Date:

Monday, February 2, 2009

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

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 General Purposes Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, and the Special General Purposes Committee meeting held on Monday, January 26, 2009, each be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

The Chair of the General Purposes Committee called for delegations related to agenda items.

Sylvia Gwozd, Chair of the Richmond Sister City Committee, accompanied by Committee member, Walter Soo, addressed the General Purposes Committee regarding Item No. 3 - Richmond Sister City Committee Invitation To Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ms. Gwozd and Mr. Soo requested the Committee to defer its deliberation related to financial aspects of the proposed event until the Sister City Committee had considered and developed financial plans for funding requirements of approximately $50,000 for the provisions of food and lodging during the proposed event.  It was also noted that since the proposed event would not be taking place for another eight months, a commitment from the City regarding the event was not required immediately.

A brief discussion took place about the opportunities and positive aspects associated with hosting the proposed event, as well as the cultural aspect, and the affect on the existing relationship between the City of Richmond and its Sister City, Xiamen.  The Chair also noted that a revised report and staff recommendation had been distributed.

CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

2009 Council and Committee Meeting Schedule Revisions

(Report:  January 21, 2009, File No.:  01-0105-01/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2564820)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Regular Council Meetings (open and closed) of August 10, August 24, and December 29, 2009 be cancelled;

(2)

That the following Standing Committee meetings be cancelled:

(a)

General Purposes Committee meetings of August 4 and 17, 2009;

(b)

Planning Committee meetings of August 5 and 18, 2009;

(c)

Community Safety Committee meeting of August 11, 2009;

(d)

Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting of August 19, 2009;

(e)

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting of August 25, and December 30, 2009; and

(3)

That the August 17, 2009 Public Hearing be re-scheduled to Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Richmond City Hall.

CARRIED

3.

Richmond Sister City Committee Invitation to Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra

(Report:  January 22, 2009, File No.: 01-0100-20-SCIT1-01/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2564343, 2569695)

It was moved and seconded

That the matter of the Richmond Sister City Invitation to Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra be referred back to staff for further information on the financial and cultural aspect of the situation.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

4.

City Response: Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee (LMTAC) Request For Comments Regarding The Summary Of LMTAC Interests Regarding Common Table Negotiations

(Report:  January 21, 2009, File No.: 01-0157-20—LMTA1-01/2009-Vol 01 ) (REDMS No. 2563854)

It was moved and seconded

That, as per the report dated January 21, 2009 from the General Manager, Planning and Development, entitled: City Response: Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee (LMTAC) Request For Comments Regarding The Summary Of LMTAC Interests Regarding Common Table Negotiations, the Summary be endorsed and the LMTAC be so advised.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, a brief discussion took place about several aspects of the report.  It was noted that LMTAC considered matters related to First Nations very thoroughly and proactively.  

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

5.

STREET FURNITURE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – PROPOSED SCOPE AND PROCESS

(Report:  January 12, 2009, File No.:  10-6360-03-01/2008-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2516850)

In answer to questions, Victor Wei, Director of Transportation provided the following advice:

§    

the new contract for street furniture would be proposed for a 20-year term, and would allow for maximization of street furniture quality and potential revenue to the City.  It was noted that 20-year terms were industry standard;

§    

the 20-year term would include flexibility for changes as required by the City, including a review or request for new furniture designs after 10 years, as well as provisions for additional furniture to respond to future expansion;

§    

the existing street furniture would be replaced with high quality new furniture.  Also, the City would have a cleaner look if furniture was complimentary to particular areas;

§    

it was possible that the City may not have any bus shelters during the transition period of approximately three months between the expiration of the current street furniture contract and commencement of the new contract.  However, that would be a “worst case scenario” as it may be possible to negotiate an extension of the current bus shelter contract;

§    

details related to potential revenues for the City would not be known until after a review of the responses to the RFPs;

§    

the new street furniture would be accessible;

§    

consideration was being given to both paper and container recycling receptacles, which would be designed in a manner that would prevent people and animals such as racoons and crows from easily accessing the contents of the receptacles;

§    

advertising on street furniture would be generated by third parties.  The City would have the option of using the furniture for public messaging, however, such messaging would not be considered advertising;

§    

staff were planning to hold a public open house at City Hall to allow the public to view and provide feedback on potential street furniture; and

§    

according to the RFP, only one-third of all the benches in the City would display advertising, and the City would determine the placement of those benches. 

Mr. Wei indicated that he would request the City’s Law Department to investigate what regulation exists pertaining to offensive advertising, and whether the City had any control over the content of advertising. 

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

staff be directed to issue a Request for Proposals for the supply, installation and maintenance of a citywide co-ordinated suite of street furniture, as described in the report dated January 12, 2009, from the Director, Transportation; and

(2)

staff report back on the responses to the above Request for Proposals with a recommendation to award a contract in May 2009.

CARRIED

6.

Public Consultation Results: 4091 Chatham Street Heritage Building Relocation Options

(Report:  January 29, 2009, File No.: 08-4200-02/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2568119)

In answer to questions, the Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, provided the following advice:

§    

a structural analysis had not been undertaken on the 4091 Chatham Street heritage building, however, the interior and exterior of the building had been observed; 

§    

the majority of the responses to the public consultation were from residents of Steveston and Richmond;

§    

the rear portion of the building was part of the original building;

§    

the Nikkei Fisherman’s Group had expressed interest in using approximately half of the building for displaying cultural and historical artefacts, for which the Group would raise funds;

§    

the Nikkei Fisherman’s Group had not indicated that they would contribute funds towards restoration of the heritage building; and

§    

if the building was relocated to 3811 Moncton Street, a new foundation would be built, and until such time that funding was made available to restore the building, City staff would board and secure the building in as an attractive manner as possible, however as a safety precaution, the building would not be useable.

During the discussion, comments were made regarding the possibility of reviewing the City’s portion of the financial support in relocating and restoring the building, taking into consideration the current economic situation.  Also, staff were requested to investigate more precise uses for the building.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

as per the “Public Consultation Results: 4091 Chatham Street Heritage Building Relocation Options” report, dated January 29, 2009 from the General Manager, Planning and Development, the 4091 Chatham Street Heritage Building be relocated to 3811 Moncton Street behind the existing Steveston Museum.

(2)

staff provide comments on the use of the heritage building, including the costs. 

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:47 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 2, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office