May 21, 2013 - Minutes
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General Purposes Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, May 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 4:02 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, May 6, 2013, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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LAW & COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT |
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1. |
(File Ref. No. 12-8080-12-01) (REDMS No. 3846691 v.5) |
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Edward Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, and Magda Laljee, Supervisor, Community Bylaws were available to answer questions. A discussion ensued and the following was noted: |
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the term ‘Non-Farm Use’ is used to describe any and all movement of soil onto Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) properties; |
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the soil that is going to be used as fill on the property will be conducive to agricultural viability; and |
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an ongoing study will help to identify low points in ditches that prevent water from draining properly at such sites, and identified areas will become a part of future improvements. |
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In response to questions, Lori Larsen, Professional Agrologist, Keystone Environmental Ltd., advised that: |
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the requirements for fill on the property are a result of challenges related to drainage on the property; |
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the plan for the property includes raising the land by removing the good quality layer of original soil on the land, then adding the fill until the required elevation is reached, and replacing the original soil on top of the fill; |
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incoming fill will be screened for environmental contaminants, and to ensure appropriate mix of peat, sand, salt and other ingredients suitable for the desired use. It was noted that the fill will be appropriate for growing blueberries as well as other crops; and |
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the entire procedure is expected to take approximately two-years time. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That Council endorse the non-farm use application submitted by Sunshine Cranberry Farm Ltd to fill the property located at 12871 Steveston Highway to an agricultural standard suitable for the purpose of blueberry farming; |
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(2) |
That the endorsed application be forwarded to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) for consideration with the recommendation that the ALC incorporate as a condition of permit: |
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(a) |
The requirement for a performance bond, in a form and amount deemed acceptable to the ALC as a mitigation measure until the satisfactory completion of the proposed project; |
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(b) |
The requirement for quarterly inspections and monitoring and reporting by a professional agrologist as well as the submission of quarterly reports to the ALC with a copy to the City; and |
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(c) |
That the multi-purpose soils placed on the property must be capable of supporting a wide range of agricultural crops. |
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The question on the motion was not called, as Councillor Steves circulated a handout suggesting alternative methods for mitigating the drainage concerns. The handout includes images of another property that used a pumping system rather than fill. He suggested that either a similar pumping system be used 12871 Steveston Highway, or that class 4 organic soil be guaranteed as the fill material. Councillor Steves’ submission is attached as Schedule 1 and forms part of these minutes. |
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The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Steves opposed. |
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COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT |
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2. |
Richmond Public Art Program 2012 Annual Report and Public Art Advisory Committee 2013 Work Plan (File Ref. No. 01-0100-20-RPAR1-01) (REDMS No. 3826590 v.2) |
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In answer to questions about the various locations of public art in the City, Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, advised Committee of an interactive map on the City’s website illustrating all public art displays in Richmond. He also noted that brochures and tear out maps have been created in the past in conjunction with Tourism Richmond material. Mr. Fiss was asked to provide members of Council with a reference to the interactive map on the website or a hard copy of the public art map prior to the next Council meeting scheduled to be held on May 27, 2013. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Richmond Public Art Advisory Committee 2013 Work Plan as presented in the report from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, dated May 1, 2013, be approved. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
(File Ref. No. 07-3070-01/2013) (REDMS No. 3832042) |
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Lesley Sherlock, Social Planner, noted that the Board of Education would be reviewing the matter at its next meeting, to be held later today. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report from the General Manager, Community Services dated April 30, 2013 titled Richmond School District Report: Child Poverty Issues & Initiatives in the Richmond School District, be received for information. |
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The question on the motion was not called as a discussion took place about the City’s continued work with the School District and other organizations to reduce child poverty. It was noted that initiatives related to reducing child poverty would be integrated with the City’s Social Strategy. Discussion also took place about awareness related to the matter; the standards and methods used for measuring poverty; and how poverty may be an issue in only some areas of the City. |
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The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:41p.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 Tuesday, May 21, 2013. |
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_________________________________ |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Shanan Sarbjit Dhaliwal |