Date:

Monday, December 15, 2008

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Derek Dang

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

Provincial Announcement to Help Homeowners and the Impact to the City of Richmond and Taxpayers

(Report:  November 28, 2008, File No.: 03-0925-09-01, XR: 09-0925-05-01  ) (REDMS No. 2534256)

The Chair suggested writing a letter to the Premier, and the Ministers responsible for Finance, and Small Business, as well as the Richmond Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) about the Province’s announcement. 

A discussion took place among Committee members, and the Manager of Revenue, Ivy Wong, about the following:

§      

increases expected in mill rates as a result of the assessments announcement, and the public’s perception related to the increases;

§      

determination of the 2009 property tax rates - based on rates from either July 2007 or July 2008, whichever would be lower;

§      

the assessment’s general impact on small business in Richmond, particularly in the downtown core;

§      

the suggestion of sending an explanation about the assessment to property tax payers with their tax notices; 

§      

the option available to property tax payers to defer payment of taxes, and the associated impact on the City – it was noted that the Province would carry the burden of debt; and

§      

other negative issues created by the assessment situation.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report, dated November 28, 2008, from the Director of Finance, regarding the Province’s announcement to help homeowners and the impact to the City of Richmond be received for information.

(2)

That a letter be sent to the (i) Premier, (ii) the Minister of Small Business and Revenue, (iii) the Minister of Finance, (iv) the Chair of the BC Assessment Authority, and (v) the Richmond Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), regarding the issues resulting from the assessment situation.

(3)

That the City include an explanation about the matter with this year’s tax notices.

Prior to adjournment of the meeting, discussion ensued amongst staff and Committee members regarding the following matters:

1.

Parking tickets along river road during oval opening ceremonies

Reference was made to an email submission received from an individual who had received a parking violation ticket while attending the Olympic Oval opening event.  It was noted that others who had parked in the area had also received tickets, and discussion took place about an accident that had forced some event-goers to abandon their vehicles.  As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate and report back regarding the issue of event parking at the Oval site and traffic management. 

CARRIED

2.

infrastructure projects in richmond

It was reported that the Federal Caucus had requested that the City provide a list identifying its highest priority infrastructure projects.  The General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, Robert Gonzalez, advised that he would circulate to members of City Council, his response to the Caucus.

3.

extreme weather plan

A brief discussion took place about the City’s extreme weather plan, and whether it had been activated.  It was noted that it had been and the number of shelters in the City had decreased from four to two.  It was mentioned that St. Albans Church was a part of the City’s weather plan, and had been offering shelter to the homeless. 

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:35 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, December 15, 2008.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office