November 15, 2021 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, November 15, 2021

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day (by teleconference) 
Councillor Andy Hobbs 
Councillor Alexa Loo 
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 November 1, 2021, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

1.

Phoenix Net Loft - Phase One Public Consultation Results, Guiding Principles and Next Steps 
(File Ref. No. 11-7141-01) (REDMS No. 6678295)

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Phoenix Net Loft - Phase One Public Consultation Results, Guiding Principles, and Next Steps,” dated October 12, 2021, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be endorsed to guide the next phase of planning for the Phoenix Net Loft.

The question on the motion was not was called as it was suggested that the Richmond Arts Coalition and the Advisory Committee on the Environment be included in the list of stakeholders for the proposed project. Staff noted that staff are reviewing use of the Phoenix Net Loft primarily as an interpretive centre.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) identifying additional programs for the facility, including art studio spaces or multipurpose spaces, (ii) conducting additional consultation with other community stakeholders to identify community needs, (iii) examining opportunities to showcase First Nations art, and (iv) reviewing project costs.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the deconstruction of the subject site has completed, however it is not recommended that construction of the facility begin until programming has been finalized.

Discussion then ensued with regard to including additional stakeholders in the consultation process, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Phoenix Net Loft - Phase One Public Consultation Results, Guiding Principles, and Next Steps,” dated October 12, 2021, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be referred back to staff to propose recommendations for further directions and options for general and multi-use flexible programming such as for community needs, arts and artists, First Nation interpretation, farmers and artisans’ markets, performance space, and other possibilities.

CARRIED

2.

Soil Use for the Placement of Fill Application for the Property PID: 005-480-663 (17260 Block of River Road - Sahota) 
(File Ref. No. 12-8080-12-01) (REDMS No. 6758919)

Harry Sahota, applicant, spoke on his application, noting that he has owned the property since the 1970s, and that farm operation is challenging because of the site’s elevation and difficulties with water drainage. He added that he has consulted with an agrologist on options to improve farming conditions. Furthermore, he noted that he is fully committed to farming and working with the City and that the best option for the site is to import soil to raise the land.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) options to fill the site using Richmond soil, (ii) protection of the adjacent environmentally sensitive areas, and
(iii) planting alternative crops suitable for wet soil.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the application will follow the City’s guidelines on soil fill and that a portion of the security deposit will be retained by City until the submitted farm plan is completed.

It was moved and seconded

That the ‘Soil Use for the Placement of Fill’ application, submitted by Harinder (Harry) Sahota (the “Applicant”), proposing to deposit soil for the purpose of developing a garlic farm on the property identified as PID: 005-480-663, located south of 17260 River Road, be authorized for referral to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) for the ALC to review and determine the merits of the proposal from an agricultural perspective as the Applicant has satisfied all of the City’s current reporting requirements.

CARRIED 
Opposed: Cllr. Wolfe

3.

Request from CHIMO Community Services 
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued with regard to supporting CHIMO Community Services, and as a result, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be written to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and the Minister of Health and Local Members of the Legislative Assembly to stop the ongoing process to put the crisis services, 1-800-SUICIDE, 310-6789 Mental Health line, out to tender, delaying the important work of CHIMO Community Services and risking the introduction of more for-profit operations in the system as well as the more significant concern of jeopardizing ongoing access to crisis services.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to maintaining current levels of Provincial support for community crisis services. In reply to queries, staff noted that the Province may be seeking to focus on one crisis service provider per health region and as such, will be reviewing current service levels.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:07 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, November 15, 2021.

_________________________________

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Associate