Date:

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Ken Johnston, Vice-Chair

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Absent:

Councillor Derek Dang, Chair

Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Call to Order:

The Vice-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 Wednesday, November 12, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

3.

Shelter Operation and Animal Control Services Request-for-Proposals Competition # 3380P

(Report:  December 3, 2008, File No.:  02-0775-50-3380P) (REDMS No. 2521261)

Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, advised that the proposed contract was for animal shelter operations combined with partial animal control services, as in the existing agreement.  In reply to a query regarding the number of bids received, Mr. Mercer noted that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was included in the mailing list, but did not submit a proposal.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that (i) staff should have a detailed look at animal control services and shelter operations; (ii) stray and distressed animals would be accepted after hours by the SPCA’s emergency shelter in Vancouver; and (iii) a copy of the proposed contract should be provided to all members of Council.

It was moved and seconded

That the City enter into a twenty-four (24) month contract with the Richmond Animal Protection Society for management and operation of the City-owned animal shelter on the western half of 12071 No. 5 Road in Richmond and partial animal control services at an annual cost of $320,000.

CARRIED

4.

Enhanced Smoking Regulations Exemptions and Recreational Facilities

(Report:  December 3, 2008, File No.:  12-8060-20-8360 Xr.: 07-3000-02) (REDMS No. 2531644)

Dean Davison, representing Thomas Orange, President of Robusto, offered background information regarding the business and advised that his client is seeking exemption from a provision of the Public Health Protection Bylaw No. 6989, which prohibits smoking in any customer service area or patio.  Mr. Davison also advised the following:

§   

Robusto has complied with all provincial and municipal legislation to date;

§   

staff at Robuto do not serve clients on the patio;

§   

there is a separate patio area designated for smoking cigars; and

§   

cigars and cigarettes are different in many ways, in particular, cigars are natural products, and are not meant to be inhaled.

Mr. Davison emphasized that closing the patio will lessen the premium cigar experience his client’s customers currently enjoy.  He then suggested several amendments to the bylaw and advised that his client wishes to work collaboratively with the City of Richmond to reach a mutually agreeable solution. A copy of Mr. Davison submission is attached as Schedule 1, and forms part of these minutes.

Thomas Orange, President of Robusto, stated that maintaining the business will pose a challenge without a designated patio for his clients to enjoy cigars.  In reply to several queries, Mr. Orange advised that (i) there are approximately fifteen seats on the patio; (ii) typically, customers buy a cigar and smoke it immediately outside on the patio; (iii) he anticipates a 50% to 60% loss in clientele without a patio throughout spring and summer months; and (iv) he had effectively addressed the sole complaint received from a neighbour residing above the business. 

Steve Chong, Manager, Richmond Health Protection, Vancouver Coastal Health, was of the opinion that the provincial legislation on smoking has a loophole, whereby outdoor patios are exempt from the smoking ban.  Mr. Chong briefly spoke on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and the scientifically proven distance required to protect the public from the effects of ETS.  Mr. Chong believed that the City’s Public Health Protection bylaw addressed this oversight and thus supported staff’s recommendation.

It was moved and seconded

That Council not grant exemptions to cigar stores or veterans’ organizations from the provisions of:

(a)

Subdivision Six of the City’s Public Health Protection Bylaw No 6989; or

(b)

the Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321:

(i)

Schedule A, Section 9. Public Health Protection Bylaw No 6989; and

(ii)

Schedule B9, Subdivision 6 – Smoking Control & Regulation.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding granting an exemption to Robusto.  As a result of the discussion, the following referral was made:

It was moved and seconded

That the matter be referred back to staff to address concerns related to smoking on outdoor patios of cigar stores.

CARRIED

5.

Expansion of Pay Parking Program Richmond Oval Neighbourhood

(Report:  December 3, 2008, File No.:  12-8060-20-8463) (REDMS No. 2532591, 2532883)

Discussion ensued during which it was evident that committee members had concerns about staff’s recommendation.  A suggestion was made that two-hour parking restrictions be considered on the proposed streets, with no pay parking on River Road.  It was also noted that transit bus stops are not in proximity to the Richmond Oval neighbourhood.

In reply to comments, Phyllis L. Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety, advised that the proposed pay parking program facilitates movement of vehicles.

It was moved and seconded

That the matter be referred back to staff to reconsider the proposed expansion of the Pay Parking Program in the Richmond Oval neighbourhood, excluding River Road.

CARRIED

6.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Hamilton Seasonal Festivities Display

Deputy Fire Chief John McGowan highlighted that on December 5, 2008, Fire Hall No. 5 in Hamilton held the Hamilton Seasonal Festivities Display.  The event was initiated by the Hamilton Community Association and offered activities such as face painting, and arts and crafts.  Deputy Chief McGowan was pleased to see a strong turnout and hoped to expand the concept to other neighbourhoods in Richmond.

7.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(Oral Report) 

RCMP Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Inspector Rendall Nesset, OIC, Richmond RCMP, stated that volunteers received their service pins at the RCMP Volunteer Appreciation Dinner held on November 28, 2008.  Insp. Nesset noted that it was an outstanding event, and very much appreciated by the volunteers.

In reply to a query, Insp. Nesset advised that a batch of tasers have been recalled and will be tested for the amount of voltage discharged.

Discussion ensued and it was requested that in future all members of Council be updated on all aspects of policing in Richmond, including contract negotiations.

8.

OTHER ITEMS

None.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

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, December 9, 2008.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Ken Johnston

Vice-Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk