November 7, 2016 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, November 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 Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Linda McPhail

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:22 p.m.

AGENDA ADDITIONS

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Matters Relating to the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project be added to the agenda as Item No. 3A; and

(2)

That the Bike Accident on River Road be added to the agenda as Item No. 3B.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on October 17, 2016 and the minutes of the Special General Purposes Committee held on October 24, 2016, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

1.

Municipal and Regional District Tax Imposition Bylaw No. 9631 and Metro Vancouver Letter of Support

(File Ref. No. 08-4150-03-01; 08-4150-03-01) (REDMS No. 5183432; 5154740; 5184827)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) Imposition Bylaw No. 9631 be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and

(2)

That staff be directed to seek the support of Metro Vancouver for the City’s intention to renew the MRDT at the rate of 3% on the price of accommodation in Richmond, starting July 1, 2017 and effective for five years.

The question on the motion was not called as, in reply to questions from Committee, Neonila Lilova, Manager, Economic Development clarified that (i) previously, the full 2% of the MRDT went to Tourism Richmond for funding destination marketing and the proposed increase to 3% would allow the City to retain funding and distribute to other initiatives (ii) that the proposed $400,000 allocated for sport hosting was made as a part of the tourism funding governance review launched in 2012 and (iii) changes made to the governance model include the addition of Richmond representation on Tourism Richmond’s Board of Directors.

George Duncan, Chief Administrative Officer, added that five of the 12 directors on the Tourism Richmond board represent the City and that the 3% rate is being requested in order to dedicate more funding to tourism infrastructure. Mr. Duncan further commented that the Province limits what the MRDT funds can be allocated for.

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

2.

sign bylaw update and public consultation process

(File Ref. No. 03-0900-01) (REDMS No. 5165807 v. 2)

Cecilia Achiam, Director, Administration and Compliance, highlighted the proposed changes to the Sign Bylaw including (i) limiting the percentage of storefront that can be covered (ii) proposing incentives for businesses to comply (iii) allowing electronic signs with changeable copies and (iv) regulating signs on constructions sites. Ms. Achiam stated that staff are still exploring the option of grandfathering signs currently in place that would not conform to the updated Sign Bylaw.

In response to queries from Committee, Ms. Achiam clarified that (i) there is a section in the proposed Sign Bylaw on community signs, which would include garage sale signage (ii) election signs are covered under a separate bylaw (iii) sandwich boards displayed on public sidewalks would not be permitted under the updated bylaw (iv) restrictions regarding window coverage would only apply to lettering and pictures and (v) real estate sign regulations are also included in the proposed changes to the Sign Bylaw.

Councillor Dang left the meeting (4:58 p.m.) and did not return.

Ms. Achiam further commented that businesses who have applied for sign permits since community outreach began in 2014 have been cooperative in including English on signs and there has been a decrease in the complaints received for signs regarding language.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed changes to Sign Bylaw No. 5560 outlined in the staff report titled “Sign Bylaw Update and Public Consultation Process”, dated October 13, 2016, from the Director, Administration and Compliance be received for information; and

(2)

That proposed public consultation process detailed in the staff report titled “Sign Bylaw Update and Public Consultation Process”, dated October 13, 2016, from the Director, Administration and Compliance be endorsed.

CARRIED

3.

disposition of a statutory right of way over 8080 anderson road/8111 granville avenue for the purpose of utilities and related services

(File Ref. No. 06-2285-30-198) (REDMS No. 5154403 v. 4)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a Statutory Right of Way (SRW) to Telus over 8080 Anderson Road/8111 Granville Avenue (Lot A Section 9 Block 4 North Range 6 West New Westminster District Plan EPP33799, PID 029-628-164) for a nominal fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00), plus applicable GST, for the purpose of utilities and related services be granted;

(2)

That a SRW to Shaw over 8080 Anderson Road/8111 Granville Avenue for a nominal fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00), plus applicable GST, for the purpose of utilities and related services be granted; and

(3)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services be authorized to negotiate and execute all documentation, including all contracts and Land Title Office documents, to effect the transaction detailed in the staff report titled “Disposition of a Statutory Right of Way over 8080 Anderson Road/8111 Granville Avenue for the Purpose of Utilities and Related Services” dated October 17, 2016 from the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services.

CARRIED

3A.

Matters related to the george MAssey Tunnel replacement PRoject

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

Councillor Steves distributed on table copies of four articles pertaining to agricultural land and Vancouver’s port facilities and issues around harvesting natural gas from the Fraser River around Steveston (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1). Councillor Steves commented that staff should inquire with the Federal Government about (i) comments from the Port Authority around the exclusion of agricultural land from the Agricultural Land Reserves (ii) issues around soil liquefaction along the Fraser River and (iii) concerns regarding stability on the proposed George Massey Tunnel Replacement project site.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff inquire as to what the Federal Minister of Agriculture meant in his statements regarding BC agricultural land as quoted in the articles circulated on table; and

(2)

That staff be directed to investigate and submit a request to the Province under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, if necessary, for any reports or studies that have been conducted recently or prior to the construction of the George Massey Tunnel on the subject of liquefaction or the geological stability of the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project site.

The question on the motion was not called as further discussion ensued with regards to the previous FOI request from Richmond City Council and the stability of the proposed site of the replacement bridge.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Loo opposed.

3B.

Bike accident on river road

(File Ref. No.:  ) (REDMS No.)

Direction was given to staff to examine traffic and safety conditions on River Road where a fatal accident involving a vehicle and several cyclists occurred on Sunday, November 6, 2016, including potential options for mitigating similar incidents and the possibility of banning cyclists in the area. 

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine the circumstances and the area around the accident that occurred on River Road on November 6, 2016 and report back.

CARRIED

Councillor Steves distributed an additional article on titled, “Barnston business dilemma: industry or ALR?” dated November 1, 2016 from Business in Vancouver (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2) and advised that the article was also relevant to the discussion and referral motion under item 3A.

It was moved and seconded

That the article, attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2, be referred to staff along with the articles relating to item 3A.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:27 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, November 7, 2016.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Amanda Welby
Acting Legislative Services Coordinator