It was moved and seconded

That Road Exchange Bylaw 7577 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

4.

Richmond 125 Celebration Opportunities

(Report:  July 31/03, File No.:  7200-01) (REDMS No. 1011347)

The Director, Parks, Dave Semple, and the Manager, Parks, Programs and Design, Mike Redpath, were present. 

A brief discussion ensued among staff and committee members that included information on the celebrations held in recognition of the City’s 100^th anniversary and the role that the community could undertake in contribution to the event.

It was moved and seconded

That staff implement Option 1 of activities as outlined in the report (dated July 31^st, 2003 from the Director, Parks) to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Richmond in 2004

CARRIED

Cllr. Barnes joined the meeting – 4:14 pm.

It was moved and seconded

That staff form a cross-divisional 125th Anniversary Steering Committee to investigate expanded celebratory opportunities and report back to Council in September 2003.

Prior to the question being called further discussion ensued on whether parameters should be defined for the celebrations or whether the Steering Committee would submit a list of proposals accompanied by the methods of funding. Suggestions were made (i)  that the Richmond School Board be involved in the process; and (ii) that an information memo be provided that would include cost estimates of some proposal items, along with what contributions might be received from service clubs and the private sector.   

The question was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Howard opposed.

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

5.

DISCUSSION ITEMS –
(a)  barking dogs;
(b)  construction noise;
(c)  delivery vehicle noise.

The General Manager, Community Safety, Chuck Gale, and the Manager, Community Outreach, were present.

Discussion ensued between Committee members and staff that included the following:

On delivery vehicle noise:

·

statistics on the number and types of complaints were not available;

On construction noise:

·

tickets are issued for confirmed complaints received about operations extending outside of the ratings;

·

best practice issues could be raised at an upcoming forum to be held in September with the development/construction community;

·

an increase in infill projects would generate increased complaints;

·

the implications of adjusting the hours of operation could be reviewed;

·

the practices of other municipalities should be reviewed;

·

that 60% of the community didn’t recognize statutory holidays or the Sabbath day should be considered;

·

that some homeowners required Saturday, Sunday and/or Statutory holidays to complete their projects should be accommodated;

·

the number of complaints was small and care should be extended to not stifle the narrow window of opportunity during the current development phase;

·

information on various decibel ranges would be appreciated; and

·

responses to complaints were in accordance with the agreement set out with Health Services.  The majority of offenders comply voluntarily and cease the activity causing disturbance.

It was moved and seconded

That staff:

(i)

review the current hours of construction and report back to the Committee;

(ii)

provide information on the decibel ranges of gas blowers and lawnmowers; and

(iii)

identify the existing tools available for enforcing bylaws.

Prior to the question being called a request was made that the parts of the recommendation be dealt with separately.

The question on Part (i) of the resolution was called and it was DEFEATED with Mayor Brodie and Cllrs. Dang, Sue Halsey-Brandt, Howard and Kumagai opposed.

The question on Part (ii) of the resolution was called and it was DEFEATED with Mayor Brodie and Cllrs. Dang, Howard, and Kumagai opposed.

The question on Part (iii) of the resolution was called and it was CARRIED.

On Barking Dogs:

·

the number of barking dog complaints had increased over the summer months;

·

the new Community Charter could allow a definition of hours that dogs must remain indoors;

·

public perception included that no action would be taken on complaints;

·

the City could be more vigorous in enforcing the current bylaws;

·

steps had been initiated for follow-up calls to complainants:

·

a brochure had been developed identifying how problems can be dealt with;

·

more diligence could be applied to ensuring the SPCA fulfills its contract;

·

that unmarked SPCA vehicles might be useful; and

·

a suggestion that the City should have the ability to inspect premises on the second offence.

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate and report back in six months or less on the following:

(i)

whether the SPCA can access privately owned property;

(ii)

the possibility of the SPCA using unmarked vehicles;

(iii)

why the SPCA is not enforcing the current bylaws for barking dogs and also dogs off-leash; and

(iv)

the complaint process of the SPCA regarding barking dogs.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff initiate an awareness campaign notifying residents of increased enforcement and report back within six months or less.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff:

(i)

examine the current amount of fines applicable with a view to increasing those amounts;

(ii)

investigate whether unpaid fines could be added to annual property taxes, including rental properties, by way of a bylaw.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:19 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 18^th, 2003.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant