MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, February 6^th, 2006, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

8.

SISTER CITY COMMITTEE – TERMS OF REFERENCE

(Report:  Jan. 24/06, File No.:  01-0100-20-SCIT1-01) (REDMS No. 1676916)

The Manager, Customer Services, Ann Stevens, advised that the terms of reference for the Sister City Committee were being amended to eliminate the requirement that members be appointed for no more than three consecutive terms (9 years in total).  A brief discussion ensued with Committee members expressing their agreement with this recommendation.

Sylvia Gowzd, Chair of the Sister City Committee, accompanied by Jim Kojima and Francis Turmeau, reviewed the highlights of the Committee’s 2004-2005 Annual Report.

(Cllr. Howard entered the meeting – 4:05 p.m.)

Ms. Gwozd talked about the success of the Richmond delegation’s visit to Wakayama, Japan and EXPO 2005, where Richmond was recognized by the Canadian Federal Government as one of the most successful sister city relationships between Canada and Japan.  She also provided information on an upcoming event to take place in May, 2006 - a ‘Noh’ play which would first premier in the North Plaza of City Hall on May 11 and continue through to May 16^th, 2006, and then be taken to Japan to premier in Wakayama.

Ms. Gwozd then talked about the status of the Committee’s relationship with Pierrefonds, now Pierrefonds-Roxboro, and information was provided by Mr. Turmeau that the Mayor of Pierrefonds-Roxboro was most interested in renewing the sister city relationship between her city and Richmond.

Ms. Gwozd reported on the continuing work of the Committee to develop ‘friendships’ with a number of cities within China.  She then reviewed the projects which would be the focus of the Committee for 2006.

(Cllr. Dang entered the meeting – 4:12 p.m.)

Advice was given that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Convention would be held in Montreal, Quebec in June of this year, and the Sister City Committee was requested to make arrangements for those members of Council who would be attending the convention, to meet with the Mayor of Pierrefonds-Roxboro during their time in Montreal.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and the delegation on:

§            

the work being undertaken to develop ‘friendships’ with cities in China, and the status of the process

§            

possible individuals and organizations within the City who would have connections with China and who might be able to provide assistance to the Sister City Committee

§            

the continuation of the sister city relationship between Pierrefonds-Roxboro and the City

§            

the length of time which would be required to establish a sister city relationship in China.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Sister City Annual Report (attached to the report dated January 24^th, 2006, from the Manager, Customer Services), be received for information.

(2)

That the ‘Terms’ clause in Richmond’s Sister City Committee Terms of Reference be rescinded and that the following clause be adopted:

“The terms of the Committee appointments will be for three years.  Appointments will be staggered to ensure continuity of experienced members on the Committee.”

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

AWARD OF 2006 PAVING CONTRACT T.2802
(Report:  Feb. 10/06, File No.:   03-1000-20-T.2802) (REDMS No. 1748977)

The Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Jim Young, advised that an amendment was required to Page 3 of the staff report, paragraph two under ‘Discussion’, to indicate an amount of $2.6 Million instead of $1.6 Million.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated February 10^th, 2006, from the Director, Engineering), regarding the award of Contract T.2802 – 2006 Asphaltic Concrete Paving to the lowest bidder, Columbia Bitulithic Limited, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF TWO BACKHOE LOADERS

(Report:  Feb. 10/06, File No.:   03-1000-20-2711Q) (REDMS No. 1762324, 1713454)

The Director of Parks and Public Works Operations, Dave Semple, in response to a question about the cost of the equipment, advised that the equipment being proposed for purchase best met the City’s criteria, and would allow staff to complete their work quickly and efficiently. 

It was moved and seconded

That the City award the purchase of Two (2) Backhoe Loaders to Finning (Canada) for a price of $146,401.08 per unit for a total purchase cost of $292,802.16.

CARRIED

4.

SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF THREE ICE RESURFACERS – CONTRACT 2736Q

(Report:  Feb. 10/06, File No.:   03-1000-20-2736Q) (REDMS No. 1762771)

Mr. Semple, in answer to questions, advised that health and safety issues within the Richmond Ice Centre were a concern because of emissions from the current propane-powered ice resurfacers, and the purchase of electric powered ice equipment would help to alleviate these concerns.  He further advised that the electric-powered equipment could be recharged quickly, and would require fewer repairs because of having less moving parts.

It was moved and seconded

That the City award Contract 2736Q for the purchase of three electric-powered ice resurfacers to Vimar Equipment Ltd. for a price of $149,792.86 per unit for a total purchase cost of $449,378.60.

CARRIED

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

5.

OVAL FACILITY CLADDING AND BUTTRESS ART OPPORTUNITIES

(Report:  Feb. 10/06, File No.:  11-7000-09-20-053/2006-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1759382)

The Director, Major Projects, Greg Scott, briefly reviewed his report with the Committee. 

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on the proposal, with support being expressed for the proposal, and in particular, excitement about the possibility that Tak Tanabe could be creating a design for the exterior cladding of the Oval.  During the discussion, the request was made that consideration be given to including City staff in the project, because of their success with the art which had been integrated into the exterior of local pump stations.  The suggestion was also made that RAVCO should be approached about undertaking a similar initiative with the support columns for the Richmond section of the Canada Line.

In response to further questions, advice was given that the design team would consist of an artist and a coordinator -Vicki Scuri, an expert in casting artist designs into concrete, who would ensure that the artist’s design could be incorporated into the concrete.

Further information was provided that the funds being requested were in addition to those funds already put together for the Oval project, and would be taken from the Public Art Project Fund.

It was moved and seconded

That an allocation of $30,000 from the 2003 Public Art Project to retain two artists to collaborate with the Cannon Design Team in the design of the Richmond Oval’s polycarbonate cladding and buttresses, be endorsed.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

6.

HORSE RACING TELETHEATRE AT THE RIVER ROCK CASINO RESORT – 8811 RIVER ROAD

(Report:  Feb. 1/06, File No.:  4040-00) (REDMS No. 1751986)

The Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, accompanied by Senior Planner Kari Huhtala, advised that representatives of Great Canadian Gaming Corporation were present to answer questions.

Discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on the proposal.  Questions were raised about the rationale for not requiring a public hearing on the matter.  In response, staff advised that the proposed teletheatre would be within the existing casino, and would be complimentary to the uses already permitted within that facility.

Discussion continued briefly, with the comment being made that approval of the teletheatre would remove the pressure of whether a race track should be allowed in East Richmond.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Full Service Gaming Policy 5040 be amended to state:

“It is Council policy that:

Richmond supports:

One Full Service community gaming casino in Richmond which includes slot machines, table games, poker tables and a horse racing teletheatre as permitted by Provincial Gaming Legislation and Government Policy.”; and

(2)

That the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch be advised that the City of Richmond approves the location of a horse racing teletheatre at the River Rock Casino Resort, 8811 River Road.

The question on the motion was not called, as Cllr. Sue Halsey-Brandt expressed concern about addiction problems in the City, and stated that she would not be supporting any proposal which would encourage more people to enter the casino.

Discussion continued, with other members of the Committee offering their support for the proposal.  The comment was made during the discussion that although it was a recognized fact that 4% of the population had addiction problems, the City was providing services to deal with these problems.

Further comments were made that the River Rock Casino should be considered a destination casino as a means to improve the Bridgeport area, and that a horse racing teletheatre was technology which should have been included when the casino was first approved. 

In concluding the discussion, reference was made to the Addiction Centre located within the River Rock Casino, and questions were raised about whether the Centre was manned by personnel or simply had material dealing with available addiction services on shelves.  Staff indicated that a response would be provided in a memorandum to the Committee.

The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Chen and Sue Halsey-Brandt opposed.

7.

RICHMOND GARDENS – AMACON UPDATE

(Report:  Feb. 13/06, File No.:  08-4057-08) (REDMS No. 1761269)

Ms. Laara Raynier, of 6311 Gilbert Road, referred to the staff report – Findings of Fact – ‘Summary of City Actions’, and corrected a number of inaccuracies with respect to whether (i) the City had had discussed the matter further with her; and (ii) Olga Ilich, MLA Richmond Centre had spoken to her and provided assistance.  She also expressed disappointment that the Minister Responsible for Housing had indicated that amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act were not being considered at this time.

Ms. Raynier also spoke about latest notice to vacate which she had received and questioned when action was going to be taken to stop the bullying of Richmond Garden residents by Amacon.  She also suggested that perhaps the Minister did not understand the seriousness of the situation.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Minister Rich Coleman, BC Minister Responsible for Housing be requested to:

(a)

Review the Amacon - Richmond Gardens proposed renovation, eviction and rent increase matter, with the aim of ensuring that tenants’ interests are better protected (e.g., from having to move during renovations, avoiding evictions during renovations, minimizing rent increases, as a result of renovations);

(b)

Hold public consultations during the review; and

(c)

Amend the BC Residential Tenancy Act to better protect tenants’ interests during major rental renovation projects.

(2)

Olga Ilich, MLA, Richmond Centre, be advised of Council’s request of Minister Coleman.

The question on the motion was not called, as Committee members voiced their views on the situation.  It was noted that the City had approached the representatives of Amacon to act in a caring and compassionate manner without success, and that the City was taking the only steps that it could to deal with the matter. 

In addition, it was pointed out that the renovations were said to be minor in nature and did not require building permits; however, tenants were being evicted in order to complete these minor renovations.  The comment was made that this issue should be raised with the Minister, and that the Minister be requested to act sooner rather than later. 

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

FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

8.

SISTER CITY COMMITTEE – TERMS OF REFERENCE
(Report:  Jan. 24/06, File No.:  01-0100-20-SCIT1-01) (REDMS No. 1676916)

Please see Page 1 of these minutes for action taken on this matter.

9.

LIQUOR LICENCE APPLICATIONS AT YVR

(Report:  Jan. 24/06, File No.:  12-8275-00) (REDMS No. 1626499)

In response to questions, the Manager, Customer Services, Ann Stevens explained that there were two areas in the passenger terminals – pre-security and post-security, and that the post-security area was only for those passengers who had cleared customs or completed pre-board screening.  She stated that the post-security area did not impact Richmond as much as the pre-security area where anyone could have a drink.  Ms. Stevens suggested that the liquor establishments in the pre-security area should function with the same hours of operation as other Richmond liquor establishments, and that the City should have the ability to comment on the requests for changes to licenced liquor establishments in the pre-security areas.

Ms. Stevens further advised that the Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) had initially wanted to have jurisdiction over all of the liquor establishments at the Airport, whether they were located in the pre-security or post-security areas of the terminals, on all airport lands.  For this reason, she stated that the two part recommendation was proposed.

Discussion ensued briefly among Committee members, with support being given for the proposal.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Council decline comment on all current and future liquor-related applications received from establishments that are located in the post-security areas of passenger terminals on airport lands.

(2)

That Council comment on all current and future liquor-related applications received from establishments that are located in the pre-security areas of passenger terminals and elsewhere on airport lands, and that relevant city policies and bylaws be adhered to.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:18 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 20^th, 2006.

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Acting Mayor Harold Steves
Chair

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