MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, January 7^th, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

LAW & COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

2.

PURCHASE OF RESCUE / PUMPER TRUCK

(Report:  Jan. 21/08, File No.:  03-1000-20-T.3106) (REDMS No. 2246644)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the tender for a Rescue/Pumper Truck at the cost of $695,000 plus applicable taxes be awarded to Super Vacuum Manufacturing Company, Inc.; and

(2)

That the General Manager of Law and Community Safety be authorized to execute the contract.

The question on the motion was not called, as in response to questions, the following information was provided by Deputy Fire Chief Geoff Lake:

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a new ladder truck (including all equipment) would be included in the 2009 capital budget requests process

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one bid was received from Super Vacuum Manufacturing Company (SVI) and staff contacted various other fire departments to undertake a price comparison; it was determined that the tender received from SVI reflected a market value price

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the new rescue/pumper truck would contain defibrillator equipment

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the new rescue/pumper truck would provide the department with a more versatile vehicle because as part of its equipment, the vehicle would contain a mobile computer system to allow access to the new CAD mapping system, which would result in shorter response times.

During the discussion concern was expressed about the possibility that the new equipment could be responding to a call as a pumper truck, and another call might come in which required the rescue truck and which would be unavailable because that vehicle was already in use at another call.  In response, information was provided that initially the vehicle would be sent out as a rescue truck with only two fire personnel assigned to that vehicle.  Further advice was given that a pumper truck required four members required, and in the event that such equipment was required to respond to a call, instead of calling in a full complement, only two additional fire personnel would be required to man the equipment.  Clarification was provided that the first priority for the new vehicle would always be as a rescue truck.

Also addressed during the discussion was the future need to have the new vehicle act as a second engine company as the volume of calls increased within the City.

Further information was also provided during the discussion that upon delivery of the new rescue/pumper truck, the existing rescue truck would be given secondary line status and the current secondary status vehicle would be decommissioned.

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

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

RICHMOND FILM OFFICE UPDATE

(Report:  Dec. 17/07, File No.:  08-4150-09-01) (REDMS No. 2327360)

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated December 17^th, 2007, from the General Manager, Business & Financial Services), regarding the Richmond Film Office Update, be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called, as Acting Film Coordinator Mark Mansfield and Economic Development Manager Iain Johnstone came forward to respond to questions.  In answer to questions, the following information was provided:

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because of the increasing number of filming requests being received, the Richmond Film Office had made the decision to approach representatives of the film industry with respect to what Richmond could offer to that industry (as outlined in the 2008 marketing strategy)

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those businesses and suppliers which support the film industry were being encouraged to relocate to Richmond; Richmond Film Office staff were working with all businesses which supply the film industry at the present time, and with staff to create links to all businesses which would be impacted by the film industry

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staff had met with business owners to explain and to help them understand the economic viability of having the filming industry in the City

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staff were now meeting with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and other organizations on a regular basis about upcoming film productions as a means of diffusing any problems which may arise

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staff had contact with the Richmond School District when a film production was using a site for filming which abutted School District property to determine ownership with respect to fees, etc.

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the revenue generated during the short period of time since the establishment of the Richmond Film Office was quite substantial

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with reference to the suggestion made that staff consider the former BC Packers building as a potential film studio and post-production facility, information was provided that staff were currently examining all possibilities within the private sector with regard to the establishment of such a facility to allow the City to become competitive with other municipalities in the Lower Mainland

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the most important and key issue for every municipality for filming was to have a studio and post-production facility in place, as this was what film companies were searching for; with such a facility the City would have even more film activity occurring.

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

4.

SISTER CITY PROGRAM – FRIENDSHIP CITY IN CHINA

(Report:  Jan. 18, 2007, File No.:  01-0135-04-04) (REDMS No. 2326129)

It was moved and seconded

That an invitation to Xiamen, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China to enter into a formal, friendly, co-operative relationship with the City of Richmond, be approved.

The question on the motion was not called, as Economic Development Manager Iain Johnstone and Sylvia Gwozd, Chair of the Sister City Committee responded to questions on:

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the City’s intention to develop a relationship with Qingdao based on the upcoming Olympic games for both cities and how this information would be conveyed to Qingdao

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how the City of Xiamen was selected by the Sister City Committee

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how Xiamen compared to Richmond’s goals for the future with respect to sustainability and liveability (reference was made to an newspaper article which indicated that Xiamen had been named as the most liveable city in China, with Qingdao being named number four, and the Sister City Committee was asked to have the article translated and copies provided to members of Council).

During the discussion, comments were made that the Sister City Committee should be thanked for its hard work in following through with the selection of a friendship city in China. 

Also during the discussion, comments were made about the importance of Richmond having connections with cities which had similar interests.

In concluding the discussion on the matter, the Chair requested staff to prepare prior to the upcoming Council Meeting, a memorandum to Council which outlined the features of Xiamen and how this city compared to Richmond.

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

Discussion continued briefly, with the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, expressing thanks to the Sister City Committee for its hard work and dedication to this project.

Reference was made to the upcoming Winterfest (to be held February 8^th and 9^th, 2008) and questions were raised as to whether there would be any wheelchair curling demonstrations or other sports for the disabled highlighted at the event.  The General Manager, Planning & Development, Joe Erceg, indicated that he would provide an answer to Council on this matter. 

Further information was provided that the Richmond Curling Club was holding an event at their facility to encourage people to come out and curl, and that demonstrations would take place on both regular and wheelchair curling.  Mr. Erceg advised that he would also provide information to Committee on the Curling Club event.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:38 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, January 21^st, 2008.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

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