March 7, 2016 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, March 7, 2016

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 February 15, 2016, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

1.

Diane Sugars, Executive Director, Chimo Community Services (Chimo), accompanied by Neena Randhawa, Coordinator, Outreach and Advocacy, led the meeting in a review of the report provided (copy on file, City Clerk's Office) on Chimo’s “Vacant House Project,” and offered the following additional comments:

§  Chimo is seeking to develop a strong working relationship with the City’s Planning and Development Department, to assist in informing developers about the project and its benefits; and

§  BC Housing has expressed an interest in contributing to the cost of a full time
staff person at Chimo dedicated to the “Vacant House Project,” preferably in collaboration with the City.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the opportunity available to Chimo to apply for funding through the City’s grant program and (ii) the feasibility of City staff informing developers about the project.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Sugars noted that (i) Chimo had accessed funding through the City grant program for a separate initiative and (ii) Chimo was seeking support specifically for the “Vacant House Project.”

Gavin Woo, Senior Manager, Building Approvals, added that Chimo had previously presented at a Small Builders Committee meeting, and could be invited back to provide additional details and information sheets on the project (developed collaboratively by the City and Chimo). 

Discussion ensued regarding (i) services provided through the “Vacant House Project” (ii) liability and responsibility issues related to the project and (iii) the need for involvement of the Provincial and Federal governments in providing funding and support for housing initiatives.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Sugars welcomed the City to contribute to the cost of a full time staff person at Chimo dedicated to the “Vacant House Project,” and noted BC Housing’s interest in sharing the cost of position.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Vacant House Project,” provided by Chimo Community Services, be received for information.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR BILL McNULTY

2.

Proposed Trip to Pierrefonds – Late May 2016
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4939276)

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the delegation proposed to participate in the trip to Pierrefonds (ii) potentially inviting an elected City or School Board representative to join the delegation (iii) the City’s historic relationship with Pierrefonds (iv) the importance of maintaining the Sister‑city connection and (v) funding in the 2014-16 activity plan for Sister-city activities.

It was moved and seconded

Whereas Richmond City Council strongly believes that the Sister-city relationship with Pierrefonds is still viable and relevant, and wishes to consider future Sister-city activities between the two cities;

Therefore, be it resolved that:

(1)   the updated report on Pierrefonds be received for information; and

(2)   a Richmond School Board representative be invited to join the delegation to Pierrefonds (at their expense).

CARRIED

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S OFFICE

3.

Sister-Friendship Cities Youth Table Tennis Tournament
(File Ref. No. 01-0130-01) (REDMS No. 4928351)

Discussion ensued regarding (i) timing of the events in relation to the school year (ii) student participation in the tournament (iii) tournament sponsorship and (iv) budget allocations in the Sister City Activity Plan for sport activities.

In response to queries from Committee, Amarjeet Rattan, Director, Intergovernmental Relations and Protocol Unit, reported on (i) Richmond School Board representation on the Sister City Advisory Committee (ii) community groups’ involvement in the tournament and related events (iii) recognition of tournament sponsors and (iv) funding for the tournament.

It was moved and seconded

That Council support the Richmond Sister City Advisory Committee initiative to organize the 2016 Sister-Friendship Cities Youth Table Tennis Tournament as outlined in the February 22, 2016 report from the Director of Intergovernmental Relations and Protocol Unit.

CARRIED

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

4.

Steveston Business Development Alliance Funding Request
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4925581 v. 2)

Neonilla Lilova, Manager, Economic Development, noted that the report provided would be revised prior to its presentation to Council, to exclude the incorrect reference on the third page, to a BIA in North Vancouver.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the request for funding in the amount of $30,000 towards a feasibility study of Steveston businesses and property owners, to determine the level of support for the establishment of a Business Improvement Area in Steveston, as detailed in a letter to the City by the Steveston Business Development Alliance, dated February 11, 2016, be declined; and

(2)

That the Steveston Business Development Alliance be notified in writing of the above decision.

CARRIED

5.

Chief Licence Inspector Appointment
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4928853)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the part of Resolution (R09/6-4) relating to the appointment of Glenn McLaughlin as Chief Licence Inspector, be rescinded; and

(2)

That Carli Edwards be appointed as the Chief Licence Inspector for the purpose of carrying out the statutory duties prescribed in Section 60 of the Community Charter and in accordance with Business Bylaw No. 7360.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

6.

RICHMOND CELEBRATES CANADA 150 – Proposed Program
(File Ref. No. 03-0900-01) (REDMS No. 4906708 v. 9)

Discussion ensued regarding (i) information pending on public art opportunities during Canada 150 (ii) encouraging youth involvement in Canada 150 activities (iii) efforts to avoid repeating similar events at similar venues and (iv) funding available for Canada 150 activities through the “Department of Canadian Heritage - Canada 150 Fund.”

In response to questions from Committee, Dave Semple, General Manager, Interagency Programs and Steveston Waterfront Major Initiative, Bryan Tasaka, Manager, Major Events and Film, and Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Heritage and Cultural Administration, provided comments on: (i) monthly updates to be provided to Council on the Canada 150 program and (ii) discussions to be held with community centres on planning for Canada 150 events.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Canada 150 projects as detailed in the report titled “Richmond Celebrates Canada 150 – Proposed Program,” dated February 11, 2016 from the General Manager, Interagency Programs and Steveston Waterfront Major Initiatives, be approved;

(2)

That funding in the amount of $1,200,000 be allocated from the Council Community Initiatives Fund to fund the new events;

(3)

That $560,000 be transferred from the Major Events Provisional Fund to support Maritime Festival 2017, Richmond World Festival 2017 and Days of Summer 2017;

(4)

That the 5 Year Financial Plan (2016-2020) Bylaw be amended to include an additional expenditure of $1,760,000;

(5)

That staff bring forward a report outlining criteria and a funding source for a Canada 150 Community Celebration Funding Program as outlined on page 5 of the staff report;

(6)

That the report titled “Richmond Celebrates Canada 150 – Proposed Program,” dated February 11, 2016 from the General Manager, Interagency Programs and Steveston Waterfront Major Initiatives, be referred to the next Council/School Board Liaison Committee meeting for discussion; and

(7)

That Council authorize an application to the “Department of Canadian Heritage - Canada 150 Fund” in support of Richmond Celebrates Canada 150 activities.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:31 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 7, 2016.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Carrie Peacock
Recording Secretary