MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

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

INTRODUCTIONS

3.

Phyllis L. Carlyle, General Manager, Law and Community Safety, introduced two new Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) Deputy Chiefs: Tim Wilkinson and Jim Wishlove.  Ms. Carlyle advised that Mr. Wilkinson has served for over 23 years and Mr. Wishlove almost 20 years, and that both bring a wealth of qualifications and experience to the department.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

4.

Restorative Justice Recidivism Rates for 2004 to 2006
(File Ref. No.:  ) (REDMS No. 2654337 V.3)

In response to queries from Committee, Shawn Issel, Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs, and Ruth Hahn, Supervisor, Youth Services  advised the following:

·   

for those who register, but then withdraw from the program, their file is concluded and no further action is taken; it was emphasized that in 90% of the cases it is the victim who opts out of the program;

·   

this is a unique program and model which is funded by the City;

·   

room to expand the program depends on the resources available;

·   

Touchstone Family Services generally provides an annual report;

·   

statistics concerning the nature of offenses will be included in the next report; and

·   

an empirical comparison of those cases in the traditional criminal justice system versus the Restorative Justice  Program could be attempted for the next report.

Committee praised the report and the program and found the results encouraging.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report entitled “Restorative Justice Recidivism Rates for 2004 To 2006” dated October 1, 2009 from the Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

RICHMOND EXTREME WEATHER RESPONSE PLAN FOR THE HOMELESS

(File Ref. No.:  09-5125-03-07/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2738885, 2737404)

In response to queries from Committee, Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, advised the following:

·   

the proposed changes to the criteria, as noted in the report, would allow for shelters to be open more frequently during the winter;

·   

·   

regarding weekend shelter provision on the weekends, there is discussion regarding shelter activation by 10 a.m. Friday mornings in order to give adequate time for shelter preparation.

The Committee expressed concern regarding the low number of beds available to women and children, and discussion ensued concerning vacant buildings and the safety of those who inhabit them on a temporary basis, as well as the safety of the neighbouring community.  The Chair stated that the issue of vacant buildings may relate to the current federal tax structure, that dictates GST be applied when a vacant building is removed from its lot.

Staff advised that (i) a report will be brought forward in December 2009 which discusses the tax structure that impacts owners of vacant buildings, and (ii) a team, composed of members from Richmond Fire-Rescue, RCMP, Community Bylaws and Planning and Development, meets monthly to exchange information regarding problematic properties and potential action is addressed.

The Committee praised the congregation of St Alban’s Anglican Church for their participation in providing shelter to the community.

It was moved and seconded

That the revised Extreme Weather Response Plan for the Homeless dated October 15, 2009 be approved.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP’S MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2009

(File Ref. No.: 09-5375-02 ) (REDMS No.2735454)

Inspector Dan McKenna responded to queries and advised the following:

·   

the increase in shoplifting incidents is likely related to the current economic conditions as well as loss prevention officers showing due diligence;

·   

metal theft is down due to the decrease in value of metal; and

·   

the statistics included in the report illustrates that, over a 2-year period, there was, in many categories, either a decrease or no increase in Criminal Code offences; and

·   

the possibility of an education program for drivers regarding train intersection crossing would be examined.

Committee praised the report and expressed thanks to members of the department for their role in building a safe community.

Further discussion ensued regarding members visiting the schools on a regular basis, and it was noted that this interaction is beneficial to the children as well as the members.

It was moved and seconded

That the RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

2009 THIRD QUARTER REPORT - FIRE-RESCUE

(File Ref. No.: 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 2735373)

Deputy Chief Kim Howell provided the following highlights: (i) statistics are being gathered in order to measure building loss prevention; and (ii) RFR  has the opportunity to co-present with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs at the BC Fire Chiefs conference as well as at the World Police Department Congress on the leadership program Richmond is undertaking.  In BC, RFR is the first to bring forward this type of leadership program initiative.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report dated October 29, 2009 from the Fire Chief, entitled “2009 Third Quarter Report – Fire-Rescue” be received for information.

CARRIED

8.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING

(Oral Report) 

(i)

Lighting of Fire Halls

Deputy Chief Tim Wilkinson reported that the first Lighting of the Fire Halls event took place last year at No. 5 Fire Hall and that it was an memorable event, where the community was invited to decorate the Hall with lights and to enjoy refreshments with RFR members.  Deputy Chief Wilkinson added that the department would like to expand the event to include more Fire Halls, beginning this year with the addition of  Burkeville. The dates for the next Lighting of Fire Halls events are December 1 at the No. 5 Fire Hall and December 2 at the No. 4 Fire Hall.

In response to queries, Deputy Chief Wilkinson confirmed that members in the department participate in the annual Bright Nights in Stanley Park, Vancouver. Partial proceeds from this event help raise funds for the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund. Committee commended RFR involvement in this worthy cause.

(ii)

No. 6 Hall Opening

Deputy Chief Wilkinson reported that the opening of No. 6 Fire Hall on October 3, 2009 was a success as it was an opportunity to showcase the new building as well as invite the community into the facility.  He noted that the event was well attended by the public and noted that the Mayor, members of Council, and MLA Linda Reid also attended.

(iii)

Fire Fighters’ Graduation Ceremony

Deputy Chief Wilkinson reported that the Fire Fighters’ Graduation Ceremony will take place Dec 1 from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. at No 1 Fire Hall and that this event marks the revitalization of a program that regularly took place years ago. The department intends to make this a yearly event where the hard work of the graduates will be recognized and celebrated.

9.

RCMP/OIC AND FIRE CHIEF - JOINT BRIEFING

(Oral Report) 

Halloween

Inspector Dan McKenna reported that the evening of October 31^st was uneventful due to an extensive operational plan.

10.

OTHER ITEMS

Noise Bylaw Review

A comment was made by a Committee member that due to the increase in multi-family buildings abutting industrial areas, it was time to assess the currently acceptable decibel levels for noise.

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate and assess the Measurable Noise Limits (Section 3.2) of the Public Health and Protection Bylaw 6989 in view of the increase in multi-family residences being in close proximity to industrial developments.

CARRIED

11.

MANAGER’S REPORTS

(i)

H1N1 Update

Deborah Procter provided an H1N1 update and reported that the number of cases will likely peek in four to five weeks. Ms. Procter added that older generations have a natural immunity and that current immunization programs target pregnant women, health care workers and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

(ii)

Gold Exercise Update

On Tuesday, November 3, 2009, the City of Richmond was involved in Exercise Gold, the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit’s Exercise initiative. This was  a large, live-action emergency planning exercise where Richmond Fire Rescue, RCMP and the City participated in a major exercise to practice skills in a mock emergency situation, and involved the coordination of over 140 federal, provincial, regional and municipal organizations. The City’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at the ROBO offices were activated to support the emergency site. The exercise was located at two sites: the former Steveston High School on No. 2 Road and at Richmond Hospital. Ms. Procter introduced Amy Romanas, Emergency Program Coordinator, as a key organizer of the exercise.

Committee congratulated staff and volunteers for their part in rendering the Exercise Gold initiative a success.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:05 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, November 10, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Derek Dang

Chair

Susan Steeves

Committee Clerk