November 19, 2018 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, November 19, 2018

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Kelly Greene
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves
Councillor Michael Wolfe

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 November 6, 2018, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library Program Update
(File Ref. No. 06-2052-25-SCCR1) (REDMS No. 6008656)

In reply to queries regarding correspondence distributed from the Richmond Arts Coalition (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1), Elizabeth Ayers, Director, Recreation and Sport Services, advised that the proposed program for the Steveston Community Centre would be able to accommodate performance and presentation space.  The Chair requested that staff liaise with the Chair of the Richmond Arts Coalition to discuss the matter.

In reply to queries from Committee on the proposed Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library replacement and staff provided the following information:

§   

the proposed Library will have approximately 12,400 square feet of space; this total area does not include shared spaces such as the lobby, washrooms, staff rooms and so forth that will be utilized by both the Community Centre and Library;

§   

the proposed program is supported by the Steveston Community Centre Concept Design Building Committee and the Richmond Public Library Board;

§   

should Council wish to increase the total square footage proposed, staff will work with the Steveston Community Centre Concept Design Building Committee to allocate said new space;

§   

the figures listed for child care space in Table 2 of the staff report were determined in partnership with a representative from the Child Care Development Advisory Committee;

§   

the current Community Police Station is standalone and adequate; however, should the site selection for the proposed new facility determine that the current Community Police Station needs to be relocated, its replacement would be examined at that time;

§   

the proposed program includes washroom space for park users, however, this space can be expanded to include the addition of changeroom space to serve park users;

§   

the site selection process will include going out to the public in partnership with the Steveston Community Centre Concept Design Building Committee to seek feedback through avenues such as Lets Talk Richmond; following the conclusion of receiving feedback, locations would be evaluated and staff would report back to Council with pros and cons from the community on the site options;

§   

staff liaised with Vancouver Coastal Health on the potential to utilize the airspace parcel above the proposed community centre to build seniors housing and Vancouver Coastal Health determined that synergies were not extensive enough for them to pursue such a project;

§   

staff engaged with TransLink on the requirements for a bus exchange and have been advised that there is not adequate space to accommodate such use; however, staff will liaise with TransLink again as part of the site selection process to further examine this possibility;

§   

the proposed space allocation for multipurpose rooms range in size and specifically for purpose such as preschool or banquet space; 14,000 square feet has been allocated for a gymnasium, which is dividable;

§   

staff require programing certainty prior to proceeding to the site selection process in order to best determine synergies with other facilities;

§   

a stage was not identified as a highly desired feature; however, there are several ways in which a stage can be accommodated through detail design; for instance, there are mobile and dropdown stages; and

§   

the first stage of consultation included extensive consultation with the community and in particular with children and youth; in addition, Steveston schools were invited to provide feedback.

Discussion took place on the potential to maximize the airspace parcel above the proposed new community centre and in particular the potential to partner with other organizations, not necessarily Vancouver Coastal Health.

Discussion further took place and Committee queried (i) the adequacy of the total square footage proposed, (ii) the potential inclusion of additional space to accommodate child care and meeting rooms, (iii) the potential to incorporate a bus exchange, and (iv) the potential to utilize the airspace to build seniors housing.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library Program Update” dated November 1, 2018 be referred back to staff to work with the Steveston Community Centre Concept Design Building Committee to examine:

(1)

options for meeting rooms;

(2)

options for child care space;

(3)

potential uses of the airspace parcel;

(4)

a bus exchange;

(5)

multipurpose room space;

(6)

changerooms and washrooms for the Park; and

(7)

potential impacts on the Community Police Station.

The question on the referral motion was not called as in reply to a query from Committee, Martin Younis, Senior Project Manager, advised that staff will endeavour to report back in the first quarter of 2019.

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

Discussion then took place on the City-owned lot on Moncton Street across the street from the existing community centre, and the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine the City-owned lot on the south side of Moncton Street and options for its development, disposal or incorporation into the proposed new Steveston Community Centre and Library Branch project.

CARRIED

In reply to queries from Committee, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that a bus exchange in Steveston Village is currently identified in TransLink’s 10-Year Investment Plan and staff are actively liaising with TransLink on design options.  Committee expressed that a bus exchange in Steveston Village is a priority to Council and as a result staff were directed to prepare a letter to TransLink requesting an update on the status and timeline of the Steveston Transit Exchange. Committee remarked that it is pertinent that TransLink be made aware that the City is in the process of building a new community centre and library in Steveston Village

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

2.

Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538, Amendment Bylaw No. 9961 – 4211 No. 3 Road
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-00961) (REDMS No. 6017566)

It was moved and seconded

That Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538, Amendment Bylaw No. 9961, which amends Schedule A of Bylaw No. 7538, to add the address of 4211 No. 3 Road among the sites that permit an Amusement Centre to operate, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S OFFICE

3.

Richmond's Submission to Transport Canada on the Port Authority Review
(File Ref. No. 01-0025-01) (REDMS No. 6011892)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission to Transport Canada detailed in the report “Richmond's Submission to Transport Canada on the Port Authority Review” from the Director, Corporate Programs Management Group, regarding the review of the Canadian Port Authorities, be endorsed and submitted to the Government of Canada; and

(2)

That copies of the submission be forwarded to local Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly as well as senior Federal Ministers on the West Coast of British Columbia.

The question on the motion was not called as Councillor Day distributed materials on table (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 2) and spoke to her submission.

Discussion took place on Richmond’s submission to Transport Canada on the Canadian Port Review and the following changes were agreed to:

§   

Add the following under Recommendations for 1. Port Governance

g. 

Create a Western Canada Port Agency to amalgamate the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Prince Rupert Port Authority, to collaborate and develop a Western Canada Strategy that utilizes marine and inland ports.  This would include: Marine Port Alberni Port Authority and Nanaimo Port Authority, and major inland ports in/near Ashcroft, Prince George, Edmonton (Port Alberta), Calgary, Regina (Global Transportation Hub) and Winnipeg (CentrePort Canada).

§   

Delete the word “perceived” from 1. Port Governance, City of Richmond Issues: “a”.

Discussion took place on the City’s position with regard to the purchase of agricultural land for industrial use by Canadian or foreign entities.  As a result, the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the first sentence of Recommendation “c” under Recommendations for 1. Port Governance be revised to add the words “purchase or” to read as follows:

c. 

The City is opposed to the purchase or use of agricultural land for industrial use.

CARRIED
Opposed: Cllr. Loo

Discussion further took place on Richmond’s submission to Transport Canada on the Canadian Port Review and the following changes were agreed to:

§   

Revise Recommendation “c” under 2. Innovation and Trade Logistics to add the words “efficiently and exclusively” to read as follows:

c. 

Create increased density on VFPA owned lands to minimize the pressure on agriculture land and use the land efficiently and exclusively for Port related uses only.

§   

Adding the following as Recommendation “b” under 1. Port Governance:

i. 

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority should not be permitted to conduct environmental reviews for projects on land that they own or have an interest in.

§   

Revise all Recommendation headers to read “Recommendations & Imperatives.”

The question on the motion relating to the revised report was then called and it was CARRIED.

Discussion then ensued regarding reemphasising the City’s position on the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation’s jet fuel line and the need for tenants of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to follow the same approval process as other Richmond businesses.  As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That a letter to be written to Transport Canada (i) to re-emphasize the City’s opposition to the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation’s jet fuel line, (ii) to re-iterate that the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority should not be permitted to conduct environmental reviews for projects on land that they own or have an interest in, and (iii) to examine the cumulative effects of projects in the context of the community and the Fraser River.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

4.

UBCM 2019 Age-Friendly Communities Grant Submission
(File Ref. No. 07-3400-01) (REDMS No. 6005442)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) 2019 Age-friendly Communities Grant Program for $25,000 in the Age-friendly Assessments, Action Plans and Planning Category be endorsed; and

(2)

That should the funding application be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and a General Manager be authorized to enter into agreement with the UBCM for the above mentioned project and the Consolidated 5-Year Financial Plan (2019-2023) be updated accordingly.

CARRIED

5.

Special Event Permits Pilot Project – Report Back
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 6010445 v. 3)

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

§   

liquor will not be available at all events;

§   

events will continue to be evaluated and approved on a case-by-case basis through the City’s Richmond Event Approval Coordination Team (REACT); and

§   

the REACT, Richmond RCMP and BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch approve or deny applicants for liquor at events.

Discussion took place on the pros and cons of allowing liquor at city-events and it was noted that requests by non-City organizations for Special Event Permits for site-wide liquor will continue to be evaluated and approved by the City’s REACT event permit approval process.

There was agreement to consider Parts (1) and (2) of the staff recommendation separately.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Special Event Permits Pilot Project – Report Back”, dated October 31, 2018, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services be received for information.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

(2)

That Special Event Permits for site-wide liquor licensing at City produced events be endorsed, subject to conditions being met under the City’s Richmond Event Approval Coordination Team (REACT) application and prior approval of the Major Events Advisory Group.

CARRIED
Opposed: Cllr. McNulty

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:32 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 19, 2018.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Legislative Services Coordinator