Date:

Monday, April 18, 2011

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Derek Dang (arrived 4:03 p.m.)

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Harold Steves

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, April 4, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

Ralph May, founding member of the Richmond Community Foundation, provided background information and highlighted that since its founding in 1990, the Richmond Community Foundation (RCF) has established 34 endowment funds, giving charitable grants totalling over $700,000 to more than 90 groups.  Mr. May thanked Richmond City Council for their support throughout the years.

Councillor Dang entered the meeting (4:03 p.m.).

Rick Henderson, founding member of the RCF, advised that the concept of a City of Richmond Community Legacy Fund is proposed to serve as a permanent legacy to provide long-term sustainability for the many programs and projects offering valued services to the citizens of Richmond. 

Lorraine Palmer, RCF Board member, commented that Richmond has a long-standing tradition of supporting projects, programs and services that provide a superior quality of life for its residents.  She noted that over the years, the RCF has grown and now manages and invests an asset base of $3 million in permanent endowments for the benefit of Richmond residents.

Also, she reviewed financial materials related to the RCF endowment funds (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) and commented that the RCF can realize a higher rate of return on its investments than the City, since the RCF is not bound by the type of restrictions placed on local governments.

Ms. Palmer concluded by requesting that Council endorse the following motion:

The City of Richmond agree to establish a 2010 Legacy Endowment Fund with the Richmond Community Foundation, subject to final details and agreements to be completed by City staff and the Richmond Community Foundation.

Discussion ensued and in reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Palmer advised that the RCF has policies in place related to how funds are invested, and if the concept were endorsed, Council could make a one-time significant contribution or phased contributions over a number of years,

As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Community Foundation’s proposal to establish a 2010 Richmond Community Legacy Fund be referred to staff for more information.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion ensued and Committee provided direction on the motion by asking for clarification in the following areas:

1.        

what are the limits/restrictions for the City versus the Richmond Community Foundation;

2.        

would the City have an oversight roles;

3.        

where the money would be invested;

4.        

what Richmond’s loss of opportunity would be for $10 million;

5.        

whether there is any legislative limit on the City’s ability to recoup the initial investment;

6.        

how would the proposed endowment fund work with the City’s current grant programs; and

7.        

whether the administration fee is reasonable.

It was noted that both the City of Prince George and City of Kamloops have established agreements similar to the one proposed by the RCF and that information related to these agreements and programs would be very helpful.

Committee also indicated that a list of organizations receiving funding from the RCF would be useful information.

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

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

0810380 BC Ltd., doing business as Richmond Red Star Seafood Restaurant Unit 2200 - 8181 Cambie Road

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 3186903)

It was moved and seconded

That the application by 0810380 BC Ltd., doing business as Richmond Red Star Seafood Restaurant, for an amendment to add patron participation under Food Primary Liquor License No. 218630, in order to offer entertainment in the form of karaoke and dancing, be supported and that a letter be sent to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch advising that:

(1)

Council supports the application as the issuance will not pose a significant impact on the community;

(2)

Council comments on the prescribed considerations are as follows:

(a)

The potential for additional noise in the area if the application is approved was considered and determined that there will be little or no impact of additional noise;

(b)

The impact on the community if the application is approved was considered and based on no responses being received from the public notices, the licence approval would have little impact;

(c)

The amendment to permit patron participation under the Food Primary Licence should not change the establishment so that it is operated in a manner that is contrary to its primary purpose as there has been no history of non-compliance with this operation;

(3)

As the operation of the establishment as a licensed establishment might affect residents, the City gathered the views of the community as follows:

(a)

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

(b)

Property owners and businesses within a 50 metre radius of the subject property were contacted by letter detailing the application and provided instructions on how community concerns could be submitted; and

(4)

Council’s comments and recommendations respecting the views of the residents are as follows:

(a)

That based on the lack of response received from all public notifications, Council considers that the amendment is acceptable to the community.

CARRIED

2.

2011 Annual Property Tax Rates Bylaw No. 8744

(File Ref. No.:  12-8060-20-8744) (REDMS No. 3182573)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the recommended adjustment to redistribute Richmond’s property taxes by class be approved and incorporated in setting the 2011 property tax rates; and

(2)

That Annual Property Tax Rates Bylaw No. 8744 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

The question on the motion was not called as Committee sought clarification regarding the proposed recommended adjustment.

Ivy Wong, Manager, Revenue, advised that annual tax rates are adjusted to ensure that the City collects the same amount of taxes as the previous year from each assessment class, before growth.  Growth is added to the tax base after the prior year’s tax rates have been adjusted.  When there are significant increases in assessed value in a particular class, the tax rate for that class must be  adjusted downwards to compensate.

In reply to a query from Committee, Andrew Nazareth, General Manager, Business and Financial Services, noted that staff have been working on solutions with the Provincial government related to assessments and property taxes in the Brighouse area.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:35 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, April 18, 2011.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk