March 17, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, March 17, 2014

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

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, March 3, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

Steve Veinot, Chair, Tourism Richmond Board, accompanied by Tracy Lakeman, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Richmond, provided an overview of Tourism Richmond’s 2013 activities and highlighted the following:

§   

Governance and Finance Committees, chaired by Bruce Rozenhart and Gary Collinge respectively, were formed;

§   

the Active America China Conference, held in Richmond, was successful; with over 50 Chinese buyers and wholesalers, 13 tour operators, and numerous suppliers in attendance;

§   

the Direct Sales department booked and secured approximately 36,000 hotel room nights, resulting in a significant economic impact for the city;

§   

a Visitor Volume Study, that surveyed approximately 2,000 individuals, indicated a visitor ratio of 42% for Canadian tourists and 34% for overseas tourists;

§   

cost, and proximity and accessibility to the Vancouver International Airport, the City of Vancouver, Steveston Village, and other amenities, such as restaurants and shopping malls, influence travel to Richmond;

§   

traffic congestion was identified as a detractor for visitors to Richmond;

§   

in 2013, a five per cent growth in revenues was achieved; figures for January and February 2014 indicate a positive first quarter; and

§   

goals for 2014 include obtaining sustainable funding for the organization, and maintaining Tourism Richmond’s relationship with the City of Richmond.

Ms. Lakeman then highlighted 2013 Tourism Richmond programs and initiatives and read from a written submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1).

In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Veinot and Ms. Lakeman provided the following additional information:

§   

promotional material did not include currency exchange rates as the rate is not considered to be a significant influence on travel plans;

§   

visits to the Tourism Richmond website and social media sites are tracked for analysis and for the development of future promotional strategies; and

§   

Tourism Richmond funding is primarily directed towards (i) Sport Hosting, (ii) the Richmond Olympic Experience, and (iii) promotional tools.

Committee expressed appreciation for Tourism Richmond’s efforts regarding Sport Hosting, the Richmond Olympic Experience, and for the development of “The Best of 365 Days of Dining – A Richmond Dining Guide.”

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

Richmond Resilient Economy Strategy – Final
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4141069)

Neonila Lilova, Manager, Economic Development, highlighted that, in order to set priorities for the next five years, a collaborative effort was undertaken to update the 2002 Economy Development Strategy.  Ms. Lilova acknowledged the Richmond Economic Advisory Committee for their diligent guidance in the preparation of the proposed Strategy.

In response to queries from Committee, Ms. Lilova provided the following information:

§   

a medium term priority would be a robust analysis for next steps in developing a Destination and Tourism Product Enhancement Strategy including a review of the agricultural, arts, and industrial sectors;

§   

approximately 12 organizations were supplied a copy of the draft Strategy in order to provide input, and 26 comments were received from the general public;

§   

an in depth review of Richmond’s industrial lands will be undertaken to examine whether said lands are maximizing their density and use, including vertical intensification;

§   

Sport Hosting generally falls within the tourism sector of the proposed Strategy;

§   

approximately six per cent of business licensing in Richmond is home based;

§   

as a key stakeholder, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce provided input on the proposed Strategy throughout its development;

§   

the proposed Strategy has been developed with current staffing levels in view; consultant costs associated with particular action items identified in the proposed Strategy will be funded by the current budget or Council approval would be sought for additional funds;

§   

preliminary analysis and discussion suggest that short sea shipping is a long-term opportunity, which was not considered to be a financially viable option over the next five years; and

§   

the retention strategy targets specific sectors through surveys completed by telephone, at business events, and by following-up referrals from Council members, staff, or the community at large.

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Resilient Economy Strategy, enclosed as Attachment 1 to the staff report titled Richmond Resilient Economy Strategy – Final, dated February 6, 2014, from the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services, be adopted.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Business Development Program – 2013 Results
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4146713)

Ms. Lilova gave a brief overview of the Richmond Business Development Program, highlighting that the Program would provide an ongoing matrix for business retention, expansion, and attraction for key Richmond accounts.  Also, she noted that data collected through the Outreach Survey will assist in future policy development.

In response to queries from Committee, Ms. Lilova provided the following information:

§   

business operators identified a lack of skilled workers; however, specific details were not provided on the Outreach Survey;

§   

the data collected through the Program would assist in setting future priorities related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability beneficial to local business; and

§   

key factors for attracting and retaining business include: (i) proximity to the Vancouver International Airport and Port Metro Vancouver, (ii) proximity to markets, (iii) accessibility within Metro Vancouver, and (iv) availability of space.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Business Development Program – 2013 Results, dated February 26, 2014, from the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Goodluck International Enterprises Ltd., doing business as Bushuair Restaurant Unit 121 – 4600 No. 3 Road
(File Ref. No. 12-8275-05) (REDMS No. 4157985)

It was moved and seconded

That the application from Goodluck International Enterprises Ltd., doing business as Bushuair Restaurant, for an amendment to increase their hours of liquor service under Food Primary Liquor Licence No. 303133 from Monday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. to Midnight to Monday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., 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 hours 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 through a community consultation process and considered.; and

(c)

given there has been no history of non-compliance with the operation, the amendment to permit extended hours of liquor service under the Food Primary Liquor Licence, should not change the establishment such that it is operated contrary to its primary purpose.

(3)

As the operation of a licenced establishment may affect nearby residents the City gathered the view 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, providing instructions on how community comments or concerns could be submitted.; and

(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.

The question on the motion was not called as Committee queried the recent shift in the hours of operation for liquor license establishments.  Glenn McLaughlin, Chief Licence Inspector and Risk Manager, advised that approximately one per cent of the 300 liquor licence establishments in Richmond have applied for a change to their hours of operation.  He noted that the Province is considering either removing the requirement for a Council resolution on the matter or granting Council authority to delegate the matter to staff.  The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

4.

The Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport, doing business as The Apron Restaurant, 3099 Corvette Way
(File Ref. No. 12-8275-05) (REDMS No. 4166758)

It was moved and seconded

That the application from The Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport, doing business as The Apron Restaurant, for an amendment to increase their hours of liquor service under Food Primary Liquor Licence No. 303817 from Monday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. to Midnight to Monday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., 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 hours 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 through a community consultation process and considered; and

(c)

given there has been no history of non-compliance with the operation, the amendment to permit extended hours of liquor service under the Food Primary Liquor Licence should not change the establishment so that it is operated contrary to its primary purpose.

(3)

As the operation of a licenced establishment may affect nearby residents the City gathered the view 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 providing instructions on how community comments or concerns could be submitted.; and

(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 responses 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

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

5.

2013 Richmond Film Office Annual Report
(File Ref. No. 08-4150-09-01) (REDMS No. 4160967)

In response to questions from Committee, Kerry Gillis, Film and Major Events Liaison, provided the following information:

§   

film production is typically focused around the Steveston area and, as such, communication, prior to and after filming, with merchants and residents continues to be a high priority;

§   

merchants are encouraged to follow industry standards related to financial compensation from the production companies;

§   

the “Partners on Screen” designation from the British Columbia Film Commission would certify that the City has met certain servicing standards; thus making Richmond more attractive as a filming location;

§   

staff are in discussion with the Economic Development division regarding the feasibility and potential need for a film studio; and

§   

the City receives compensation from production companies for lost street parking revenue during filming.

It was moved and seconded

That the 2013 Richmond Film Office Annual Report, dated March 3, 2014, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called as Committee commented that the City capitalize on tourism opportunities by promoting design sets constructed for film productions, such as the fake pirate ship at the Britannia Shipyards.  It was suggested that staff explore the former B.C. Packers site as a potential production studio.

In response to a query from Committee, Ms. Gillis advised that the proposed film studio would be further explored with the Economic Development and Real Estate divisions; however, it is anticipated that the proposed film studio be developed by a private organization.  The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:35 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, March 17, 2014.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk