It was moved and seconded

That the manpower and funding announcement for provincial government initiative regarding gang violence be added as Item 4.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, February 2, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

City of Richmond Comments: Proposed 2009 – 2013 YVR Noise Management Plan

(Report:  February 9, 2009, File No.: 01-0153-04-01/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2570520, 2568137)

Discussion ensued regarding the 2009-2013 YVR Noise Management Plan Initiatives and Committee directed that staff’s comments to YVR reflect the following revisions: (i) there is a need to include helicopters when addressing the issue of developing education and awareness material explaining over-flight routes; and (ii) when assessing engineering noise control measures for engine run-ups, both jet and propeller engines should be considered.

In reply to a query from Committee, Terry Crowe, Manager, Policy Planning advised that it is unknown whether the proposed new facility for run-ups would be fully open or enclosed.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the City’s comments on the proposed YVR 2009 – 2013 Noise Management Plan (Attachment 2 in the report dated February 9, 2009, from the General Manager, Planning and Development) be endorsed; and

(2)

the endorsed comments be sent to YVR, the YVR Noise Management Committee, the YVR Environmental Advisory Committee, the City’s Airport Noise Citizens Advisory Task Force, the City’s Advisory Committee on the Environment (ACE), the Mayors of Surrey, Delta and White Rock, the Metro Vancouver Board and municipalities, Richmond Provincial MLAs and Federal MPs, and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

CARRIED

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

Bylaws for 2% Hotel Tax Renewal and Amendment to Change Use of Funds

(Report:  February 13, 2009, File No.:  12-8060-20-8473 Xr: 8060-20-8470/8471) (REDMS No. 2569908v4, 2570736, 2569898, 2569891)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That:

(a)

Additional Hotel Room Tax Levy Bylaw No. 6817 Amendment Bylaw No. 8473 (Attachment 1);

(b)

Additional Hotel Room Tax Imposition Bylaw No. 7810 Amendment Bylaw 8470 (Attachment 2); and

(c)

Additional Hotel Room Tax Imposition Bylaw 8471 (Attachment 3),

all be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding the language of the amendment bylaws.  In reply to a query, Neonila Lilova, Manager, Economic Development, advised that the language was deliberately broad, in order to allow the funds collected from the two percent tax levy to be utilized for a broad range of initiatives, which would include Olympic initiatives.

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

3.

Rokapa Management Ltd., doing business as Well Pub 6511 Buswell Street Re-location of Liquor Primary Licence

(Report:  February 4, 2009, File No.: 12-8275-30-032) (REDMS No. 2549342, 2514674, 2571476)

In reply to queries from Committee, Amarjeet S. Rattan, Chief Licence Inspector, advised the following:

§         

just prior to the meeting, staff heard that Rokapa Management Ltd. (the Applicant) wished to amend their application to reflect 25 seats, and operating hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.;

§         

the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) is unaware of the Applicant’s proposed change in operating hours; and

§         

the Applicant will not lose a chance to relocate Liquor Primary and Liquor Retail Store licences, since both licences were once activated;  however, the Applicant must continuously demonstrate interest in maintaining those licences if the LCLB is to consider them active.

Ronnie Patterson, Rokapa Management Ltd. shareholder, emphasized that with a revised application to reflect 25 seats, and operating hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the subject of many previous complaints would be addressed.  He also spoke of measures taken to address the complainants’ concerns.

Glenn Jensen, owner of Legends Pub & Sports Bar, stated that the purpose of the application to relocate the Liquor Primary Licence (LPL) is to open and operate a Liquor Retail Store and under LCLB regulation, it is required to have an operating LPL.  In reply to concerns raised regarding the list of RCMP incidents, Mr. Jensen advised that his business maintains a good record and his staff meet regularly to discuss these incidents.  Mr. Jensen also mentioned that when a large crowd is anticipated, a doorman is hired.

Discussion ensued regarding the current number of seats at Legends Pub and how the public would be consulted regarding the change in the number of seats and operating hours.

In reply to a query, Mr. Rattan explained that if the Applicant sought a new application reflecting the most recent proposed revisions, a new public consultation should be conducted.  The public consultation would consist of (i) posting a sign outside the property explaining details of the application, (ii) publishing ads in local papers, (iii) sending letters to businesses and residents within a 100 metre radius with 30 days to remit comments to the City.  It was also noted that this process could take between 45 to 60 days to complete.

Mr. Rattan also spoke of the prospect of the LCLB granting the Applicant an extension.  As a result of the discussions, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That based on a revised pub application with 25 seats and operating hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week, staff be directed to ask the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch for a 90 day extension to review a revised application, and to conduct further public consultation as if this were a new application.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllrs. B. McNulty

H. Steves

4.

MANPOWER AND FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE regarding GANG VIOLENCE

It was moved and seconded

That the announcement by the Premier on February 13, 2009 of 168 new police officers and ten new Crown Prosecutors be referred to staff to report back to the Community Safety Committee.

Prior to the question being called, direction was given to staff to provide the details of what has been announced, and in particular, where the 131 police officers, to be deployed immediately, would be placed, and the source of  those police officers.

In addition, staff were also directed to investigate whether the $69 million cost of the new officers over the next three years implies that these are new officer positions.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:03 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 16, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk