MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, June 1^st, 2004, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, July 13^th, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

3.

Police Chief Briefing
(Oral Report)  (30 Minutes in duration) (04-5350-01)

Insp. Tony Mahon, reported briefly on the following topics:

the incidents of vandalism and rowdiness which were occurring at the north end of Minoru Park and the action being taken by the Detachment

the upcoming Auxiliary Police Officer graduation ceremony to take place on Saturday, June 19^th, 2004 at the Armoury; and spoke about the training process and the high calibre of individuals who would be graduating

the recent sexual assault of a female in her home, and he spoke about the dangers of opening doors to strangers.

The Manager, Operational Support, Community Safety, Sandra Pearson, provided information to the Committee on SOS, the City's Safety Operations Steering Committee.

Inspector Mahon then introduced Block Watch Coordinator Wendy Milford and Assistant Block Watch Coordinator Sheila Yamamoto.

(1)

Block Watch Update Ms. Milford and Ms. Yamamoto referred to the material distributed to the Committee (a copy of which is on file in the City Clerks Office), and provided information on on-going activities and responded to questions on:

(a)

the number of people participating in the program and the difficulties in retaining Block Watch captains;

(b)

areas where Block Watch had not been established, and the success of volunteers in getting the program initiated in those areas

(c)

whether Block Watch had had a positive influence in decreasing the amount of crime occurring in a neighbourhood

(d)

whether there were any language difficulties in connecting with the City's ethnic population.
 

The Chair thanked the delegation for their presentation and they then left the meeting.

( 2)

Youth Intervention Update Youth Intervention Coordinator Ruth Hahn Advice was given that Ms. Hahn was unavailable and that she would provide an update at the next Committee meeting.

4.

EMERGENCY PROGRAMS 5 YEAR PROGRESS REPORT 1999 - 2003
(Report:  May 5/04, File No.:  09-5125-01/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1182983)

The Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs, Suzanne Bycraft, accompanied by the Coordinator, Emergency Social Services/Volunteer Management, Derrick Lim, and Project Lead, Emergency Program, Tara Simpson, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on the report, during which Committee members congratulated staff on the preparation of an excellent and easy to read document.  During the discussion, information was provided on:

the use of grant monies to undertake a number of initiatives highlighted in the Progress Report, including the preparation of a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) Response Plan

the amount of funding which had been received from the Federal Government through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program, as well as from other agencies

whether the Provincial Government would critique the City's report

the recruitment of volunteers by the City; the development of a volunteer recruitment strategy in conjunction with Volunteer Richmond, and whether any other organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and local rotary clubs had been considered

partnerships which existed between the City and other service agencies regarding the implementation of the emergency services plan when needed

the feasibility of providing local newspapers and some community organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Richmond and rotary clubs, with copies of the report

the feasibility of a joint initiative with Block Watch to make the public aware of both programs.
 

During the discussion, reference was made to the announcement by the Provincial Government of the establishment of an Emergency Social Services Academy.  In response to questions, advice was given that based on approval by the City, the cost of any Richmond volunteer participating in the program would be covered by the Provincial Government.

A suggestion was made by the Chair during the discussion that the Progress Report be converted to a PowerPoint document for presentation to a future Council Meeting.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Emergency Programs 5 Year Progress Report 1999-2003 be received for information; and
 

(2)

a copy of the Emergency Programs 5 Year Progress Report 1999-2003 be sent to the Provincial Emergency Program.

CARRIED

5.

CANCER PRESUMPTION FOR FIREFIGHTERS
(Report:  May 14/2004, File No.:  05-1600-03-01/2004-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1122128)

Fire Chief Jim Hancock briefly reviewed his report, during which he commented on his recommendation that because of the imminent completion of the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) study on cancer, that the City await the outcome of that study before taking any action.  In response to a question, he confirmed that although the study would be completed in June, the final report would not be available until the Fall of this year.

Mr. Tim Wilkinson, President of IAFF Local 1286, accompanied by John Mitchell, expressed opposition to the recommendation that the City await the outcome of the WCB study.  He suggested that it would be more beneficial to the families of firefighters to take action rather than to do nothing.

Mr. Wilkinson then spoke about the work of Dr. Tee Guidotti, an expert in the area of firefighter cancers, and about the number of toxins which firefighters faced when fighting fires.  He noted that the equipment worn by Richmond firefighters was superior but even so, the clothing did not prevent the absorption of toxins through the skin, as there was no way to protect firefighters from these toxic materials.

Mr. Wilkinson provided information on the support for cancer presumption given by other provinces Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, which had all adopted cancer presumptive legislation.  He added that the province of Ontario, while not enacting legislation, had adopted a policy regarding this issue.  Mr. Wilkinson also provided information on a resolution passed at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Annual General Meeting in 2003, which had been endorsed by several cities.  He voiced the opinion that based on the diverse support shown for this legislation that the City should be taking action.  He then provided information on the number of firefighter deaths which had occurred in British Columbia, and in Richmond specifically, due to cancer.  Mr. Wilkinson advised that figures provided indicated that the cost was approximately cent to 1 cent per 1,000 for cancer presumption. 

In concluding his presentation, Mr. Wilkinson asked that the Committee endorse the 2003 UBCM AGM Resolution B133, which recognized cancer presumption for the fire service in British Columbia, and request that the WCB take the appropriate steps to include the types of cancer identified by Dr. Guidotti in legislation as presumptively caused by the occupation of fire fighting without the need for further study.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and the delegation on:

whether the City would have any opportunity to review the WCB study and to provide input into any proposed legislation

the need for the City to be involved prior to the completion of the WCB report

the cost of cancer presumption, and whether there were any towns within British Columbia with cancer presumption legislation which could be used as examples

those municipalities in British Columbia which supported cancer presumption, and the lack of support from the Greater Vancouver Regional District

the request of the delegation to support firefighters in provincial cancer presumption legislation as this would result in all cities being included and it would be more difficult to remove legislation than WCB policy

the difficulties being experienced by IAFF Local 1286 with the WCB in having Richmond firefighters accepted for cancer presumption.
 

During the discussion, Committee members expressed agreement that the City should be involved in any decision on cancer presumption, but requested information on the cost of this legislation.  Advice was given in response that the cost effect to cities for cancer presumption would be minimal because the cost would be spread through out the entire province.  Further information was provide by Fire Chief Hancock that a cost experience had been undertaken, however, there were no figures available which could be verified.  He stated that the statements made about the cost being spread over a wider population base were correct, but that the cost was dependent on involvement and population. 

As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the following 2003 UBCM AGM Resolution B133, recognizing cancer presumption for the fire service of British Columbia, be endorsed.

WHEREAS fire fighting is recognized as a hazardous occupation to the health for fire fighters;

AND WHEREAS recent medical and scientific studies show a strong association between working conditions experienced by fire fighters over time and the occurrence of certain diseases;

AND WHEREAS other provincial jurisdictions have adopted Workers Compensation legislation and regulations or are in the process of adopting legislation and regulations acknowledging the relationship between fire fighting and certain cancers;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the government of British Columbia to have cancer presumption recognized by the Workers Compensation Board for the fire service of British Columbia.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the Workers Compensation Board be requested to take the appropriate steps to include the types of cancer identified by Dr. Tee Guidotti (in his report dated March 26^th, 2003, to the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association) in legislation as presumptively caused by the occupation of fire fighting without the need for further study.

CARRIED

Discussion continued on the matter, with the request being made that staff prepare a package of information for inclusion with the June 29^th, 2004 Council Agenda, which would contain:

(1)

statistics on cancer presumption;

(2)

a copy of the report prepared by Dr. Tee Guidotti (dated March 26, 2003) entitled Evaluating the Association Between Selected Cancers and Occupation as a Fire Fighter;

(3)

information on those provinces which have supported the cancer presumption legislation;

(4)

information on those cities and towns within British Columbia which have endorsed similar legislation;

(5)

information on the financial impact of cancer presumption on those provinces which have experienced cancer presumption; and

(6)

a comparison between Richmond and a city with the same population as Richmond and type of man power, on WCB rates prior to, and after, the establishment of cancer presumption legislation.

6.

Canada-US Air Quality Agreement - Request to Support the Inclusion of the Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Airshed
(Report:  May 22/2004, File No.:  10-6175-02-01) (REDMS No. 1264996)

The Assistant Manager Environmental Programs, Margot Daykin, advised that she had nothing further to add.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Richmond City Council send a letter to the Minister of Environment and US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator advising of the City's support for the inclusion of the Georgia Basin/Puget Sound airshed under a new or existing Annex to the Canada/US Air Quality Agreement; and
 

(2)

copies of the letter be sent to the Fraser Valley Regional District, the Greater Vancouver Regional District and the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection.

CARRIED

7.

MANAGERS REPORT

There was nothing to report.

Councillor Barnes spoke briefly about the fines levied through the City's Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw, and then introduced the following referral motions:

It was moved and seconded

That a review of the appropriateness of all fine rates contained in Richmond's Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 7321 be undertaken and coordinated by the City's Law and Bylaws Departments.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff identify any additional bylaw sections and fines that should be included in the Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw; and

(2)

That these bylaw changes be prepared and presented to the Community Safety Committee prior to October, 2004 for consideration.

CARRIED

OPPOSED:  Cllr. E. Halsey-Brandt

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:29 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 Tuesday, June 15^th, 2004.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerks Office