Community Safety Committee Meeting Minutes - July 12, 2001

COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMITTEE

Date:	Thursday, July 12^th, 2001
Place:	Anderson Room Richmond City Hall
Present:	Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair Councillor Derek Dang Councillor Malcolm Brodie Councillor Linda Barnes
Absent:	Councillor Kiichi Kumagai
Also Present:	Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Call to Order:	The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

MINUTES

	1.	It was moved and seconded
		That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, June 12^th, 2001, be adopted as circulated.
			CARRIED

PRESENTATION

	2.	RECOGNITION OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF RUSTYS TOWING, RICHMOND RECYCLING AND PCL CONSTRUCTION TO THE FIRE-RESCUE DEPARTMENTS "HIGH ANGLE RESCUE TRAINING PROGRAM"
		Acting Mayor Bill McNulty, Chair, recognized the contributions of Rustys Towing, Richmond Recycling and PCL Constructors to the Fire-Rescue Departments High Angle Rescue Training Program. With the assistance of Community Relations Officer Gordon Gill, plaques were presented by the Chair to:
			Gary Tonks and Dean Tonks, of Rustys Towing, for providing vehicles at their yard for the use of the Fire-Rescue Department to practice auto extrication skills.
			Harbinder Dhillon of Richmond Recycling, for providing vehicles at his facility for the use of the Fire-Rescue Department to practice auto extrication skills.
			Larry Becker and Bob Martz of PCL Constructors, for allowing the Technical High-Angle Rescue Rope Rescue Teams to use their construction crane for practice.
		The Chair thanked the recipients and the Fire-Rescue Fire Department for their on-going commitment to augment City programs.
		CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON POLICING

	3.	It was moved and seconded
		That the minutes of the meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing held on Tuesday, June 26^th, 2001, be received for information.
			CARRIED

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

	4.	EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHMENT BYLAW NO. 7234 (Report: June 13/01, File No.: 8060-20-7234) (REDMS No. 436862, 354848)
		The Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs, Suzanne Bycraft, reviewed her report and the proposed bylaw, with the Committee.
		Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on the proposed bylaw. Reference was made to subsection 2.4.2, which authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer to execute agreements on behalf of the City, where circumstances warrant. Concern was expressed that although the intent was to only permit this authority in the event of an emergency, there was nothing in the bylaw which specifically restricted this authority to emergency related issues only.
		Reference was also made to subsection 3.4.1(b), which dealt with the expenditure of funds over $250,000 at the discretion of the Chair, Emergency Control Group, in consultation with the Chief Administrative Officer, or in his absence, any two General Managers of the City. During the discussion which ensued, questions relating to how and when this authority would come into play, and whether there alternates would be available if, in the event of an emergency, none of the General Managers were in Richmond, were addressed. Also addressed was the role of Council in the event that an emergency occurred and whether Council had authority under section 3.4 to expend funds.
		Concern was also expressed about the lack of any political authority in the bylaw as being part of the decision-making process. Discussion ensued on this issue, during which it was noted that for the most part, the expectation was that the City would endeavour to function within existing policies if an emergency should arise, however, if it became necessary to go beyond existing policies, then staff would advise Council accordingly.
		As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:
		It was moved and seconded
		That Emergency Management Organization Establishment Bylaw 7234 be referred to staff for amendments to (i) reflect that the decision making authority of the Chief Administrative Officer is "within the context of this bylaw, and (ii) deal with the issues raised with regard to subsections 2.4.2 and 3.4.1(b).
		The question on the motion was not called, as discussion continued on the range of powers permitted under subsections 2.4.2 and 3.4.1(b) and the role of Council. Concern was also expressed about the delay which a referral would have on the timing of the adoption of the bylaw due to the cancellation of the August 13^th, 2001 Regular Council meeting.
		As a result of the discussion, the motion was WITHDRAWN.
		It was moved and seconded
		That Bylaw 7234, which establishes a revised emergency management organization under the provisions of the Emergency Program Act, be introduced and given first, second and third readings, provided that consideration is given before the July 23^rd, 2001 Regular Council Meeting to the revision of subsections 2.4.2 and 3.4.1(b) to reflect the concerns of the Committee.
			CARRIED

	5.	UPDATE ON THE BC POLICING STUDY (Report: June 28/01, File No.: 5350-07) (REDMS No. 452447, 447332)
		The General Manager, Community Safety, Chuck Gale, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.
		It was moved and seconded
		That the Mayor (or a designate of the Mayor) be appointed to the RCMP/Mayors Consultative Forum.
			CARRIED

	6.	MANAGERS REPORT
		Chuck Gale referred to the reports prepared by the RCMP, and questioned whether the Committee would be in favour of receiving the information in quarterly reports, rather than on a monthly basis. He advised that staff had been asked to form a team to determine how these reports could be made more relevant and meaningful.
		During the discussion which ensued, information was provided that the current monthly report was prepared specifically for the Mayor and Council. Further advice was given that preparation of the report on a quarterly basis would not have a major impact on the information received from the community police stations. Comments were expressed by Committee members that it was important to have an analysis of the information provided, as well as information on trends which might be occurring within specific areas and a comparison of the previous years statistics.
		As a result of the discussion, Mr. Gale advised that he would direct staff to look at providing Council with the requested information in a different format.
		Councillor Linda Barnes referred to the Summer, 2001 issue of "Community Messages" (a publication of the Emergency Social Services Association of British Columbia), and noted that the Richmond Emergency Social Services (ESS) Team was featured in an article which outlined the progress of the committee since its conception in 1999. Councillor Barnes congratulated Suzanne Bycraft and her team for a job well done.
		ADJOURNMENT

		It was moved and seconded
		That the meeting adjourn (4:58 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, July 12^th, 2001.
_________________________________				_________________________________
Acting Mayor Bill McNulty Chair				Fran J. Ashton Executive Assistant

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