MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, November 14, 2007 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

3.

Restorative Justice Program

(Report:  September 21, 2007, File No.: 1000-05-069) (REDMS No. 2246978, 2246017)

Sgt. Maria Salzl of the Richmond RCMP and Michael McCoy, Executive Director, Touchstone Family Association were available to answer questions. Sgt. Salzl advised that Touchstone Family Services has administered the restorative justice program in Richmond since 2004, and are now seeking funding to expand the current part time coordinator position to a full time position.

Discussion ensued among Committee members, City staff, and the delegation about the restorative justice program and the feasibility of the City entering into a multi-year agreement with Touchstone Family Services, during which the following was noted:

§      

Touchstone Family Services does not receive funding from the RCMP;

§      

currently Touchstone Family Services does not have the capacity to handle all referrals due to a lack of staffing and volunteers;

§      

the term “big box stores” refers to high volume retailers such as Superstore who encounter a high volume of shoplifting;

(At this point Councillor Cynthia Chen entered the meeting.)

§      

program facilitators are volunteers from the community, usually with a professional background, who must undergo a criminal check, and rigorous assessment process to determine suitability as a volunteer;

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upon selection, the volunteer would attend an intense three day training program, and facilitate five forums with a certified facilitator prior to conducting a forum independently;

§      

the program coordinator manages the program, and participates in training the volunteers, maintaining the volunteer base;

(At this point Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt entered the meeting.)

§      

in order to use the services and become involved in the restorative justice program, retailers must provide funding;

§      

the program needs sustainable funding in order to focus on continued growth, promotion, and ongoing training for volunteers;

§      

if Council approves Traffic Fine Revenue as the source of funds for this program, it would still have to go through the regular annual budget process;

§      

if the program’s performance objectives and overall model are reviewed in three years time with the possibility of extending the agreement, it would be presented to Council approximately six months prior to the end of the agreement;

§      

at this time, Touchstone Family Services evaluates the performance of the program, and provides a report annually;

§      

the cost of processing an offender through the criminal justice system is 10 times more costly than putting them through the restorative justice program;

§      

the full time coordinator would be responsible for educating the “big box stores”, and requesting grants. It was suggested that it may be more effective to partner with the RCMP and have a uniformed officer participate in the grant requests;

§      

Touchstone Family Services is a Richmond based organization;

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if the City enters into an agreement with Touchstone Family Services, a review clause focused on the outcome and goals of the program could be put in place;

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if the City approves funding for the program, Touchstone Family Services would continue to seek other sources of funding, and report back to the City.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff be authorized to enter into a three year agreement with Touchstone Family Services for the provision of a restorative justice program;

(2)

That funding for the restorative justice program in the amount of $95,000 be considered as an additional level in the 2008 budget, providing that Touchstone Family Services and the RCMP seek funding from outside sources, and annually review of the program’s success; and

(3)

That the funding source be the Traffic Fine Revenue received from the Province.

CARRIED

4.

Revised Soil Removal and Fill Deposit Regulation Bylaw No. 8094

(Report:  September 15, 2007, File No.:  12-8060-20-8094) (REDMS No. 2272636, 2282568)

A revised version of Bylaw 8094, highlighting all amendments was circulated (Schedule 1).

Colleen Burke, Staff Solicitor and Jodie Shebib, Supervisor Community Bylaws were both available to answer questions. Ms. Burke reviewed the changes to the clauses listed in Bylaw 8094.

Discussion ensued among Committee members and staff regarding soil removal and fill deposit in Richmond and the following was noted:

§      

the City does not have the ability to regulate the standards regarding the quantity or quality of soil;

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in order to move soil in Richmond a resident would require a certificate signed by a professional Agrologist, certifying that the soil is allowable;

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Bylaw 8094 is an effective tool against complaints from residents regarding amount of fill on properties causing impact on adjacent parcels such as shifting and flooding; 

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the City is not taking on any liability with respect to definitions in this Bylaw, but will be referring to provincial legislation;

§      

the City would benefit from having it’s own facility for stock piling clean fill. Details regarding establishment of such a facility would be looked at by the Planning and Public Works Departments.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the third reading of the Soil Removal and Fill Deposit Regulation Bylaw No. 8094 given on July 24, 2006, be rescinded; and

(2)

That Soil Removal and Fill Deposit Regulation Bylaw No. 8094, as amended, in the form set out in Attachment 1 be given third reading.

CARRIED

5.

Future Fire Service Model for British Columbia

(Report:  October 11, 2007, File No.:  09-5140-01/2007-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2285682)

Deputy Chief Geoff Lake advised that in 2006 the Fire chiefs’ Association of B.C. developed a Future Fire Service Model for BC, and concluded that any further review of the fire service should include input from Councils and Chief Administrative Officers of the larger cities, as they have not been given adequate representation in the past.

Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety explained that the model currently used for fire service does not address the eight municipalities with populations over 100,000. She believed that the Councils of these municipalities should be given a separate discussion forum by the Solicitor General to consider the challenges faced by urban fire agencies in comparison to rural fire agencies.

Discussion ensued about the feasibility of including professionals such as lawyers, accountants, and engineers, and advice was provided that the focus is on reviewing the relationship between agencies such as ambulance services and fire services. Ms. Carlyle suggested that a report highlighting a potential model for a staff consultation process could be presented to Committee in the future.

Further discussion ensued during which it was disclosed that a full review of the current fire service model has not taken place since the 1970’s. Most cities have automatic systems that allow fire trucks to be dispatched to aid neighbouring cities as required. As this is not the case at present for Richmond, if aid was required, a phone call would be placed to the Fire Chief of the neighbouring City, and if approved, a fire truck would then be dispatched. It was also noted that the City of Vancouver uses different hoses than the City of Richmond.

It was moved and seconded

That the Solicitor General be requested to provide an opportunity for meaningful consultation into any future model for the Fire Service, with the Councils and the Chief Administrative Officers from municipalities providing service to populations of over 100,000.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP Lower Mainland District Integration Initiatives – Forensic Identification Services, Police Dog Services, Collision Reconstruction and Analysis Services

(Report:  September 28, 2007, File No.: 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 2285890)

Inspector Denis Boucher, Inspector Tony Mahon and Phyllis Carlyle were available to answer questions. Discussion ensued during which several concerns and benefits, including the following were noted about the differences between the existing service model and the proposed integration initiative:

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under the current model, the City of Richmond is reimbursed funds put forth for positions in the detachment that are vacant during the year. If Richmond joins the integrated program, a cost sharing funding formula (such as the one used by the Integrated Homicide Investigative Team (IHIT), and the Emergency Response Team (ERT)) will be put in place, and in the event of a vacant position, Richmond would receive back only a percentage of the funds;

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a highly trained and centrally co-located Collision Reconstruction  Analysis Team made up of approximately 23 total members would be beneficial because (i) the expertise of the members would be combined, (ii) coordination of calls would be more manageable, and (iii) deployment of a team of two or three members instead of an individual may result in a reduction in time required to clear an accident scene, having less impact on traffic;

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Permanent locations and shift pattern are currently being explored by the project manager, and a report could be provided upon selection of a particular site;

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the integration program will take away some highly qualified individuals from Richmond and share them with other communities;

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the integration program will provide Richmond and other communities with support 24 hours a day;

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integration is beneficial for the organization, particularly when dealing with labour shortages, however it is not always beneficial to the community;

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the integration program provides better coordination for investigating crimes that effect multiple communities, such as a homicide that has been planned in one community, executed in another, and completed by disposing of the body in a third community;

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the integration program will save Richmond money by sharing the cost of expensive specialized equipment for traffic and forensic services which may have been inaccessible in the past.

Ms. Carlyle advised that implementation of performance measures indicating the service and costs before and after integration would need to be put in place. Performance reports on the progress of IHIT and ERT are forthcoming from the RCMP.

In answer to questions regarding cancellation of the integration program, advice was provided that once integration takes place, it is highly unlikely that the integration could be unravelled, unless the RCMP and other municipalities all agree that the service model is not beneficial. It was also advised that the final decision regarding cancellation of a specific portion of the program would be up to the RCMP.

In answer to a query, Inspector Boucher expressed that in his opinion the perceived loss of control due to members being taken out of the Richmond Detachment, may be viewed as the most negative aspect to the integration program.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the funding in the amount of $59,543 be included in the 2008 Budget for the following three integration initiatives:

a) 

FIS (Forensic Identification Services);

b)              

PDS (Police Dog Services) and;

c) 

Collision Reconstruction and Analysis Services

(2)

That the Lower Mainland District be requested to implement the additional performance measures recommended by staff.

The question on the motion was not called, as the request was made that Part (1) be separated into three parts, and that each part be dealt with separately.

The question on Part (1) (a) was called, and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Dang opposed.

The question on Part (1) (b) was called, and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Dang opposed.

The question on Part (1) (c) was called, and it was CARRIED.

The question on Part (2) was called, and it was CARRIED.

7.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

a)               

Deputy Chief Geoff Lake reported that the Hydro electrical safety program, which is in its second year, is very successful, and 22 inspections have taken place since September 17, 2007. The program is self supportive and will be continued.

b)               

Deputy Lake provided an update regarding the progress of the Fire Department’s new recruits, advising that the three week familiarization process has been completed; the recruits are on shift; overtime has been reduced considerably; and the Richmond Fire-Rescue’s Recruitment strategy was approved by the Human Rights Tribunal.

8.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(Oral Report)

a)               

RCMP Operations Support Officer (OSO), Tony Mahon updated the Committee on the progress of the bicycle squad (initiated on June 1, 2007):

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five officers from two community policing stations have been relocated to the bike patrol squad;

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two employees now manage the two community policing stations, including the volunteers;

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the RCMP bike patrol squad is comprised of eight members, operating as two teams of four, one team scheduled on day shift, and the other on afternoon shift;

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the focus is on differentiating between offenders who are prolific (have a history of being in and out of prison), and those who are priority (just starting to commit crimes);

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bike patrol officers can develop better relationships with offenders, resulting in opportunities to help the offenders by sending them to drug rehabilitation or counselling;

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bike patrol officers carried out 131 checks of known criminals, arrested 10 people on outstanding warrants, restored six stolen vehicles, and attended 17 first response calls;

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the bike patrol officers are training volunteers to go out on bikes. Volunteers have a visible role assisting in many ways, including special events and patrolling parking lots for unlocked vehicles;

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the public should feel comfortable approaching the police. The bike squad is more accessible and easier to interact with than officers in vehicles. The public has reacted positively to the bike patrol squad;

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it is expected that the bike patrol squad will be fully staffed within three months.

b)               

OSO Mahon provided an update on the Hamilton East Richmond area, and spoke about the progress made by the fulltime policewoman dedicated to the area, including the following:

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the RCMP pamphlet is now displayed throughout the community;

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a letter, written by Officer In Charge (OIC), Ward Clapham regarding his commitment to the community is published in the Hamilton Newsletter, and two pages in the newsletter are dedicated to the RCMP’s search for volunteers;

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the policewoman has been attending Hamilton Community Board meetings;

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the RCMP has partnered with the Youth Justice Program;

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there has been an increase in patrols in the area, and the RCMP has been liaising with the New Westminster Police Department;

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as part of the positive ticketing program, a local business has agreed to reward kids with free pizza for positive participation within the community;

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the RCMP auxiliary are circulating pamphlets that provide information regarding grow operations.

Upon conclusion, OSO Mahon advised that the policewoman in the Hamilton area may be moving onto a more specialized position, however another outstanding candidate will be taking over her position.

c)               

OSO Mahon reported that in recent months, Richmond has had a fairly costly problem with arson at local schools, school playgrounds and businesses. Seven individuals (one adult and six youth) have been apprehended, and a total of 27 charges have been laid. The incidents are not all associated with each other, and some may have been copy cat crimes.

Upon concluding his updates, OSO Mahon announced his plans to retire from the RCMP after 35 years of service. The Chair thanked him for his years of outstanding service and remarked that he will be greatly missed.

9.

OTHER ITEMS

The Chair introduced Cynthia Lockrey to the Committee, Ms. Lockrey has assumed the role of Senior Manager, Media Relations, the position previously held by Ted Townsend. Ms. Lockrey gave the Committee a brief overview of her related experience in Ontario as the city of London’s Emergency Information Officer. She will be working closely with Richmond’s Emergency Services Team, being the main contact providing communication to citizens, with Kim Decker and Ted Townsend as backup contacts.

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Victor Wei, Director of Transportation, advised the Committee of an upcoming memo to Council which will address issues such as the placement of newspaper boxes and street furniture as part of the streetscape design of No. 3 Road to best accommodate the Canada Line.

Mr. Wei further advised the Committee that the City bus shelter contract currently with Jim Pattison will expire in early July 2008, and a new contract will need to be secured.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:43 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 10, 2007.

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Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal
Committee Clerk