MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

LAW & COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

3.

RCMP Five Year Resourcing Plan – 2010 – 2014

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 2660463)

Renny Nesset, OIC, Richmond RCMP, provided background information and in response to queries from Committee advised the following:

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the proposed Quick Response Team would be tasked with providing immediate response to specific time-sensitive, currently unknown emerging crimes;

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the proposed General Duty Support staff would provide administrative support to general duty watches in an effort to allow more members to patrol the streets;

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additional officers would be tasked with specific objectives and would not compliment general duty officers; and

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the numbers reflected in the RCMP report are based on the City’s current growth rate.

It was moved and seconded

That the RCMP report dated June 22, 2009 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment entitled “RCMP Five Year Resourcing Plan – 2010 – 2014” be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report for June 2009

(File Ref. No.:  09-5350-00/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2655977)

OIC Nesset provided background information and advised that the statistics are beginning to level off.  He noted that Criminal Activity Maps do not indicate the status of cases, however this could be investigated.  OIC Nesset also advised that investigators are satisfied that the threat of kidnapping has significantly dropped.

It was moved and seconded

That the RCMP report dated June 27, 2009 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment entitled “RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report for June 2009” be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

2009/2010 RCMP Annual Performance Plan – City Priorities

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2652692)

In reply to a query from Committee, Shawn Issel, Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs, advised that the Annual Performance Plan addresses national RCMP priorities, in addition to the Detachment’s overall goals.

Discussion ensued and a comment was made that if stronger bylaw requirements are needed to better address abandoned buildings in the City, then a staff report would be welcome.

Cllr. E. Halsey-Brandt left the meeting at 4:40 p.m..

It was moved and seconded

That the City priorities identified in the staff report dated June 3, 2009 from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety be approved for inclusion in the Richmond Detachment 2009/2010 RCMP Annual Performance Plan.

CARRIED

6.

Electrical & Fire Safety Inspection Program

(File Ref. No.:  09-5140-01/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2641651, 2589653)

Cllr. E. Halsey-Brandt returned to the meeting at 4:43 p.m..

In reply to queries from Committee, Kim Howell, Deputy Chief – Administration, advised that (i) under the proposed revision to the electrical and fire safety inspection program, RCMP are to remain off the property with visibility of the inspectors and home; and (ii) if an occupier of a residence does not call to arrange an inspection after a 24-hour posting, Richmond Fire-Rescue will contact the owner/agent of the property.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Electrical & Fire Safety Inspection Program become an established program for the City of Richmond; and

(2)

That the Property Maintenance and Repair (Grow-Op) Bylaw No. 7897, Amendment Bylaw No. 8485 (Attachment 1) be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

7.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Items for discussion:

(i)

New Rescue Pumper Apparatus

Fire Chief John McGowan was pleased to have one of the best pieces of equipment available to Fire-Rescue.

(ii)

Recruitment Update

Chief McGowan advised that this year’s recruitment process has completed with two women and three men hired.  He noted that he does not anticipate recruiting as many in 2010 due various factors.

(iii)

Retirement Announcement

Chief McGowan advised that Ron Beaman, Deputy Chief – Operations, will be retiring on July 23^rd.  Chief McGowan provided highlights and comments on his 34 year career with Richmond Fire-Rescue.

Committee thanked Deputy Chief Beaman for his service and wished him a happy retirement.

8.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Items for discussion:

(i)

Introduction of Staff Sergeant Dan Painter

OIC Nesset introduced Staff Sergeant Painter and provided background information.

(ii)

Rent Safe

Wendy Milford, Block Watch Coordinator, distributed various pieces of information and pamphlets (on file, City Clerk’s Office) and highlighted the following:

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Rent Safe is a program designed by the Richmond RCMP and the City of Richmond in an effort to reduce criminal activity and marijuana grow operations from occurring in rental properties; and

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the program provides rental property owners with various preventative strategies such as a ‘Dear Neighbour’ letter, and tenant screening techniques.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Milford and Manjit Virk, Richmond RCMP Project Coordinator, advised that (i) RCMP volunteers contact landlords with posting on rental properties websites and inform them of the program; (ii) other lower mainland municipalities have contacted Richmond RCMP regarding this innovative program; and (iii) information regarding this program will be available on the City’s website.

9.

OTHER ITEMS

None.

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:04 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, July 14, 2009.

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Councillor Derek Dang

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk