Mr. Ron Coleman, Chair of the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee, indicated that he was available to answer questions.  Discussion then ensued among Committee members, staff and the delegation on:

§           

the frequency of reports by the Committee to Council

§           

the coordination of volunteers; whether the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee was working with the City’s volunteer management program, and the data base which was being used to resource and access volunteer information

§           

whether the Committee should be disbanded following the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and the need for sustainability to ensure that the legacy component continued after the Games

§           

whether Council should be dealing with a recommendation of the Committee that a proposal be made to VANOC ‘….that consideration be given to our community to provide leadership, in part, to the volunteer program specific to the Oval’

§           

the proposed two year term for members of the Committee, and whether there was any point when all the positions would be vacant at the same time

§           

the interaction of the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee with other Spirit of BC committees

§           

the focus of the Committee on what would be important to Richmond.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee update be received for information;

(2)

That the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee proposed 2006 operating budget of $5,000 be considered during the 2006 budget review process; and

(3)

That the term of the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee be extended to June, 2010.

(4)

That the term of appointment for individual members be for two years, with the terms to be staggered; and

(5)

That the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee report to Council every six months.

CARRIED

FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

3.

DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS -DISCHARGE OF RIGHT OF WAY AT 4240/4260 GARRY STREET

(Report:  Sept. 21/05, File No.:  06-2285-A0-002) (REDMS No. 1662769)

It was moved and seconded

That staff be authorized to take all necessary steps to discharge the sanitary sewer right of way described on Plan 52138, as required by subdivision application SD#05-296544.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were requested to consider the feasibility of developing a policy which would give staff the authority to deal with routine rights-of-way matters, such as the one now being dealt with by the Committee.

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

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

4.

RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING INFORMATION CENTRE - RIVER ROCK CASINO RESORT, RICHMOND

(Report:  Sept. 29/05, File No.:  4040-04-01/2005) (REDMS No. 1633946, 1634149)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and the Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, on the proposal to establish a ‘responsible gambling information centre’, during which information was provided that the centre would proceed, even if the City did not contribute funding for the project. 

Questions were raised about the feasibility of using the $25,000 proposed funding to undertake a research project to obtain data on the gambling situation in Richmond, as this information was vital in order to address this problem.  In response, information was provided that (i) the Provincial Government could provide assistance with the research project as access was available through the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) to all of the required data; and (ii) providing funding for the centre would ‘put the City at the table’ in a partnership role.  A further explanation was provided that the City had a strong on-going relationship with the BC Lottery Corporation and the Provincial Government, and the $25,000 contribution would maintain this relationship in the early stages of the project.

Discussion then ensued on the issue of whether the Provincial Government would be working with Richmond Addiction Services (RAS), during which information was provided that the ‘Responsible Gambling Officer’ would be refering clients to RAS.

Mr. Greg Walker, of the BC Lottery Corporation, came forward, and discussion ensued among Committee members, staff and the delegation on:

§           

the purpose of the ‘Responsible Gambling Information Centre (RGIC)’

§           

the decision of the BCLC that  RAS would be relied upon to be the service provider to those clients referred from the RGIC, and the need to have RAS play a major role in dealing with gambling addictions

§           

the need for a Gambling Officer at the centre, and the skills and background required of that individual

§           

the need for the Provincial Government to introduce further initiatives to deal with gambling.

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

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

The request for $25,000 funding (dated July 21, 2005 from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General), for the Responsible Gambling Information Centre with River Rock Casino, be approved.

(2)

The BCLC and the GPEB be encouraged to provide on-site counselling in the River Rock Casino through the Richmond Addiction Services, as indicated in the Richmond Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Strategy. 

(3)

Staff continue co-operating with Richmond and provincial problem gambling prevention and treatment stakeholders to prepare coordinated provincial and Richmond programs and strategies.

(4)

The Provincial Government be urged to expedite the implementation of its provincial gambling strategy, and identify and provide the likely date that each component of this strategy would be put into action.

(5)

That the Responsible Gaming Officer to be employed have a working relationship with Richmond Addition Services and other similar organizations in other communities.

(6)

The copies of the Richmond strategy be provided to Richmond MLAs, the Solicitor General, and to the other MLAs for their information.

CARRIED

5.

PLACEMENT OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN CITY HALL
(Report:  September 30^th, 2005, File No.:  4055-01) (REDMS No. 1669737, 1421326, 113102)

Cllr. Barnes, Council liaison to the Intercultural Advisory Committee, advised that the resolution adopted by the Committee, ‘Acknowledging that Christmas is a traditional Canadian Holiday, we support keeping current practices and that all religious symbols are placed at the Cultural Centre as per City Policy’ had not been a unanimous decision.

Reference was made to the request of Lubavitch BC to place a menorah at City Hall in celebration of Chanukah, and questions were raised about the size of the menorah and the proposed location.  Concern was expressed about approving a request which, at the present time, contravened the City’s policy. 

Discussion ensued among Committee members on the proposal to allow the placement of religious symbols at City Hall, and in particular on:

§           

whether the proposed change would bring people together, and help to focus on the City’s strategy to better support intercultural inclusiveness

§           

whether problems could arise because of the number of religious organizations which might wish to erect displays in City Hall at any given time

§           

the need to address in the future report to Committee, information on how large an issue the erection of religious symbols at City Hall could be; the number of requests which could be received; and to include in the proposed policy, the requirement to submit requests in writing

§           

whether religious symbols should be allowed at City Hall

§           

the availability of other locations, such as the Library/Cultural Centre to display religious symbols

§           

the need for a definition to be in place to deal specifically with the placement of religious symbols at City Hall

§           

the need to review the experiences of other cities when preparing the new policy to include other religions

§           

whether the City could have recognition of religious symbols without disruption to the current events which take place in City Hall during the Christmas period

§           

the fact that the community had changed over the years and it was now time to expand the City’s focus to be more inclusive of other cultures

§           

the feasibility of locating the symbols of different religions in one area of City Hall

§           

the rationale for the segregating of certain religions to the Library/Cultural Centre while allowing the display of Christmas trees and decorations at City Hall.

It was moved and seconded

That staff and the Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee be directed to revise Policy 2013, with the objective of better demonstrating intercultural inclusiveness, by allowing, upon request, the placement of religious symbols, with an educational component, in City Hall, which is a community gathering and celebration place, during appropriate religious events (e.g., Christmas).

CARRIED

OPPOSED:  Cllr. Barnes

Dang

E. Halsey-Brandt

S. Halsey-Brandt

6.

KWANTLEN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE STATUS AND NAME CHANGE

Cllr. Howard, as the introducer of the subject, spoke about the problems associated with having the word ‘college’ in the name of the school.  Discussion then ensued among Committee members on:

§           

the perception to the public of having the word ‘college’ in the name and the importance of using the word ‘university’ instead

§           

the need for a ‘college’ type of facility to provide education to a broader range to students than could be provided by either the University of British Columbia or Simon Fraser University

§           

whether as a result of the new name, class sizes and fees would increase.

It was moved and seconded

WHEREAS Kwantlen University College contributes greatly to economic development in Richmond and the South Fraser Region by delivering outstanding educational opportunities preparing citizens for leadership, service and success;

AND WHEREAS Kwantlen University College is Richmond’s only public degree-granting post-secondary institution;

AND WHEREAS the name University College does not clearly and accurately reflect the full range of programming and credentials that Kwantlen offers;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Richmond call upon the Provincial Government to designate Kwantlen as a special purpose university through an Order in Council, thereby changing the name to Kwantlen University and enabling Kwantlen University to play a more effective role in contributing to the economic, social and cultural viability of Richmond and the South Fraser Region;

AND FURTHER, that copies be sent to the Lower Mainland Municipal Association, the UBCM, and Richmond’s MLAs and MPs.

CARRIED

7.

TERMINATION NOTICE - RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES, RICHMOND GARDENS

The General Manager, Urban Development, Joe Erceg, reported on the outcome of a meeting which had been held with representatives of Amacon Property Management Services, Terry Crowe, and himself to address the eviction notices which had been issued to 120 residents of Richmond Gardens Apartments, in order to upgrade and re-rent the units at substantially higher rental rates.

Mr. Erceg advised that as a result of the meeting, the representatives indicated that:

§           

for the residents of the 120 units for which eviction notices had been issued, extensions would be granted automatically to any resident who requested such an extension

§           

the company would examine the feasibility of allowing any tenant who did not wish to have their unit upgraded to forego the upgrade and maintain the existing rent, with smaller rent increases being applied on an annual basis

§           

the company would not be issuing eviction notices to the tenants of the remaining units, and would only be considering upgrading the units of those tenants who wish to have their units upgraded.

In response to questions, Mr. Erceg confirmed that the representatives only promised to extend the period of the eviction notices already issued to tenants, and did not make any promises on the other issues discussed.  He added however, that the representatives had indicated that they would consider the suggestions which had been made.

During the discussion which ensued on this matter, Mr. Erceg and Mr. Crowe were commended for taking a leadership role in this matter.

Concern was expressed about the manner in which the property management company had handled the issuance of the eviction notices and the crisis which had resulted.  Comments were made about the need to send a message that this action was unacceptable, and concern was voiced about whether this kind of situation could occur with other similar buildings.

The regulations contained in the Residential Tenancy Act were briefly reviewed, as well as the steps which were required to be followed to evict a tenant.  Questions were also raised about why a vacant suite could not be renovated and a current tenant allowed to move into that unit while their own unit was being renovated, rather than evicting the tenant.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That City Council confirms its serious concern regarding the rapid, large scale eviction of tenants from rental premises and the increase of rents to unaffordable levels;

(2)

That the Provincial Government be requested to amend the relevant legislation to address this situation; and

(3)

That staff examine the options regarding notices and increases in rent, and that staff advise Council as to any other rental complexes in the community which could be vulnerable to this approach.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:55 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, October 3, 2005.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

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