Date:

Monday, April 16, 2012

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

Councillor Chak Au

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Linda McPhail

Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Linda Barnes

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 2, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, attached as Schedule 1, and forms part of these minutes, Robin Silvester, President and CEO, Port Metro Vancouver, joined by Peter Xotta, Vice-President, Planning & Operations, Port Metro Vancouver, provided an update on Port Metro Vancouver’s (PMV) activities. 

During the presentation, Mr. Silvester reviewed the Port’s vision and mission, and highlighted that:

·         

PMV is the largest and busiest port in Canada, and the largest export port in North America;

·         

PMV handled approximately 122 million tonnes of cargo in 2011, and traded with 160 economies internationally;

·         

PMV’s jurisdiction covers over 600 kilometres, bordering on 16 municipalities, and one treaty First Nation, and intersects the traditional territories of several First Nations; and

·         

PMV is a port authority pursuant to the Canada Marine Act, accountable to the Federal Minister of Transport. 

Mr. Silvester and Mr. Xotta then spoke about the Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project (VAFD), and provided the following information:

·         

the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC) is the proponent for proposed Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project (VAFD);

·         

PMV is the federal authority with legislated environmental assessment responsibilities;

·         

Environment Canada and other agencies are providing technical advice related to the proposed project;

·         

the Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) review and the federal environmental assessment are harmonized;

·         

the VAFFC will need to apply to PMV for a project permit for portions of the project that will be constructed within the Port’s jurisdiction.  It was noted that PMV had not received a project permit application from VAFFC yet;

·         

the project permit will include a significant consultation phase, to consider all information from the environmental assessment, as well as additional site-specific factors including site servicing, traffic impacts and emergency preparedness.  The Permit application will be referred to City of Richmond for review and comment;

·         

PMV has commissioned a technical study to look at the operation of tankers carrying bulk liquids on the south arm of the Fraser River, and the results will inform the environmental assessment and PMV project review processes for VAFD.  It was noted that the results of the study will be shared with stakeholders, including the City of Richmond; and

·         

currently, there is a temporary suspension of the provincial environmental assessment review to allow time for the VAFFC to provide additional information in a number of areas.  PMV will not conclude the federal environmental assessment review until Environment Canada’s comments regarding additional studies have been considered.  It was noted that PMV was not sure about when the study will resume.

In answer to questions from members of Committee, Mr. Silvester provided the following information: 

·         

at this time the Gilmore Farm is contracted to be farmed, and there are no plans to change the usage for the Gilmore Farm at this time;

·         

PMV is embarking upon a land planning process for all land in PMV’s jurisdiction.  The process will include consultation meetings with a range of stakeholders, and City of Richmond staff will be involved in the process;

·         

PMV is not directly involved in the Delta Port expansion matter;

·         

the consultation process for the VAFD project has not triggered a requirement for a public hearing.  Mr. Silvester also noted that the City would need to contact the federal and provincial Ministries of Environment to request that a public hearing take place as part of the consultation process; and

·         

with respect to the VAFD project environmental assessment, PMV will provide a series of recommendations that will ensure that ships are handled safely in the Fraser River.  The environmental assessment will also consider the storage facility and tanks.  It was noted that it was unlikely that the study would indicate that the VAFD project is unsafe, rather the study will provide information on what will need to be done to ensure safety.

The Chair noted that PMV has financial interest in the proposed VAFD project, as PMV would receive rental income for the storage facility which would be build on PMV’s land.  Mr. Silvester responded that having PMV conduct the federal environmental assessment while having a financial interest in the proposed project, was not considered a conflict of interest, and that PMV’s motivation is to ensure that the safety concerns are met.

It was moved and seconded

That letters be sent to the federal and provincial Ministers of Environment, and the local MLAs and MPs requesting that a Public Hearing be held during the course of the environmental assessment process for the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC) Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project.

CARRIED

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

Liquor Primary Club Licence Application Army Navy & Air Force Veterans In Canada Steveston Unit No. 284 Unit 105 - 11900 No. 1 Road

(File Ref. No. 12-8275-05/2012-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 3494625)

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be sent to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch advising that:

(1)

The application by Army Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada, Steveston Unit No. 284, to relocate Liquor Primary Club Licence No. 029737 from 3960 Chatham Street Unit 200, to 11900 No. 1 Road Unit 105, to offer liquor service is recommended.

(2)

Council comments on the prescribed considerations are:

(a)

The location and the surrounding area of the establishment comprised of a senior’s residential housing component attached to the establishment; a townhouse complex to the north; a seniors apartment complex to the south; a mix of residential and commercial uses to the west; and parkland to the east, was considered and reviewed.

(b)

The proximity of the proposed liquor primary location to other social or recreational facilities and public buildings within a 500 metre radius was reviewed and it was considered that the application would not conflict with those facilities.

(c)

The application for a 325 person capacity operation with liquor service hours of Monday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. will not pose a significant impact on the community based on the lack of responses received from the residents and businesses in the area.  Council does NOT support any opening past 2:00 a.m. as is indicated in the application summary received from LCLB.

(d)

The number and market focus of clientele to existing liquor primary licence establishments within a reasonable distance of the proposed location was reviewed and it was considered that there would be no impact on those establishments.

(e)

The potential for additional noise on the community in the area if the application is approved was considered and it was determined that there would be little or no additional noise on the community in the immediate vicinity. 

(f)

The impact on the community if the application is approved was considered and based on the lack of response from the community from public notices; the licence approval would have little impact on the community.

(3)

Council’s comments on the views of the residents were gathered as follows:

(a)

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

(b)

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.

Based on the lack of negative responses from residents and businesses in the nearby area and the lack of responses received from the community through all notifications, Council considers that the application is acceptable to the public.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

Richmond Addiction Services’ Proposal to Renew a Five-Year Problem Gambling Prevention and Education Plan

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3468541, 3497793)

Lesley Sherlock, Social Planner, advised that the Richmond BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program (BCR&PGP) prevention and counselling contracts are still in negotiations.  Ms. Sherlock also mentioned that a response had not yet been received from the provincial government about the letter the City had sent seeking support for Richmond Addiction Services Society (RASS).  Ms. Sherlock was requested to provide a report back with a review of RASS’ situation prior to the end of the year.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Richmond Addiction Services’ Proposal to Renew a Five-Year Problem Gambling Prevention and Education Plan be sent to the Minister of Energy and Mines, Richmond MLAs, the School/Council Liaison Committee and stakeholders for their information;

(2)

Richmond Addiction Services be commended for preparing the Proposal; and

(3)

staff review the situation and the report back by the end of November, 2012.

CARRIED

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

4.

2012 Annual Property Tax Rates Bylaw No. 8885

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-8885 Xr: 03-0925-01) (REDMS No. 3492636 v.3)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 2, which redistributes $1.8M from Business class to Major Industry, Light Industry, Seasonal/Recreation, and Residential classes be approved as outlined in the staff report dated April 3, 2012 from the Director, Finance, titled 2012 Annual Property Tax Rates Bylaw No. 8885; and

(2)

That Annual Property Tax Rates Bylaw No. 8885 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:54 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 16, 2012.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office