September 16, 2019 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, September 16, 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.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on September 3, 2019; and

(2)

That the minutes of the special meeting of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on September 9, 2019;

be adopted as circulated

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR KELLY GREENE

1.

microplastics filters for washing machines 
(File Ref. No.)

A product description of a microplastics filter was distributed (Copy on-file, City Clerk’s Office).

It was moved and seconded

For staff to conduct research into microplastics filters for washing machines including consideration of:

(1)

The  effectiveness of the filters,  potential logistics, estimated resource impacts, and other issues that may arise; and

(2)

If desirable, potential options to encourage the after-market installation of such filters  including the  granting of rebates to users, sales of filters by the City, educational programs and otherwise.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to the impact of microplastics and engaging Metro Vancouver and other levels of government on initiatives to reduce levels of microplastics in the water supply.

As a result of the discussion, it was suggested that staff seek more information from Metro Vancouver on options to reduce microplastics in the water system.

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

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Program 
(File Ref. No. 07-3190-01) (REDMS No. 6205828 v. 20)

Discussion ensued with regard to consulting with the Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) on Richmond’s proposed participation in the Certification Program.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the City works with the RCD on various initiatives and meets with the group on a regular basis.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Program,” dated August 15, 2019 from the Director, Community Social Development and Acting Senior Manager, Capital Buildings Project Development, be referred back to staff to allow for consultation with the Richmond Centre for Disability.

CARRIED

3.

Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library Proposed Program and Site Area 
(File Ref. No. 06-2052-25-SCCR1) (REDMS No. 6209212 v. 65)

Staff reviewed the proposal, noting that (i) the City is working with the Steveston Community Centre Concept Design Building Committee and the Steveston Community Society on preliminary programming and siting,
(ii) the estimated floor area of the proposed community centre and library is approximately 60,000 ft², and (iii) should the programming proceed, staff can commence with developing conceptual designs, community consultation and provide refined cost estimates.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) the escalated estimated construction costs and current real estate market forces, (ii) including child care space in the programming, (iii) engaging TransLink on bus loop development in the Steveston area, (iv) options to refurbish the existing community centre, (v) options to locate the proposed community centre outside of the proposed area, (vi) options to minimize the proposed building’s footprint and preserve park space, (vii) options to demolish the existing facility and develop a new community centre on the same site, and (viii) maintaining programming levels during the construction period.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the current community centre does not meet current program standards, (ii) the proposed site is in proximity to existing community amenities such as the playground and the martial arts centre and would allow for accessibility to those sites, (iii) the estimated costs includes the demolition of existing facilities and construction of the new facility, and (iv) construction timelines are estimated to be approximately between two to two-and-a-half years.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the program totaling 60,350 sq. ft, (Table 2, page 5) for the Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library be approved, as outlined in the staff report titled, “Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library Proposed Program and Site Area,” dated August 22, 2019, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services and the Acting Director, Facilities; and

(2)

That staff be directed to:

(a)

provide specific project cost estimates;

(b)

review options to mitigate project costs;

(c)

provide information on potential building sites and formations; and

(d)

provide information on the transition of programming from the existing facility to the new facility.

and report back.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place on developing affordable seniors housing in the area and incorporating larger multipurpose rooms in the proposed programming.

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

It was moved and seconded

That Part (1) of the motion on the proposed Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library Proposed Program and Site Area be amended to include provisions to expand the proposed area of the multipurpose rooms by 750 ft².

The question on the amendment motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to the cost estimates for expanded multipurpose rooms in the new facility and staff estimated that such an expansion would cost approximately $750,000. 

As a result of the discussion, it was suggested that the amendment motion be added to the main motion, and there was agreement from the from the mover, the seconder and all members present to add the amendment motion to the main motion as Part (2)(e).  

Cllr. Steves moved a motion to include options for affordable senior housing as part of Part (2) of the motion on the proposed Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library and Mayor Brodie ruled that the proposed motion was out of order as the matter would be considered in a closed meeting.

Cllr. Steves called for a Point of Order and challenged the Chair’s ruling.

In accordance with procedure, the Mayor put the following question to Committee – “Is the Chair to be sustained?”

The question as to whether the Chair is to be sustained was called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Day, Greene, Steves and Wolfe opposed.

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

(1)

That the program totaling 60,350 sq. ft, (Table 2, page 5) for the Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library be approved, as outlined in the staff report titled, “Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library Proposed Program and Site Area,” dated August 22, 2019, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services and the Acting Director, Facilities; and

(2)

That staff be directed to:

(a)

provide specific project cost estimates;

(b)

review options to mitigate project costs;

(c)

provide information on potential building sites and formations;

(d)

provide information on the transition of programming from the existing facility to the new facility; and

(e)

review options to expand the size of the proposed multipurpose rooms by 750ft²;

and report back.

was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Day and Steves opposed.

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

4.

Proposed Richmond Food Recovery Network Program 
(File Ref. No. 08-4150-01) (REDMS No. 6266216 v. 2)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) FoodMesh is a private for-profit company and that the City can include provisions to secure performance targets in the proposed partnering agreement, (ii) there is an indemnity clause and liability insurance included in the proposed partnering agreement, and (iii) the Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee was briefed on the proposed initiative.

It was moved and seconded

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager of Finance and Corporate Services be authorized to enter into a partnering agreement with FoodMesh for the delivery of the proposed Richmond Food Recovery Network Program as outlined in the staff report from the Director, Corporate Business Service Solutions dated August 30, 2019 entitled “Proposed Richmond Food Recovery Network Program”.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to including a cap on the amount of City staff time allocated for the program

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

It was moved and seconded

That the following be included in the motion on the proposed Richmond Food Recovery Network Program:

That staff be directed to include a cap of City staff time in the proposed partnering agreement with FoodMesh.

The question on the amendment motion was not called as direction was given to staff to provide more information on staff’s participation in the program with respect to (i) the specific staff involved, (ii) staff’s specific roles, and (iii) the amount of staff time required.

As a result of the staff direction, there was agreement from the mover, the seconder and all members present to withdraw the amendment motion, and the amendment motion was WITHDRAWN.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:18 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, September 16, 2019.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator