MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, April 3^rd, 2006, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

2.

Josh O’Connor, Chair and Craig Jones, Executive Director, Richmond Chamber of Commerce; Nicki Roberts, New Image Studies, Task Force Co-Chair; Simon Johnston, Gateway Theatre, Task Force Co-Chair; and Rob Fleming, Kwantlen University College, Task Force Member, representing the Richmond Chamber of Commerce Arts and Cultural Task Force, to present their report:  Benefits, Opportunities and Recommendations for Linkages between Business, Arts and Culture in Richmond.

(File No.:  7000-01; xr 4105-01)

Simon Johnston, a Director of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, provided information on the rationale for the creation of the Chamber’s Arts and Culture Task Force; the focus of the Task Force on linkages between business, arts and culture in the City; the benefits and opportunities which could result from this proposal, and the recommendation of the Task Force that the Chamber of Commerce create a standing committee for business, arts and culture.

Nicki Roberts then talked about the recommendations of the Task Force, and discussed the areas of investigation and the benefits and opportunities which could be achieved through the mandate of the proposed standing committee, which was to focus on advocacy for, and development of, linkages between City businesses and the arts and culture community.

Discussion then took place among Committee members and the delegation on:

·            

the expectations of the Chamber of Commerce that the City become a partner; participation of the City in terms of a letter of support and information to the Chamber on how to strengthen their application for funding to “Arts Now”

·            

the vision of the proposal; whether Richmond would become a destination for the performing arts, and when and how this might be achieved

·            

the status of this project with the Arts Coalition, and how the Chamber standing committee would function with the Arts Coalition

·            

the need for a unifying body to organize arts and culture in the community

·            

whether the study would be completed in time to prepare a vision with an international focus for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in 2010 on why visitors would want to come to Richmond

·            

whether there would be an integration of the different factions of arts and cultural organizations within the City

·            

the need to keep the City’s Economic Development Committee apprised of the action being taken by the Chamber of Commerce, as well as involving the City’s Economic Development office

During the discussion, the delegation was congratulated on the preparation of an excellent report.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report entitled “Benefits, Opportunities and Recommendations for Linkages between Business, Arts and Culture in Richmond”, (as prepared by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce Arts and Cultural Task Force), be received for information; and

(2)

That City Council confirm its support for the Richmond Chamber of Commerce standing committee for Business, Arts and Culture, and the joint application to “Arts Now”.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the question of staffing implications, including the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Division and the Economic Development Office, be referred to staff for review.

CARRIED

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

3.

GREATER VANCOUVER SEWERAGE & DRAINAGE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COST CHARGES

(Report:  Apr. 6/06, File No.:  03-0920-02-01) (REDMS No. 1776265)

The Manager, Special Projects, Graham Willis, in response to questions, provided information on why the decision had been made to fund the regional sewer Development Cost Charges through the sewer utility’s rate stabilization account. 

It was moved and seconded

That the GVS&DD sewer DCC currently being funded by the Richmond sewer utility be charged to developers at subdivision or building permit approval, as appropriate, effective July 1, 2006, and that the GVS&DD be given written notice immediately of the City’s intentions to terminate the existing contract.

CARRIED

4.

PROPOSED DCC PROGRAM AND RATES BYLAW

(Report:  Mar. 3/06, File No.:  12-8060-20-8049) (REDMS No. 1782055, 1789644)

Mr. Willis briefly reviewed his report with the Committee.  He then introduced Mr. Fraser Smith, representing Urban Systems Limited, who helped the City to complete a comprehensive review of the City’s Development Cost Charges.

(Cllr. Dang left the meeting – 4:40 p.m.)

Mr. Smith then gave a PowerPoint presentation to fully explain the proposed Development Cost Charges rates.  A copy of this presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.

(Cllr. Dang returned to the meeting at 4:51 p.m., during the above presentation.)

At the conclusion of the presentation, discussion took place among Committee members and staff on:

·            

parks development cost charges, and the rationale for including parks in the Development Cost Charges bylaw

·            

the impact which adoption of the new City-wide rates would have on the recently approved West Cambie Area Development Cost Charges

·            

capital program costs, i.e. components, such as transportation costs, which relate to Development Cost Charges

·            

how in-stream development applications would be protected from the proposed increase in Development Cost Charges

·            

the timing on implementation of the new rates for single-family developments in relation to commercial developments

·            

the status of the concept of voluntary contributions.

It was moved and seconded

That staff:

(1)

obtain public input regarding the draft 2006 Development Cost Charge (DCC) Program and Bylaw (as per the report dated March 3, 2006 from the Manager, Special Projects), and

(2)

report to the General Purposes Committee in early May, 2006.

CARRIED

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

5.

UPDATE: AIRCRAFT NOISE AND AIRPORT PLANNING MANAGEMENT

(Report:  Apr. 7/06, File No.:  10-6125-03-02) (REDMS No. 1801505)

Discussion ensued among Committee members, the General Manager, Urban Development, Joe Erceg, and Development Coordinator – Development Applications, Holger Burke, on the rationale for staff recommending the deferral of the establishment of a City Airport Committee.

Advice was given that since the referral to staff in March of 2005, regarding the establishment of a City airport committee, the Vancouver International Airport Authority (VIAA) had agreed to hold public meetings in 2006 which would allow residents to address aircraft noise and planning issues with the Authority.  Further advice was given that staff were of the opinion that a City airport committee would be a duplication of the service being offered by the VIAA.

Reference was made to an open house held earlier this year and to concerns expressed by individuals who had attended the meeting about the lack of dialogue and opportunity to ask questions at that meeting.  Questions were raised about whether any recommendations would result from these public meetings; and how one would ensure that progress was being made and that problems were being resolved. 

During the discussion, support was given for a City airport committee, but at the same time, concern was voiced about obtaining effective results if there were too many committees.  The suggestion was made that volunteers should be located throughout the City to document and provide information to the airport on low flying small aircraft and helicopters, in an effort to keep these aircraft away from residential areas.

Ms. Anne Murray, Vice President, Community and Environmental Affairs, VIAA, noted that the VIAA had a Noise Management Committee in place, with two City appointed representatives sitting on that Committee, as well as a staff representative.  She also indicated that the VIAA had developed a 5 Year Noise Management Plan to implement a number of initiatives to address public concerns about airport noise. 

Ms. Murray further advised that the terms of reference for the Noise Management Committee were to be strengthened with respect to the accountability of the appointees to ensure that they were reporting to their respective cities on actions being taken by the VIAA.  She added that based on concerns expressed about the open house format, that a public meeting would be held in June, with VIAA staff being in attendance to respond to questions during a question and answer period to be held after a VIAA presentation.

Ms. Murray then spoke about the increase in the number of aircraft at the Airport; the inability of the airport to establish ‘no fly’ zones because of the complexity of air traffic management; and the staffing of the 24 hour Noise Information Line.  During Ms. Murray’s presentation, questions were raised about whether the City’s views had been made known to the Noise Management Committee, and whether the City had received reports or feedback from its representatives on the Committee.

Questions were raised about whether the flight paths for small aircraft had changed as it was pointed out that these aircraft no longer approached the airport from the west side of Sturgeon Banks and the West Dyke, but instead used No. 3 Road and No. 6 Road to make their approaches.  Also addressed was:

·            

the issue of revving jet engines;

·            

the need for action to address the City’s concerns;

·            

the action being taken by the VIAA to address complaints received from the public on the 24 hour hot line;

·            

the proposed format of the upcoming public meeting, and the need to improve communication. 

(Cllr. Barnes left the meeting at 5:50 p.m., and returned at 5:53 p.m., during the above discussion.)

The request was made during the discussion that the City be provided with the airport regulations relating to, and information on, the current flight paths for small aircraft and helicopters.

Mr. Doug Louth addressed Committee on the need for a City airport committee.  A copy of his submission is attached as Schedule A and forms part of these minutes.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That, (as per Option 1 in the report dated April 7^th, 2006 from the Manager, Policy Planning, entitled: Update: Aircraft Noise and Airport Planning Management), as the Vancouver International Airport Authority [VIAA] has agreed to hold a public meeting soon in 2006, to enable aircraft noise and airport planning issues to be discussed, the City not establish a City Airport Committee and await the VIAA to brief them on the findings of the public meeting.

(2)

That staff speak to the City’s YVR Noise Management Committee members regarding their role in communicating issues relating to airport noise complaints, and seek an up-to-date status report.

(3)

That the VIAA be asked to report to Council as soon as possible regarding flight paths over the City and the related regulations.

(4)

That these matters be reviewed in six months.

(5)

That City Council recommend to the YVR that the public be allowed to attend the Airport Noise Management Committee meetings.

CARRIED

OPPOSED:  Cllr. McNulty

Steves

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:16 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 Tuesday, April 18^th, 2006

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

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