MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, October 5, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT RED PALMS MALAYSIAN PONDOK INC. UNITS 130 & 140 8291 WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY FOOD PRIMARY LIQUOR LICENCE AMENDMENT

(File Ref. No.:  12-8275-06/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2732774)

2.

RED PALMS MALAYSIAN PONDOK INC. UNITS 130 & 140 8291 WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY FOOD PRIMARY LIQUOR LICENCE AMENDMENT

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2723858)

Glenn McLaughlin, Chief Licence Inspector & Risk Manager, spoke of local government’s role with respect to liquor licence applications and amendments.

Soon Keong Chung, Owner of Red Palms Malaysian Pondok Inc., provided background information related to his business and stated his purpose for seeking extended hours for liquor service.  Mr. Chung spoke of actions he has taken as a responsible business owner and noted that his business has complied with Liquor Control and Licensing Act and Regulations.

In response to concerns from neighbours, Mr. Chung stated that feedback is individual and does not apply to all neighbours.  He noted that he has been operating the restaurant for approximately two years and complaints only arose once he officially applied for extended hours for liquor service. 

It was moved and seconded

That the supplemental report referring to a report dated September 17, 2009 submitted to General Purposes Committee in reference to the application by Red Palms Malaysian Pondock Inc. to extend the hours of liquor service, be received for information; and

That the application by Red Palms Malaysian Pondock Inc., to extend the hours of liquor service from 9:00 a.m. to Midnight, Monday to Sunday to 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday to Sunday, not be supported and that a letter be sent to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch advising that:

(1)

Council does not recommend the application based on the community responses received that the extension of hours of liquor service would have a negative impact on the community;

(2)

Council’s comments on the prescribed considerations are as follows:

(a)

There is a potential for additional noise and traffic in the area if the application is approved;

(b)

There is a potential that the application could pose a negative impact on the community, based on the comments received from residents living in the area;

(c)

That the proposed location is in close proximity to residential districts that may be impacted by the application;

(d)

That there is a public park within a 500 metre radius of the proposed location that could be impacted by the application;

(e)

That the 2008 population figure of 42,600 for the City Centre area with a projected growth to 90,000 by 2031 was considered;

(3)

Council comments on the views of residents and businesses are as follows:

(a)

As per City Policy, residents, property owners and businesses within a 100 metre radius of the subject property were contacted by letter detailing the application and were provided with instruction on how comments or concerns could be submitted;

(b)

In addition, signage was posted at the subject property and three public notices were published in a local newspaper.  This signage and notice provided information on the application and instruction on how community comments or concerns could be submitted;

(c)

That sixty-nine responses were received from residents who live within the 100 metre consultation area and one response was received from the general community.  All responses expressed concerns about the application; and

(d)

Based on the responses received, Council does not support the application.

The question on the motion was not called as Committee spoke of reasons for not supporting Red Palms Malaysian Pondok Inc.’s application to extend the hours of liquor service.  It was noted that 69 responses in opposition were received from residents who live within the 100 metre consultation area.  Also a suggestion was made that the applicant might consider in future seeking extended hours of liquor service on weekends only.

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

3.

BUSINESS REGULATION BYLAW 7538, AMENDMENT BYLAW 8546

(File Ref. No.:  12-8275-06/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2730719, 2730795)

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Councillor Dang declared himself to be in a potential conflict of interest in matters related to Item 3, and left the meeting (4:22 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw 8546, which amends Schedule A of the Business Regulation Bylaw 7538, to include 4351 No. 3 Rd – Unit 110 among the sites which permit an amusement centre to operate with more than 4 amusement machines, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

Councillor Dang returned to the meeting (4:23 p.m.).

4.

BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW 7360, AMENDMENT BYLAW 8551

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2733813, 2736372)

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw 8551, which amends Business Licence Bylaw 7360 by increasing the maximum number of vehicles for hire permitted to be operated as Class A Taxicabs to be 95 and Class N Taxicabs to be 36, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

The question on the motion was not called as in reply to queries from Committee, Mr. McLaughlin advised that the maximum number of vehicles for hire can be revisited after a marketplace analysis and that staff are unaware of any impacts on the demand for taxis since the opening of the Canada Line.

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

5.

Social Financial Hardship Assistance Fund

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 2732117)

In reply to queries from Committee, Jerry Chong, Director, Finance, advised the following:

§          

prior to Council providing assistance to a person or organization, it must  give notice to the public of its intent through a publication in a local newspaper for a two week period;

§          

staff suggest groups and organizations not applying for a City grant to complete a City grant application prior to applying for assistance under the proposed assistance fund;

§          

the six month repayment period begins once the funds are allocated to a group or organization; and

§          

interest accrued over six months on the maximum loan would be considerably low.

It was moved and seconded

That $500,000 be allocated to the City’s Social Financial Hardship Assistance Fund for a period not to exceed 3 years with a maximum annual allocation of $250,000 in 2010, $150,000 in 2011 and the remaining $100,000 in 2012.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place regarding charging interest.  As a result of the discussion, the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the following be added to the main motion: “and that interest not be charged upon timely repayment of an amount owing by an organization.”

The question on the amendment motion was not called as it was clarified that should a recipient of a loan not repay the loan within the allotted six-month repayment period, interest would be incurred from the date the loan was dispersed.

The question on the amendment motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Councillor Barnes opposed.

The question on the main motion as amended, to read as follows:

That $500,000 be allocated to the City’s Social Financial Hardship Assistance Fund for a period not to exceed 3 years with a maximum annual allocation of $250,000 in 2010, $150,000 in 2011 and the remaining $100,000 in 2012 and that interest not be charged upon timely repayment of an amount owing by an organization.

was then called and it was CARRIED.

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARMENT

6.

Additional Art Works for City of Richmond Public Art Program Participation in the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, 2009-2011

(File Ref. No.:  11-7000-09-20-099/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2732062)

In reply to queries from Committee, Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, advised that:

§          

if approved, the proposed pieces of art would be on exhibition up to June 2011;

§          

there will be standard interpretive material accompanying each proposed piece of art, and information will also be available on the City and Biennale websites;

§          

the proposed pieces of art are made of steel, thus are very strong;  in addition, each piece will be insured and have a maintenance program; and

§          

the proposed $50,000 budget covers Richmond’s costs.

It was moved and seconded

That an allocation of $50,000 from the 2009 Public Art Project for the site preparation, lighting, insurance, installation and de-installation of two additional artworks as part of the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale in Richmond, Water #10, Vertical by artist Jun Ren (China) at Cambie Plaza on the Middle Arm Waterfront Greenway and Wave Sphere by Yvonne Domenge (Mexico) at Garry Point Park, as outlined in the staff report dated  October 8, 2009, from the Director, Arts and Cultural Services, be endorsed.

CARRIED

RICHMOND OLYMPIC BUSINESS OFFICE

7.

Ticket Allocation for 2010 Olympic Games

(File Ref. No.:  11-7400-30-01/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2704939, 2673996)

In response to a query from Committee, Gary Young, Director, Legacy and Integration, stated that transportation requirements effected the allocation of tickets to particular groups.   He noted that it is intended that all the tickets be utilized.  Mr. Young also commented that VANOC has not revealed its security plans related to tickets, however groups receiving tickets from the City will be advised that the tickets are not for resale.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

staff be directed to administer the allocation of tickets based on the Ticket Allocation Program as follows: Support for Community Service Organizations, Persons Suffering Financial Hardship, O Zone Celebrations, and Hosting and Protocol as identified in the report dated September 16, 2009 from the Director, Legacy and Integration, Richmond Olympic Business Office;

(2)

the Director Legacy and Integration be authorized to enter into contracts to extend the school based 2010 Games Tickets program to 10 independent schools for a total value of up to $19,060 for all school allocations;

(3)

the Director Legacy and Integration be authorized to enter into contracts to sell 2010 Games tickets for a value of up to $ 5,990 with Richmond Community groups for the purposes of volunteer recognition, fund raising, or membership development; and

(4)

where possible and practical any tickets not being utilized for the designated purposes be sold in keeping with the other categories and purposes described in this ticket allocation program.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:59 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, October 19, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Acting Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office