February 19, 2019 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

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 Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Absent:

Councillor Bill McNulty

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That Single-Use Plastic Items be added to the Agenda as Item No. 7.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on February 4, 2019, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR KELLY GREENE

1.

AUDIO RECORDINGs OF COUNCIL AND STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS 
(File Ref. No. 01-0105-00)

It was moved and seconded

To direct staff to identify feasible options for publishing on the City of Richmond website the audio recordings from all Council and Standing Committee meetings that are not video recorded and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion ensued and the following Committee comments were noted:

§   

the intent of the proposed referral motion is to provide greater accessibility and transparency of the City Council process;

§   

the publication of the audio recordings would provide interested members of the public the opportunity to listen to the meeting discussion, which may provide a level of context that may not necessarily be captured in the meeting minutes;

§   

currently, members of the public are often hesitant to address Council at a meeting as public speaking can be daunting; therefore, the publication of meeting audio recordings may further deter public delegations before Council;

§   

if meeting audio recordings were to be published on the City website, Council’s Committee meeting processes would need to be modified; for instance, the Chair would need to advise members of the public that they are being recorded, a roll call would need to be conducted at the beginning of the meeting, individual Council members would need to be identified aloud each time they speak and so forth;

§   

the display of motions on the floor in real time would lend itself well in improving transparency of the City Council process;

§   

the provision of meeting audio recordings would supplement agendas and minutes already published on the City website;

§   

the provision of meeting audio recordings for Public Hearings may be suitable as the Council Chambers is better equipped to capture audio; and

§   

meeting audio recordings are currently provided to members of the public as requested, which questions the need to publish them on the City website.

In reply to queries from Committee, David Weber, Director, City Clerk's Office, advised that audio recordings are taken for minute taking purposes.  He remarked that the audio visual system in the Anderson Room was not designed with the intent to capture audio for public broadcast and therefore, the quality of the audio recordings is poor.  He noted that the Council Chambers is better equipped for public broadcast of audio recordings as the infrastructure exists.  Also, Mr. Weber stated that the City Clerk’s Office receives a few requests annually from members of the public wishing to listen to meeting audio recordings.

The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Mayor Brodie, and Cllrs. Loo and McPhail opposed.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Hollybridge Way Public Art Landmark Proposed Location 
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-244) (REDMS No. 6059508 v. 9)

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed location for the Hollybridge Way Public Art Landmark artwork “Typhas” by artists Charlotte Wall and Puya Khalili, as presented in the staff report titled “Hollybridge Way Public Art Landmark Proposed Location,” dated January 16, 2019, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be endorsed.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place and in reply to queries from Committee, Liesl Jauk, Manager, Arts Services and Biliana Velkova, Public Art Planner, provided the following information:

§   

the proposed public art project is consistent with the Hollybridge Way Public Art Landmark Terms of Reference, which was approved by Council in June 2018;

§   

there is no provision to provide the proposed public art on private property;

§   

a staff report on the Council approval process for public art projects on private land is anticipated to be presented at the February 2019 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting;

§   

maintenance costs for public art projects are built into the program’s costs;

§   

when a call for artists for public art projects is issued, local artists are encouraged to apply; some public art projects are limited to local artist while others are open to local, national and international artists; this allows for a vibrant public art program that captures a diversity of art mediums;

§   

the public art program is robust in that the process is well defined and established;

§   

due to structural engineering and flood mitigation needs, the grand staircase (midway up the stairs) is recommended as the preferred site; and

§   

staff can examine sliding the public art over to the side; however there may be costs associated to reinforce the staircase.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed location for the Hollybridge Way Public Art Landmark artwork “Typhas” by artists Charlotte Wall and Puya Khalili, as presented in the staff report titled “Hollybridge Way Public Art Landmark Proposed Location,” dated January 16, 2019, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be tabled for one month.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place and Committee commented that the public art program process is well defined and established and the decision of the public art panel for this project should be respected, and should the public art program process be revised as a result of the anticipated staff report to be presented at the February 2019 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee alter, it would be for future public art projects.

The question on the tabling motion was then called and it was DEFEATED with Mayor Brodie, Cllrs. Au, Greene, Loo and McPhail opposed.

The question on the main motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Day, Steves and Wolfe opposed.

3.

2019 Arts and Culture Grants Program 
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 6059091 V. 2)

The Chair congratulated all staff involved in the City’s grants program for their efforts.

It was moved and seconded

That the 2019 Arts and Culture Grants be awarded for the recommended amounts and cheques disbursed for a total of $114,524, as outlined in the report titled “2019 Arts and Culture Grants Program” dated January 10, 2019 from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services.

CARRIED

4.

2019 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants 
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 6047179 v. 13, 6047157, 6080248)

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Councillor Alexa Loo declared herself to be in a conflict of interest with respect to Item No. 4 as she is a board member for KidSport.

There was agreement to consider proposed grant funding for KidSport separately and therefore, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the 2019 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants be awarded for the recommended amounts and funding cycles, and cheques disbursed for a total of $86,100 (with the removal of $23,000 for KidSport) as identified in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “2019 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants,” dated January 14, 2019, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place on the recommended 2019 Parks, Recreation and Community Events grant amounts and in reply to queries from Committee, Beayue Louie, Park Planner, provided the following information:

§   

grant applications are assessed based on the application scoring criteria as set out by Council;

§   

the application scoring criteria rates applications based on information provided by the deadline including areas related to (i) eligibility, (ii) applicant, (iii) impact on community and engagement, (iv) financials, and (v) quality of application;

§   

the grant funding recommended for the Hamilton Community Association is based on their request for funds for marketing and entertainment costs to expand their reach;

§   

the recommended grant funding for Rabbitats Rescue Society is based on their application submission as of the deadline;  information such as the use of grant funds for ineligible purposes (infrastructure) and the question of jurisdiction regarding their program were among the factors in determining the recommended grant funding;

§   

the WildResearch Society was not recommended due to an overall low score on its application; the main goal of the grant program is to assist non-profit community organizations in the delivery of programs and services that primarily benefit Richmond residents and the Society’s application failed to address this factor;

§   

the Growing Chefs Society is not recommended for funding largely due to the fact that the program is a school-based program, which is not eligible for grant funding as per the Guidelines; and

§   

the BC Kitefliers’ Association requested funds for their Children’s Kite Making workshop so that kites may be offered free of charge; the recommended grant funding is to cover the costs of 600 kite-making kits.

Discussion took place on correspondence dated February 19, 2019 submitted by the Rabbitats Rescue Society (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1).  As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That correspondence dated February 19, 2019 from Rabbitats Rescue Society be referred to staff to provide general remarks and information regarding what other jurisdictions are doing.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion took place on the intent of the referral in the context of the 2019 Parks, Recreation and Community Events grant recommendations.

It was suggested that the matter of addressing feral rabbits in Richmond in the broader context be discussed at an upcoming Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting.

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

Discussion then ensued regarding the main motion and the recommended grant allocations.  As a result, the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

$600 be added to the East Richmond Community Association grant allocation for a total of $1,800;

(2)

$600 be added to the BC Kitefliers’ Association grant allocation for a total of $1,200; and

(3)

$316 be added to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society grant allocation for a total of $1,316.

CARRIED

The question on the main motion, as amended to read as follows:

“That the 2019 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants be awarded for the recommended amounts and funding cycles, and cheques disbursed for a total of $86,616 and include:

(1)

the removal of $23,000 for KidSport and $1,000 for Rabbitats Rescue Society; and

(2)

the addition of:

(a)

$600 to the East Richmond Community Association grant allocation for a total of $1,800;

(b)

$600 to the BC Kitefliers’ Association grant allocation for a total of $1,200; and

(c)

$316 to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society grant allocation for a total of $1,316;

as identified in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “2019 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants,” dated January 14, 2019, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services.”

was then called and it was CARRIED.

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Councillor Alexa Loo declared herself to be in a conflict of interest with respect to the remainder of Item No. 4 as she is a board member for KidSport and left the meeting (5:06 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

That $23,000 be awarded to KidSport – Richmond Chapter as identified in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “2019 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants,” dated January 14, 2019, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services.

CARRIED

Councillor Loo returned to the meeting (5:07 p.m.).

5.

2019 Health, Social and Safety Grants 
(File Ref. No. 07-3040-01) (REDMS No. 6057796 v. 3; 6075319; 5950178)

In reply to queries from Committee, Lesley Sherlock, Planner 2, spoke to the recommended grant allocations, noting that it is challenging to allocate large amounts of grant funding to any given organization and challenges faced by the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre are a result of the elimination of provincial grant funding.

Discussion took place on utilizing remaining funds from the 2019 Health, Social and Safety Services Grants.  As a result, the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

$500 be added to the Stigma-Free Society grant allocation for a total of $2,500;

(2)

$316 be added to the Richmond Amateur Radio Club grant allocation for a total of $2,000;

(3)

$500 be added to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of British Columbia grant allocation for a total of $2,500; and

(4)

$1,000 be added to the Turning Point Recovery Society grant allocation for a total of $8,500.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the 2019 Health, Social and Safety Services Grants be awarded for the recommended amounts and funding cycles, and cheques disbursed for a total of $614,590 as per the report titled “2019 Health, Social and Safety Grants”, dated January 16, 2019, from the Manager of Community Social Development (Attachment 1) and include the addition of:

(a)

$500 to the Stigma-Free Society grant allocation for a total of $2,500;

(b)

$316 to the Richmond Amateur Radio Club grant allocation for a total of $2,000;

(c)

$500 to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of British Columbia grant allocation for a total of $2,500; and

(d)

$1,000 to the Turning Point Recovery Society grant allocation for a total of $8,500.

CARRIED

6.

2019 Child Care Grants 
(File Ref. No. 07-3070-01) (REDMS No. 6010376 v. 8; 5364413; 5955401; 6010359)

It was moved and seconded

That, as per the report titled “2019 Child Care Grants,” dated January 10, 2019, from the Manager of Community Social Development:

(1)

the Child Care Capital and Professional and Program Development Grants be awarded for the recommended amounts and cheques be disbursed for a total of $54,187; and

(2)

 a second Child Care Capital Grant intake for 2019 be scheduled to utilize the balance of unspent capital funds of $25,720.

CARRIED

7.

Single-Use Plastic Items 
(File Ref. No.)

Councillor Au spoke to the need to examine banning single-use plastic items, including plastic bags and drinking straws in Richmond.  As a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

Whereas plastic pollution is a major threat to our environment and it is estimated that approximately three billion plastic bags are used annually in Canada.  The average plastic bag is used for 20 minutes and takes more than 400 years to break down;

Whereas Canada is a signatory of the Ocean Plastics Charter in September 2018 and more than 60 countries have taken action to fight plastic pollution; and

Whereas in September 2018 a motion was unanimously passed at the UBCM Convention to call for a provincial ban on plastic bags and some cities, such as Victoria and Salmon Arm, already have bylaws to ban single-use plastic bags; and

Whereas Vancouver has voted to ban the distribution of plastic drinking straws as well as form containers and cups commencing June 1, 2019;

Therefore be it resolved that staff be directed to study the merits and practicability of banning single-use plastic items including plastic bags and plastic drinking straws in Richmond report back with recommendations in 60 days.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion took place on the timeliness of the referral and what surrounding municipalities have implemented related to single-use plastics.

Discussion took place on the need to examine other materials as well and Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, commented that staff’s analysis will include examining the City’s authority to implement such bans; also, he provided clarity with regard to the definition of single-use, noting that some Styrofoam containers such as those used for take-out food are considered single-use whereas others may not be.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:30 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, February 19, 2019.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Legislative Services Coordinator