MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, June 15^th, 2004, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Tuesday, August 31st, 2004, at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

3.

Police Chief Briefing

(Oral Report)  (30 Minutes in duration)

Insp. Tony Mahon briefly reported on two recent deaths in the City that the RCMP were investigating.  He then responded to questions from Committee on the problems associated with karaoke clubs, and the efforts of the RCMP to deal with these issues which included reminding these establishments of the rules relating to serving alcohol and visiting those where there were recurrent problems.  He advised that some research would be undertaken to provide Committee with information on the scope of the problem. Committee members requested that information be provided on (i) overall trends from particular establishments that might be creating more problems than others, and ii) the numbers of licensed establishments in the City and the numbers that are creating problems.  Insp. Mahon added that he would like to see a joint initiative between the RCMP and other regulatory authorities, such as the Fire Department, Liquor Licensing, City bylaw, to deal with these issues.

Insp. Mahon also responded to questions on the proposed bylaw to deal with marijuana grow-ops, and stated the City Solicitor would be bringing forward a report to Committee on a comprehensive bylaw that was being developed.

Insp. Mahon then introduced  Ms. Ruth Hahn, Youth Intervention Coordinator, who provided an update on the youth intervention program.  Ms. Hahn circulated two documents Treating Youth in Conflict with the Law: A new Meta-Analysis and History of Police-Based Counselling Programs in British Columbia, copies of which are on file in the City Clerks Office.  In response to questions from Committee, Ms. Hahn provided the following information:

(a)

The age range for youths in the program was 12 to 17 years of age, although occasionally younger children were provided preventative counselling.

(b)

Although she did visit schools from time to time, she had not been called in by the schools to provide services, and providing such service would be limited by time constraints.

(c)

Restorative justice was being conducted through the Touchstone Family Association.

(d)

A wait-list has been established since May the first time the program has had a wait-list.  (Insp. Mahon advised that Human Resources was in the process of filling the vacant, funded position which would provide an assistant for the program.)

The Chair thanked Ms. Hahn for the presentation, and said that Committee looked forward to another update in 6 to 8 months.

4.

SAFE STREETS LEGISLATION

(Report:  July 8^th, 2004, File No.:01-0035-01, xr 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 1308950)

Mayor Brodie briefly reviewed the report with Committee, and invited comments from Insp. Mahon.  Insp. Mahon advised that the RCMP had reviewed the proposed legislation and were not opposed to it.  He noted that the problem of panhandling had not existed 10 to 15 years ago but was becoming an increasing problem in the more highly populated and tourist areas, although not yet an issue in Richmond.  In response to further questions, he stated that the proposed legislation was more specific to the types of offences encountered by the police which would be helpful to them, and that they would be comfortable enforcing its provisions.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the legislative changes involving the new Safe Streets Act and changes to both the Trespass to Property Act and the Motor Vehicle Act (referred to in the report dated July 8^th, 2004 from Mayor Brodie) be endorsed; and

(2)

That a letter be sent to Premier Gordon Campbell, MLA Lorne Mayencourt and Richmond MLAs, as well as Mayors in the GVRD cities to demonstrate Richmond's  support for  such legislation and encourage similar support.

Prior to the question being called, Cllr. Barnes requested that staff provide information on the differences between the existing legislation and the proposed legislation.

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

OPPOSED:  Cllr. Barnes

5.

Public Health Protection Bylaw No. 6989 Amendment Bylaw No. 7744 (Mosquito Control)

(Report:  June 23^rd, 2004, File No.: 12-8060-20-7744; xr 10-6125-04-14/2004 Vol.01) (REDMS No. 1304406)

The Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs, Suzanne Bycraft, was in attendance.  Mayor Brodie spoke of the very rapid spread that had been witnessed of the West Nile Virus in the USA and thanked staff for bringing this matter to Councils attention last year.

Ms. Bycraft responded to questions from Committee, and provided the following information:

(a)

information about mosquito control was on the City's web site and Richmond Health Department would be promoting the bylaw to deal with complaints from the public about mosquitos.

(b)

the existing bylaw refers to rodent control and the amendment addresses mosquitos.

During the discussion, staff were directed to provide a brief report on the problems associated with the increasing proliferation of crows in the community, their impact on the song birds, and whether any measures might be necessary to limit their numbers.

The Manager of Community Bylaws, Don Pearson , responded to a question from Committee on the control of pigeons, and advised that these birds had been added to the Animal, Bird and Beekeeping Bylaw which prohibited them being fed in areas where this would create a nuisance to others.

It was moved and seconded

That Public Health Protection Bylaw No. 6989 Amendment Bylaw No. 7744 (Mosquito Control) be introduced and given first, second and third  readings.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGERS REPORT

Fire Chief Jim Hancock advised that he had been unsuccessful in arranging for the Coast Guard to attend the meeting but he hoped to have them attend a subsequent meeting.

A brief discussion ensued about a complaint relating to keeping a large number of cats in a particular residence on Gibbons Road, and information was provided that staff had been in contact with the parties involved and efforts were continuing to resolve this situation.

Cllr. Barnes thanked staff for arranging the visit to the Richmond Homeless Cats facility.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4.47 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 Tuesday, July 13^th, 2004.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Valerie Wilmot
Executive Assistant, Human Resources