Date:

Monday, October 17, 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.

AGENDA ADDITIONS

It was moved and seconded

That the matters of the RCMP Building, Brighouse Assessments, and the Richmond Senior’s Centre each be added to the agenda as Item Nos. 2, 3 and 4.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, October 3, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

1.

Alexandra District Energy Utility – Phase II Construction

(File Ref. No. 10-6340-20-P.11206) (REDMS No. 3370854)

John Irving, Director, Engineering, with the aid of a rendering, reviewed the staff report and spoke about the various construction phases for the project, as well as the additional four developments, Mayfair Place; Villa Esperanza; 9500 Cambie; and Smart Centres, that may now require Alexandra District Energy Utility (ADEU) service in the same timeframe as the Remy and Alexandra Gate projects.  It was noted that a report on the options and recommendations for future governance of the ADEU, and updated models for expanding the utility through the service area was forthcoming in 2012.

It was moved and seconded

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager of Engineering and Public Works be authorized to execute a Change Order to include Phase II works for the Alexandra District Energy Utility and increase the maximum upset price of the Design-Build Agreement with Oris Geo Energy Ltd. to $4.8 million.

The question on the motion was not called, as in answer to a query, staff advised that the application for the Smart Centres had not been to a Public Hearing as there were outstanding issues that had to be resolved first. 

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

2.

RCMP BUILDING

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt expressed concerns about the fencing and gates that surround the new RCMP Building, noting that there was an approximately eight foot tall chain link fence surrounding the site, as well as a large gate on wheels before entering the public parking.  Councillor Halsey-Brandt commented that the site was not welcoming, and that the public art was not easily viewable.

A discussion ensued, and it was noted that the fencing and gates may have been a result of RCMP security requirements.  Comments were made by members of Committee about how the old RCMP building did not have similar security measures.  Staff was directed to provide information on the matter.

3.

BRIGHOUSE ASSESSMENTS

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt inquired about the status of the Brighouse Assessments in connection to the City Centre Area Transitional Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 8776, which was adopted in July 2011. 

A discussion ensued, during which, Andrew Nazareth, General Manager, Business and Financial Services, spoke about the administrative requirements that staff has been working on subsequent to adoption of the bylaw.  Mr. Nazareth indicated that upon meeting the deadline associated with the bylaw, which requires tax certificates to be issued by October 31, 2011, staff will be able to work on the assessments, and that an update would be available in December 2011 or January 2012.

4.

SENIORS CENTRE

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt asked for an update on the status of the study being conducted on the City Hall Precinct, and in particular on the feasibility of a new Senior Citizen’s Centre.  George Duncan, Chief Administrative Officer, advised that a report regarding the matter was currently under review.  Staff was directed to provide a memo to members of Council, and to contact the Seniors about the status of the matter.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:22 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 17, 2011.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office