MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, February 7^th, 2005, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS GRANT

(Report:  Feb. 11/05, File No.:  03-0187-01; xr 09-5125-01) (REDMS No. 1428101)

It was moved and seconded

That the application to the Provincial Emergency Program for funding under the local government tsunami preparedness program, (as outlined in the staff report dated February 11, 2005, from the Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs), be approved.

CARRIED

FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

3.

2005 CITY GRANT PROGRAM

(Report:  Jan. 10/05, File No.:   03-1085-01) (REDMS No. 1395056, 1375891)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and the Manager, Customer Services, Anne Stevens, and the Manger, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, on:

§           

the amount of $500,000 which had been set aside to provide funding for programs which deal with problem gambling

§           

the provision of funding for the Outreach Counsellor previously provided by Richmond Addiction Services (formerly RADAT)

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the need to address youth drug and alcohol addiction problems apart from any other addiction programs

§           

the status of the funds provided to the Steveston Community Society in 2004 to develop a Richmond float

§           

the rationale for some community associations receiving larger grants than other community associations

§           

the three year strategy developed by the Provincial Government, which comprised three components - prevention, treatment and research; the level of funding which would be provided by the Provincial Government through this strategy for addiction programs, and how this strategy compared to the City’s five year plan

§           

the need for a report to a future Committee meeting on youth issues

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the Midsummer Magic Festival Society.

Mr. Vince Battistelli, of Richmond Addiction Services, advised that the total Outreach Program cost $329,000 to operate for one year, and that the $80,000 requested from the City comprised a portion of that cost.  He further advised that Richmond Addiction Services did not submit a request for funding for gambling monies, but rather that the request had been made by the City.  Mr. Battistelli asked that the Committee approve funding for the Youth Outreach Program.

(Councillor Barnes entered the meeting – 4:38 p.m.)

A brief discussion then ensued with Mr. Battistelli on the availability, if any, of additional funding from the Provincial Government; and on the steps which the agency would have to take if the requested $80,000 grant was not obtained.

Sheila Resels, Director for the Richmond Family Services component of Family Services of Greater Vancouver, explained that the $7,000 reduction in the amount of the grant received by the agency in 2004 would result in a reduction in the services provided to Richmond residents.

Ms. Resels advised that City funds allowed the Richmond agency to have two part-time counsellors one who served Richmond’s Cantonese and Mandarin population two days a week, and the second who served English speaking clients three days a week.  She stated that the agency offered a unique self-referral program to clients of all ages, including children, parents, senior citizens, single mothers and couples.  Ms. Resels indicated that Richmond residents felt safe coming to the agency which had a long standing reputation of providing excellent service, and which could connect with more specialized services if required.  In concluding her presentation, Ms. Resels asked that the agency be allowed to continue to operate at is current level of service. 

Reference was made the agency’s $1.2 Million, and advice was given that the agency was required to maintain a minimum three month operating level, and that all of the money received by the agency was earmarked for specific programs in each of the districts from which the funds were received.  In response to further questions, Ms. Resels stated that the Richmond program was totally separate from the medical health care system and was open to anyone who required counselling. 

A brief discussion then ensued on whether there were any other agencies in Richmond which offered self-referral programs.

(Councillor Dang left the meeting – 4:58 p.m.)

In response to further questions, Ms. Resels provided information on the meaning of ‘group services’ offered by the agency; on the services provided by Richmond Family Services, and on the agency’s $1.2 Million.

Following the conclusion of the discussion with Ms. Resels, the following amended motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the 2005 City Grant Program support the following:

(1)

The organizations in the Health and Social Services and Others category be awarded the recommended grant amount and the cheques disbursed for a total of $202,000; and that an additional $71,500 be included to Richmond Addiction Services for the provision of a Youth Outreach Counsellor.

(2)

The organizations in the Cultural, Community Promotions and Summer Programs category be awarded the recommended grant amount and the cheques disbursed for a total of $104,100.

The question on the motion was not called, as staff were requested to provide information to Council prior to the February 28^th, 2005 Regular Council meeting on:

(a)

the purpose of the $80,000 required by Richmond Addiction Services for the Youth Outreach Counsellor;

(b)

the Midsummer Magic Festival Society;

(c)

whether there were other agencies which provided similar self-referral services as provided by Richmond Family Services; and

(d)

Richmond Family Services and in particular, a breakdown of program funding between sections, information on the other grants received by the agency, and the agency’s $1.2 Million.

(Councillor Dang entered the meeting – 5:03 p.m., during the above discussion.)

The question on the motion was not called, as the following amendment was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed grant to Richmond Family Services be increased by $7,000.

CARRIED

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:14 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, February 21^st, 2005.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office