Community Safety Committee Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2001

Date:

Thursday, May 17^th, 2001

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair
Councillor Ken Johnston, Vice-Chair
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Kiichi Kumagai
Councillor Malcolm Brodie
Councillor Linda Barnes
Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Also Present:

Councillor Lyn Greenhill (4:15 p.m.)

Call to Order:

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

The Chair offered congratulations, on behalf of the Committee, to Mayor Halsey-Brandt and to Councillor Ken Johnston on their success in the May 16^th Provincial Election.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, April 24^th, 2001, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Policing held on Tuesday, May 1^st, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

HISTORY OF PHOTO RADAR IN THE CITY
(Report: Apr. 26/01, File No.: 6450-15)

Inspector Al Speevak reviewed the report with the Committee.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members, Insp. Speevak and City staff on such issues as:

whether the use of photo radar was beneficial and whether results were available on the impact of photo radar in traffic areas where speed had been a factor

why attention was being focused on the continued use of photo radar when its use had been controversial, rather than finding creative ways to reduce speed

the platform of the incoming Provincial Liberal Government, which included the promise that the photo radar program would be eliminated, and the purpose of the report now being considered by the Committee

a further platform promise of the Liberal Party that revenue resulting from the enforcement of the photo radar program would be shared with the local governments on a 75/25% division

whether City Council had approved the operation of the photo radar program in Richmond and the installation of cameras at specific intersections

whether there was an organized movement among police units throughout British Columbia to try and retain the photo radar program in spite of the promise of the Liberal Party that photo radar would be eliminated

the effectiveness of having police officers issue tickets for speeding as opposed to a motorist receiving notification a month later that that person had been photographed speeding.

(Councillor Greenhill entered the meeting at 4:15 p.m., during the above discussion.)

During the discussion, the Chair expressed the desire to have a discussion with the RCMP on (i) the use of police officers to issue tickets versus the use of photo radar, and (ii) community safety and speeding issues in various areas of the community.

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a more comprehensive report which can be forwarded to other municipalities and to the Provincial Government on the photo radar program.

The question on the motion was not called, as the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated April 26^th, 2001, from Insp. A. R. Speevak, Acting OIC Richmond Detachment), regarding the History of Photo Radar in the City, be referred to staff for a report to the Community Safety Committee on (i) the approval process followed for the utilization of photo radar in the City; and (ii) situations when the use of photo radar might be more appropriate than police officers.

CARRIED

OPPOSED: Cllr. Barnes

VEHICLE FOR HIRE REGULATIONS - TOWING FROM PRIVATE LOTS
(Report: May 7/01, File No.: 8060-20-7219) (REDMS No. 201544, 352168)

The Manager, Community Bylaws, Sandy Tokarczyk, accompanied by Bylaw Liaison Officer Carole Sejberg, reviewed the report and proposed amendments with members of the Committee.

In response to questions from Committee members, the following information was provided:

the revenue generated by the increase in the fee from $25 to $50 would be used to cover the cost of (i) enforcing the regulations of the bylaw, and (ii) on-site inspections

towing companies had begun the practice of issuing an ‘additional fee’ as part of the towing fee and payment was required before the motor vehicle was released by the towing company

the City’s Law Department was of the opinion that an impounded vehicle could not be held until the owner had paid this ‘additional fee’

the proposed amendment to the towing regulations would prohibit the collection of a ticket placed on a vehicle at the time the vehicle was retrieved by the owner from an impoundment yard

the public could be advised of this illegal additional fee through notices published in the City Notice Board and advertising in local newspapers

the proposed amendments to the current bylaw had been discussed with the Automobile Retailers Association.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7219, which amends the towing provisions in the Vehicle for Hire Regulations Bylaw No. 6900, be given first, second and third readings.

The question on the motion was not called, as the following amendment was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That Clause 2 of Bylaw No. 7219 be amended by deleting in subsection 6.3.6, the word "modified" and substituting the word "reduced".

Prior to the question being called, discussion ensued on a further possible amendment to the bylaw to deal with the practice implemented by towing companies to collect an additional fee.

Advice was given by Staff Solicitor Rebecca Finlay that the private towing company operator did not have the authority to collect such an ‘additional fee’. It was also noted that those operators who continued to collect the additional fee could be dealt with through the City’s business licence procedures. As a result, it was agreed that no further action would be taken to amend the proposed bylaw to address the ‘additional fee’ issue at this time.

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

VEHICLE FOR HIRE REGULATIONS - REVIEW OF THE VARIOUS TOW RATES
(Report: May 7/01, File No.: 8060-20-6900) (REDMS No. 215345)

Ms. Tokarczyk, accompanied by Mr. Lloyd Stamm of the Automobile Retailers Association, reviewed the report with the Committee. At the same time, she circulated copies of the new rates recently implemented by the Provincial Motor Carrier Branch, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.

A brief discussion ensued, during which advice was given that the significant increase in rates was due to the fact that (i) the City had not increased towing rates and fees on a regular basis, and (ii) the City had functioned under a different system.

It was moved and seconded

That the City Solicitor prepare an amendment to the Vehicle For Hire Bylaw No. 6900 that would align Richmond’s Impound, Vehicle Release, and Storage Fees with the Provincial Motor Carrier Branch Schedule,(as outlined in the report dated May 7, 2001, from the Manager, Community Bylaws).

Prior to the question being called, staff were requested to provide an update to the Committee each time a new restriction and new rates were implemented.

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

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY - PARTNERS FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION (PCP) PROGRAM
(Report: May 3/01, File No.: 6125-01) (REDMS No. 265308)

The Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs, Suzanne Bycraft, accompanied by Environmental Coordinator Margo Daykin, reviewed the report with the Committee. In response to questions, advice was given that standards would be defined by those municipalities and cities participating in the program, and would be realistic.

It was moved and seconded

That the City participate in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program as a component of the Environmental Management Strategy.

That a letter be written to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities advising of Richmond’s participation in the program.

CARRIED

"RIDE ALONG" POLICY - RICHMOND FIRE/RESCUE DEPARTMENT

Fire Chief Jim Hancock provided information to Committee on the auctioning of ‘ride alongs’ on fire trucks as a fundraising activity and the changes which had been made to the Department’s ‘ride along’ policy.

Discussion ensued among Committee members and the Fire Chief, during which concerns were expressed about liability issues in the event that a participant was injured. Advice was given that participants were required to sign a waiver and that Fire/Rescue staff were very diligent in ensuring that the participant was not in any danger. Also, advice was given that if a situation did not occur during the time that the individual was participating in a ‘ride along’, staff would instruct that person on various safety and public relations matters.

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION - DEPARTMENT BRIEFINGS

Acting Officer in Charge, Inspector Al Speevak (through a PowerPoint presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk’s Office) provided information to the Committee on the operation of the detachment, and the Detachment’s priorities for the future. During the presentation, discussion ensued on such issues as:

the attendance of police officers at conferences and how allocation of the Detachment’s limited travel budget was determined

the number of officers currently in the Richmond detachment as compared to the per capita measurement

the length of time which constables served in Richmond.

(Mayor Halsey-Brandt left the meeting at the conclusion of the presentation (5:45 p.m.), and did not return.)

MANAGER’S REPORT

The Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs, Suzanne Bycraft, reported that:

a community awareness program had been prepared to ensure that standard presentations were made to the public, and that a number of volunteers had been trained to present information to the community at local neighbourhood meetings. In attendance were three of the volunteers and they were introduced to the Committee - Ann Cooper, Chuck McDonald and Hugh Reijne, and they were thanked for their work.

a new program had been implemented - Emergency Supplies Distribution, which offered Richmond residents the opportunity to purchase emergency kits at a discounted price (copies of the supply list were circulated to the Committee).

she had accepted on behalf of the City, an award from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for the Environmental Purchasing Guide recently implemented by the City.

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:47 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Thursday, May 17^th, 2001.

_________________________________

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Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant