March 6, 2023 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, March 6, 2023

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 4:02 p.m.

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond’s Ecowaste landfill removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve be added to the agenda as Item No. 4.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on February 21, 2023, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISIONS

1.

STEVESTON HIGHWAY MULTI-USE PATHWAY PROJECT - UPDATE

(File Ref. No. 01-0060-20-LIEC1) (REDMS No. 7114588)

Staff noted that (i) the multi-use pathway project along Steveston Highway has been a part of the Regional and Municipal plans for a long time,
(ii) Council approved Phase 1 and 2 of the project in 2019 and 2020,
(iii) about $350,000 of work has been completed to date, and (iv) if project scope is reduced, discussions with TransLink would be required to discuss funding options.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) a reduced scope could mean a shorter route, (ii) only the curb lanes will be narrowed,
(iii) currently there is no automated enforcement along Steveston Highway, however it has been requested, and staff will follow-up, (iv) Regional strategies may not always align with municipal plans, (v)  the Development Cost Charge budget has $34M, (vi) standards for cycling networks have changed significantly over the years, (vii) no direct comparison has been done between Williams Road and Steveston Highway, (viii) costs for connection to the new tunnel has not been determined, (ix) boulevards will separate riders and traffic, (x) environmental studies have not been done, however our air quality is excellent, (xi) an in-depth analysis of Williams Road bike lanes can be conducted, and (xii) funding is at TransLink’s discretion.

John Roston, Richmond resident, referenced his submission (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1) and expressed concerns with cyclist safety and air quality along Steveston Highway.

Discussion took place on safety concerns along Steveston Highway and comparing Williams Road and Steveston Highway for best options for the potential multi-use pathway.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Steveston Highway Multi-Use Pathway – Update” be referred back to staff to:

a)     

compare the implications of Steveston Highway and Williams Road as multi-use pathways;

b)     

examine the feasibility of a Class A bike lane on Williams Road; and 

c)     

investigate funding implications.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion took place on planning for the future and air quality concerns.

In reply to a further query from Committee, staff advised that a report back could take a couple of months.

The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Wolfe opposed.

CAO’S OFFICE

2.

CITY OF RICHMOND FLAG POLICY

(File Ref. No. 01-0005-01) (REDMS No. 7066031)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) option 1 and 2 do not have a formal request process for the public, (ii) members of the public can delegate to Council or Council can bring forward a motion for additional flag requests, (iii) flag poles can be added to the City’s infrastructure, and
(iv) the City of Delta’s City Clerk’s Office manages flag requests from the public.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That option 2 as outlined in the report titled “City of Richmond Flag Policy” dated January 26, 2023 from the Director, Intergovernmental Relations and Corporate and Strategic Planning be endorsed; and

(2)

That an additional flag pole be erected at the east side of City Hall (fronting No. 3 Road) so long as the Ukrainian flag is flying.

CARRIED

3.

COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-2026

(File Ref. No. 01-0005-01) (REDMS No. 7142456)

It was moved and seconded

That the Council Strategic Plan 2022-2026 for the current term of office as outlined in the report titled “Council Strategic Plan 2022-2026” from the Director, Intergovernmental Relations and Corporate and Strategic Planning, dated February 15, 2023, be adopted.

The question on the motion was not called as in reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that housing needs falls under Strategic and Sustainable Community Growth, and focus areas and priorities are broad to allow Council to achieve the goals.

Discussion took place on addressing housing needs and including it as a specific priority, and as a result the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Council Strategic Plan 2022-2026” be referred back to staff to include housing options for all as a priority.

DEFEATED

Opposed: Mayor Brodie

Cllrs. Au

Heed

Hobbs

Loo

McNulty

It was moved and seconded

That the second bullet under Strategic and Sustainable Community Growth be amended by removing “enhance” and replacing with “prioritize”.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the fifth bullet under Strategic and Sustainable Community Growth be amended by adding “and proactively” following “Work collaboratively”.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the title to the fourth strategic focus area be amended to “Responsible Financial Management and Governance”.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllrs. Heed

Loo

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

4.

RICHMOND’S ECOWASTE LANDFILL REMOVED FROM THE AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE

(File Ref. No.)

Discussion took place on the Provincial announcement to remove Richmond’s Ecowaste landfill from the Agricultural Land Reserve. As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond’s Ecowaste landfill matter be referred to staff to analyze the removal of the land from the Agricultural Land Reserve and provide advice regarding options.

The question on the referral motion was not called as further discussion took place on concerns regarding potential future use for the land and soil reclamation and compensation for Richmond.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:35 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, March 6, 2023.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Associate