March 20, 2023 - Minutes
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General Purposes Committee
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Date: |
Monday, March 20, 2023 |
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Place: |
Council Chambers |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on March 6, 2023, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION |
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1. |
STEVESTON ISLAND DIKE PRELIMINARY DESIGN – PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT (File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 7123938) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That, as outlined in the staff report titled “Steveston Island Dike Preliminary Design – Public and Stakeholder Engagement,” dated February 8, 2023, from the Director, Engineering, the preliminary design for the Steveston Island Dike project be endorsed for the public and stakeholder engagement. |
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In response to a query from Council, staff advised that they will provide Council with previous staff reports and plans in relation to the Steveston Island Dike. |
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Discussion ensued with respect to (i) construction of a new flood wall connecting to Garry Point Park, (ii) habitat enhancement, (iii) addition of David Hancock to the stakeholder list for engagement, (iv) sediment build up from Steveson Island affecting the harbour, (v) effects on migration of Salmon, (vi) the proposed plan being an alternative to raising the existing dyke, (vii) more information being provided after the refinement of the detailed plans, (viii) protection of heritage buildings and (ix) long term plan for Steveston as part of the diking strategy. |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
2022 GENERAL LOCAL AND SCHOOL ELECTION: SUMMARY OF HIGHLIGHTS (File Ref. No. 12-8125-80-01) (REDMS No. 7106730) |
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Discussion ensued with regards to (i) voter turnout, (ii) the challenges of amalgamating distribution of voter guides and voter cards, (iii) the timeline for production and distribution of voter cards and guides, (iv) listing a reference to the voter guide on the voter cards, (v) the mail in ballots timeline and process, and (vi) ideas on how to increase voter turnout. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “2022 General Local and School Election: Summary of Highlights”, dated March 2, 2023 be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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Further discussion ensued regarding proposed amendments to the Election Act by the Provincial government in respect to disinformation and election accessibility. |
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As a result of the discussion the following motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That a letter be sent to the Provincial Government expressing the City of Richmond’s support in principle of the following proposed amendments as outlined in the Provincial Government’s announcement: |
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Placing restrictions on intentionally making false statements about objective biographical information about candidates and senior officials of political parties; |
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Cracking down on the spread of deliberate disinformation about the electoral process, such as including disinformation about voting eligibility, dates, times and locations; and |
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Streamlining the vote-by-mail process to make it more accessible for people. |
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The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued in regards to (i) definition and examples of false statements, (ii) consequences of issuing false statements, and (iii) obtaining more information regarding all the proposed amendments. |
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The question on the motion was then called and CARRIED with Cllrs. Gillanders, Heed and Loo opposed. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:54 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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 20, 2023. |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Raman Grewal |