January 21, 2013 - Minutes
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General Purposes Committee
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Date: |
Monday, January 21, 2013 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, January 7, 2013, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT |
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1. |
Richmond Olympic Experience: Business Plan 2.0 (File Ref. No. 01-0005-01) (REDMS No. 3748590) |
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John Mills, General Manager, Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation, accompanied by Jason Kita, Manager, Enterprise Services, noted a small correction in the Analysis of the staff report, and indicated that confidential proprietary business and financial information contained in the staff report had been removed. |
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A discussion then ensued about: |
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how this project requires a minor capital budget in comparison to projects of this nature; |
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how the Richmond Olympic Experience (ROE) may be twinned with other projects within the City to enhance tourism in the City; |
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the importance of conducting best practices research as a part of this project, and how any research requiring travel is being sustained by private sponsorship and the Olympic Network Partners; |
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general information relating to the agreements and acquisition of artefacts for the exhibition. It was noted that many of the artefacts will be traded on a temporary basis with other Olympic Museums, and that the nature of most of the related agreements will be focused on the insurance and transportation of such artefacts; |
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the sale of Olympic Museum and other sports related merchandise; |
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the requirement for a full-time Programmer to ensure ROE’s operational needs are met, and to facilitate access to educational programs developed for children and youth; |
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the rationale for choosing the word “experience” rather than “museum” as the name for the project. It was noted that the word “experience” is more accurate in describing the project, as ROE is to be more than a static museum, given the proposed interactive and stimulating displays; |
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the opening of ROE, which is anticipated to take place in the fall of 2014. It is projected that ROE will receive approximately 10,000 visitors annually to begin; |
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details related to the funding for ROE. It was noted that funding sources include the initial Council approved funding of $575,000, as well as additional resources from tourism, the Oval Capital Program, and private sector sponsorship; |
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the recruitment process for future members of the Advisory Committee, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of February, 2013; |
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how the experience offered at ROE will differ from some of the Olympic Museums that have been visited by members of City Council and staff and were noted as not the most memorable and exciting experiences; and |
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how the existing infrastructure including human resources, information technology (IT), and reception at the Oval would be used to support ROE. |
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During the discussion, staff was requested to provide Committee with ongoing updates with specific information on the status of the various agreements required for the project. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled Richmond Olympic Experience: Business Plan 2.0 (dated January 11, 2013 from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage) be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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LAW & COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT |
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2. |
Regulation of Soil Removal and Deposit Activities on Agricultural Land (File Ref. No.: 12-8060-20-8094) (REDMS No.3780836) |
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Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager Law and Community Safety, joined by Doug Long, City Solicitor, and May Leung, Staff Solicitor, and , made reference to a memorandum (attached as Schedule 1, and forms part of these minutes) containing the following three attachments: (i) Agricultural Land Commission Document: - Re: Importation of Fill – 9360 Finn Road, Richmond; (ii) Letter from McTavish Resource and Management Consultants Ltd.; and (iii) Drawing: Location of All Weather Access Road 9360 Finn Road, Richmond BC, and spoke about the stop work order that had been issued by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) for the property. |
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A discussion then ensued about: |
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how the community can continue to be updated on the matter. Members of the community were encouraged to consult the ALC directly as their first route of communication, and to contact the City’s Community Bylaws personnel as a second route of communication; |
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how the City is limited in the actions it may take related to the matter, as the City operates on a legislative paradigm, and this matter falls under the mandate of the ALC; |
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the proposed amendment to the Soil Removal and Fill Deposit Regulation Bylaw No. 8094 that would result in the requirement for Richmond ALR property owners having to submit an application to the City in addition to their application to the ALC. It was noted that such an amendment to the bylaw would require provincial approval; |
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complications and concerns that may arise if the two agencies, the City and the ALC, made conflicting decisions regarding an application; |
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conducting a review of farm uses of agricultural land and seeking appropriate legislative changes; |
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concerns about the carcinogens found in paving materials such as black top and the hazards posed by mixing such products with soil; |
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the use of limestone rather than gravel or black top for the roadways on farmland. Discussion also took place about requesting the ALC to review and reconsider the types of materials that may be appropriate for the construction of roadways on farmland; |
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how the City will continue to work with the ALC in reporting any non-compliant activities observed on ALR lands; and |
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the staff shortage at the ALC and the feasibility of City staff collaborating with ALC staff on a more official level. |
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During the discussion, staff was requested to continue making specific inquiries about the Finn Road property to the ALC, and report back on ongoing updates on the status. |
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Jim Wright, 8300 Osgoode Drive, read from his submission, attached as Schedule 2, and forming part of these minutes. Mr. Wright commended the City for its prompt action to address the dumping of fill on the property at 9360 Finn Road before speaking about specific concerns related to the site. |
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Colin Smith, local farmer, spoke about the specifications related to cranberry farms, and questioned the rationale for using this specification on the particular property at 9360 Finn Road. |
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Gina Alexis, Richmond resident, stated that she resided across from 9360 Finn Road, and expressed concerns related to the use of peat moss on the property and questioned the rationale behind the issuance of an ALC permit for fill on the property. |
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Ray Galawan, local farmer, spoke about the process related to acquiring a permit to place fill on ALR land, and expressed concern about how the City is not officially involved in the process as it is in the jurisdiction of the ALC. Mr. Galawan also spoke about the difficulties he encountered in receiving a response back from the ALC when he contacted them about the concerns related to the dumping of fill at 9360 Finn Road. In conclusion, Mr. Galawan stated that the blockade at the property will not be removed until the dumping of fill has come a stop, and all toxic materials removed. He further stated that he expected the City’s bylaw personnel to visit the property and confirm that hazardous materials have been removed. |
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Kimi Hendez, local farmer, expressed concerns relating to the dumping of specific materials on farm land, and the resulting impact on the farm-ability of such lands. A copy of Ms. Hendez’s submission is attached as Schedule 3 and forms part of these minutes. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That staff be directed to prepare a bylaw amendment to Soil Removal and Fill Deposit Regulation Bylaw No. 8094 to provide that soil deposit and removal activities relating to existing “farm use” in the Agricultural Land Reserve will require a permit from the City and request that the ALC act on this commencing immediately; |
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(2) |
That, following first, second and third reading of the above bylaw amendment, the bylaw be forwarded to the responsible Provincial ministries for approval; |
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(3) |
That staff be directed to report back on the options and implications for charging fees for soil removal and deposit activities in the Agricultural Land Reserve; |
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(4) |
That an education and “Soil Watch” program, as outlined in the staff report dated January 16, 2013 titled “Regulation of Soil Removal and Deposit Activities on Agricultural Land” from the City Solicitor, be implemented; |
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(5) |
That staff be directed to review the authority and process for the Agricultural Land Commission to delegate to the City decision-making and enforcement relating to non-farm uses of land within the Agricultural Land Reserve, and in particular, in relation to soil deposit and removal activities; |
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(6) |
That staff be directed to review the authority and process for the Agricultural Land Commission to delegate to the City decision-making and enforcement relating to farm uses of land within the Agricultural Land Reserve and seek appropriate legislative changes; |
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(7) |
That staff be directed to review, and dispute if necessary, the rulings and discussions from time to time in relation to the Finn Road property, and report back through Committee; |
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(8) |
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) be advised of this resolution; and |
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(9) |
That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier, the local MLAs, and the Leader of the Official Opposition. |
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CARRIED |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:44 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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, January 21, 2013. |
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_________________________________ |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Shanan Sarbjit Dhaliwal |