Date:

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt, Chair
Councillor Cynthia Chen, Vice-Chair
Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Rob Howard

Also Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, March 13^th, 2007  (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

CARRIED

3.

2007 UBCM EMERGENCY PLANNING GRANT

(Report:  Jan. 25/07, File No.:  03-1087-11-01) (REDMS No. 2071683)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application to the provincial government, via the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, for funding under the 2007 Emergency Planning program, be approved.

(2)

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

CARRIED

4.

RICHMOND EXTREME WEATHER RESPONSE PLAN

(Report:  Jan. 23/07, File No.:  08-4057-11-02) (REDMS No. 2070734, 2047557)

In response to queries, Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, advised that:

·            

the extreme weather response plan would be activated by the City’s Emergency Management Office if: (i) there is any snow accumulation, or (ii) temperatures are at or below –4C (-2C with a wind chill), or if conditions were deemed severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life or health of homeless persons;

·            

Richmond’s homeless people would be made aware of the activation of the plan in two ways: (i) the City would notify a number of agencies, such as the RCMP and the Airport Chaplaincy office, and (ii) Richmond Bethel Church would conduct outreach activities;

·            

the report proposes that the City be the organization to make the decision to activate the plan, but it would do so only after consulting with such partners as the Salvation Army Richmond House, Richmond Bethel Church, Richmond Youth Service Agency and Touchstone Family Association;

·            

Richmond Bethel Church would distribute blankets to homeless people should they choose to not take advantage of shelter during extreme weather.

It was moved and seconded

That the revised Extreme Weather Response Plan (attached to the report dated January 23^rd, 2007, from the Manager, Emergency Programs), be adopted.

CARRIED

5.

FIRE HALL FACILITY ALTERATIONS UPDATE

(Report:  February 7, 2007, File No.: 06-2045-01) (REDMS No. 2053554)

In response to a query, Deputy Chief Ron Beaman advised that: the physical alterations to existing firehalls (i) addressed the issue of gender equity, and (ii) privacy in washroom, shower, change and dorm areas meets the letter of the law. He further advised that, where possible, future facilities will re-use building materials, making the alterations process cost effective.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated February 7, 2007, from Deputy Chief Beaman), regarding Fire Hall Facility Alterations actions, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

BYLAW DISPUTE ADJUDICATION SYSTEM – AMENDMENTS TO RELATED BYLAW NOS. 5870 AND 7403

(Report:  Jan. 23/07, File No.:  12-8060-20-8195/8196) (REDMS No. 2070713, 2074716, 2074751, 2070205, 2069921)

In response to a query, Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, advised that the City had not had a ticket increase to the early payment amount for the past five years, and that the $5.00 per ticket increase proposed in the report is a relatively small increase, and is consistent with what other municipalities charge.

It was moved and seconded

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

(1)

Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 8195; and

(2)

Parking (Off-Street) Regulation Bylaw No. 7403, Amendment Bylaw No. 8196.

CARRIED

7.

APPOINTMENT OF BYLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
(Report: January 25, 2007 , File No.: 01-0172-03) (REDMS No. 2071875, 2071869)

It was moved and seconded

That Brett Mortensen be appointed a Bylaw Enforcement Officer in accordance with Section 36 of the Police Act, and that such appointment be confirmed that it is for the term of his employment as Tree Preservation Official with the City of Richmond.

CARRIED

8.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Fire Chief Jim Hancock updated the Committee on the Sea Island Fire Station:

·            

it was commissioned on December 20, 2006;

·            

it serves as the first response to Terra Nova and Burkeville calls, and its geographical location allows for good response times;

·            

it has excellent intersection control, and enjoys a high public profile, with thousands of cars travelling past each day;

·            

the Committee will be advised of the grand opening date, which will be established after a pathway to Burkeville has been completed;

·            

the rescue pumper was moved to the Sea Island Fire Station;

Fire Chief Jim Hancock updated the Committee on the Hamilton Fire Station:

·            

it was commissioned on January 18, 2007;

·            

the Station’s size has been increased, and one of the features is a new, self-contained breathing apparatus laboratory;

·            

the basement, with a height of 4 feet and 5 inches, provides realism during training excises during which firefighters learn how to conduct confined space rescues;

·            

the Station is close to the highway allowing for good response times, and response times statistics are being gathered, and will be shared with the Committee when they are available;

·            

the Committee will be advised of the grand opening date, which will probably take place in April, to coincide with the community’s kite festival;

·            

a small utility room was designed for community use, and bookings can be made by the public to use the space;

9.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING

(Oral Report) 

OIC Ward Clapham was accompanied by Inspector Tony Mahon and Inspector Renny Nesset. Inspector Mahon reported that:

·      

as a result of information received,  an investigation was initiated in the fall of 2006, and in late January, 2007 police from Richmond and other Lower Mainland cities conducted a significant operation;

·      

searches were executed at two Richmond residences and eight males were arrested and charged with drug related offences;

·      

at one of the Richmond addresses police uncovered nine large pill presses capable of producing thousands of pills per hour;

·      

another significant event occurred on February 10, 2007, when three masked men conducted a grow rip at a residence on Sexsmith Road during which the resident received a gunshot wound;

·      

a search of the residence by police uncovered a 200-plant grow up at the rear of the residence;

OIC Clapham stated that the detachment has been utilizing the full time Emergency Response Team, which is one way to keep officers safe when responding to significant events.

In response to a query from the Chair, Inspector Mahon stated that there has been no noticeable decrease in the amount of grow op activities.

10.

OTHER ITEMS

A brief discussion ensued regarding the idea of recycling the green plastic potting planters used by gardeners. Staff was directed to investigate why the City of Richmond does not have provisions to recycle the pots, and to advise the Committee at a later date if, and when, a recycle program for these items can be initiated.

11.

MANAGER’S REPORT

No reports were given.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:30 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, February 13, 2007.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Chair

Sheila Johnston
Committee Clerk