MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, March 14^th, 2006, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee will be on Tuesday, May 9^th, 2006 at

3:30 p.m. Time and venue to be confirmed by staff.

COUNCILLOR ROB HOWARD

3.

RCMP COMPLEMENT AND CIVILIAN WORK FORCE

(File No.: 09-5350-01/Vol 01)

Councillor Howard spoke to his motion and commented that it would enable staff to investigate possible gap funding systems used by other municipalities to increase the Richmond RCMP force by five officers and an auxiliary constable co-ordinator through gap funding.

In answer to a query it was noted that there were currently 12 unfilled officer positions and that the intent of the additional officers would be that they serve ‘on the street’, replacing constables on sick leave, parental leave, etc.

In response to a concern raised, staff advised that they could bring a discussion paper to the committee regarding the feasibility of using gap funding without jeopardizing the status of the current budget.

It was noted that Council had voted against such a recommendation and in discussion it was considered whether it would be more appropriate to address this issue during the 2007 budget process. Councillor Howard explained that the intent of the recommendation was to ensure that all funds allocated by the budget be spent in the name of community safety.

In answer to a question regarding the auxiliary position it was advised that a civilian with relative expertise would be sought to fill it rather than a regular RCMP member.

Chief Administrative Officer George Duncan offered that while there was no policy in place regarding gap funding, the recommendation would support a discussion paper and then senior staff would look to the RCMP to make the case with Council and then proceed on direction from Council.

It was reiterated that current relations with the RCMP were excellent and that the force was to be commended on the remarkable job that had been done to reduce the amount of crime in Richmond.

In response to a query Mr. Duncan advised that the size of the force was not based on population and that the amount of administration and paperwork to deal with the officers’ jobs had increased significantly.

Councillors expressed continuing concern that the existing budget would be compromised by the recommendation. It was clarified that discussions for the 2007 budget were scheduled to start in July 2006.

It was moved and seconded

That staff come forward to the next Community Safety Committee meeting with a discussion paper and make recommendations on:

“(1)

That the RCMP complement and civilian workforce be increased as follows:

(a)

Up to a maximum of five additional officers, and

(b)

An Auxiliary Constable Coordinator, and

(2)

That the funding of these positions be made available through complement gap funding.”

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

It was then moved and seconded

That the motion (proposed by Cllr. Howard) regarding a possible increase in the RCMP complement and civilian work force, and the funding of these new positions through complement gap funding, be referred to the 2007 budget process.

CARRIED

OPPOSED: Cllr. Howard

4.

REGULATION OF HYDROPONIC AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA BUSINESSES

(File No.: 09-5350-01/Vol 01)

In discussion it was queried whether Richmond Council could pass a bylaw in-house concerning the regulation of hydroponics and drug paraphernalia businesses without going through the Lower Mainland Municipal Association (LMMA) process. Staff responded that while there was currently a co-operative spirit between the province and municipalities that had done so, there were no clear provincial guidelines regarding municipal authority within the community charter and the LMMA was seeking clarity.

It was further commented that it would be desirable that Richmond work parallel to the province by doing due diligence in this community at the same time.

It was moved and seconded

That the City write a letter in support of the Lower Mainland Municipal Association in its request that the Province amend Section 59 of the Community Charter to give municipalities clear authority to impose requirements on hydroponics and drug paraphernalia businesses to the same extent the can impose requirements on second hand businesses.

CARRIED

It was commented that the work of the LMMA should not be duplicated and that it would be of benefit to see what, if anything, could be done in the absence of a decision by the province.

It was moved and seconded

That legal staff be requested to investigate what jurisdiction Council would have to create a bylaw for the purpose of the regulation, control and sale of hydroponics and drug paraphernalia.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR DEREK DANG

5.

REVIEW OF RICHMOND'S POLICING SERVICES

(File No.: 09-5350-01/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1800874)

Councillor Dang spoke to his motion, commenting that with a large and growing population surrounded by communities having their own police forces, it was time to review other options for policing in the community.

The motion was supported given the large population growth.  It was noted that it would be timely to review and update past reports. It was anticipated that demographics and costing would be taken into consideration and that some communication issues might be improved with a local police force.

It was noted that the current policing contract expired in 2012 and that it would be preferable to have a seat at the table during the negotiations rather than have the province make the decisions for the local community and, that it was important to understand the options available to the City prior to any contract renewal process.

Appreciation was expressed regarding the outstanding leadership exemplified by the RCMP and the high degree of communication between the existing department and the Council.

In response to queries regarding costs to provide the report, Councillor Dang indicated that a starting point would be consultation with other municipalities that had recently made policing changes. Staff advised that consultation would assist to determine the scope and costs of special resources for the project and that terms of reference would be made available within a month.

There was support for the motion in regard to the point that most large cities have their own police forces. It was noted that Richmond was the third largest municipality with an RCMP detachment.

The existing good relationship with RCMP was emphasized in further discussion and it was thought to be good business to have all the facts before creating a strategy or plan for the safety of the community.

In response to a query, Councillor Dang advised that the salary scale of an RCMP officer should be about the same as that of city police. He offered that an advantage of a local force would be that the officers would invest in the community and provide a continuity of experience.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff undertake a review of the various options available for the delivery of policing in Richmond including:

(a)

establishing a local Richmond Police Force,

(b)

contracting policing services from a neighbouring municipal Police Force, or

(c)

maintaining the Richmond RCMP Detachment

to ensure the best service, safety and cost to the City of Richmond and its citizens;

(2)

That staff report back to Council on any specialized resources that will be required to complete the review, and

(3)

That since this review is not intended to be a negative reflection on the performance of the Richmond Detachment, Council take this opportunity to declare their satisfaction with the Detachment's performance.

CARRIED

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (0 ITEMS)

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DECISIONS / ACTIONS (3 ITEMS)

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

6.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR RENEWAL OF MUNICIPAL POLICE UNIT AGREEMENT IN 2012

(Report: Mar. 31/06, File No.: 03-1000-13-006) (REDMS No. 1798395)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter be sent to the Solicitor General requesting information regarding the process, including the extent of municipal involvement, for the renewal of the Municipal Police Unit Agreement in 2012, and

(2)

That staff develop a UBCM resolution for increased municipal involvement in negotiations.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

7.

2006 WEST NILE VIRUS/MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM

(Report: Mar. 28/06, File No.: 10-6125-04-14/2006-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1794036)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager Emergency and Environmental Programs introduced Steve Chong, Manager Health Protection, Richmond Health Services, VCH who distributed a report dated April 11, 2006, titled ‘WNV Briefing Summary” and announced that provincial funding had been approved for the West Nile initiatives.

In answer to queries it was advised that:

·            

The larvicide (Altosid XR briquets) was in storage and had an expiry date of Spring 2007; approximately 10,000 catch basins would be treated.

·            

The larvicide has a low spectrum of activity, and would be directly applied to an area and not sprayed.

·            

Last year the Richmond program received approximately $178,000 in funding; a similar amount would be expected for 2006.

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Health Services be retained to undertake mosquito management services on behalf of the City of Richmond (as outlined in Items A and B of their proposal dated March 21, 2006, and attached to the report dated March 28^th, 2006, from the Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs).

CARRIED

8.

2006 UBCM EMERGENCY PLANNING GRANT

(Report: Mar. 27/06, File No.: 09-5125-01/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1794292)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application to the provincial government, via the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, for funding under the 2006 Emergency Planning program, be approved (as outlined in the staff report dated March 27, 2006, from the Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs).

(2)

That a letter be sent to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conveying Council’s approval of the funding application.

CARRIED

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (5 ITEMS)

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

9.

UPDATE ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM IMPLEMENTATION

(Report: Mar. 31/06, File No.: 09-5350-01/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1798397)

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated March 31^st, 2006, from the Chief Administrative Officer), regarding an Update on Emergency Response Team Implementation, be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called, as Shawn Issel, Manager, Policy Development and Corporate Programs, advised that a complete report was pending information from the Province.

In response to a query regarding possible cost savings (item #6), it was clarified that it would not be relevant to the case for Richmond and that the ERT cost share of 20% federal, 30% provincial and 50% municipal was not part of the debate.

It was noted that there would be an increase of costs in 2007 and in 2008. It was queried what would constitute the costs other than overtime. Ms. Issel responded that more information was pending from the province in that regard. An RCMP Inspector offered that the Emergency Response Teams would be building in increments over the two years.

It was further clarified that among others, the Chief Administrative Officers of municipalities participated in Regional Administrators Advisory Committee meetings and that Richmond was represented by George Duncan.

A concern was expressed regarding the need for a method in which to communicate the political as well as administrative issues. Ms. Issel responded that some structure was planned for such on-going communication.

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

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(1)

Mandatory Blood Testing – Exposure to Bodily Fluids

Shawn Issel, Manager, Policy Development and Corporate Programs, advised that there was no further information to date regarding mandatory blood testing (other than what was provided on Dr. Yap’s web site) and therefore there was nothing to make recommendation upon.

It was a recommendation that hospitals be consulted as to how to deal with the diseases associated with the problem of exposure to bodily fluids.

(2)

Recycling Program for Computers, etc.

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Emergency and Environmental Programs, provided an update to the provincial stewardship plan in regard to the recycling of computer and television equipment planned to start in 2007. She reviewed possible levies and reuse of materials.

11.

ILLEGAL SALE OF LIQUOR VENUES

RCMP Inspector Nesset provided an update on the issue of ‘Booze Cans’, underground venues established mainly for liquor distribution that operate after hours (most often from rented private residences). Current tactics include the co-operation of the landlords to stop the illegal selling of liquor. He noted that inspectors have no authority because the premises are not licensed.

In response to a query, it was advised that there was no crossover between ‘Booze Cans’ and Mah Jong parlours but that the same response team was used in both instances.

Concerns were raised regarding massage parlours and crime associated with ‘Booze Cans’.

It was recommended that liquor store employees might be of assistance because they may be in a position to identify persons purchasing abnormal amounts of alcohol for resale. Inspector Nesset noted that most awareness comes from neighbours and that the response team would be advised of the suggestion.

12.

RAVES

RCMP Inspector Nesset advised that there had been approximately six raves held over the last 13 – 16 months and that drug seizures had escalated at each rave. Examples of as many as 14 drug seizures inside the premises at one event were cited.

In discussion it was noted that it was an obligation of the rave facilitator to police the event and that Richmond and Vancouver were the only two cities in the lower mainland that allowed raves.

The RCMP would be providing a report that would consider the extra costs associated with policing events.

Ms. Issel also advised that a report would be forthcoming in regard to the rave policy in Richmond and would include consideration of bylaws, customer service and license fees.

One Councillor supported the continuation of raves citing the problem of raves going underground and noted that there were only two sites and one operator licensed. It was considered that standards might have fallen from those intended by the bylaw and that the City should be responsible for ensuring that standards were met.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:35 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, April 11, 2006.

_________________________________

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Councillor Rob Howard
Chair

Vivian Guthrie
Raincoast Ventures Ltd.