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ITEM

MINUTES

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Motion to adopt the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, July 16, 2012.

COUNCILLOR LINDA BARNES

1.

AMENDMENTS TO THE RESIDENTIAL TENANCY ACT DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

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See Page GP-11 for full report

RECOMMENDATION

WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has enacted legislation through the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) to protect tenants from unacceptable living conditions;

AND WHEREAS Part 5 of the RTA outlines a process for resolving disputes that provides the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) with the authority to make any order necessary to give effect to the rights, obligations and prohibitions under the RTA, but in order to enforce an RTB order, it must be filed in the Court and enforced as a judgement or an order of the Court;

AND WHEREAS tenants who wish to enforce their rights under the RTA must navigate a complex bureaucratic and legal process and be prepared to spend significant amounts of time and money to engage with the process, creating barriers for tenants to access the RTA, especially tenants with low incomes or other vulnerabilities;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC municipalities urge the Province of British Columbia, in consultation with municipal governments, to establish minimum occupancy standards for rental properties and to increase the effectiveness and accessibility of the residential tenancy dispute resolution process by amending the Residential Tenancy Act such that the Residential Tenancy Branch enforces their dispute resolution decisions or orders, and does so within a reasonable timeframe.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

London Landing Waterfront Park Plan

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-LLAN1) (REDMS No. 3614791 v. 3)

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See Page GP-21 for full report

Designated Speaker:  Mike Redpath

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That:

(1)

the design concept and program for the London Landing Waterfront Park as described in the staff report titled London Landing Waterfront Park Plan (dated August 10, 2012, from the Senior Manager, Parks) be endorsed; and

(2)

the Operating Budget Impact of $20,000 for park maintenance of the new London Landing Park be considered in the 5 Year Financial Plan for commencement in 2016.

3.

2016 BC Summer Games – Response to Referrals

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3639772 v.3)

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See Page GP-33 for full report

Designated Speaker:  Dave Semple

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That:

(1)

the report titled “2016 BC Summer Games – Response to Referrals” from the Senior Manager, Recreation be received for information;

(2)

the City of Richmond decline the opportunity to bid to host the 2016 BC Summer Games as requested by Richmond Sports Council; and

(3)

a letter be sent to Richmond Sport Council advising them of the decision and thanking them for their commitment to support hosting of multi-sport events such as the BC Summer Games.

ADJOURNMENT