It was moved and seconded

That the order of the agenda be varied to deal with Item 9 and then Item 5 prior to dealing with the remainder of the agenda.

CARRIED

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, May 9th, 2006, be adopted as circulated; and that minutes of the meeting of the Richmond Safe Communities Alliance Executive Board held on Thursday, April 6th, 2006, be received for information.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The Chair advised that he would not be available for the next meeting, scheduled to be held on Tuesday, July 11^th, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.  As a result, staff were requested to determine the availability of Committee members for a meeting the week of July 17^th, 2006.  He stated that if Committee members were not available during that week, then the meeting would be held on July 11^th, 2006 as scheduled.

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (0 ITEMS)

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9.

POLICE CHIEF BRIEFING

(Oral Report) 

Supt. Ward Clapham, accompanied by Insp. Renny Nesset, provided information on the upcoming seminar on ‘Identity Theft’, which is to be held on Wednesday, June 14^th, 2006, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., at Richmond City Hall.  Advice was given that the seminar would be hosted by Jeff Burton of the BC Crime Prevention Association.

A brief discussion ensued, during which Supt. Clapham indicated that he would ensure that the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Richmond were aware of the seminar.

Supt. Clapham then provided a brief update on the most recent kidnapping which had occurred in the City.  During the review, he reported on the use of the Emergency Response Team to provide surveillance and tactical assistance.  In response to questions raised about the impact of the use of the ERT on the Detachment’s budget, advice was given that the cost was financed through overtime as well as surplus carried over from year to year due to existing vacancies within the Detachment.  Further advice was given that many of the units used had their own budgets to cover costs and the overtime claims of these units did not fall to the Detachment.

A request was made during the discussion, that an analysis be provided of the expenses which had been incurred as they related to the Emergency Response Team to show the benefit of this team to the City rather than being a financial burden.  Supt. Clapham indicated that the information could be available for the next meeting.

The Chair referred to the overview provided on the recent Police Week events, and requested that copies of the overview be provided to the members of the Committee for their information.

The Chair then requested that an update be provided to the Committee at a future open or closed meeting on Olympic and Oval security.  A brief discussion ensued with Supt. Clapham commenting on the pressure which would be placed on the City during the holding of the Olympic Games.  A further request was then made that an update be provided at a future meeting on the security to be provided on the Canada Line.

In response to a request from the Chair, Supt. Clapham reported on the ‘verified response to alarms’ initiative, advising that the Detachment had not received any complaints from the public about the RCMP no longer responding to false alarms.  He added that positive comments had been received from alarm companies, and that other municipalities were using the Richmond initiative as a model.  Further information was provided that only 50 false alarms had occurred this year as compared to 150 at this time in 2005.

With respect to the status of the provision of police services at YVR, advice was given that there was no additional information to provide other than that the Detachment was working day-to-day at the airport.  Additional information was provided that Supt. Clapham would be reporting to a future Committee regarding the assignment of four Federal officers to the airport to deal with drug trafficking.

Information was also provided that City staff were currently negotiating with the airport regarding fire and recovery costs, and that an update would be provided at a future meeting of the Committee. 

Discussion then took place among Committee members and staff regarding the Emergency Response Team being given a familiarization tour of the airport in order to provide service to this facility in the future and how the cost of this service would be recouped.

5.

TERMS OF REFERENCE – REVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR THE DELIVERY OF POLICE SERVICES

(Report:  May 16/06, File No.:  09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 1897868, 1884441)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and the Manager Policy Development & Corporate Programs, Shawn Issel, on:

·            

whether the policing model chosen by the City of Vancouver could have an impact on the City of Richmond model

·            

what the Committee could expect as a result of the proposed review

·            

whether funding for the proposed review should be from the 2006 surplus or the City’s consultation budget

·            

whether the current policing model was being reviewed on a national level

·            

Richmond’s unique relationship with the RCMP Richmond Detachment and the need to maintain this relationship; the effectiveness of the current community policing model and whether this particular model would be effective in other communities

·            

the rationale for using a media relations firm to develop a strategy for the presentation of messages to the public rather than the City’s Information Technology Department

·            

whether there would be a wide range of consultants from which to choose

·            

the importance of having the Richmond School District, the Safe Communities Alliance and other stakeholders, participate in the review and the need to obtain input from the general public

·            

the need for Council to undertaking a ‘visioning’ session to determine the manner in which Council would like to proceed

·            

the fact that the public and the RCMP needed to know that the City was satisfied with the policing provided by the local detachment but not at higher levels.

During the discussion, staff were requested to provide the Committee with the executive summary of the 2001/2002 City of Surrey report.  Reference was made to the Surrey report, and Committee members were cautioned about relying on this report as it was dated and the original terms of reference for the report were unknown

With regard to the discussion on the results of the review, advice was given that the Committee would receive a thorough in-depth analysis of the different models of policing which were available along with the advantages and disadvantages of each, and recommendations on those models which would be appropriate for the City.  Advice was also given that a workshop would be held with Council early on in the process to address how Council would like to proceed, and that the City’s Five Year Plan would be utilized as a tool in this workshop.

Staff were also requested, during the discussion, to provide a progress report as the project proceeded.

It was moved and seconded

That the Terms of Reference for the Alternative Models for the Delivery of Police Services be approved.

CARRIED

4.

RCMP EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

(Report:  June 5/06, File No.:  09-5350-01; xr: 0970-01/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1887071)

Ms. Issel briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.  In response to questions, advice was given that the figure of $160,774 was for the 2006 phase of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and that this figure would continue to increase as the number of cities participating in the program grew.

Discussion then took place among Committee members and staff on :

·            

the location of the ERT team in Surrey

·            

the need for specialized, specially trained officers because of the current world situation with regard to terrorism and other acts of violence

·            

the need for specialized police services at the airport and whether the airport should be paying for a portion of the cost of having an Emergency Response Team

·            

the calculation of the funding formula for the ERT.

Advice was given during the discussion that the Richmond Detachment would be using the services of the ERT and that the ERT would be held accountable to the money being paid by the City.

It was moved and seconded

That $160,774 of the funding set aside in the 2006 Operating Budget for the Emergency Response Team be released for expenditure.

CARRIED

DECISIONS / ACTIONS (4 ITEMS)

3.

COST RECOVERY FOR MOTOR VEHICLE INCIDENTS

(Report:  June 13/06, File No.:  01-0035-20-MVEH1) (REDMS No. 1888151)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and Deputy Fire Chief Geoff Lake, during which, in response to questions, information was provided that the Richmond Fire Department had responded to 200 rescues in 2005 which required the use of auto extrication equipment. 

Committee members spoke in support of the proposed recommendation, however, the request was made that a breakdown be provided on the number of accidents which had occurred which had required the ‘jaws of life’ to be used, as it was felt that it was important that the public was aware of this information.

It was moved and seconded

That the City of Richmond support the City of Surrey UBCM resolution (Attachment 1 to the report dated June 13^th, 2006, from the Deputy Fire Chief) that calls for the provincial government to amend the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act to include fire department fees for auto extrications in the mandatory Basic Autoplan coverage.

CARRIED

4.

RCMP EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

(Report:  June 5/06, File No.:  09-5350-01; xr: 0970-01/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1887071)

See Page 4 of these minutes for action taken on this matter.

5.

TERMS OF REFERENCE – REVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR THE DELIVERY OF POLICE SERVICES

(Report:  May 16/06, File No.:  09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 1897868, 1884441)

Please see Page 3 of these minutes for action taken on this matter.

6.

UBCM RESOLUTION – FULL MUNICIPAL PARTICIPATION IN THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE MUNICIPAL POLICING AGREEMENT

(Report:  June 6/06, File No.:   03-1000-13-006) (REDMS No. 1904907)

A brief discussion took place between the Chair and Ms. Issel on whether the Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) should be asked for their support.

It was moved and seconded

That the following resolution, regarding full municipal participation in the negotiations for the renewal of the municipal policing agreement, be approved for submission to the UBCM:

“WHEREAS the Municipal Policing Agreement for BC expires March 31, 2012 and preliminary discussions between the Province and the Federal Government have already started,

AND WHEREAS the RCMP is the primary provider of police services in BC with detachments in all but 12 municipalities in BC,

AND WHEREAS municipalities are uniquely positioned to understand the impacts of policing in their communities, are held accountable for safety in their communities and are responsible for the costs of policing now, or soon will be through legislative changes to the Police Act requiring all municipalities regardless of size to pay a portion of policing costs,

AND WHEREAS municipalities in other provinces have the ability to negotiate directly with the Federal Government for renewal of their policing agreements,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request that the Provincial and Federal Governments develop and implement a process for negotiating the new policing agreement that includes full municipal participation.”

CARRIED

7.

PRINCIPAL POLICING CONTACT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND

(Report:  May 30/06, File No.:  03-1000-13-006/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1890215)

It was moved and seconded

That the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be named as the Principal Policing Contact for the City of Richmond.

CARRIED

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (3 ITEMS)

8.

FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCREDITATION

(Report:  May 25/06, File No.:  09-5140-03) (REDMS No. 1889093)

Fire Chief Jim Hancock, accompanied by the Manager, Operational Support, Sandra Pearson, indicated that they were available to respond to questions.

Committee members expressed their support for the proposal, and in response to questions, the information was provided that as the first part of the process, staff would organize the accreditation process.  Further information was provided that subsequent to the completion of Phase II – Self-Assessment, staff would report to Council with the results of the self-assessment and ask for permission to proceed with the complete report.

Reference was made to a statement in the report that an in-house team leader would be working full time on the project, and questions were raised about whether the Department had the capacity to undertake this work and whether this would be a priority.  Advice was given that a leader was required to determine if the Department had the staff time  to follow through with the accreditation process.  Further advice was given that this subject would be part of the next report to Council on this matter.

Information was provided during the discussion that there were only two other cities in Canada which had received accreditation.  Questions were raised about the organization – Centre for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) which provides assistance to fire departments seeking accreditation, and staff were requested to provide information on how this organization was funded.

Reference was made to the accreditation process and discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on:

·            

whether this process would address the changing nature of the Fire Department

·            

whether the development of a Five Year Business Plan would be a component of the accreditation portfolio (the opinion was expressed that a Five Year Business Plan should be developed sooner than waiting until the completion of the accreditation process)

·            

media/communication and how this could help to promote the positive direction being taken by the Department  (staff were requested to review this to determine if there was an opportunity for a positive statement being made to the public)

·            

the rationale for the large number of American fire departments which had successfully received accreditation in comparison to the two Canadian departments.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated May 25^th, 2006, from the Fire Chief), regarding the Fire Department Accreditation, be received for information.

CARRIED

9.

POLICE CHIEF BRIEFING

(Oral Report) 

Please see Page 2 of these minutes for information on this matter.

10.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Oral Report) 

Information was provided by Chief Hancock about a telephone call from a reporter for the Richmond Review, on whether the Department would support a fund raiser to raise funds to provide defibrillating equipment in local facilities.  He indicated that he would support such a project.

Discussion then ensued on the provision of defibrillators in public facilities, during which comments were made that increased training within the community on the use of defibrillators could most likely result in more people surviving heart attacks, because citizens could provide a link between the time that the event occurred and the arrival of medical personnel.

Reference was made to a previous referral regarding the purchase of defibrillators, and the comment was made that the City should be acquiring this equipment as a matter of course for all City-owned facilities.  Questions were also raised about the feasibility of the City purchasing equipment or paying for the training of the users of the equipment, possibly through a joint venture with local service organizations.  A suggestion was also made that areas of Richmond should be identified where defibrillating equipment should be located.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the matter of the purchase of defibrillators be referred to the Fire Chief for a report to Committee on:

(1)

the locations where the Fire Rescue Department saw a need for the equipment; and

(2)

how the Fire Rescue Department could become involved in the training of individuals who would be at these recommended locations, and

That the report (i) include a breakdown of costs, and (ii) address the feasibility of possible partnerships with local service organizations.

The question on the motion was not called, as staff were requested to report to Committee in September of this year.  Staff were also advised that the referral now being considered would be an addendum to the previous referral on the same matter.

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

Deputy Chief Lake provided an update on the ‘Meth Watch’ Program, reporting that the Fire Rescue Department was now taking over the maintenance of this program from the Safe Communities Alliance.  He advised that three training sessions had been held with staff; that ‘meth watch’ inspections would become part of the Department’s regular inspection program, and that inspectors would be speaking to retailers about participating in the project.

Chief Hancock reported that the Award of Valour and a Brass Helmet had been presented to Richard Brown in recognition of his heroism on January 9, 2006, when he risked his own life to save a man from an over-turned truck which was submerged in a water-filled ditch.

Information was provided that an event would be held at City Hall on Friday, June 16^th, 2006 to recognize the efforts of firefighters in helping to rebuild homes and other buildings which were destroyed in Sri Lanka as a result of the December 2005 tsunami.

Chief Hancock also reported that the Richmond Fire Rescue Department and the IAFF Local 1286 were sponsoring three female teenagers to participate in a rescue camp to be held in August of this year. 

Advice was given by Sandra Pearson that the Department and IAFF Local 1286 had development a media strategy to communicate about the Department and its staff to the public.

A request was made that an update be provided to the Committee on E-COMM. 

Reference was made to the referral to staff regarding the theft of metals, and advice was given that Shawn Issel had assumed responsibility for responding to the referral and that she would be submitting a report to the Committee within the next short while.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:44 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 13^th, 2006.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Rob Howard
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office