MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008  (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

DELEGATION

3.

Ken Shymanski, President and CEO of E-Comm, to provide updated information on the activities and services provided by E-Comm.

The Chair thanked Mr. Kiichi Kumagai for his service as the City’s representative on E-Comm’s 2007 – 2008 Board of Directors.

Ken Shymanski, President and CEO of E-Comm, accompanied by Doug Watson, Vice-President of Operations, made a presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), and the following was highlighted:

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E-Comm has experienced significant change since 1999, such as an increase of over 155% in dispatch customers;

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E-Comm is the regional 9-1-1 answer point and is required to answer 95% of all incoming 9-1-1 calls in five seconds or less;

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in 2007, E-Comm answered 96% of all incoming 9-1-1 calls in five seconds or less;

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approximately 50% of 9-1-1 calls come from cellular phones and approximately 70% of 9-1-1 calls are for police;

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9-1-1 calls from cellular phones pose a challenge as the caller’s location is unknown;

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23 police and fire departments were added to E-Comm’s portfolio in 2007;

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internet phone calls are directed to a third party;

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it is the internet phone provider’s responsibility to explain to its clients the limitations surrounding emergency calls;

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West Vancouver police was added in March 2007 to the Wide-Area Radio System;

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Richmond was rebated $54,000 for its police and fire usage of the Wide-Area Radio System;

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E-Comm personnel were recognized by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce for their assistance on the Saba Road plane crash;

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E-Comm is working closely with numerous emergency agencies in preparation for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games;

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it is anticipated that the deficit will be balanced by 2015; and

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with reference to several advertisements (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office),   E-Comm has launched a public education campaign aimed at reducing accidental calls, and has created advertisements in multiple languages in order to inform non-English speaking persons that E-Comm will provide translation services to respond to an emergency.

In reply to queries from the Committee, Mr. Shymanski advised the following: (i) radio coverage is large, thus E-Comm has the capacity to gain more clients; (ii) dispatch services are open to any community that would like to join E-Comm; (iii) E-Comm currently has eight dispatch centres, and is looking to be more efficient operationally and financially by reducing the number of dispatch centres; (iv) E-Comm’s agreement is anticipated to be amended to allow agencies, such as the Canadian Border Services Agency, to utilize E-Comm services; and (v) Class A shareholders may appoint whomever they choose to E-Comm’s Board of Directors.

LAW & COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety, introduced two new City employees: Gary Si, Manager, Community Safety Finance and Lainie Goddard, Manager, RCMP Administration.  The Chair welcomed both employees to the City of Richmond.

4.

APPOINTMENT OF BYLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS EDWIN JONATHAN TAHIR AND RUBY THIND

(Report:  May 20, 2008, File No.:  01-0172-03) (REDMS No. 2445835, 2454431, 2445845)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Edwin Jonathan Tahir be appointed as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer, in accordance with Section 36 of the Police Act, and that such appointment be for the term of his employment as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer with the City of Richmond; and

(2)

That Rupinder Kaur Thind be appointed as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer, in accordance with Section 36 of the Police Act, and that such appointment be for the term of her employment as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer with the City of Richmond.

CARRIED

5.

NEW FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY BYLAW

(Report:  May 27, 2008, File No.:  12-8060-20-8306 / 12-8060-20-8329) (REDMS No. 2455751, 2456813, 2456812)

Ron Beaman, Acting Fire Chief, introduced Dave Clou as the new Fire Prevention Officer and noted that Bob Furlong, the previous Fire Prevention Officer, played a big role in creating this bylaw.

Kim Howell, Deputy Chief – Administration, advised the following:

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the proposed Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw includes best practices and experiences of fire prevention professionals from jurisdictions throughout Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canada;

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the proposed bylaw provides a comprehensive, timely mechanism to encourage and enforce compliance with fire and life safety standards;

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Fire Prevention’s main objective is to encourage voluntary compliance through education, whereby owners and/or occupiers fully understand the bylaw and make the necessary changes to their premises;

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should there be no voluntary compliance, the proposed bylaw would allow efficient and effective monetary means to attain compliance;

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currently, the principle avenue to gain compliance to the fire code is through the Office of the Fire Commissioner; a process that could take up to two years;

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the proposed bylaw is intended to: (i) ensure safety of the community by aligning fire and life safety standards with current development and legislation; (ii) direct cost of fire services toward the responsible party and away from tax payers; and (iii) bridge the gaps between the original bylaw, the Community Charter, and the 2006 BC Fire Code;

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the proposed bylaw would expand to include new areas of authority under the Community Charter for ease of enforcement;

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the proposed bylaw introduces: (i) new definitions to the 2006 BC Fire Code; (ii) specifications for installation, maintenance, and testing of sprinkler systems, hydrants, fire alarm systems; (iii) detailed regulations for owners/occupiers to provide and maintain fire safety plans, emergency access routes, and to have standardized street addresses; and (iv) regulations on various fire and life safety hazards such as flammable-combustible materials;

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the proposed bylaw’s fees, fines, and means for cost recovery are comparable to other communities within the lower mainland;

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should an owner/occupier demonstrate voluntary compliance or reasonable efforts to conform to the proposed bylaw, fines will not be issued; and

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in 2008, Richmond Fire Rescue (RFR) personnel will focus their attention on informing the public and owners/occupiers on the importance and implications of the proposed bylaw; in 2009, RFR personnel will continue to encourage voluntary compliance; however, if all alternatives for compliance  fail, enforcement will be utilized, particularly in areas with imminent risk.

In reply to several queries, Ms. Howell further expressed that Fire Prevention’s main objective is to encourage voluntary compliance through education, whereby owners and/or occupiers fully understand the bylaw and make the necessary changes to their premises.  Ms. Howell advised that both Fire Prevention Officers and Fire Rescue Officers would conduct inspections.  

Ms. Howell clarified that the proposed bylaw does not require permits for open air burning when natural gas, charcoal, or propane are used.

Ms. Howell advised that public education regarding the proposed bylaw would begin with various measures such as advertising.  Ms. Howell also noted that under the Community Charter, RFR has the authority to conduct inspections, however, the Community Charter does not define the number of inspections required. 

Ms. Howell advised that RFR personnel would be the primary group conducting inspections, however, RFR is investigating other means of inspections such as owner/occupier self-inspections.  It was noted that RFR has a Home Safe Program that is provided at no cost to Richmond residents.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that inspection data, such as the types of businesses inspected and the frequency of inspections, would be valuable information for the Committee.  Furthermore, the Committee expressed interest in knowing how often City facilities, and other buildings such as the Public Libraries, are inspected.

The Chair expressed appreciation and advised staff to prepare a letter to former Chief Fire Prevention Officer Bob Furlong acknowledging his hard work in preparing this bylaw.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 8306, be introduced and given first, second and third reading; and

(2)

That Municipal Ticket Authorization Bylaw No. 7321 Amendment Bylaw No. 8329, which amends fines associated with the Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

6.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

(1)

Retirements in 2008 and Subsequent Years; and

Mr. Beaman advised that leading to 2010, there would be over 40 senior members of RFR eligible for retirement,  and that RFR would manage retirements in various manners.  For instance, there are approximately 40 members who participate in the Officer Pool Program.  This program consists of members who are mentored by existing Fire Officers, and are given opportunities, by means of vacation or sick time, to act in various senior positions.  Mr. Beaman noted that the process would have a domino effect, whereby those in the pool replace those retiring, and new recruits replenish the pool.

Mr. Beaman also mentioned that modified duty is available to members who have been off work for an extended period of time, to return to work and do meaningful work while simultaneously recuperating.  This initiative allows members to stay involved with the staff dynamics and relieves some overtime concerns.

Mr. Beaman concluded by stating that twelve new members would be joining RFR the following week. 

(2)

Fire Rescue 5 Year Resource Plan.

Mr. Beaman advised that RFR is working on a resource plan in order to prepare for the future.  Mr. Beaman also noted that the plan would be comprehensive, touching on matters such as equipment, resources, and facilities.

7.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(Oral Report) 

(1)

Marching Forward – 2007 Annual Accomplishments;

Acting Supt. Rendell Nesset, Operations Support Officer, advised that the Richmond RCMP published their annual accomplishments, including City accomplishments.

(2)

Elmbridge Annex;

Mr. Nesset noted that staff at the Elmbridge Annex were temporarily relocated while roofing repairs were conducted.

(3)

Impact of Cadets on Resources; and

Mr. Nesset advised that there has been a big influx of new cadets and he hopes to see this continue.

(4)

Possibility of New Member being Positioned in the Hamilton Area.

Mr. Nesset noted that the opportunity to have a member positioned in the Hamilton Area is promising.

In reply to a query, Mr. Nesset advised that there are two types of vacancies: soft and hard.  Soft vacancies occur when a member is off work due to medical or parental leaves.  Hard vacancies occur when officers transfer or leave the organization.  Mr. Nesset noted that there are approximately fifteen hard vacancies remaining, and many have been filled by field promotions.

Mr. Nesset noted the number of recruits has significantly increased as the training depot now has the capacity to train more individuals.

Mr. Nesset extended an invitation to the Committee to visit the training facility. 

8.

OTHER ITEMS

No other items were discussed.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, highlighted that the City was awarded a $375,000 grant for its development of a Pandemic Plan.  Ms. Procter noted Richmond was the first municipality in the region to have a Pandemic Plan.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:24 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 10, 2008.

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Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk