October 19, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, October 19, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Alexa Loo
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 October 5, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Richard Vetter, WealthSmart Incorporated, accompanied by Stephanie Clarke, Myriad Strategic Marketing, spoke to the potential to establish a Business Improvement Area (BIA) in Steveston.  Mr. Vetter read from his submission attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Vetter and Ms. Clarke provided the following information:

§   

an annual levy is added to the property tax of each landowner within a designated BIA, regardless of whether or not a particular landowner is in favour or opposed to the BIA;

§   

the annual levy amount is typically calculated based on property assessment or on square footage;

§   

unanimous support for a BIA is improbable; however, a robust outreach campaign that explains in detail the anticipated benefits of a BIA can assist in increasing support;

§   

the proposed BIA boundary is anticipated to be properties within the immediate Steveston Village area; and

§   

a governance model has not been examined in detail; however, membership can include both property owners and business owners.

Discussion took place and it was noted that additional information regarding the proposed BIA would be valuable, and in particular, Committee requested that information regarding the Steveston Merchants Association (SMA), including the number of its members and who the members are would be appropriate.  Also, Committee requested information regarding the activities of other BIAs in the Lower Mainland.

Ms. Clarke stated that she would recirculate the video link to Council.  In reply to further queries from Committee, Ms. Clarke advised that there is no rush to establish a BIA in Steveston; instead, the SMA would like to maximize opportunities to reach out to as many property and business owners as possible.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Vetter spoke to alternatives to the establishment of a BIA in Steveston, noting that the continuation of the SMA is challenging due to limited numbers of volunteers carrying out the work.  Ms. Clarke advised that the BIA’s boundary is determined at the time of establishment, and the boundary of the BIA remains the same during its term.  Also, she stated that BIAs traditionally collaborate with their respective local governments, however, local governments do not have a formal say on how the levy is allocated.

Discussion ensued on a past attempt to establish a BIA in Steveston Village, and it was noted that the community was divided.  Also, discussion took place on the potential to assist Steveston businesses by means of installing street banners and street furniture to better promote Steveston Village.

In reply to further queries from Committee, Mr. Vetter advised that not all businesses within a BIA would necessarily benefit to the same extent as other businesses; instead, he was of the opinion that a vibrant business community in general would reverberate to all businesses within the area.

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Statutory Right of Way over a Portion of 23560 Westminster Highway
(File Ref. No. 06-2285-30-187) (REDMS No. 4571310 v. 2)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City secure a statutory right of way over ±272.5 m² portion of 23560 Westminster Highway (PID: 027-095-878) from the British Columbia Transportation Financing Authority for Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) including applicable taxes; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Finance & Corporate Services be authorized to negotiate and execute all documentation to effect the transaction detailed in the staff report, dated September 29, 2015, including all agreements and Land Title Office documents.

CARRIED

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

3.

Lessons Learned from the Windstorm of August 29, 2015
(File Ref. No. 09-5125-03-01) (REDMS No. 4727701 v. 2)

In reply to queries from Committee, Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, and Fire Chief John McGowan provided the following information:

§   

the cost of the City’s response to the August windstorm was approximately $26,000;

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the application for Disaster Financial Assistance is an onerous process;

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the inclusion of an alternative power source for traffic signals is prioritized to key intersections, including those that lead to a bridge, a highway or an arterial road; and

§   

E-Comm is aware of their technological limitations in light of the windstorm and is seeking solutions with their telecommunication provider; in addition, E-Comm is examining ways in which to manage behavioural issues such calls for non-urgent matters.

Discussion took place on forwarding a copy of the staff report to Metro Vancouver for information.

As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Lessons Learned from the Windstorm of August 29, 2015,” dated September 13, 2015, from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information; and

(2)

That a letter be sent to Metro Vancouver, with a copy of the staff report titled “Lessons Learned from the Windstorm of August 29, 2015,” dated September 13, 2015, from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, for information.

The question on the motion was not called as Committee commented on the City’s fortune with regard to the limited damage caused by the windstorm and the uninterrupted use of power throughout it. 

The Chair directed that staff convey Council’s gratitude to staff for their proactive approach and hard work throughout the windstorm, noting that their efforts were instrumental in ensuring the City remained safe.

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

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

4.

Update on Port Metro Vancouver Project and Environmental Review Application Process
(File Ref. No. 10-6160-01) (REDMS No. 4746931 v. 4)

The Chair suggested that staff’s comments regarding the Port Metro Vancouver Project and Environmental Review Application Process be supplemented by Metro Vancouver’s request (i) for formal recognition of municipal bylaws and Official Community Plans, (ii) that local government consultation be required for all project categories, and (iii) that a project appeal process be directed through the Port Metro Vancouver Board where there is a dispute. 

Also, there was agreement that comments in the staff report, including the additional aforementioned comments be forwarded to the provincial Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and the provincial Minister of the Environment.

As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That comments in the staff report titled “Update on Port Metro Vancouver Project and Environmental Review Application Process” dated October 9, 2015 from the Director, Engineering for projects and activities within Port Metro Vancouver’s jurisdiction, be revised to include that the Port Metro Vancouver Board incorporate the following elements into the PMV Project and Environmental Review process:

(a)

that municipal bylaws and Official Community Plans be formally recognized;

(b)

that local government consultation be required for all project categories; and

(c)

that a project appeal process be directed through the PMV Board where there is a dispute; and

(2)

That comments, as amended by Committee, in the staff report titled “Update on Port Metro Vancouver Project and Environmental Review Application Process” dated October 9, 2015 from the Director, Engineering be forwarded to Port Metro Vancouver, local Members of Parliament, the federal Ministry of the Environment, the provincial Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and the provincial Minister of the Environment.

The question on the motion was not called as Councillor Steves distributed maps of the City’s shorelines (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 2), and spoke to Port Metro Vancouver’s category definitions under their new project and environmental review process for projects and activities within their jurisdiction; in particular, it was noted that categories A and B are defined as projects that are minor or relatively minor in nature. 

Also, it was noted that Port Metro Vancouver has applied for exemption requests for their proposed Habitat Enhancement Projects; two of the four projects are along the City’s shorelines: the South Arm Jetty Tidal Marsh and the Steveston Island Tidal Marsh.  It was noted that additional information from staff on how these projects will affect the City’s shorelines would be valuable and it was suggested that this matter be discussed at the October 21, 2015 Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting.

John Irving, Director, Engineering, advised that discussions with Port Metro Vancouver have been ongoing at the staff level regarding the two aforementioned projects, noting that thus far, staff has not been supportive of their plans.  He advised that staff will continue to engage with Port Metro Vancouver staff in an effort to ensure that their activities along the City’s shorelines are consistent with Council’s objectives.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:05 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, October 19, 2015.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Legislative Services Coordinator