MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, June 7^th, 2004, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

STATUS REPORT - RICHMOND COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTRE HOUSING & EMERGENCY SHELTER PROJECT
(Report:  June 16/04, File No.:  08-4057-20-RCSC2) (REDMS No. 1301627)

The Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, stated that he had nothing further to add to his report.  He advised that Mr. Paul Rollo, of G. P. Rollo & Associates Ltd., who prepared the financial feasibility study for the project, and Mr. Les McAusland, Director of the Salvation Army Shelter, were present to respond to questions.

Discussion ensued among Committee members, staff and the delegation on:

the wording of Recommendation No. 4, which did seem to be sufficiently precise

whether any other potential sites had been identified which could be used as a location for housing and an emergency shelter

the proposal to locate community services office space in amenity space provided in new residential, commercial or mixed use developments, and sites which were currently available to accommodate this option

whether the land values indicated in the report were realistic

whether a building could be constructed which would be cost efficient, usable, and financially feasible

the sale of the properties at 8111 Granville Avenue and 8080 Anderson Road.

During the discussion, disappointment was expressed about the termination of the project.  With reference to Recommendation No. 4, the comment was made that the wording seemed loose, and the request was made that staff report to Committee within a fairly short time on the outcome.  In response, advice was given that staff could meet with the partners and a progress report provided to the Committee on the status of the project and anticipated next steps.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

The Richmond Community Services Centre, Housing and Emergency Shelter Project be terminated, (as identified in the report dated June 16^th, 2004 from the Manager, Policy Planning).

(2)

Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Health Resources Development Canada (HRDC), the Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness (RSCH) and the Richmond community project partners be notified of the termination of the project.

(3)

Staff report on options to proceed with the sale of the City properties at 8111 Granville Avenue and 8080 Anderson Road.

(4)

Staff work with community partners to explore other feasible opportunities to implement the Richmond Homelessness Needs Assessment and Strategy.
 

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were requested, in the progress report, to identify possible sites.

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

3.

MATERIALLY AFFECTED REFERRAL FROM NEW WESTMINSTER PROPOSED DESTINATION CASINO AT 350 GIFFORD STREET
(Report:  June 16/04, File No.:  0155-20-NWES1) (REDMS No. 1301182, 1295185)

Mr. Crowe advised that the consultants for the casino and staff from the City of New Westminster were unable to attend a meeting which had been arranged with the Hamilton Community Association this evening to discuss the project.  He stated that the meeting would be rescheduled and that City staff would be in attendance as observers.

Discussion ensued, with advice being given that the City of New Westminster had displayed a willingness to address Richmond's concerns, however, it was noted that it could still be months before an agreement was reached.  Questions were raised about whether the Farmers Institute and Fraser Port were being included in the discussions. 

Questions were also raised about whether the accumulative effect of the volume of traffic on Westminster Highway as a result of the Wal Mart and casino projects had been taken into consideration.  Advice was given that the increased traffic had been considered, and discussion ensued briefly on the impact of the traffic on Westminster Highway, whether there were any plans for further infrastructure improvement, the timing of the construction of the proposed interchange, and the lack of response by the City of New Westminster to the City's concerns about the impact of the proposed Wal Mart store on East Richmond.

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

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the City of New Westminster be advised that the City of Richmond is materially affected by the proposed destination casino at 350 Gifford Street, New Westminster.

(2)

the City of New Westminster not conclude its materially affected consultation process until an agreement has been reached between the City of New Westminster and the City of Richmond regarding Richmond's materially affected concerns which include additional public consultation, land use incompatibility (noise), traffic, safety and policing concerns.

(3)

the BC Lottery Corporation be notified of Richmond's materially affected concerns.

(4)

Richmond City staff continue consultations with the City of New Westminster Staff and other interested groups, including the Farmers Institute and Fraser Port, and report to Richmond City Council as required. 

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:30 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, June 21^st, 2004.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerks Office