It was moved and seconded

That the agenda for the May 3^rd, 2004 meeting of the General Purposes Committee, be adopted as amended to add the following matter North Fraser River Port Authority Work Boat Patrols.

CARRIED

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, April 19^th, 2004, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

2.

(1)

Larry Berg, President and Chief Administrative Officer, Olga Ilich, Director, and Anne Murray, Vice President Community and Environmental Affairs, of the Vancouver International Airport Authority, regarding Airport Issues. 
(File No.:  01-0153-02-01)  (REDMS No. 1230375)

Mr. Larry Berg, accompanied Ms. Anne Murray, advised that Ms. Ilich had been unable to attend this afternoons meeting.  He then reviewed the material circulated to the Committee, and responded to questions on the following topics:
 

the increase in Asian traffic through the airport

the number of passengers who had travelled through the airport since 1997

the new services which had been implemented at the airport

the increase in growth of West Jet

new scheduled destinations and carriers for 2003/2004

the Air Canada restructuring

the Federal Governments consideration of the possible reduction of airport property rental by 50%

the economic impact of the airport on the City

the Vancouver International Airport Authoritys 10 Year Capital Plan, and some of the major projects which comprised this plan

the upcoming increase in the Airport Improvement Fee from $10 to $15, effective January 1^st, 2005; inclusion of the current fee in the cost of airplane tickets will take effect on June 1^st, 2004

the direction that the City was taking with regard to airport noise and residential development; Council was urged to direct staff to work with the Airport to prepare a joint plan which would protect the City's and the Airport Authoritys interests.
 

Ms. Murray then spoke about environmental and noise management issues, during which she provided information and responded to questions on:

noise management plan initiatives which had been completed in 2003

noise management initiatives which were now under construction including construction of an engine run-up facility

expansion and resurfacing of the south runway, including upgrading of the electrical system

the impact on the use of the north runway as a result of the work being undertaken on the south runway.
 

During the discussion, information was requested on the amount of cargo which was moved on an annual basis through the airport.  Also discussed with the delegation were such issues as:

the impact of the increase in the number of passengers on businesses located within the airport facility

the feasibility of creating a trade free zone at the airport, the implementation of an open skies policy, bilateral agreements executed on behalf of Canada, the number of airlines which were allowed to provide service to Vancouver in comparison to major cities in Eastern Canada, and the Fifth Freedom

with respect to the proposed RAV line, how successful other rapid transit lines had been which had a route from an airport to a City's downtown area

the job losses which were experienced as a result of the Air Canada restructuring

the aircraft technology now being used at the airport, whether airplanes in use now were quieter, and when the old technology would be banned from using the airport
 

Reference was made to the City's proposal to undertake a study of airport noise in relation to residential development, and concern was expressed by the delegation that the consultant engaged by the City had only considered insulation requirements rather than determining where the noisiest areas would be in relation to flight paths.  Advice was given that the Airport Authority had hired its own consultant and would be providing the results of that study to the City for its information. Questions were raised about outdoor living, liveability in the City and where the areas were located where the City was most interested in locating residential development.  The question of whether homeowners now living under a flight path would have purchased their homes if more information had been available on airport noise, was also addressed.

The delegation was thanked for their presentation and they then left the meeting.

( 2)

Ms. Marnie Hewlett, RN, regarding Patient Bill of Rights.
 (File No.:  01-0150-20-HEAL1)  (REDMS No. 1227273)
 

Ms. Marnie Hewlett, accompanied by Ms. Marcia Sandford, spoke about the development of the Patients Bill of Rights, spoke at length about the development of these rights.  A copy of her submission is on file in the City Clerks Office.
 

The suggestion was made by the Chair that the matter be referred to staff for review in conjunction with previous referrals relating to health care issues.
 

Discussion then ensued among Committee members on the proposal, with many Councillors indicating their support for the Bill of Rights.  However, concern was also expressed about (i) some of the language contained in the document, and (ii) whether by supporting the document, the City would be expected to provide financial support.  Confirmation was given by Ms. Hewlett that support for the document would not commit the City to making a financial contribution.  She indicated that the Patients Bill of Rights were intended to be used as an education tool and a discussion paper.
 

Concern was expressed however that some of the proposed Rights were not possible at this time and that the Committee was being asked to endorse a document without considering what could be achieved.  Advice was provided however that the document was intended to be a working document.
 

Further discussion took place on the proposed Bill of Rights, as a result of which, the following resolution was introduced:
 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Patient Bill of Rights (as developed by the BC Nurses Union and presented by Ms. Marnie Hewlett, RN), be supported and endorsed as a working document which sets out minimum goals for the health care system;
 

(2)

That the City's position be conveyed to the appropriate Federal and Provincial ministries; and
 

(3)

That Councillor Linda Barnes, as Council Liaison, take the matter to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
 

The question on the motion was not called, as Committee members voiced their opinions about the proposed resolution.

The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Howard and Kumagai opposed.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

3.

ECONOMIC ADVISORY TASK FORCE REPORT WORK PLAN
(Report:  Apr. 22/04, File No.:  01-0100-20-RECO1) (REDMS No. 1229928, 1116953)
 

The Manager, Economic Development, Marcia Freeman, advised that she had nothing further to add.

Considerable discussion then ensued among Committee members and Ms. Freeman on:

how the timeline (priorities) had been established for the work plan

the financial implications of the work plan, and whether Council would have the opportunity to approve those items which had not been included in existing budgets

how benchmarking would be achieved due to the lack of available information
 

(Mayor Brodie left the meeting at 5:45 p.m. and Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt assumed the Chair as Acting Mayor.)

proposed transportation initiatives and actions
 

(Mayor Brodie returned to the meeting at 5:47 p.m. and resumed the Chair.)
 

the need to involve the business community through appointments to the Economic Advisory Committee; as well as the role of other agencies, such as the Chamber of Commerce, in providing input respect to transportation, education, and tourism

whether the timetable set by staff could be achieved

how staff and the Economic Advisory Committee would report to Council on their progress in implementing the work plan initiatives

the timing of the completion of the Terms of Reference for the Economic Advisory Committee and whether Council would have any say in the appointment of members to that Committee

the conflict being experienced on No. 8 Road at the railway crossing because of the continual shunting of train cars

whether the City's Best in Every Way ad campaign would be incorporated into the work plan

the need to include the promotion of arts and culture in that section of the strategy which dealt with attracting business to the City

the difficulties being experienced by farmers in East Richmond, and the need to focus on the retention of, and appropriate uses for, agricultural land

the priorities established in the work plan and whether arts and culture and agriculture should be prioritized in Recommendation No. 2 of the work plan, and education given a lower priority.
 

During the discussion, the request was made that the Economic Advisory Committee, within six months of its creation, provide preliminary feedback to Council on (i) how implementation of the work plan was proceeding, and (ii) to what extent the Committee had been able to deal with the recommendations.  In response, the suggestion was made that the Committee could report to Council in February, 2005.

Questions were raised during the discussion about the participation of external organizations on specific initiatives, and advice was given that information could be provided to Council on the input which would be solicited from the business community with respect to specific initiatives.

Mr. Bruce Rozenhart, Co-Chair of the Economic Advisory Task Force, spoke about the priorities which had been established, and about working with staff to create a work plan which reflected the Task Force recommendations to Council.  He then spoke briefly about specific recommendations, noting that because of the entrepreneurial spirit of the work plan and how the work plan was applied, the City would still be able to take advantage of any opportunities which may arise.

Mr. Rozenhart advised that Mr. Peter Dhillon, Co-Chair, came from an agricultural community and that agriculture was a high priority for him.  He stated that it was important that the business community be involved.  Mr. Rozenhart noted that the Chamber of Commerce had already undertaken an initiative with respect to economic development.  He concluded his presentation by expressing the hope that the Economic Advisory Committee would reflect the business expertise in the City.

A brief discussion ensued among Committee members on the reprioritization of agri-tourism and arts and culture initiatives, and it was agreed that Part Three of the Task Force report could be amended to accommodate these initiatives.

It was moved and seconded

That the interdepartmental work plan (attached to the report dated April 22^nd, 2004, from the Manager, Economic Development), to implement recommendations resulting from the Economic Advisory Task Force Report Enhancing Richmond's Economic Sustainability dated November 24, 2003, be endorsed.

CARRIED

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

4.

Great Canadian Casino Liquor Primary Licence and Food Primary Licence Application
(Report:  April 27^th, 2004, File No.:  12-8275-30-008/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1220708)

The Manager, Customer Services, Anne Stevens, noted that the correct name of the Great Canadian Casino was Great Canadian Casino Inc. and not Great Canadian Gaming Corporation as indicated in the report and recommendations.  She also advised that all references in the report to seating capacity should be changed to read person capacity.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application from the Great Canadian Casino Inc. at 8811 River Road for a New Liquor Primary Licence with hours ceasing at 2.00 a.m. Sunday through Saturday, be supported for reasons outlined in the report (dated April 27, 2004 from the Manager of Customer Services); and
 

(2)

That the application from the Great Canadian Casino Inc. at 8811 River Road for a Food Primary Licence with hours ceasing at 2.00 a.m. Sunday through Saturday, be supported for reasons outlined in the report (dated April 27, 2004, from the Manager of Customer Services).

CARRIED

5.

NORTH FRASER PORT AUTHORITY WORK BOAT PATROLS

Mayor Brodie provided information on the cancellation by the North Fraser Port Authority of the work boat patrols due to budget reductions, during which he expressed concern about the impact of this cancellation on safety, security and personal rescue issues.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter be written to the North Fraser Port Authority citing the City's concerns about the cancellation of the work boat patrols, and requesting a meeting between Council and the Authority on this matter.
 

(2)

That the Councils of the City of Vancouver and Burnaby be informed of this situation, and advised of Richmond's concerns about the cancellation of the work boat patrols.
 

(3)

That staff comment on the direct ramifications to the City as a result of the removal of the work boat patrols.
 

(4)

That the Canadian Coast Guard be advised of the situation, and requested to provide their comments.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:40 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, May 3^rd, 2004.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerks Office