MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, September 12, 2006, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, November 15^th, 2006  (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

CARRIED

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (0 ITEMS)

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DECISIONS / ACTIONS (4 ITEMS)

LAW & COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

3.

INTEGRATED HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION TEAM INCREASE IN RESOURCES
(Report:  Sept. 6/06, File No.:  09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 2017164)

Discussion took place among Committee members and Supt. Ward Clapham, accompanied by Tony Mahon, Operations Support Officer and Shawn Issel, Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs.

Supt. Clapham advised that Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was established in 2003 with a complement of 46 investigators representing 15 RCMP departments from the Lower Mainland. IHIT is a group of individuals that deals only in homicides and who are experts in their field. They bring effectiveness and efficiency in dealing with homicides.

Advice was given that prior to the 2003 formation of the IHIT, Richmond RCMP were entirely responsible for homicide investigations. Since the formation of the IHIT the Richmond detachment’s responsibility is to have officers assist at the scene of a homicide during its initial 48 hours, with the IHIT taking on full responsibility thereafter.

In answer to questions about the funding required by Richmond to support the IHIT, advice was given that the increase of $71,988 has been given the highest priority with respect to the additional levels of the 2007 budget. If the increase is not forthcoming the funding would have to come from somewhere within the budget. At present the RCMP is dealing with a backlog of homicide cases, as well as with historical homicide cases, due to the number of homicide investigations in Richmond having increased over the past three years. The assistance of the IHIT means that Richmond RCMP resources can be deployed to work on other criminal activity, such as property crime.

Supt. Clapham clarified for Committee that the Provincial Police Services approved fully funding eight new investigators for the IHIT for 2006, and there would be no cost increase to participating municipalities this year. There would be a cost increase in 2007 when the next eight investigators are added, with a further increase in 2008 when the last eight, or 24 new investigators are added. Supt. Clapham stated that the value of these increases can be seen in the homicide clearance rates for the large Lower Mainland detachments: before 2003 the clearance rates was approximately 50%, and from 2003 to 2005 the IHIT has averaged a 75% clearance rate.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report (dated September 6^th, 2006, from the Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs), regarding the increase in resources for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), be received for information; and

(2)

That the increase for IHIT be considered as an additional level for the 2007 budget process.

CARRIED

4.

COMPLIMENTARY PARKING FOR RESIDENT VETERANS
(Report:  Sept. 22/06, File No.:  12-8060-20-8119/8120) (REDMS No. 2011807, 2011826, 2011829)

In answer to questions from Committee, Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, advised that: (i) the proposed decals to be displayed on veterans’ license plates, to identify those owners of veterans’ plates who are residents of Richmond, would be issued at City Hall, and (ii) that City staff would inform Legions and veteran associations that the decals are available and give them directions on how and where to pick them up.

Mr. Mercer further advised that the financial impact of a reduction in the Community Bylaw’s budgeted revenues for 2007 of $12,000 is small, and that the financial impact of approximately $12,000 per annum represents two hours of parking per veteran, per month, plus a one-time cost of $500 for the decals.

In response to a question regarding a proposed time line for the decals to be distributed, Mr. Mercer stated that staff would like to launch the distribution process during the month of November, 2006, bearing in mind that Remembrance Day falls each November.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the following bylaws each be introduced and given first, second and third readings:

(a)

Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 8119; and

(b)

Parking (Off-Street) Regulation Bylaw No. 7403, Amendment Bylaw No. 8120; and

(2)

That the expected $12,000 reduction in parking revenues be reflected in the Community Bylaws budget for 2007.

CARRIED

5.

COST RECOVERY FOR INSPECTION PROGRAM
(Report:  Oct. 11/06, File No.: 09-5160-01) (REDMS No. 2023907)

Bob Furlong, Chief Fire Prevention Officer and Geoff Lake, Deputy Chief advised Committee that Richmond Fire Rescue (RFR) is undertaking a Fire Bylaw review. Part of that review includes examining how RFR presently conducts inspections. Generally speaking, a flexible schedule of 12 to 18 months between inspections is adhered to, with certain types of buildings, such as hotels or residential homes, or buildings perceived to be higher risk, such as gas stations, being inspected more frequently. Buildings that are low hazard are re-inspected every 24 or 36 months.

In response to a question about re-inspections in other communities, Committee was advised that various models are applied at various municipalities with most running on a cost recovery basis. RFR has not yet done a cost analysis but the financial impact of costs, including any administration costs, would be the subject of a future report.

The Chair commented that if the City decides in the future that a higher level of preparedness is necessary, it wouldn’t necessarily fall to RFR to carry out all inspections, but another entity could do the work.

It was moved and seconded

That a cost recovery model for re-inspections be developed for Council consideration as part of RFR’s Fire Bylaw review.

CARRIED

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (5 ITEMS)

6.

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, distributed a page featuring colour photographs of the intersection at Cambie Road and No. 7 Road. The page is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated September 26^th, 2006, from the Director, Transportation), regarding the Traffic Safety Review of the Cambie Road / No. 7 Road Intersection, be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

UPGRADES TO NON-SPRINKLERED BUILDINGS
(Report:  Oct. 11/06; File No.: 09-5170-01 ) (REDMS No. 1991745)

Bob Furlong, Chief Fire Prevention Officer and Geoff Lake, Deputy Chief advised Committee that there are legislative restrictions that prevent municipalities from passing local bylaws that address sprinklers.

They also advised that the Province has formed a working group to create an operational sprinkler guideline, and two other working groups have also been created. Discussion then took place regarding:

·            

RFR would issue remedial orders where the fire hazards or risks are inadequately managed by the building owner or occupants;

·            

RFR responds to complaints from members of the public; response time to serious complaints is immediate, but all complaints are responded to within 24 hours;

·            

RFR does have the authority to close a business if the sprinkler infraction is serious enough to warrant closure;

·            

the Provincial fire code has an emergency fire management plan that details what duties the Province is obligated to perform;

·            

RFR’s research would be looking at other municipality’s log books for fire drills as well as staff training;

·            

Mr. Furlong has, in the past as President, Fire Prevention Officers’ Association (FPOA), been involved in the working groups and task forces the Province has created, but in his current capacity as Past President of FPOA he has not had as much input recently;

The Chair advised that Richmond had participated in a UBCM motion to appeal to the Provincial Government asking it to create a framework that would allow individual municipalities to create a bylaw without assuming all the risks.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated October 11^th, 2006, from Deputy Fire Chief Geoff Lake), regarding Upgrades to Non-Sprinklered Buildings, be received for information.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a draft bylaw for discussion which would require the installation of sprinklers and equivalencies in buildings where overnight public assemblies take place that would include the following elements:

(a)

that buildings of a certain size must have sprinkler systems;

(b)

that buildings undergoing renovations must include a sprinkler system;

(c)

a notification period for developers to install sprinkler systems in new buildings, and for owners to install sprinkler systems in renovated older buildings; and

(d)

an appeal system.

The question was not called as Fire Chief Jim Hancock advised that RFR does not have a clear view of the action being taken by the Provincial Government. He stated that lengthy research would be undertaken to ascertain how much legislative authority lay with the City.  Further advice was given that the proposed referral would help RFR to complete the needed research. He further advised that RFR staff could bring a report on the proposed referral back to Committee at the end of June, 2007.

The Chair stated that municipalities would inevitably end up waiting for action at the Provincial level and that to spend staff resources creating a Bylaw that the City could not pass before the Provincial Government took action would not be a good way to spend staff time.

The question was then called, and it was CARRIED, with Cllrs. Howard and Chen opposed.

8.

HALLOWEEN 2006

(Oral Reports)

Ross Sakai reported that staff from the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department were working with members of the Community Associations and that six Halloween shows are scheduled for: Hamilton, Burkeville/Sea Island, South Arm Park, King George Park, West Richmond and Minoru Park.

He further reported that to ensure a safe Halloween night, representatives of Richmond Fire Rescue, Crime Watchers, the City’s fleet department and the Community Bylaws department are all working together. The first meeting was held on September 28^th, and two future meetings will be held on October 12 and October 26, 2006.

In response to inquiries Mr. Sakai advised that: (i) firework supervisor training is done by an outside company that provides a pyrotechnical expert to do all training, (ii) a fireworks technician has to be covered by insurance, up to $5 million liability; (iii) the City funds the Minoru Park display, but the Community Associations provide funding for the other fireworks displays from their generated revenue.

Committee suggested that the City’s communication department ensure that the local media is made aware of the plans for a safe Halloween.

David Clou reported that the City of Delta passed a bylaw similar to Richmond’s. Fireworks Bylaw and that the Vancouver Fire Department brought a draft bylaw forward to Vancouver Council in September, 2006 but Vancouver Council did not pass it.

A brief discussion ensued regarding how Richmond could go through the GVRD to bring forwarded a concerted effort, on a regional basis, to ensure that Halloween is a safe experience for everyone in every municipality, using Richmond’s Fireworks Bylaw as a model.

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Fire Rescue staff bring forward to the Community Safety Committee a report that Councillors who sit on GVRD committees could present to the GVRD, which showed the action taken by the City to ensure the holding of safe Halloween fireworks displays.

CARRIED

9.

POLICE CHIEF BRIEFINT

(Oral Report) 

Supt. Ward Clapham thanked the Committee for the support it offered as Richmond hosted the recent BC Crime Prevention Symposium.

He reported that members of the Detachment are involved with Tourism Richmond and Tourism BC in the “World Host” program. This program is designated for police officers due to their unique positions as the front line in any community. A few training sessions have already taken place.

Supt. Clapham advised Peter Thiessen, NCO I/c Communications,  Media Relations would be issuing a news release announcing a recruitment call for between 20 and 25 new auxiliary constables.

He drew attention to the October, 2006 United States edition of Reader’s Digest, which featured a special report detailing ideas on how the United States can move in new directions in the areas of democracy, moral authority and innovation. A half page within the feature story was dedicated to the officials of Richmond, BC, and their fight against youth crime. Supt. Clapham distributed copies of the page featuring Richmond (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

A discussion ensued on the topic of security and safety along the Richmond section of the Canada Line, with information being provided that: (i) Tony Mahon, Operations Support Officer, RCMP had met with Greater Vancouver Police and other police partners and had reviewed the working protocols of security along the Canada Line, and Mr. Mahon had discussed Richmond’s needs at that meeting; (ii) representatives of the Richmond Detachment meet with YVR security officials and with security officials from the River Rock Casino in order to create mutual spaces where they can work together on security and safety issues; (iii) based on data from the Millennium Line, Richmond can anticipate a 10% increase overall in crime in the City and the Richmond RCMP is on track to manage this.

Committee requested that at a future Community Safety Committee meeting that Supt. Clapham bring forward information that would demonstrate what actions are taking place to ensure the safety of the City with regard to the Canada Line. Supt. Clapham agreed to do so.

10.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING

(Oral Report) 

The week of October 9, 2006 is Fire Prevention Week and Fire Chief Jim Hancock distributed invitations to the RFR Open House, scheduled for Saturday, October 14, 2006 (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Chief Hancock updated Committee on the Review Implementation Plan by reviewing the actions taken to date:

·            

registrations are underway for the first year of a Chief Officers training program;

·            

longer term learning plans are under development with Dave Barron, Manager, Learning and Development;

·            

90% of the work has been completed on rewriting RFR policies;

·            

the Fire Chief had attended a best practices event in Edmonton, Alberta and had implemented some of them and will continue to add to those already implemented;

·            

upgrades to the facilities continue with further upgrades planned; any cost implications for upgrades are being handled through the City’s Business and Financial Services Department;

·            

the strategic plan has been initiated and some input from external stakeholders has been received;

·            

internal information gathering has resulted in 34 “A” level goals, and RFR staff is distilling this number to a list of the most critical goals, and is creating a realistic timeframe; the desire is to have the strategic planning done by the end of 2006, with a report forthcoming after January, 2007.

Ron Beaman, Deputy Chief, distributed floor plans of the washroom layout at the Sea Island Firehall, highlighting the original plan and the revised plan (on file at the City Clerk’s office.)

In response to a request from Committee, Chief Hancock advised that after undertaking training courses he can submit a report to Committee on what training has been completed and how it is beneficial to RFR.

He further advised that his upcoming training would include an Executive Leadership course at the Banff Centre in Alberta, as well as a Managing Change course.

11.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Shawn Issel, Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs reported that in September, 2006 she attended a meeting of the Lower Mainland District (LMD) for Principal Policing Contacts. At that meeting, LMD staff announced that they would be bringing forward business cases for the integration of Dogs, forensic Identification and Traffic Reconstructionists. They said there would be no impact on the 2007 municipal budgets. They have asked for a group of municipal staff to assist in the development of those business cases.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:01 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 Wednesday, October 11, 2006.

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Councillor Rob Howard
Chair

Sheila Johnston

Committee Clerk