Date:

Monday, May 16, 2011

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Derek Dang

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 4:04 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, April 18, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, joined by Tom Corsie, Vice President, Real Estate, Port Metro Vancouver, provided an update on Port Metro Vancouver’s activities. 

During his presentation, Mr. Silvester spoke about the Port’s jurisdiction, community engagement, community investment in Richmond, commitment to sustainability, and the Aboriginal Engagement Program. 

Mr. Silvester also highlighted several projects including the Highway 91/Nelson Road Interchange; the Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project; the Container Capacity Improvement Program; and the Milltown Marina. 

Upon the conclusion of the presentation, the Chair requested that Port Metro Vancouver provide updates to the City on a more regular basis. 

A discussion ensued about Port Metro Vancouver’s involvement in the Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project and specifically on:

§    

the Port’s jurisdictional role in the project as the Federal Regulatory body for the marine environment assessment.  Mr. Silvester advised that the Port would be regulating the safe handling of aviation fuel in the marine environment;

§    

the Port’s financial interest in the project.  It was noted that the Consortium for the Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project had requested the Port for a lease of land at a Port site by the river to accommodate a tank farm to supply fuel into the mainland via marine transit.  Mr. Silvester advised that the Port’s financial interest in the project was relatively small and the Port’s primary interest was to ensure marine safety;

§    

the conflict of interest with respect to Port Metro Vancouver acting as a regulator for a project that it would financially benefit from;

§    

the land environmental assessment related to the project which would be undertaken by the BC Environmental Assessment Office;

§    

the public process related to the marine assessment.  It was noted that the Port would provide the general public an opportunity to comment and make submissions regarding the marine assessment; and

§    

the Port’s role in case of a spill and fire suppression.  Mr. Silvester indicated that the Consortium would be required to comply with standards that may be more stringent than usual.

Discussion also took place about Richmond’s economic recovery outlook, the Long-Term Dredging Program, and debris traps.  Mr. Silvester noted that debris traps had been funded by multiple parties, however future funding sources for debris traps were unknown.

CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

Election and Political Signs Bylaw No. 8713

(File Ref. No.:  12-8060-20-8713/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 3143091, 3145507, 3142710, 3143116, 3143117, )

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the following bylaws, which aim to clarify and modernize the regulations pertaining to election and political signs (as outlined in Option 1 in the staff report dated April 21, 2011 from the Director, City Clerk’s Office), each be introduced and given first, second and third readings:

(a)

Election and Political Signs Bylaw No. 8713;

(b)

The Corporation of the Township of Richmond Sign Bylaw No. 5560, Amendment Bylaw No. 8717; and

(c)

Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 8718; and

(2)

That upon adoption of Election and Political Signs Bylaw No. 8713, Council Policy No. 9304, ``Signs – Political,`` adopted on October 12, 1993, is rescinded.

The question on the motion was not called as some Committee members expressed their preference for Option 2 in the report which would allow political signage on designated municipal properties.  Comments were made that Option 2 may encourage higher voter participation than the staff recommendation of Option 1.

The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. S. Halsey-Brandt and Johnston opposed.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

RCMP Community Safety Building Public Art Project

(File Ref. No.:  11-7000-09-112) (REDMS No. 3202757)

Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner introduced Glen Andersen, Artist for the proposed Public Art Project, and briefly reviewed the details of the proposed public art project.

A discussion ensued about how the general theme of the proposed public art project and signage was focused the RCMP rather than the City of Richmond.  Committee members made comments about the need for the public art to incorporate characteristics of Richmond’s community as the building was a city community safety building. 

It was noted that the theme as outlined in the “City of Richmond Public Art Program Call to Artists” had stated that “The Public art should relate to the operation of the RCMP, the composition and characteristics of Richmond’s community and consider youth involvement.  A brief discussion took place about the need to provide the artist with further clarification regarding the theme. 

Committee members expressed their appreciation for the artist’s work and re-iterated that the theme should focus on the City of Richmond and its community. 

It was moved and seconded

That the RCMP Community Safety Building Public Art Project be referred back to staff to work with the artist on further options.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:30 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, May 16, 2011.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office