September 5, 2017 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

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 meetings of the General Purposes Committee held on July 17, 2017 and July 24, 2017, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

1.

Feasibility of Running the Steveston Interurban Tram

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 5494486)

In reply to queries from Committee, Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, provided the following information:

§   

a business case analysis had not been completed for the Steveston Interurban Tram;

§   

tram routing options require further analysis;

§   

although public consultation for the Steveston Long-term Streetscape Visions is underway, none of the proposed options preclude a future operating tram;

§   

the proposed funds to be allocated for a feasibility study include a business case analysis, including costs versus benefits, a transportation and engineering analysis of the scope and costs to retrofit the tram to render it operational, and a detailed analysis of the geometric and pavement structure; and

§   

staff have been in regular contact with the City of Surrey’s staff in relation to their tram operations.

Discussion ensued and the Chair directed staff to examine other successful operating trams, including the City of Surrey’s, as part of the proposed feasibility study.  Also, discussion took place on the potential for a cost analysis of operating a replica tram as a backup provision.

It was moved and seconded

That $50,000 be allocated from Council Contingency to undertake a feasibility study that includes a business case analysis (including cost vs. benefits) and transportation and engineering analysis of the operation of the tram running between the existing tram building at No.1 Road and Moncton Street and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, as well as further work including determining the capital and operating costs required for the tram itself.

CARRIED

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Digital Strategy – Status Update 2017

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 5494368 v. 2)

In reply to queries from Committee, Grant Fengstad, Director, Information Technology, highlighted that the City’s digital strategy differs from other municipalities’ in that a user need only create a single profile for all City services; typically, municipal services utilizes various platforms that require independent logins.  Also, he noted that the City’s application has been downloaded approximately 3,000 times.

It was moved and seconded

That Attachment 1 to the staff report, “ Digital Strategy – Status Update 2017” dated August 4, 2017 from the Director, Information Technology be endorsed and made available to the community through the City’s website and various communication tools including social media channels to promote and increase awareness of the City’s progress towards achieving its digital goals.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

3.

Application to Amend Food-Primary Liquor Licence – China House Seafood Restaurant Inc. Doing Business As: China House Seafood Restaurant, Unit 1008-8300 Capstan Way

(File Ref. No. 12-8275-30-001) (REDMS No. 5486582)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application from China House Seafood Restaurant Inc.,  for an amendment to increase their hours of liquor service under Food Primary Liquor Licence No. 304813 from 9:00 a.m. to Midnight, Monday to Sunday to 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday to Sunday, be supported and that a letter be sent to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch advising that:

(a)

Council supports the amendment for an increase in liquor service hours as the increase will not have a significant impact on the community;

(b)

The total person capacity will remain the same at 188 persons;

(c)

Council’s comments on the prescribed criteria (set out in Section 53 of the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulations) are as follows:

(i)

The potential for additional noise and traffic in the area was considered;

(ii)

The impact on the community was assessed through a community consultation process; and

(iii)

Given that 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;

(d)

As the operation of a licenced establishment may affect nearby residents the City  gathered the view of the residents as follows:

(i)

Property owners and businesses within a 50 meter radius of the subject property were contacted by letter detailing the application, providing instructions on how community comments or concerns could be submitted; and

(ii)

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; and

(e)

Council’s comments and recommendations respecting the view of the residents are as follows:

(i)

That based on the number of letters sent and the three 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.

The question on the motion was not called as in reply to queries from Committee, Carli Edwards, Acting Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs and Licencing, provided background information on the City’s various policies relating to liquor service hours.  Also, Ms. Edwards advised that staff are in regular contact with the Richmond RCMP regarding concerns regarding businesses.

The Chair requested that staff provide information prior to the next Council meeting regarding a past liquor licence amendment application by the Pioneer Pub.

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

4.

Policy for Language on Signs

(File Ref. No. 01-0005-00) (REDMS No. 5498409)

In response to queries from Committee, Ms. Edwards advised that the proposed policy formalizes and reinforces the City’s current practice of encouraging the inclusion of wording that is at least 50 percent English on signs that are regulated by the City.  Also, Ms. Edwards remarked that the intent of the proposed policy to see signs with 50% English content.

It was moved and seconded

That the new Council Policy titled “Language on Regulated Signs”, which encourages the cooperative use of the English language on all regulated signage, be approved.

CARRIED

5.

Application to Amend Food-Primary Liquor Licence and to Add Patron Participation Endorsement - The Canadian Brew House (Richmond) Ltd. Doing Business As: The Canadian Brewhouse & Grill, 4755 McClelland Road

(File Ref. No. 12-8275-30-001) (REDMS No. 5500912)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application from The Canadian Brew House (Richmond) Ltd., doing business as The Canadian Brewhouse & Grill, for an amendment to increase their hours of liquor service under Food Primary Liquor Licence No. 307407 from 9:00 a.m. to Midnight, Monday to Sunday; to 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday to Sunday and a request to add Patron Participation Endorsement, be supported and that a letter be sent to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch advising that:

(a)

Council supports the amendment for an increase in liquor service hours;

(b)

Council supports the request for a food-primary patron participation entertainment endorsement to midnight as these amendments will not have a significant impact on the community;

(c)

The total person capacity will remain the same at 246 persons indoor and 38 persons for the outdoor patio;

(d)

Council’s comments on the prescribed criteria (set out in section 53 of the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulations) are as follows:

(i)

The potential for additional noise and traffic in the area was considered;

(ii)

The impact on the community was assessed through a community consultation process; and

(iii)

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

(e)

As the operation of a licenced establishment may affect nearby residents the City gathered the view of the residents as follows:

(i)

Property owners and businesses within a 50 meter radius of the subject property were contacted by letter detailing the application, providing instructions on how community comments or concerns could be submitted; and

(ii)

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; and 

(f)

Council’s comments and recommendations respecting the views of the residents are as follows:

(i)

That based on the number of letters sent and only one response received from all public notifications, Council considers that the amendments are acceptable to the majority of the residents in the area and the community.

CARRIED

6.

Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538, Amendment Bylaw No. 9743 – 8181 Cambie Rd Unit 1000

(File Ref. No. 12-8275-01) (REDMS No. 5464884)

It was moved and seconded

That Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538, Amendment Bylaw No. 9743 which amends Schedule A of Bylaw No. 7538, to remove the address of 7951 Alderbridge Way Unit 140 and replace with the address at 8181 Cambie Rd Unit 1000 among the sites that permit an Amusement Centre to operate, to permit the business Espot to relocate, be given first second and third readings.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:27 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 Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Legislative Services Coordinator