MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, November 5^th, 2007, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

Koho Restaurant Inc., doing business as Koho Restaurant Bar, 3880 Grant McConachie Way Vancouver International Airport

(Report:  Nov. 1/07, File No.:   12-8275-30-01) (REDMS No. 2297008, 2288914)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application made to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch to amend the liquor licence for Koho Restaurant Bar, operating from the pre-security area of the Vancouver International Airport, not be supported, and

(2)

That a Letter of Resolution be forwarded to the Manager of the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch indicating that support is not given (for the reasons outlined in the staff report dated November 1^st, 2007, from the Manager, Business Liaison.)

The question on the motion was not called, as the Manager, Business Liaison, Amarjeet Rattan, advised that he had no explanation as to why the representatives of the Koho Restaurant Bar had not complied with the City’s requirements.

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

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

RICHMOND SPIRIT OF BC UPDATE

(Report:  Nov. 6/07, File No.:  01-0100-20-SRTC1-01) (REDMS No. 2300844)

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated November 8^th, 2007, from the Director, Recreation & Cultural Services), regarding a Richmond Spirit of BC Committee Update, be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called, as in response to questions, advice was given by the Director, Recreation & Cultural Services, that the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee (RSOBC) did not disperse funds.

Discussion then took place among Committee members and staff on:

§            

the activities of the RSOBC which it was felt surpassed the efforts of similar committees in other British Columbia communities

§            

the request of the RSOBC for additional funding in the amount of $25,000

§            

whether the RSOBC would be undertaking any type of volunteer development program; the use of volunteers to assist with the work of the RSOBC and possibly in the future to help with the broader 2010 activities; whether there was a common volunteer data base being established through Volunteer Richmond; the volunteer program currently being developed by VANOC

§            

the extent of activities being planned in other parts of British Columbia by Spirit of BC committees

§            

whether, because of the many activities being planned by the RSOBC and the grant application being made for funding of specific activities, that as 2010 grew closer, the Provincial Government could choose to do more with those committees which had not been as active

§            

the proposed “Think Asia” seminar and how this project would connect with the upcoming 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

During the discussion, Committee members expressed their appreciation to the members of the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee for their hard work.

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

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

4.

COUNTDOWN TO 2010 – 2 YEARS TO THE GAMES AND RICHMOND WINTER FESTIVAL

(Report:  Nov. 5/07, File No.:  11-7400-20-RWFE1/2007-Vol 01; 7400-20-OCCE1) (REDMS No. 2289518)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Countdown to 2010 – 2 years to the Games and Richmond Winter Festival proposed for February 8th and 9th, 2008, be supported;

(2)

That a staggered closing of Granville Avenue from February 8th to February 10th be approved to accommodate the set up, take down and event activities for Winter Festival 2008.

(3)

That maximum funding of $70,000 be approved from the Council Provision account until the submission for one-time additional level of funding for this event is considered in the 2008 Budget process.

The question on the motion was not called, as discussion ensued among Committee members, the Director – Richmond Olympic Business Office, Gary Young, and the Manager, Community Relations and Protocol, Denise Tambellini, on the events being planned for February 8^th and 9^th, 2008. 

In response to questions, advice was given that a number of groups were wanting to participate in the two-day event, including sports, community, culture, arts, etc., and that more was being planned for the physically challenged.  Further advice was given that the City would be showcasing the best that Richmond had to offer on a wider basis than had been done for the 2007 event. 

Also addressed during the discussion were such matters as:

§            

the intention to have the Winterfest event to be self-sufficient by 2011, and the role of the City once the Richmond Community Foundation had taken over responsibility for this event

§            

the activities, if any, which were being planned by Vancouver and Whistler to mark the two year countdown to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games

§            

how marketing of the events would proceed, and the role of the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee, if any, with respect to these events

§            

whether a contingency plan would be in place in the event that the weather for February 8^th and 9^th was less than desirable

§            

the timing of the City Centre Community Association’s ‘Le Carnival’ event in relation to the City event

§            

the possible relocation of the event from the City Hall area to the Richmond Oval plaza, and the need to be sensitive to the dyke and other environmental issues which could arise if the Winterfest events were relocated to the Oval plaza

§            

whether staff had ensured that all of the City’s advisory committees were represented.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:37 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, November 19^th, 2007.

_________________________________

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

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