MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, April 5^th, 2004, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

2.

(1)

Allen Domaas, President and CEO, Fraser River Port Authority, regarding Water Route for Cargo.  (File No.:  0140-20-FRHA1)  (REDMS No. 1123910)
 

Withdrawn.

Chief Administrative Officer George Duncan introduced the new General Manager, Finance & Corporate Services, Rod Kray, to the Committee, who in turn, welcomed him to the City.

FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

3.

2004 GRANTS PROGRAM
(Report:  Mar. 22/04, File No.:  01-1085-01/CL Vol.-) (REDMS No. 1203889, 1214332)

The Manager, Customer Services, Anne Stevens, referred to the Asian Youth Worker, and advised that his contract with the Richmond Youth Services Society had not been renewed because the individual in question was currently on medical leave.  She further advised that the recommended amount of $17,000 would be used by the Society to extend the hours of operation of the youth centres into the summer months and later into the evenings.  In response, the suggestion was made that half of the grant be approved, with a request that a report be submitted on the operation of the youth centres prior to any additional funding being approved.  The request was also made that the Richmond Youth Services Society provide a synopsis of the services currently being provided at both of their offices.

Reference was made to the Steveston Float, and advice was given that the $10,000 was intended to provide funding to (i) rebuild the truck engine, and (ii) decorate the float.  The suggestion was made that because at this point it was unclear as to the funds which would be utilized for the float, that the funds be set aside.

Reference was made to the interpretative signs for the Richmond Nature Park, and to the in-kind contribution being provided by City staff for the design work of the signs.  The comment was made that the recommendation for the Nature Park Society should be amended to reflect the $6,000 in-kind contribution.

Reference was also made to the revenue surplus shown by the Richmond Nature Park Society, and advice was given that Society staff were working with Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Division staff to determine their financial status.  Reference was also made to the limited edition artwork and questions were raised about whether the Society had contacted the Art Gallery about promoting the artwork.  Further discussion ensued, during which Cllr. Sue Halsey-Brandt, as Council Liaison to the Nature Park Society, advised that she would pursue the suggestion with the Society.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the following grants be approved:

(1)

a $17,000 grant to the Richmond Youth Services Society, on the understanding that $8,500 would be disbursed immediately, and that the Society would report on:
 

(a)

its progress in extending the hours into the summer months and later into the evening;
 

(b)

the current services provided by the Society; and
 

(c)

identify how the expanded hours were being utilized, i.e. were the new hours sufficiently late and were the needs of the youth being met,
 

prior to disbursement of the remaining funds;
 

(2)

a $10,000 grant to the Steveston Community Society for the Steveston Float, to be disbursed after a full review of needs is completed;
 

(3)

a $10,000 grant, with an in-kind contribution of $6,000, to the Richmond Nature Park for the Richmond Nature interpretative signage; and
 

(4)

a $10,000 grant to the Minoru Seniors Society for the Seniors Wellness Coordinator.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were directed to ensure that all in-kind contributions were properly and consistently recorded.

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

4.

JP MALONES LIQUOR LICENCE APPLICATION
(Report:  Apr. 13/04, File No.:  12-8275-30-004) (REDMS No. 1218192)

Ms. Stevens advised that she had nothing further to add.

Mr. Richard Fernyhough, of Smart & Williams, accompanied by Mr. John Grewal, owner of JP Malones, spoke about the application submitted by Mr. Grewal for a permanent extension of the opening hours of his neighbourhood pub.  A copy of Mr. Fernyhoughs submission is attached as Schedule A and forms part of these minutes.  On file in the City Clerks Office is a copy of correspondence circulated to the Committee by Mr. Fernyhough from Mr. Mickel J. Kljajic, a resident of Blundell Gardens.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff, and in response to questions, the following information was provided:

the RCMP submission did not provide information on the exact number of occurrences which had taken place at JP Malones

the temporary permit issued to JP Malones would expire at the end of April, 2004; Richmond had been given 90 days to complete the application process recommended by the Liquor Control & Licencing Branch; a notice sign had been posted; letters were sent to all residents located within 50 metres of the pub; and three advertisements placed in a local newspaper

approval of any extension to the temporary permit, as requested by Mr. Fernyhough on behalf of his client, would be by the Liquor Control & Licencing Branch.

Mr. Terry McPhail, of 11971 Flamingo Court, and the owner and operator of the Garden City Shopping Centre and the marine pub located in East Richmond.  Mr. McPhail advised that there had been an increase in vandalism and littering, etc., since the extension of hours at JP Malones.  He noted that most neighbourhood pubs closed voluntarily at 12:30 a.m. to not adversely impact adjoining neighbourhoods.  Mr. McPhail stated that he was not opposed to late night hours in certain areas, however, he added that neighbourhood pubs surrounded by residential areas should not have extended hours.  He concluded his presentation by stating that the Blundell Road/Garden City Road area was not an appropriate location for a pub with extended hours and that a commercial area would be better suited as neighbours would not be affected by any disturbances.

A brief discussion then ensued among Committee members and Mr. McPhail on the amount and type of damage being experienced at the shopping centre.

Ms. Maureen Derkson, Strata Chair for the Blundell Gardens complex, 8760 Blundell Road, advised that she had received many complaints from residents about the extended hours currently in effect at JP Malones; that the Strata Council had made the decision to write a letter to the City on this matter, and that the Strata Council had never encouraged anyone to write a form letter as had been stated by Mr. Fernyhough. 

Ms. Derkson stated that while the residents did not have a personal dispute with the owners of the pub, their complaints related to the late night openings and to the rowdiness and disorderly conduct of patrons leaving the premises, the loud music, and to the damage which frequently occurred in the Blundell Gardens parkade. 

Ms. Derkson referred to correspondence received by the Committee from Mr. Mickel J. Kljajic, a resident of Blundell Gardens, and advised that she had received an apology from him for his letter.  She added that Mr. Kljajic had indicated that he intended to tone down his support for JP Malones as he now agreed with some of the residents concerns.

Mr. Ray Mitchell, a resident of Blundell Gardens, expressed concern about the disturbance of the peace which residents had faced on Friday and Saturday evenings since the extension of the opening hours at JP Malones.  He spoke about the many visits of the RCMP to deal with disturbances occurring outside of the pub, the increased noise from honking car horns, screeching tires, and the inappropriate behaviour of patrons leaving the facility.

Mr. Mitchell concluded his submission by stating that the disturbances could not be allowed to continue, and suggested that the pub was an island in an increasingly residential area and would be more appropriate in another area.

It was moved and seconded

That the application to amend the liquor licence for JP Malones at 9031 Blundell Road NOT be supported (for reasons outlined in the staff report dated April 13,2004 from the Manager, Customer Service.)
 

Prior to the question on the motion being called, Committee members spoke in support of the staff recommendation.  Comments were made that the current situation would not be tolerated in single family neighbourhoods; and that the location was inappropriate for extended opening hours. 

Concern was also expressed about additional police costs to deal with the increased number of incidents of vandalism and violence which were occurring at the pub, and to the increase in litter in the area surrounding the pub.

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

5.

ICARUS AVIATION LTD./NAUTILUS EXPLORER
(Report:  Mar. 30/04, File No.:  12-8275-30-001) (REDMS No. 1216543)
 

It was moved and seconded

That Council decline comment to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch with regard to the Icarus Aviation Ltd/ Nautilus Explorer Liquor Primary Licence application.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

6.

2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games
(Report:  Apr. 7/04, File No.:  01-0100-20-OLYM1/2004-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1219536)
 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

 That the guiding principles (as outlined in the report dated April 7^th, 2004, from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services), be adopted;
 

(2)

That the Terms of Reference for a Richmond 2010 Community Opportunity Task Force be adopted; and
 

(3)

That Council advertise and recruit for the Richmond 2010 Community Opportunity Task Force. 

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That Councillor Bill McNulty be appointed as the Council Liaison to the Richmond 2010 Community Opportunity Task Force.

CARRIED

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

7.

TAXPAYERS SURVEY
(Report:  Apr. 15/04, File No.:  01-0168-01) (REDMS No. 1216508)

The Director, Corporate & Intergovernmental Relations, Lani Schultz, advised that the consultant wished to have the work completed by the end of April, and could be requested to add additional questions.  She further advised however that to request a breakdown of the results could extend the work beyond the April 30^th deadline.

Discussion then ensued on the proposed survey questions, during which it was noted that Questions 3 and 4 were duplicates.  Comments were also made about the wording of a number of the questions, with suggestions being made on possible amendments.  Also discussed were the following matters, during which many Committee members indicated that they would not support the proposed recommendation:

the cost of the survey, especially when the information obtained from the survey may not be specific to Richmond

the need to include information with the tax notice which provided a breakdown of costs for the provision of community safety as compared to other City expenses

the inability of residents to make informed decisions with regard to the survey questions because of their lack of knowledge as to how the City functioned

the results of previous surveys which indicated that the public did not support increased user or parking fees, but would be willing to pay additional taxes

the feasibility of developing an insertion to accompany the property tax notice which would provide a breakdown of the day-to-day costs to the average taxpayer of the services provided by the City.
 

Mayor Brodie spoke about the proposed survey, and circulated to the Committee, a series of potential questions which he felt could be added to the Ipsos-Reid survey.  (A copy of these questions is on file in the City Clerks Office.)  He indicated that he would like the survey to be distributed with the property tax notices as he felt that it was important that the people paying their taxes be given the opportunity to provide their viewpoints.

Discussion ensued with further opposition to the inclusion of a survey with the property tax notices being expressed.  However, the opinion was also expressed that the survey would be an excellent opportunity to obtain valuable statistically valid information. 

(Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt left the meeting at 5:47 p.m., and returned at 5:54 p.m., during the above discussion.)

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt circulated to Committee members, information which she had received on the day-to-day operating costs paid by the average taxpayer.  She suggested that the information could form the basis of an insert into local newspapers, and she spoke about the need to educate the community about how the City functioned before having them respond to a survey.

Discussion continued, with opposition being expressed to the inclusion of a survey with the property tax notices, but support given for the creation of an information sheet to which residents could respond within a certain period of time.  The request was made that community safety expenditures be separated from the remainder of City costs.  The suggestion was also made that the information provided by Cllr. E. Halsey-Brandt be published in local newspapers.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff be directed to engage Ipsos-Reid to conduct a telephone survey (as outlined in the report dated April 15^th, 2004, from the Director, Corporate & Intergovernmental Relations);

(2)

That staff report to Council with the results of the Ipsos Reid Survey, along with recommended questions and topics for follow-up focus group discussions and process regarding City taxation and service level matters.

DEFEATED

OPPOSED:  Mayor Brodie
Cllr. Barnes
Dang
E. Halsey-Brandt
Kumagai
McNulty
Steves

It was moved and seconded

That an information sheet be created for insertion into the 2004 property tax notice.
 

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were directed to include a day-to-day breakdown of operating expenses, in dollars and cents, which were paid by the average taxpayer.  Staff were also asked to present this information as part of the Five Year Financial Plan public consultation process.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare education and feedback materials for insertion into local newspapers, the City web site and other forms of communication.

CARRIED

(Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt left the meeting at 6:15 p.m.)

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

8.

NEW PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SAFETY STANDARDS ACT AND REGULATIONS IMPACT OF CHANGES TO RICHMOND
(Report:  Mar. 29/04, File No.:  01-0035-01) (REDMS No. 1216275, 1119064)

Designated Speaker:  Gavin Woo

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated March 29^th, 2004, from the Code Engineer), regarding the impact to the City of the new provincial government Safety Standards Act and Safety Authority Act and their associated regulations, be referred to the Community Safety Committee.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:16 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, April 19^th, 2004.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerks Office