MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Wednesday, October 15^th, 2003, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 9^th, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMITTEE ADVISORY TASK FORCE

3.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee Advisory Task Force held on Tuesday, October 7^th, 2003, be received for information.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

4.

Police Chief Briefing
(Oral Report)  (30 Minutes in duration)
 

Supt. Ward Clapham introduced to the Committee, Sgt. Maria Salsal who replaced former Sgt. Davis Wendall.

Supt. Clapham then presented a short video to the Committee, entitled Wired Kids, during which he spoke about the Detachments commitment to investigate tech crime.  He also introduced the members of the Tech Team.

Following the conclusion of the video, discussion ensued among Committee members, Supt. Clapham and members of the Tech Team on the use of the Internet by children and how to protect them from inappropriate contact.

The Chair thanked the delegation for their information, during which she expressed her pleasure at hearing that the Tech Team would be working in partnership with community groups.

5.

COMMUNITY SAFETY ADVISORY TASK FORCE FINAL REPORT
(Report:  Oct. 14/03, File No.:  0100-20-CSPA1-01) (REDMS No. 1078296)

The Manager, Policy Development & Corporate Programs, Shawn Issel, accompanied by the Chair of the Community Safety Advisory Task Force, Bob Aldcorn, provided a brief overview of (i) the history of the creation of the Task Force; (ii) the mandate of the Task Force; and (iii) the issues which arose from the survey undertaken by the Task Force.

Mr. Aldcorn thanked the Committee for having the foresight to create the Task Force; staff for their support and members of the Task Force for their hard work.  He spoke about the need to create a model for the Task Force in terms of learning about the Community Safety Division before the Task Force could begin its work; the issues being faced by the Division; and the programs which were already underway.  Mr. Aldcorn advised that in general, people felt safe in Richmond and were of the view that the City should continue to do what it has been doing.  He added that there was a great deal of support for community safety education programs.  In concluding his comments, Mr. Aldcorn encouraged the Committee and the City to continue in its present direction.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members, staff and the delegation, during which the Task Force was commended for doing an excellent job.  Disappointment was expressed to the low number of responses which the Task Force received to its survey.  In response, advice was given that the Task Force was not too concerned with the low response as five or six specific sessions and one public session had been held to obtain public input on safety concerns. 

Mr. Aldcorn added that the Task Force was of the belief that there were no major burning issues, other than street racing but steps were already being taken to address that issue.

Florence Gordon, a member of the Task Force, came forward, and stated that the Task Force had worked very hard and well together.  She indicated that she was personally interested in the Crime Watch Program and expressed the wish that the City continue with this program.

In concluding the discussion, the Chair thanked the Task Force for its hard work.  She referred to the comments made by Mr. Aldcorn about the model for the Task Force and asked staff to note that a group of knowledgeable people with expertise in the area of safety was available if and when that knowledge could be used in the future.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Community Safety Advisory Task Force Final Report (attached to the report dated October 14^th, 2003, from the Manager, Policy Development and Corporate Programs), be received for information;
 

(2)

having fulfilled their mandate, the Community Safety Advisory Task Force be thanked for their work; and
 

(3)

the areas of interest highlighted by the CSATF (as outlined in the report dated October 14^th, 2003, from the Manager, Policy Development & Corporate Programs), be referred to staff.

CARRIED

6.

2005 FIRE RESCUE CANADA CONFERENCE
(Report:  Oct. 30/03, File No.:  0125-01) (REDMS No. 1080819)

The Acting General Manager, Community Safety, Fire Chief Jim Hancock, advised in response to questions, that expectations were that approximately 250 delegates would be attending the conference.  He stated that the biggest issue was the budget for the conference, however, he added that the City was not being asked to provide any funding, although some staff time would be required to find sponsors and to coordinate a partnership program.

It was moved and seconded

That the City of Richmond, Richmond Fire Rescue Department be designated a Host City for the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) 2005 Conference.

CARRIED

7.

PARKING PROGRAM BYLAW AMENDMENT
(Report:  Nov. 4/03, File No.:  8060-20-7631) (REDMS No. 1088318, 1088846)
 

It was moved and seconded

That Parking (Off-Street) Regulation Bylaw No. 7403, Amendment Bylaw No. 7631, which would make the City's parking program more flexible, responsive and effective, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.
 

Prior to the question on the motion being called, advice was given that the proposed amendment was consistent with the recommendations of the Steveston Parking Task Force.

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

8.

MANAGERS REPORT

(a)

Deputy Chief Geoff Lake reported that Fire Departments involved in the Fire - Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) would be approaching the BC Ambulance, through the First Responder Committee, to have their criteria changed for when they dispatch fire departments to medical calls. He advised that the MAC was of the belief that there were several types of calls where Fire Departments were not being called, when in fact they should be, given the level of training which firefighters now have.  Mr. Lake added that a formal report would be forthcoming on this matter.

(b)

Chief Hancock advised that the Bylaws section of the Community Safety Division would be holding a workshop from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on November 18^th, 2003 to discuss the Agricultural Land Commission Act, with representatives from the Provincial Government and two other municipalities in attendance.  Members of the Committee were invited to attend the workshop.

(c)

Reference was made to the imminent retirement of Chuck Gale, and Chief Hancock thanked Mr. Gale for his efforts in reorganizing the Community Safety Division.  The Chair also thanked Mr. Gale for his efforts during his years of service with the City, and in recognition of his work, Cllr. Barnes presented Mr. Gale with a small gift in appreciation for his hard work and dedication.

Mr. Gale thanked the Committee for the chance to serve the City in this capacity.  He stated that being the General Manager of the Community Safety Division had been the most challenging and rewarding experience for him.

In concluding the remarks, the Chair wished Mr. Gale the best of luck in his retirement.

(d)

The Chair referred to the Provincial Governments Safety System Transformation Project, and introduced the following referral motion:
 

It was moved and seconded

That staff report on the Provincial Governments Safety System Transformation Project, and in particular, its impact on:

(1)

the respective areas of the construction community affected by the Safety Systems Act & Regulations;

(2)

who would be able to perform work under the Act, in particular with regard to gas installation work;

(3)

the City's Gas Safety Inspection Service;

(4)

the level of public safety;

(5)

governance issues between the new authority, the Provincial Government and the City; and

(6)

the general impact for the City specifically in areas of bylaws, safety standards and regulations.

CARRIED

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, November 13^th, 2003.

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Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerks Office