June 17, 2019 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, June 17, 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 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.

AGENDA ADDITIONS

It was moved and seconded

That Standard Maintenance for Parks and Roadways be added to the agenda as Item No. 11 and an Update on Signs on Farmland be added to the agenda as Item No. 12.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on June 3, 2019, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR CHAK AU

1.

lOBBYIST REGISTRATION 
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

Lobbyist information from the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists for BC was distributed (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1).

Discussion ensued with regard to establishing a lobbyist registry and a previously proposed Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) resolution on the matter was distributed (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2).

Discussion then ensued with regard to the definitions of a lobbyist.

It was moved and seconded

To forward the following resolution for consideration at UBCM and to send copies to the local governments of B.C. for their favourable consideration prior to the 2019 UBCM meeting:

Whereas the BC Lobbyists Registration Act (LRA) requires individuals and organizations who lobby public office holders and meet specific criteria to register their lobbying activities in an online public registry; and

Whereas the goal of the  BC Lobbyists Registration Act (LRA) is to promote transparency in lobbying and government decision-making;

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that a lobbying regulation system for municipal government, similar to the provincial mechanism under the BC Lobbyists Registration Act, be established.

CARRIED 
Opposed: Cllr. Loo

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

Recovering Costs for Local Climate Change Impacts 
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-02) (REDMS No. 6190255 v. 9; 6192766; 6192881)

Discussion ensued with regard to Richmond’s legal options to recover costs related to climate change impacts, and legal action taken by other municipalities.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the draft letter attached to the report titled “Recovering Costs for Local Climate Change Impacts” from the Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy dated May 14, 2019, be endorsed; and sent to the Premier of British Columbia, British Columbia Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, British Columbia Attorney General, with copies to local MLAs, the leaders of the opposition parties and Metro Vancouver; and

(2)

That the draft Union of British Columbia Municipalities resolution attached to the report titled “Recovering Costs for Local Climate Change Impacts” from the Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy dated May 14, 2019, be endorsed and copies sent to BC Municipalities requesting favourable support at the UBCM convention.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to funding support for dike development in Richmond and providing climate change cost examples.

As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to provide examples of climate change costs and to attach the previously proposed Ontario legislation Liability for Climate Change-Related Harms Act (Bill 37) to the letter.

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

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

3.

Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538, Amendment Bylaw No. 10029 - 4280 No.3 Road Unit 120 
(File Ref. No. 12-8275-01) (REDMS No. 6164355; 6165641)

It was moved and seconded

That Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538, Amendment Bylaw No. 10029, which amends Schedule A of Bylaw No. 7538, to add the address of 4280 No. 3 Road Unit 120 among the sites that permit an Amusement Centre to operate, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to age restrictions in place for amusement centres and receiving feedback from the Richmond School District No. 38.

In reply to queries from Committee, Carli Williams, Manager, Community Bylaws and Licencing, noted that should the proposed Bylaw proceed, staff can seek feedback from the School District prior to final reading.

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

4.

UBCM Resolution on Legislative Reform of Beneficial Ownership of Corporations and Land 
(File Ref. No. 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 6148919 v. 5)

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) the challenges of enforcing disclosure of beneficial ownership in a public registry, (ii) the disclosure of ownership of numbered companies, and (iii) requesting Federal legislation to address disclosure of ownership and money laundering.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed UBCM resolution titled “Transparency and legislative reform of beneficial ownership of land and corporations” be submitted to the Union of BC Municipalities as outlined in the staff report titled “UBCM Resolution on Legislative Reform of Beneficial Ownership of Corporations and Land”, dated May 15, 2019, from the General Manager of Community Safety; and

(2)

That a letter outlining the proposed measures be sent to the Federal Minister of Justice and local Members of Parliament.

CARRIED

5.

UBCM Cannabis Costs Survey 
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 6194371 v. 4)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mark Corrado, Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs, noted that there is currently no revenue sharing agreement for the cannabis excise tax between British Columbia municipalities and senior levels of government and no response has been received from the Province on the matter.

It was moved and seconded

That the responses summarized in the staff report titled "UBCM Cannabis Costs Survey", dated May 21, 2019, from the General Manager, Community Safety be approved for submission to the UBCM.

CARRIED

RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY

6.

UBCM Resolution regarding Restoring Provincial Support for Libraries 
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 6205939 v. 2)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter of support for the Town of Sidney’s  proposed Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) resolution titled “Restoring Sustainable Provincial Library Funding”, as attached to the staff memorandum titled “Update – UBCM Resolution regarding Restoring Provincial Support for Libraries” dated June 14, 2019 from the Chief Librarian, be submitted to UBCM for consideration at their annual general meeting;

(2)

That a copy of the letter be sent to local Members of the Provincial Legislative Assembly; and

(3)

That a letter of support for the Richmond Public Library Board’s letter titled “2020 BC Government Budget Priorities” dated June 14, 2019, as attached to the staff memorandum, be submitted to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, in advance of the June 28, 2019 deadline.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

7.

UBCM Resolutions – Provincial Single-Use Item Strategy and Compostable Single-Use Items 
(File Ref. No. 10-6370-01) (REDMS No. 6211321)

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed UBCM resolutions titled “Comprehensive Provincial Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy” and “Compostable Single-Use Items” be submitted to the Union of BC Municipalities as outlined in the staff report titled “UBCM Resolutions – Provincial Single-Use Item Strategy and Compostable Single-Use Items”, dated June 12, 2019, from the Director of Public Works Operations.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to innovations made by Richmond companies to develop compostable materials and consideration of material compostability standards.

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

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

8.

Pride Week 2019 Activities and Proposed Permanent Rainbow Crosswalk 
(File Ref. No. 07-3000-01) (REDMS No. 6210999 v. 4)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled “Pride Week 2019 Activities and Proposed Permanent Rainbow Crosswalk,” dated June 12, 2019, from the Senior Manager, Community Social Development be received for information; and

(2)

That a permanent rainbow crosswalk on Minoru Boulevard adjacent to the Richmond Library/Cultural Centre and the City Hall Annex, installed prior to July 29, 2019 to recognize Pride Week and the ongoing support of our LGBTQ2S communities, be approved.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) public feedback regarding the proposed crosswalk painting, (ii) collaboration with the Richmond School District No. 38 on community art installations, and (iii) the type of painting materials used on the proposed crosswalk.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the application of the proposed crosswalk painting would utilize permanent materials and is expected to last approximately five to ten years.

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

DEPUTY CAO’S OFFICE

9.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS 
(File Ref. No. 01-0005-01) (REDMS No. 6020923 v. 23)

Discussion took place on (i) adapting various formatting features to develop a reader-friendly Code of Conduct, (ii) utilizing aspects from Codes of Conduct from other municipalities to develop a Richmond Code of Conduct, and (iii) receiving Council feedback on development of a Richmond Code of Conduct.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled “Code of Conduct for Elected Officials” dated April 10, 2019 from the Director, Corporate Programs Management Group, be referred back to staff; and

(2)

That staff be directed to bring forward for Council consideration a draft Richmond Code of Conduct that incorporates aspects of the District of Saanich and the District of North Vancouver’s Codes of Conduct and Council feedback, and report back.

CARRIED

10.

COUNCIL TERM GOALS 2018-2022 
(File Ref. No. 01-0105-07-01) (REDMS No. 6174635 v. 7)

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) formatting considerations of the proposed document, (ii) receiving additional input from Council and scheduling a workshop on the matter, (iii) the suggestion of developing goals that would focus on select current community priorities such as affordable housing, environmental policy and government transparency, and (iv) finalizing the goals in a timely manner.

Concern was expressed with regard to the timeline to finalize the goals in order to respond to Advisory Committees that may be seeking policy direction. In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the proposed goals were developed by collecting survey responses made by Council members and that additional input can be considered in the development of the final document and future revisions, however due to the short timeline a complete redevelopment of the goals would be challenging.

It was moved and seconded

That the Council Term Goals (2018-2022), as presented in the report titled “Council Term Goals 2018-2022” from the Director, Corporate Programs Management Group, dated May 28, 2019, be endorsed.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place on renaming the “Council Term Goals” to “Council Strategic Plan”.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the “2018-2022 Council Term Goals” be renamed to “2018-2022 Council Strategic Plan”.

CARRIED

Discussion then ensued with regard to re-ordering the goals to have Goal Theme 6 – Strategic and Well-Planned Growth as Goal Theme 1.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the order of the goals be amended to have Goal Theme 6 – Strategic and Well-Planned Growth, be ordered as Goal Theme 1 and that the subsequent Goals be re-numbered accordingly.

The question on the amendment motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to not placing priority order on specific goals.

The question on the amendment motion was then called and it was DEFEATED with Mayor Brodie and Cllrs. Au, Loo, McNulty, McPhail, Steves and Wolfe opposed.

The question on the main motion, as amended, which reads as follows:

That the 2018-2022 Council Strategic Plan, as presented in the report titled “Council Term Goals 2018-2022” from the Director, Corporate Programs Management Group, dated May 28, 2019, be endorsed.

was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Day opposed.

11.

Standard Maintenance for Parks and Roadways 
(File Ref.)

Discussion took place regarding the City’s standards for maintaining roads and parks.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff analyze and explain the standard of maintenance for parks and roadways; and

(2)

That staff review the costs to increase the frequency of roadway and park maintenance;

and report back.

CARRIED

12.

Update on Signs on Farmland 
(File Ref.)

In reply to queries from Committee regarding signage provisions on farmland, Cecilia Achiam, General Manager, Community Safety, noted that staff will be providing a memorandum on the City’s current signage policy and that consultation with Richmond farmers on signage policy will take place ahead of upcoming discussions on the City’s proposed Agricultural Viability Strategy.

Discussion then ensued with regard to implementing provisional policies that would allow the installation of seasonal signs on farmland.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:49 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, June 17 2019.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator