Date:

Monday, December 6, 2010

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, November 15, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

1.

VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY – ANNUAL UPDATE

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, Larry Berg, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA), Anne Murray, Vice President, Community & Environmental Affairs, VAA, and Peter Dhillon, City’s representative to the Airport Authority Board, provided an annual update, and the following was highlighted:

§         

the passenger traffic growth rate is anticipated to increase by approximately 3.5%;

§         

2010 realized a decrease in passenger traffic, as well as take-offs and landings in comparison to the figures from 2008;

§         

the Airport Authorities Capital Plan was for 2004-2010.  A new Capital Plan to address the next five years is being developed;

§         

in accordance with a new Canada Transport safety initiative, the runway ends at all airports will be required to add 1,000 feet to each runway.  This initiative will also be included in the next Capital Plan, and is anticipated to take approximately two years to complete; 

§         

the Vancouver Airport Authority will work in collaboration with City staff regarding future commercial development in the North Lands, Templeton Station, and Russ Baker Lands;

§         

Vancouver International Airport is being promoted as this region’s gateway from Asia Pacific;

§         

A new long-haul international flight generates: (i) over 100 person-years of employment; (ii) $8.9 million in wages; and (iii) $15 million to BC’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP);

§         

Approximately 5,500 airport employees live in Richmond, making up approximately 6% of the City’s employed labour force;

§         

the Gateway Initiative Program takes into consideration: (i) the Airport Authority 5-year incentive program; (ii) elimination of provincial international fuel tax; (iii) expectations to have eight to ten new international daily flights, with the potential for up to 1,000 new jobs;

§         

the main concerns identified by the YVR Noise Management Citizens Task Force are included in the Airport Noise Management Plan.  One of the initiatives is to construct an Engine Run-Up Enclosure, which is anticipated to reduce the noise level by 50%;

§         

new preferred routings have been developed for float planes that land and take off in the middle arm; and

§         

the Animal and Bird Control Program includes: (i) monitoring habitat and species; (ii) implementing effective techniques to detour the birds; and (iii) communicating with City staff regarding effective techniques for addressing issues with snow geese and other species.

During the presentation, an invitation was extended to all members of City Council to take a tour of the Vancouver International Airport facilities.  The City was also requested to support the promotion of the Taiwanese carriers in the same manner it had shown support for the change to Canada’s air policy.  It was noted that the City would receive a letter from the VAA requesting its support on the matter.

It was moved and seconded

That the oral report provided by the VAA be received for information. 

CARRIED

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & FACILITY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

2.

Richmond Olympic Oval Conversion to Community Legacy Mode – Adjustment of Priorities

(File Ref. No.:  06-2052-50-01) (REDMS No. 3066536)

In answer to questions from the Committee, John Mills, General Manager, Richmond Olympic Oval, provided the following information regarding the 2010 Capital Requests:

§         

the proposed climbing wall has generated a high level of interest.  The proposed climbing wall would provide a viable business as well as a safe, non-traditional exercise option. 

§         

display of “The Richmond Olympic Story” was proposed in response to feedback that people view the Oval as a place in the lower mainland to reconnect to the 2010 Olympics.  It would consist of a wall space where Olympic memorabilia, artefacts, and pictures would be displayed;

§         

priority # 2 in the 2010 Capital Requests is for a specialized play space for children ages two to six.  The project is being further studied before a recommendation is forwarded to Council regarding the purchase of equipment and final allocation of space;

§         

the number of memberships held by seniors has been continually growing;

§         

the pricing for the use of the facility takes into consideration the one dollar an hour fee for parking;

§         

activities at the Oval such as minor sports, including hockey and skating do not require a membership.  Parents and grandparents of children involved in such sports may watch at no charge;

§         

the Oval is the only facility in Richmond that receives an equal contribution from other sources as it does from the City;

§         

the Oval offers different activities than the community centres and other facilities in Richmond.  Staff have strived to ensure that the Oval does not become a duplicate of other facilities in Richmond, as doing so would result in a loss of revenue at the community centres; and

§         

staff have worked closely with groups such as Richmond City Baseball and the Richmond Sports Council to determine the unfulfilled needs for sports in Richmond.

During the discussion, staff were requested to provide the following: 

§         

a copy of the original staff report highlighting the business cases for the various Legacy mode priorities;

§         

a revised business case for the climbing wall;

§         

the previous memo on the comparative figures on subsidization per square foot of the Oval versus other facilities; and

§         

a memo providing more information related to the “Richmond Olympic Story” display.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

That the adjustment of project priorities and funding as outlined in the staff report titled “Richmond Olympic Oval Conversion to Community Legacy Mode – Adjustment of Priorities” dated November 25, 2010 by the Director, Project Development be approved.

The question on the motion was not called, as in answer to queries from Committee, the following information was provided:

§         

the Oval currently has 2,600 members, the target was to have 1,500 members by this time;

§         

83% of the members are Richmond residents;

§         

the Oval realized 14,000 individual visits during the month of November 2010; and

§         

the average is five visits per month per member.

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

CORPORATE  SERVICES  DEPARTMENT

3.

Comments to UBCM on the Implementation of Expense Limits and Other Recommendations of the Local Government Elections Task Force

(File Ref. No.:  12-8125-01-) (REDMS No. 3070462)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That UBCM be advised that Richmond City Council:

(a)

supports the key elements and general approach to the establishment of expense limits as described in the BC government paper titled “Implementing Recommendations of the Local Government Elections Task Force: Expense Limits 2011;”

(b)

supports the general concept of a ban on anonymous election campaign contributions as described in the BC government paper titled “Implementing Recommendations of the Local Government Elections Task Force: Anonymous Contributions 2011,” but is concerned that the implementation of a ban could more acutely impact those who mount modest fundraising campaigns, particularly in smaller communities;

(c)

supports generally an enhanced  approach to transparency with regard to disclosure laws and supports specifically an amendment to the legislation that requires the disclosure of campaign contributor's names such that the requirement to disclose would be triggered with a $50 donation as opposed to the current rule where the requirement is triggered only for donations of $100 or more;

(d)

supports the enhancements to transparency for election advertising as described in the BC government paper titled “Implementing Recommendations of the Local Government Elections Task Force: Election Advertising Sponsorship Information 2011;” and

(2)

That a letter be sent to the Provincial Government with a copy to UBCM, reiterating Richmond City Council’s previous position and support for a change to a four year term of office for local government elected officials.

The question on the motion was not called, as staff advised in response to a question that election contributions may only be received anonymously up to $50.  For contributions of $100 and above the disclosure requires that the sources must be individually identified.  For contributions under $100, only the total sum in aggregate and the number of contributors needs to be disclosed.

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

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

4.

The Global City Covenant on Climate -"Mexico City Pact"

(File Ref. No.:  01-0005-01) (REDMS No. 3076413)

It was moved and seconded

That Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Global City Covenant on Climate (Mexico City Pact) on behalf of the City.

The question on the motion was not called, as staff advised that climate data would be shared and made readily available amongst participating cities via the “Carbonn Cities Climate Registry”, a proposed standardized reporting system which records emission targets and results. 

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:34 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 6, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office