February 15, 2016 - Minutes
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Date: |
Monday, February 15, 2016 |
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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 February 1, 2016, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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DELEGATIONS |
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1. |
(1) |
With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Richmond Hospital Foundation represented by Kyle Shury, Board Chair, Chad Pederson, Chair Stakeholder Relations, and Natalie Meixner, President and CEO, spoke on the need for a new acute care tower for Richmond Hospital, noting that: |
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the Foundation is seeking support from the City in their advocating efforts to build a new acute care tower for Richmond Hospital; |
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the original building is structurally deficient and would sustain damage in a moderate earthquake; |
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the number of available hospital beds has not kept pace with the population of Richmond; |
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Richmond has a significant senior population that require specialized services; |
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Richmond Hospital has reached capacity, however patients are not turned away; |
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a survey commissioned by the Foundation shows there is support for a new acute care tower from Richmond residents; |
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Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has placed Richmond Hospital as the second priority behind proposed expansion of Lions Gate Hospital; |
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other communities are vocal in their advocacy for improving health care facilities in their region; |
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The Foundation is committed to raising $40 million, but will need a Provincial commitment; |
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a new acute care tower will take approximately five to seven years to design and build; and |
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the Foundation has met with local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) on the matter. |
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Discussion ensued with regard to (i) the timeline to construct the acute care tower, (ii) patients from outside Richmond using the hospital, (iii) discussing the proposed hospital improvements with local MLAs and the Minister of Health, and (iv) the need to prioritize the proposed hospital improvements. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Meixner, noted that (i) some patients require specialized care outside of Richmond, (ii) the Foundation is active in community engagement and will lead efforts to fundraise for the proposed acute care tower, and (iii) Provincial support for the proposed acute care tower is required in addition to funds raised by the Foundation. |
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Discussion then ensued with respect to (i) advocating for the proposed acute care tower in advance of the upcoming Provincial election, (ii) support expressed by VCH on the proposed acute care tower, and (iii) working conditions of Richmond Hospital staff. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Meixner advised that the Foundation is a charitable organization and is detached from VCH. She added that the Foundation will require partnerships with VCH and the Province to complete the proposed project. |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) the deficiencies in the current building, (ii) the capacity required to address the care needs of an ageing population, and (iii) the additional resources required for modern medical care. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Meixner noted that the Foundation is active in community engagement and that support from the City and community stakeholders will encourage Provincial support of the proposed hospital improvements. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That letters be sent to the Premier, Minister of Health, Richmond Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Chair of Vancouver Coastal Health and the President of Vancouver Coastal Health, requesting an immediate commitment from the Province to build a new Richmond Hospital Acute Care Tower for completion within five years; and |
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(2) |
That a letter be sent to Richmond Members of the Legislative Assembly requesting that they provide written confirmation of their support for a new Richmond Hospital Acute Care Tower. |
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CARRIED |
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(2) |
Debbie Tablotney, Board Chair, Donna Sargent, Board Vice-Chair, Sherry Elwood, Superintendent of Schools, and Mark De Mello, Secretary Treasurer, School District No. 38 (Richmond), briefed Committee on the District’s long term facilities plans and school closure process, noting that: |
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the District has completed the public engagement phase consisting of online surveys and open houses; |
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through public engagement, background information on issues affecting the District was provided; |
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District staff are now in the process of applying the school closure policy to identify four to five schools for potential closure; |
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the District will keep Council informed on the school closure process; and |
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the District staff will continue to work with the City to identify possible uses for closed and surplus sites. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. De Mello noted that the District’s target of four to five school closures was partly determined by enrollment efficiency rates, which the Province uses to prioritize schools for seismic remediation. He added that schools would require an enrollment efficiency rate of 90-95% in order to be considered for seismic remediation and that potential schools considered for closure would be small to medium sized. |
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Discussion ensued with respect to (i) prioritizing seismic upgrades in schools, (ii) the enrollment efficiency rate set by the Province, and (iii) future capacity needs of schools in the city. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Sargent noted that the community needs differ and may not reflect the standardized enrollment efficiency rate mandated by the Province for seismic remediation. |
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Discussion took place regarding (i) the portion of funds kept by the District when school sites are closed or sold, (ii) the ownership of school land, and (iii) the projected increase in residential development and the future need for schools. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Tablotney noted that the District monitors city development to anticipate future demand for schools. |
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Discussion then ensued regarding (i) the potential impact of a younger enrollment age for kindergarten, (ii) the varying capacity of schools in the city, (iii) historical acquisition of land for school expansion in the city, and (iv) alternative options to liquidating District sites such as land swaps, repurposing buildings and leasing. |
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COUNCILLOR HAROLD STEVES |
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2. |
George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project |
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Discussion ensued with regard to (i) how the proposed George Massey Tunnel Replacement (GMTR) project has evolved from the previous six-lane proposal to the current bridge proposal, (ii) stakeholder proposals to consider future shipping terminals and dredging along the Fraser River, (iii) options proposed by stakeholders for the removal of the tunnel or constructing a deeper tunnel, and (iv) the potential impact of the GMTR project on surrounding municipalities. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the City of Richmond request that the Provincial Government provide copies of all reports and studies - including but not limited to business plans, feasibility studies, technical studies, seismic studies, and/or environmental impact studies - that relate to the original plan to twin the George Massey Tunnel and/or provide Rapid Bus service that were considered during the period from 2006 to 2008; and that if necessary, that the foregoing request be made as an official Freedom of Information request; and |
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(2) |
That a letter be sent to the Auditor General requesting comments on the process leading up to the decision related to the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project. |
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CARRIED |
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COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION |
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3. |
Steveston Historic Sites Building Committee Terms of Reference 2016 |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Steveston Historic Sites Building Committee Terms of Reference as detailed in the staff report titled “Steveston Historic Sites Building Committee Terms of Reference 2016,” dated January 29, 2016, from the Senior Manager, Parks, be approved. |
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CARRIED |
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FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION |
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4. |
Appointment of Acting Corporate Officer |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Dovelle Buie, Acting Manager, Legislative Services, be appointed as an Acting Corporate Officer for the purposes of carrying out statutory duties prescribed in section 148 of the Community Charter in the absence of, or as directed by, David Weber, Director, City Clerk’s Office (Corporate Officer). |
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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 (5:05 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 February 15, 2016. |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Evangel Biason |