November 21, 2022 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, November 21, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day

Councillor Laura Gillanders

Councillor Kash Heed

Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:23 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on November 8, 2022, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

1.

Judy Dobrowolski, Manager, Capital Projects Communications, BC Hydro, and Antigone Dixon-Warren, Manager, Capital Projects, BC Hydro, with the aid of a presentation (Copy on file) provided the following information:

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the purpose of the project is to relocate a section of power line which currently runs in the existing George Massey tunnel between Richmond and Delta;

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there are 3 alternatives for relocation of the transmission line: overhead line, underground line in the proposed immersed tunnel, or separate underground line;

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there are 3 phases and currently they are in the conceptual phase; and

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technical studies of the alternatives are being done and first nations engagement is currently underway.

Committee expressed that Richmond is strongly against overhead transmission lines and prefer the lines to be underground.

In response to queries from Committee, BC Hydro staff advised that (i) many factors, such as safety, environmental impacts, reliability, cost, and maintenance, are considered, (ii) information will be shared as it becomes available, (iii) all projects are regulated through the BC Utilities Commission, (iv) the projects are paid by the ratepayers of BC and they need to show they are getting the best value, (v) overhead lines have a longer life expectancy and easier to repair than underground lines, and (vi) there have not been any  major incidents with the current lines in the tunnel, but there could be potential shutdown of the tunnel for repairs with the proposed new underground lines.

Discussion took place on expressing the City of Richmond’s strong preference for underground line options. Mayor Brodie referenced a joint letter from Richmond and Delta that was recently sent to the Premier of BC and the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure expressing strong preference for an underground option for the transmission lines.  

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

It was moved and seconded

That BC Hydro be advised that the strong preference of the City of Richmond on the George Massey Tunnel transmission relocation project is to have the transmission lines underground.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

CITY EVENTS PROGRAM 2023

(File Ref. No. 11-7400-01/2022-Vol01) (REDMS No. 6993471 v.10)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City Events Program 2023 as outlined in Table 1 of the staff report titled “City Events Program 2023,” dated October 24, 2022, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services be endorsed for the following events and initiatives:

(a)

Children’s Arts Festival;

(b)

Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival;

(c)

Neighbourhood Celebration Grants Program;

(d)

Doors Open Richmond;

(e)

Steveston Salmon Festival;

(f)

Richmond Maritime Festival;

(g)

Supporting food security through community-driven events; and

(h)

Visioning Process for a Signature Multicultural Festival.

(2)

That expenditures totalling $775,000 for the City Events Program 2023 with funding of $73,000 from funds available in the Major Events Provision and $702,000 from the Rate Stabilization Account be considered in the 2023 budget process.

The question on the motion was not called as in reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the proposal for the visioning process would tie into the engagement process and some small pop up events with themes that reflect ideas around multicultural events, (ii) police and fire-rescue will be at the events but ready for deployment for emergencies, therefore there are no additional costs, and (iii) next year the sponsorships are anticipated to be at a   community level.

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

MAYOR MALCOLM BRODIE

3.

APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER AS LULU ISLAND ENERGY COMPANY COUNCIL LIAISON

It was moved and seconded

That Councillor Michael Wolfe be appointed as the Council Liaison to the Lulu Island Energy Company.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR MICHAEL WOLFE

4.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION POLICY

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

Discussion took place on (i) colonist practices, (ii) Indigenous education, and (iii) supporting the truth and reconciliation movement.

Alisa Magnan and Katherine Myers, Richmond School Teachers, noted that:

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this policy is especially important after a recent act of vandalism at the school;

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to combat ignorance, the community must be educated;

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the City of Richmond did not provide sufficient opportunity for education on September 30^th;

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City staff and Council should have mandatory training in Indigenous Cultural Competency;

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public education is important;

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a ceremony every year on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a step in the right direction;

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the city’s policy should include a meeting with Musqueam leadership at least twice a year; and

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a petition (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1) was signed requesting that City Council adopt a Truth and Reconciliation Policy.

Mark Lee, Richmond resident, provided information and overview of activities undertaken by Richmond after the release of the Truth and Reconciliation report in 2015. He highlighted actions taken by other municipalities and was of the opinion that Richmond is behind in taking action. Mr. Lee urged Committee to provide the community with timelines and updates on progress.

It was moved and seconded

In conducting the analysis mentioned in the referral resolution of Council made on June 26, 2021, staff be specifically directed to address the implications of a Truth and Reconciliation Policy which may include the following suggestions:

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regular meetings with the Musqueam Council (at least semi-annually, as requested by Musqueam Councillor Howard Grant at the June 14th, 2021, City Council meeting)

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mandatory staff and City Council training on issues of Indigenous-specific racism and decolonization (e.g., Hummingbird Rising Consulting, Kairos Blanket Exercise)

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a plan to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, that are relevant to municipalities (#s 17, 23, 40, 43, 47, 55, 57, 64, 75, 76, 77, 82, 87, 88, 91, and 92)

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a plan to implement the articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, that are relevant to municipalities (articles 11, 14, 15, and 19)

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honouring culturally significant sites through public identification of historical middens and archaeological sites, in consultation with the Musqueam

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offering annual community events in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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including Indigenous history on the City of Richmond’s “History of Richmond” webpage

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appoint a committee or task force or a person in charge of addressing Indigenous issues (e.g., Indigenous Relations Manager).

The question on the referral motion was not called as Committee requested that a survey of what other organizations and agencies, including the Richmond School Board, are doing with regard to Truth and Reconciliation be included in the report back.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:23 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 21, 2022.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Associate