December 2, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, December 2, 2013

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
Councillor Harold Steves

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, November 18, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

Liquor Licence Amendment Application, Pioneer's Pub Ltd., Unit 200 – 10111 No 3 Road
(File Ref. No. 12-8275-05) (REDMS No. 4031971)

It was moved and seconded

That the application from Pioneer’s Pub Ltd., for an amendment to increase their hours of liquor service under Liquor Primary Licence No. 030591 on Sundays only from 11:00 a.m. to Midnight to 10:00 a.m. to Midnight, be supported and that a letter be sent to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch advising that:

(1)

Council supports the amendment for an increase in liquor service, as the increase will not have a significant impact on the community;

(2)

Council’s comments on the prescribed criteria (set out in section 53 of the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulations) are as follows:

(a)

The potential for additional noise and traffic in the area if the application is approved was considered;

(b)

The impact on the community, if the application is approved, was assessed and considered through a community consultation process;

(3)

as the operation of a licensed establishment may affect nearby residents the City gathered the views of the residents as follows:

(a)

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

(b)

signage was posted at the subject property and three public notices were published in a local newspaper.  This signage and notice provided information on the application and instructions on how community comments or concerns could be submitted

(4)

Council’s comments and recommendations respecting the views of the residents are as follows:

(a)

That based on the number of letters sent and the lack of response received from all public notifications, Council considers that the amendment is acceptable to the majority of the residents in the area and the community.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

2.

Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery (VAFD) Project – Environmental Assessment Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 4034739)

Peter Russell, Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy, and Lesley Douglas, Manager, Environmental Sustainability, were available to answer questions.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project – Environmental Assessment Update from the Director, Engineering, highlighting staff comments on the Ministry of Environment’s Interim and Marine Reports and the overall status of the Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery project, be received for information; and

(2)

That a letter be sent to the Provincial and Federal Ministers of  Environment, MLAs, and MPs to reiterate that the City of Richmond  remains opposed to the current proposal and advocates that the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC) conduct a process which fully and openly considers the economic, environmental, and social aspects of any new program for jet fuel delivery to the airport.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding the outstanding environmental and safety risks.

In response to a query concerning the environmental impact of a jet fuel spill, Ms. Douglas advised that as there have been few global incidents with respect to jet fuel spills Environment Canada has taken the position that more research is needed and the process includes an agreement for monitoring with regard to the environmental impact of a jet fuel spill.  Ms. Douglas further advised that, should the project proceed, the next step would be to work through the Table of Conditions associated with this project in order to move towards the planning and construction phase.  The Table of Conditions will be made public after the decision has been reached on the project.  Ms. Douglas noted that the project would require an agreement with the City of Richmond and approval from both the Provincial and Federal ministers.

Further discussion ensued regarding the Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery (VAFD) project, the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline along the Highway 99 corridor, and the proposed tank farm.  Committee was advised that a public meeting will be held at the Steveston Community Centre on December 12, 2013 to explore the issue of the industrialization of the Fraser River.  Committee expressed disappointment with the process and its failure to address the concerns raised by the City.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

Kiwanis Towers – First Disbursement from the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund to 6251 Minoru Blvd
(File Ref. No. 08-4057-05) (REDMS No. 3991424 v.2)

Dena Kae Beno, Affordable Housing Coordinator, advised that the supplementary information (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) reflects the overall mechanisms utilized to support the Council approved disbursement.  The request before Committee is the first disbursement of the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund which is tied to the Building Permit approval.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That, subject to Resolution 3 below, $11,770,500 be paid to Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society (the “Society”) towards costs associated with 296 subsidized seniors housing units at 6251 Minoru Boulevard (the “Lands”) to be used by the Society as follows:

(a)

$9,166,870 towards construction costs; and

(b)

$2,603,630 towards the development cost charges, development application and/or building permit fees already paid to the City;

(2)

That, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement dated November 9, 2012 between the City and the Society, no payment by the City be made until the security (which includes a second mortgage charging the Lands) securing the performance of the Society’s obligations to the City in the Contribution Agreement (the “City Security”) is granted by the Society to the City and fully registered as required; and

(3)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Community Services be authorized:

(a)

to negotiate and execute all agreements and documents in relation to the City Security and disbursements, including, without limitation, a priority agreement in favour of BC Housing granting BC Housing security priority over the City Security; and

(b)

to make the expenditures in Resolution 1 above.

The question on the motion was not called as clarification was requested that the disbursement does not impact ratepayers. Ms. Beno stated that the funds in the City’s Affordable Housing Reserve have been collected through development contributions.  Committee acknowledged the complexity of the process for the City to provide affordable housing and commended staff’s funding innovation in meeting the needs of Richmond residents.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED.

4.

ART PLINTH AT BRIGHOUSE STATION PUBLIC ART PROJECT CONCEPT PROPOSALS
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-109) (REDMS No. 4026112 v.4)

Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, and Carlyn Yandle, Artist, were available to answer questions.

In reply to a query regarding a valid community response mechanism, Mr. Fiss advised that staff would be proactive in soliciting public response through the use of surveys, contests, and on-line forms.  As well, an on-site information board would explain the piece and direct the public to the City website for comment.

It was moved and seconded

That the two concept proposals for the Art Plinth at Brighouse Station Public Art Project as presented in the staff report dated November 25, 2013 from the Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services, be approved.

CARRIED

LAW & COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

5.

SISTER CITY THREE YEAR ACTIVITY PLAN (2014-2016)
(File Ref. No. 01-0100-20-SCIT1) (REDMS No. 4032792)

Amarjeet Rattan, Director, Intergovernmental Relations and Protocol Unit, was available to answer questions.  A discussion ensued regarding:

the feasibility of convening a meeting of community leaders to encourage participation in the Sister City program and that funds in the amount of $5,000 to $10,000 be allocated to facilitate the meeting;

unused budget funds for the 2011-2013 Activity Plan being identified as surplus funds in the new year;

a copy of the Mayor’s letter to the newly elected Mayor of Pierrefonds, Quebec being provided to Committee;

details for the youth and art exchanges with Pierrefonds, Xiamen and Qingdao;

the current policy recommending one visit, either to or from each Friendship or Sister City, being scheduled every three years and any visit being subject to Council approval;

the development of policy regarding what invitations (i.e. Mayor’s Forum) are to be accepted by the City;

the need to find creative ways to build relationships through community and educational activities, including the involvement of local community groups, educational leaders, and sport and performing arts organizations; and

the rationale for attending the Mayor’s Forum of the China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT) was to provide an opportunity for officials to dialogue and strengthen relationships.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Sister City Advisory Committee Three Year (2014 – 2016) Activity Plan, as outlined in the staff report dated November 14, 2013 from the Director, Intergovernmental Relations & Protocol Unit, be approved in principle; and

(2)

That Staff provide more details on the CIFIT Mayor’s Forum, the sports groups participating and sports activities, and the possibility of convening a meeting of the leadership in the community to discuss interest in participation in the Sister City program.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding the allocation of funds for the leadership meeting be included in the details to be provided by staff.  Further discussion took place regarding receiving ad hoc delegation requests; however, Committee supported a more focused approach to receiving Sister and Friendship City delegations.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:02 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, December 2, 2013.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk