January 18, 2021 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, January 18, 2021

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day (by teleconference)
Councillor Alexa Loo (by teleconference)
Councillor Bill McNulty (by teleconference)
Councillor Linda McPhail (by teleconference)
Councillor Harold Steves (by teleconference) 
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)

Call to Order:

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

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on January 5, 2021, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

Update: Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - Minoru Place Activity Centre Conversion to Arts Centre 
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 6582221 v. 4)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that staff have been in discussion with BC Housing on potential opportunities to extend use of the site. Also, staff have updated community arts groups on the grant process and will provide Council with a memorandum on the matter.

It was moved and seconded

That Option 1, to delay tendering of the Minoru Place Activity Centre Conversion to an Arts Centre, as described in the staff report titled “Update: Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - Minoru Place Activity Centre Conversion to Arts Centre,” dated January 6, 2021 from the Director, Facilities and Project Development and the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services be approved.

CARRIED

2.

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream: Thompson Community Centre and Hall Infrastructure Renewals 
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 6577995 v. 5)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, requesting funding of up to $900,000 as outlined in the staff report titled, “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program -  COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream: Thompson Community Centre and Hall Infrastructure Renewals,” dated December 18, 2020 from the Director, Facilities and Project Development be endorsed;

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to enter into funding agreements with the government for the aforementioned project should it be approved for funding, as outlined in the staff report titled, “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream: Thompson Community Centre and Hall Infrastructure Renewals,” dated December 18, 2020 from the Director, Facilities and Project Development; and

(3)

That a capital project in the amount of $900,000 be considered in the 2021 budget process as described in the staff report titled “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream: Thompson Community Centre and Hall Infrastructure Renewals” dated December 18, 2020 from the Director, Facilities and Project Development.

The question on motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to utilizing energy efficient equipment in the community centre.

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

COUNCILLOR CAROL DAY

3.

menstrual equity initiative 
(File Ref. No. 6599125)

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) implementing the initiative as a pilot project with a one year review, (ii) distributing feminine products in most City facilities, and (iii) the budget required and estimated timeline to implement the proposed initiative.

Laura Greenwood, Richmond resident, spoke in support of implementing the proposed initiative, noting that other Metro Vancouver municipalities have proceeded with similar programs and that feedback on the matter was positive.

Karina Reid, Richmond resident, referred to her submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1), and spoke in support of implementing the proposed initiative, noting that, in her opinion, such a program would assist the city’s low income residents and homeless population.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the menstrual equity initiative be referred to staff to examine implementing a one year pilot program for 21 civic facilities, and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to defining the appropriate City facilities where feminine products would be distributed and similar programs implemented in other municipalities.

Mayor Brodie noted that as a result of the discussion, there was agreement from the mover and the seconder that the referral motion be amended to the following:

(1)

That the menstrual equity initiative be referred to staff to provide free menstrual products in most civic facilities, including an education plan, and report back with a budget; and

(2)

That the proposed initiative be reviewed one year after implementation.

The question on the amended referral motion was not called as a further amendment to the referral motion to change the distribution of feminine products in “most civic facilities” to “all staffed civic facilities” was introduced, but did not receive a seconder.

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

COUNCILLOR MICHAEL WOLFE

4.

CAT EDUCATION AND POLICY 
(File Ref. No. 6599131)

Cllr. Wolfe spoke on improving cat awareness and education for cat owners. He expressed concern with regard to cats hunting local wildlife and potential negative effects to the bird population, as well as disease prevention. He suggested that the City examine options to update the City’s bylaws and website.

It was moved and seconded

That Council endorse the following resolution to modernize our cat related bylaws and provide options for enhanced cat owner education campaigns:

The City of Richmond will work to reduce the number of bird and other wildlife-related fatalities from the teeth and claws of domestic cats. This includes a referral for a staff report to provide education for cat owners and revisions to the City website and bylaws.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) examining alternative options for rodent control, (ii) retrieving Richmond-specific data related to cats, and (iii) coordinating with local animal welfare agencies such as RAPS and the BCSPCA.

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

Discussion ensued with regard to consulting with local animal welfare agencies, and as a result the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That cat education and policy be referred to staff to work with the BCSPCA and RAPS to recommend the dissemination of cat education materials, and report back.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:46 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, January 18, 2021.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Evangel Biason 
Legislative Services Associate