February 7, 2022 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, February 7, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
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 17, 2022, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

Community Energy and Emissions Plan 2050
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-02) (REDMS No. 6776452 v. 20)

Staff reviewed the proposed Plan and highlighted actions to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050, including through reduction of consumables and carbon sequestration. Also, staff spoke on the community consultation conducted, noting that community engagement will be on-going through the proposed Plan’s implementation process.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) expediting related infrastructure projects, such as the City’s diking system and active transportation network,
(ii) coordinating with senior levels of government on actions to reduce emissions, (iii) quantifying the financial impact of the proposed Plan,
(iv) incentivizing the use of public transit and reducing the reliance on private vehicles, (v) supporting programs to retrofit buildings with electric heat pumps and solar panels, (vi) continuing with community engagement and public awareness on climate change matters.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the City will seek opportunities to partner with stakeholders and senior levels of government, (ii) the City has taken action on developing active transportation infrastructure, encouraging the development of efficient buildings, and densification, and (iii) the City will be examining opportunities to expand use of alternative energy sources such as district energy.

As a result of the discussion, it was suggested that the proposed Plan be sent to the Federal and Provincial Ministers of the Environment and local Members of Parliament and local Members of the Legislative Assembly.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Community Energy & Emissions Plan 2050 in Attachment 1 of the report titled “Community Energy and Emissions Plan 2050” from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, dated January 21, 2022 be endorsed;

(2)

That the Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw10328, which would include accelerated greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2050, consistent with limiting global average temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, be introduced and given first reading;

(3)

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10328, having been considered in conjunction with:

(a)

the City's Financial Plan and Capital Program; and

(b)

the Greater Vancouver Regional District Solid Waste and Liquid Waste Management Plans;

is hereby found to be consistent with said program and plans, in accordance with Section 477(3)(a) of the Local Government Act;

(4)

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10328, having been considered in accordance with Section 475 of the Local Government Act and the City's Official Community Plan Bylaw Preparation Consultation Policy 5043, is found not to require further consultation;

(5)

That the Climate Action Programs included in Attachment 3 of the report titled “Community Energy and Emissions Plan 2050” from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, dated January 21, 2022 be received for information; and

(6)

That copies of the Plan be sent to the Provincial and Federal Ministers of Environment, local Members of Parliament, and local Members of the Legislative Assembly.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

2022 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants
(File Ref. No. 03-1085-01/2022-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 6708493)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the 2022 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants, less the proposed grant to KidSport, be awarded for the total recommended amount of $91,423, as identified in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “2022 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants,” dated January 6, 2022, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services and the Director, Parks  Services; and

(2)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to the grant application process and criteria.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that GreenSeeds Music Society and Rabbitats Rescue Society did not meet the criteria for the Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grant, however both organizations were referred to apply for the City’s Environmental Grant Program. Staff added that organizations that did not meet the criteria are provided with additional grant criteria information and that grant writing assistance for community organizations is available through the Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives group.

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

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Cllr. Loo declared to be in a conflict of interest as she is involved in KidSport fundraising activities, and Cllr. Loo left the meeting – 4:52 p.m.

Discussion ensued with regard to the recommended grant for KidSport, and as a result, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the grant to KidSport be awarded and a cheque disbursed for the amount of $19,000; and

(2)

That $5,000 be held back and allocated to sports groups not recognized by KidSport and that this be administered by staff, and at the end of the year any remaining funds be given to KidSport.

The question on the motion was not called as it was suggested that the above motion be considered for future grants to KidSport.

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

Cllr. Loo returned to the meeting – 4:56 p.m.

3.

2022 Arts and Culture Grants Program
(File Ref. No. 03-1085-01/2022-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 6816834)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the 2022 Arts and Culture Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $119,502, as identified in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “2022 Arts and Culture Grants Program,” dated January 12, 2022, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services; and

(2)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

4.

2022 Child Care Grants
(File Ref. No. 07-3070-01/2021-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 6795546)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Child Care Capital Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $50,000.00 as identified in the staff report titled “2022 Child Care Grants,” dated December 15, 2021, from the Director, Community Social Development;

(2)

That the Child Care Professional and Program Development Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $7,400.00; and

(3)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly.

CARRIED

5.

2022 Health, Social and Safety Grants
(File Ref. No. 08-4055-01/2021-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 6796607)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the 2022 Health, Social and Safety Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $609,897.00 as identified in Attachment 1 of the report titled “2022 Health, Social and Safety Grants,” dated December 14, 2021 from the Director, Community Social Development; and

(2)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to supporting the Multicultural Helping House Society, and as a result, the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That $5,000 be awarded to Multicultural Helping House Society as part of the 2022 Health, Social and Safety Grants.

CARRIED

Discussion then took place regarding Parish of St. Alban’s meal program and its equipment costs. It was noted that the Parish of St. Alban’s is seeking to upgrade their commercial refrigerator and it was suggested that an increase in grant funding can be directed towards the upgrade.

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

It was moved and seconded

That $22,000 be awarded to Parish of St. Alban’s as part of the 2022 Health, Social and Safety Grants for the purchase of a new commercial refrigerator.

CARRIED

Discussion then ensued with regard to supporting community organizations that advocate for mental health in Richmond, and as a result, the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That $10,000 be awarded to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Vancouver-Fraser Branch;

(2)

That $12,000 be awarded to the Community Mental Wellness Association of Canada;

(2)

That $6,500 be awarded to Richmond Mental Health Consumer and Friends Society; and

(2)

That $5,000 be awarded to the Kehlia Society of Richmond;

as part of the 2022 Health, Social and Safety Grants.

CARRIED

Discussion then ensued with regard to grant funding assessment criteria and supporting Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and as a result, the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That $4,000 be awarded to Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland as part of the 2022 Health, Social and Safety Grants.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued with regard to additional grant funding for Richmond Women’s Resource Centre, and as a result, the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That $29,000 be awarded to Richmond Women’s Resource Centre as part of the 2022 Health, Social and Safety Grants.

CARRIED

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

(1)

That the 2022 Health, Social and Safety Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount as identified in Attachment 1 of the report titled “2022 Health, Social and Safety Grants,” dated December 14, 2021 from the Director, Community Social Development, with adjustments, for a total of $630,975; and

(2)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly.

was then called, and it was CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:19 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, February 7, 2022.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Associate