MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, May 4, 2009 and the Special General Purposes Committee meeting held on Monday, May 11, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

Richmond Sister City Committee Invitation to Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2615230)

Richard Toda, Manager, Customer Service, highlighted that additional sponsorships have been received and that there has been an increase in value-in-kind  sponsorship from the Great Canadian Casino.  Mr. Toda distributed an updated Summary of Sponsorships (on file, City Clerk’s Office) and noted that the Steveston Rotary Club and the Richmond Summer Night Market each donated $1000.

In reply to a query from Committee, Sylvia Gwozd, Chair of the Sister City Committee, advised that the sponsors wish to be recognized as partners in organizing this event.

Mr. Toda commented on ticket prices and noted that any net proceeds would be allocated to the Sister City Sponsorship Fund.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That authorization be given to the Richmond Sister City Committee, on behalf of the City of Richmond, to invite the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra to perform in Richmond between October 3-6, 2009; and

(2)

That the General Manager, Corporate Services, or his designate, be authorized to execute any necessary agreements or documentation in relation to the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra performance.

CARRIED

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

Revisions to Development Cost Charges Bylaw No. 8024, Amendment Bylaw No. 8396

(File Ref. No.:  03-0900-01/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2586634, 2602083)

Jerry Chong, Director, Finance, advised that the proposed amendment bylaw is proactive and takes into consideration the current economic climate.

In reply to queries from Committee, Holger Burke, Development Coordinator, indicated that engineering costs funded through Development Cost Charges (DCCs) have also been revised to reflect the proposed bylaw amendment.  Mr. Burke also advised that the Urban Development Institute, the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association, and smaller builders were consulted in 2008, when the original proposed bylaw amendment to increase DCCs was drafted.

Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, noted that particular costs could potentially be further reduced taking into account redundancies, such as replacing older infrastructure with larger infrastructure that would accommodate anticipated future growth.

In reply to a query, Mr. Burke stated that a comparison of other lower mainland municipalities’ DCCs was conducted in 2008, and Richmond is comparable.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That third reading of Development Cost Charges Bylaw No. 8024, Amendment Bylaw No. 8396, given on July 28, 2008, be rescinded;

(2)

That clause 6 of Amendment Bylaw No. 8396 be replaced as indicated in the draft bylaw attached to this staff report in order to better clarify the implementation date proposed with respect to the new Development Cost Charges; 

(3)

That Schedules B, C, D and E of Amendment Bylaw No. 8396 be revised to reflect the lower Development Cost Charges recommended by City staff in light of changes in the economic conditions; and

(4)

That Development Cost Charges Bylaw No. 8024, Amendment Bylaw No. 8396 be given third reading, as amended on this day.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:21 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 Tuesday, May 19, 2009.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk