Community Services Committee Meeting Minutes - July 25, 2000

Date:

Tuesday, July 25, 2000

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair

Councillor Derek Dang, Vice-Chair

Councillor Malcolm Brodie

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Linda Barnes

Also Present:

Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Lyn Greenhill

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Services Committee held on Tuesday, June 27, 2000, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

(Report: July 18/00, File No.: 5355-01) (REDMS No. 167415)

The Assistant to the Mayor, Hilda Ward, briefly commented on the Community Policing report and then introduced the Chair of the Sub-Committee responsible for the report, Mr. Rick Henderson.

Mr. Henderson reviewed the report in more detail, during which it was mentioned that Seattle may see a rebirth of Community Policing. Cllr. Greenhill asked if any review of the Community Consultative Groups (CCG’s), with respect to mandate and purpose, was being undertaken and the response was that this is an ongoing project.

Sub-committee members Mr. Fred Ursel and Mr. Randall Wong were noted as being in attendance.

A short discussion then ensued during which Cllr. Brodie thanked the Sub-committee for the comprehensive report. Mr. Henderson responded by acknowledging that the surrounding communities were very supportive during the compilation process of the report, and that the RCMP in Richmond are very well versed in Community Policing.

It was moved and seconded

That the report entitled "Year 2000 Review of Community Policing in Richmond" from the Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Policing be received for information; and

That the 14 Recommendations, as outlined on page 23 of the "Year 2000 Review of Community Policing in Richmond," report, (attached to the report dated July 18, 2000, from the Assistant to the Mayor) be referred to staff for prioritization, financial analysis and review; and

That staff report to Council, through the Community Services Committee, on the outcome of their review of the recommendations, by the end of October, 2000.

CARRIED

(Report: July 18/00, File No.: 5375-02) (REDMS No. 167392)

Superintendent MacAulay noted that the Monthly Police Report for May 2000 was a standard report and then answered questions from the Committee members. Cllr. Johnston asked if new members posted to Richmond were made aware of Richmond’s cultural diversity, with the response being that a training video posted in Regina allows any new recruits an opportunity to research their new location. Upon commencement of their duties it is attempted to assign them to a partner who has been based in Richmond, however, due to staffing issues, this is not always possible.

Mayor Halsey-Brandt questioned the increased statistics for residential break-ins and car thefts. Superintendent MacAulay responded by saying that these numbers are consistent with current statistics with no change in pattern evident.

Superintendent MacAulay also updated the Committee on the number of current vacant positions.

It was moved and seconded

That the RCMP Monthly Report (attached to the report dated July 18, 2000 from the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services) for the month of May, 2000 be received for information.

CARRIED

(Report: July 5/00, File No.: 8060-20-7133) (REDMS No. )

Chief Public Health Inspector, Kelvin Higo, reviewed the report, adding that while Surrey and Delta have exemptions for these types of facilities, he could make no distinction between veterans clubs and bars, therefore, he could not, from the public health perspective, support this exemption.

During the discussion that ensued it was identified that veteran club members have not been surveyed at this point, although letters have been received by some council members asking that the assumption not be made that all club members support the request for exemption. It was further noted that feedback from restaurants and bars indicates that patrons are supportive of the Smoking Control Regulations.

Mr. Higo pointed out that the WCB regulations could be expected to become effective again in November, and that these regulations would take precedence over the City bylaw. He also said he did not want to create a tiered system.

In response to a question from Councillor Barnes Mr. Higo said that Surrey and Delta had not been inundated with "private club" applications.

Further discussion took place on the issue of referring the issue to staff so that a more detailed report could be compiled. As a result of the discussion the following motion was introduced.

It was moved and seconded

That staff consult with the Veterans Association and membership of the veterans clubs of Richmond to determine each clubs’ wishes, and that written documentation, which will include how their conclusions were arrived at, and the constitution of their membership, be provided prior to the August 28, 2000 Council meeting.

DEFEATED ON A TIED VOTE

OPPOSED: Mayor Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Barnes

Councillor Steves

Councillor Johnston pointed out that the onus is on the legions to provide information and Councillor Brodie said that the legions should be notified of the staff recommendation.

Mr. Higo then gave an oral update of the public hearings being conducted by the Workers Compensation Board. He said that the public hearing process was completed in June and that the results are now being tabulated.

It was moved and seconded

That the request by the private veterans service clubs to be exempted from the provisions of the smoking restrictions in the Public Health Protection Bylaw No. 6989, Amendment Bylaw No. 7133 BE DENIED on the understanding that City staff will consult with the Veterans Association and membership of the veterans clubs of Richmond to determine each clubs’ wishes, and that written documentation, which will include how their conclusions were arrived at and the constitution of their membership, be provided prior to the August 28, 2000 Council meeting.

CARRIED

(Report: July 13/00, File No.: 5140-01) (REDMS No. 166103)

Fire Chief Jim Hancock, after giving a brief synopsis of the report, noted that Phase Three, provision of the Draft Plan, is scheduled for completion by the end of December.

Councillor Greenhill questioned whether Firehalls 4 and 5 were taken out of Phase 1,2 and 3 and the response from Chief Hancock was that these two halls had been brought out of the study for specific reason and that the study could operate without them.

During the discussion that ensued, the General Manager, Public Works and Engineering, Chuck Gale, clarified that Firehalls 4 and 5 are not included in the study, however, with respect to Firehall 4 the results of the YVR negotiations will be input into the study. Firehall 5 is a stand alone situation in that the location will continue in the same geographic area of the city.

Further discussion on the details that will be presented in the report identified that the information will not deal with the condition of the halls so much as what is needed to deliver service, and the level of that service, to Richmond. The output will be graphically presented, and the software presentation will provide computer analysis of response times and allow for future projections of transportation and populations on a geographic basis.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated July 13, 2000 from the Fire Chief) on the "Fire Hall Location and Resource Deployment Study", be received for information.

CARRIED

MANAGER’S REPORT

The General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan brought to the Committee’s attention that the Co-Chair of the Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee is a political representative. This creates a precedent in that this typically has been a community based organization.

The Co-ordinator of Leisure Services, Marg Elfstrom, then spoke about RCSAC saying that they would like to consolidate their meeting schedule to 4 per year, perhaps lunch hour meetings with key note speakers. The budget is being revamped which should see the proposed budget being half of the current amount.

During the ensuing discussion it was explained that the original focus of the organization was the development of a service network, however, this being now in place the focus has moved to stability and retention of levels of service. This allows for the service to branch out in smaller, more specific ways.

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:25 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Services Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, July 25, 2000.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves

Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant