Date:

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

Councillor Chak Au

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Linda McPhail

Absent:

Councillor Harold Steves

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, July 16, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR LINDA BARNES

1.

AMENDMENTS TO THE RESIDENTIAL TENANCY ACT DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS
(File Ref. No.:  ) (REDMS No.)

Councillor Linda Barnes provided background information in connection to the above noted matter, and suggested that an additional motion be made with regard to notifying local MLAs and requesting their support on this issue.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Richmond City Council supports the following resolution in principle:

“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.”

(2)

That a letter indicating Richmond City Council’s support of the resolution be sent to UBCM, local MLAs and the appropriate opposition critics requesting their support and request for immediate action; and

(3)

That staff review Richmond’s experience with the Rental Premises Standard of Maintenance Bylaw No. 8159.

The question on the motion was not called, as discussion ensued about staff’s ability to review the Rental Premises Standard of Maintenance Bylaw No. 8159.  Staff advised that the current standards would be reviewed for any changes that may be required.  Staff was also requested to provide information on the City’s limitations regarding enforcement of the bylaw.

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

2.

London Landing Waterfront Park Plan
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-LLAN1) (REDMS No. 3614791 v. 3)

With the aid of a rendering, Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, accompanied by Yvonne Stich, Park Planner, provided an overview of the proposed park plan.

A discussion then ensued about specific park features as well as the proposed relocation of the dirt bike terrain park.  Members of committee requested staff to provide further details and options for the proposed dirt bike terrain park.

It was moved and seconded

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;

(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; and

(3)

Staff report back to Council through Committee regarding potential locations and configurations on the dirt bike terrain park prior to public consultation.

The question on the motion was not called, as Dana Westermark, Applicant and Developer, briefly spoke about public access to the site and parking. 

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

3.

2016 BC Summer Games – Response to Referrals
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3639772 v.3)

Dave Semple, General Manager, Community Services, accompanied by Ross Sakai, Community Facilities Coordinator, reviewed staff’s rationale for the recommendation to decline the opportunity to bid to host the 2016 BC Summer Games, and spoke about the time spent and research work done by members of the Richmond Sports Council in preparation of the draft bid.   Mr. Semple also noted that the figures presented in the staff report were conservative.

A discussion then ensued about: 

§   

the proposed budget for the Games, including possible revenue and expenses;

§   

how securing sponsorship for the event may impact local businesses, and other difficulties associated with sponsorship;

§   

experiences of the municipalities that have previously hosted the Games;

§   

the need for volunteers to host such an event;

§   

the need for community support for the Games, including support from the Richmond Sports Council;

§   

the size and magnitude of the Seniors Games, which the City has hosted previously, in comparison to the BC Summer Games, including a comparison of the budget, transportation, housing, food and volunteer requirements; 

§   

other events of a similar scale that the City has hosted or may be interested in hosting, including non-sports related events;

§   

how the BC Summer Games are not considered to be the right fit with the City’s Sport Hosting Policy; and                                        

§   

how the BC Summer Games may pose a financial liability for the City.

Jim Lamond, joined by Bob Jackson, Richmond Sports Council, submitted a presentation to the Committee (attached as Schedule 1 and forming part of these minutes) in favour of submitting a bid to host the 2016 BC Summer Games. The delegation spoke about community legacy, economic benefits, infrastructure legacies, and the financial impact that would result from hosting the Games.  In conclusion, Mr. Jackson commended City staff for the superb job they did in assisting the Richmond Sports Council in preparing the draft bid.

It was moved and seconded

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.

The question on the motion was not called, as members of committee expressed their views in support of or in opposition to submitting a bid to host the 2016 BC Summer Games.

There was agreement that Parts (1) (2) and (3) of the motion be dealt with separately.

The question on Part (1) of the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

The question on Part (2) of the motion was then called, and it was DEFEATED ON A TIE VOTE with Cllrs. Halsey-Brandt, Johnston, and McNulty, and McPhail opposed.

The question on Part (3) of the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:49 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 Tuesday, September 4, 2012.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office