April 6, 2020 - Minutes
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General Purposes Committee
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Date: |
Monday, April 6, 2020 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair (attending via teleconference) |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:01 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 meetings of the General Purposes Committee held on March 16, 2020 and March 23, 2020 be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION |
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1. |
Credit Card Payment Service Fee Bylaw No. 9536, Amendment Bylaw No. 10166 |
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Discussion ensued with regard to (i) reallocating credit card fee revenues, (ii) encouraging non-credit card fee payments to reduce debt load for individuals, and (iii) advocating the Province to adjust the property tax deadline. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the City has communicated with financial services providers on the potential reduction of the City’s transaction fees during the COVID-19 pandemic period. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Credit Card Payment Service Fee Bylaw No. 9536, Amendment Bylaw No. 10166” dated March 16, 2020 from the Director, Finance be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION |
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2. |
Agricultural Land Reserve Non-Farm Use Application by the City of Richmond to Host the Farm Fest at the Garden City Lands on August 8, 2020, located at 5560 Garden City Road |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That should Council wish to proceed with the Farm Fest as part of the existing 2020 major events program, that the Agricultural Land Reserve non-farm use application by the City of Richmond to host the Farm Fest at the Garden City Lands on Saturday, August 8, 2020, located at 5560 Garden City Road, be endorsed and forwarded to the Agricultural Land Commission for approval. |
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The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) examining the feasibility of proceeding with the City’s 2020 major events during the COVID-19 pandemic period, (ii) modifying Farm Fest to focus on a food market event, and (iii) reviewing budgets of the planned 2020 events. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that given the potentially long application processing time, the City has the option to send the non-farm use application to the Agricultural Land Commission and can then review the event’s feasibility during that time period. Staff added that the budget for Farm Fest was approved as part of the 2020 Major Events Program. Furthermore, staff noted that the staff report on the Garden City Lands Community Garden Farm is forthcoming. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Agricultural Land Reserve Non-Farm Use Application by the City of Richmond to Host the Farm Fest at The Garden City Lands on August 8, 2020, Located at 5560 Garden City Road”, dated March 11, 2020, from the Director, Parks Services, be referred back to staff to examine agricultural activities on the Garden City Lands, such as farmer’s markets and community gardens. |
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DEFEATED |
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Discussion then ensued with regard to reviewing the 2020 Farm Fest event, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Agricultural Land Reserve Non-Farm Use Application by the City of Richmond to Host the Farm Fest at The Garden City Lands on August 8, 2020, Located at 5560 Garden City Road”, dated March 11, 2020, from the Director, Parks Services, be referred back to staff. |
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DEFEATED |
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The question on the main motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Au and McNulty opposed. |
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3. |
Providence Flagship Proposal |
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In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Cllr. McPhail declared to be in a conflict of interest as her husband has ownership interest in the Providence, and Cllr. McPhail left the meeting – 4:35 p.m. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Community Services be authorized to enter into a three year agreement on behalf of the City for a total value of $50,000 with the Providence 1903 Charters; and |
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(2) |
That funding of $33,000 from the Council Community Initiatives Account be approved to fund the annual cost of $16,500 in the second and third year of the agreement as outlined in the staff report "Providence Flagship Proposal" dated February 10, 2020, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services and the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2020-2024) be amended accordingly. |
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The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to the feasibility of hosting the 2020 Richmond Maritime Festival, and staff noted that the event programming is flexible and that alternative activities for the ship can be discussed with the ship’s operators. |
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The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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Cllr. McPhail returned to the meeting – 4:38 p.m. |
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ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION |
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4. |
District Energy Utility Bylaws – Billing Due Date Amendment |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the following bylaws be introduced and given first, second, and third readings: |
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(1) |
Alexandra District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 8641, Amendment Bylaw No. 10175; |
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(2) |
Oval Village District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9134, Amendment Bylaw No. 10176; and |
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(3) |
City Centre District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9895, Amendment Bylaw No. 10177. |
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The question on the motion was not called as staff noted that options to stagger bill payment schedules following amendments to the billing due dates can be considered. |
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The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That each of the following bylaws be adopted: |
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(1) |
Alexandra District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 8641, Amendment Bylaw No. 10175; |
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(2) |
Oval Village District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9134, Amendment Bylaw No. 10176; and |
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(3) |
City Centre District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9895, Amendment Bylaw No. 10177. |
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CARRIED |
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LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT |
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5. |
Amendments to the Council Procedure Bylaw – Special Council Meetings |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That Council Procedure Bylaw No. 7560, Amendment Bylaw No. 10179, which introduces amendments relating to excluding or limiting the physical attendance of members of the public in emergency circumstances from Special Council Meetings, be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and |
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(2) |
That Council Procedure Bylaw No. 7560, Amendment Bylaw No. 10179 be adopted. |
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The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to options for public participation in Committee and Council meetings. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the public and members of the media are not excluded from meetings and are encouraged to provide written submissions in place of attending, (ii) meeting rooms are configured for social distancing and that the proposed bylaw would provide Council the ability to restrict public attendance in emergency circumstances, (iii) written submissions are regularly monitored and are immediately forwarded to members of Council, and (iv) signage around City Hall advises the public of the current closures and members of the public wishing to attend the meeting can be escorted to the meeting room by security staff. |
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The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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Discussion then ensued with regard to public participation options for individuals who are unable to attend the Council and Committee meetings, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That staff look at options for members of the public who are unable to submit written comments and are unable to attend Council and Committee meetings in person, and report back. |
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DEFEATED |
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Staff were then directed to provide a summary of the initiatives taken to continue public participation in Council and Committee meetings during the City Hall closure. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:49 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, April 6, 2020. |
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_________________________________ |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Evangel Biason |