May 6, 2019 - Minutes
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General Purposes Committee
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Date: |
Monday, May 6, 2019 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair |
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Absent: |
Councillor Chak Au |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:26 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on April 15, 2019, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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1. |
Strengthening the Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw Related to Vacant Homes |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Carli Williams, Manager, Community Bylaws and Licencing, provided the following information: |
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the proposed bylaw amendments will considerably strengthen the City’s enforcement tools with regard to nuisance properties; |
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long form prosecution is when an offence is taken to court and is a separate process from ticketing and the fine amounts for this process are set by the court; |
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a maximum fine of $10,000 may be considered, however, it is recommended that a minimum fine of $1,000 be added to Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 7162; and |
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a minimum fine of $1,000 is recommended as this amount provides the City leverage to arrange guilty pleas; also, staff have found that higher fines are typically reduced by the court. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 7162, Amendment Bylaw No. 9819, to strengthen the City’s approach to unsightly properties and vacant homes, be introduced and given first, second and third readings; |
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(2) |
That Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 7321, Amendment Bylaw No. 9820, to increase fines for unsightly properties, be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and |
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(3) |
That Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 9821, to add additional ticketing authority, be introduced and given first, second and third readings. |
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CARRIED |
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COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION |
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2. |
Draft Richmond Homelessness Strategy 2019–2029 |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Kim Somerville, Manager, Community Social Development and Cody Spencer, Program Manager, Affordable Housing, provided the following information with regard to the proposed Draft Richmond Homelessness Strategy 2019–2029: |
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the proposed Strategy is a collaborative approach focused on multi-stakeholders including housing and service providers; |
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the proposed Strategy introduces several actions to enhance effective collaboration and coordination between a variety of local organizations such as the introduction of a new Leadership Table; |
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staff can add language around the housing continuum in the proposed Strategy; |
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staff’s outreach will be broadened to engage with more youth and Indigenous groups in an effort to increase services to these underserved groups; |
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staff are examining permanent supportive housing options for youth experiencing homelessness in the community; |
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the City liaises with the Richmond School District and Vancouver Coastal Health regularly through its Youth Services team to gain a better understanding of vulnerable youth in the city; |
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staff have ongoing discussions with BC Housing regarding upcoming housing opportunities as well as regularly monitoring upcoming developments for other housing opportunities; |
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members of the public may provide feedback on the proposed Strategy through LetsTalkRichmond.ca as well as at an open house at the Richmond Cultural Centre; |
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staff are actively monitoring Reaching Home – Canada's Homelessness Strategy; and |
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staff can examine the potential for a renters advisory committee in partnership with the City’s Planning and Development Division. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the Draft Richmond Homelessness Strategy 2019–2029, as outlined in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “Draft Richmond Homelessness Strategy 2019–2029”, dated April 12, 2019, be approved for the purpose of seeking public feedback on the Draft Strategy; and |
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(2) |
That the final Richmond Homelessness Strategy, including a summary of public feedback received, be reported back to General Purposes Committee. |
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CARRIED |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:50 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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, May 6, 2019. |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Hanieh Berg |