MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, May 11, 2010, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

FIRE-RESCUE'S ACTIVITIES WITH RICHMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 38
(File Ref. No.:  09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 2860271)

Deputy Fire Chief Kim Howell provided background information to the staff  report, noting that the Richmond Fire Rescue’s (RFR) involvement with the Richmond School District No. 38 (RSD) includes two main components: (i) health and fire safety education which consists of programs for the general public, elementary and high school children, and adult ESL learners; and (ii) fire prevention which consists of comprehensive fire safety plans for all Richmond schools, as well as the training of school maintenance staff as technicians who are qualified to maintain and test fire and life safety systems and perform weekly and monthly inspections.

Deputy Chief Howell noted the high level of co-operation and collaboration between RFR and the RSD in many of the prevention and education programs.

Discussion ensued and Committee praised the report as well as commended those firefighters who participated in the read-a-thon fundraising event held at James Gilmore Elementary School.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the staff report dated April 7, 2010, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, entitled “Fire-Rescue’s Activities with Richmond School District No. 38” be received for information; and

(2)

the staff report dated April 7, 2010, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, entitled “Fire-Rescue’s Activities with Richmond School District No. 38” be forwarded to the Richmond School Board for their information.

CARRIED

2.

RCMP’S MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR JANUARY 2010

(File Ref. No.:  09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 2801052)

Inspector Dan McKenna provided background information to the staff report,  and advising the following:

·          

metal theft along with residential B & E’s are down due to the focus of police efforts on known repeat offenders; and

·          

the RCMP Green Team, responsible for investigating and dismantling marihuana operations, continues to operate; and

·          

the Canada Line has had less of a criminal impact on Richmond than was expected.

Discussion ensued and Committee requested that the statistics on warnings and tickets issued to drivers using hand held devices, such as cell phones, as well as the Criminal Code offence statistics for the months of January, February and March 2010 be provided when available.

It was moved and seconded

That the report dated January 14, 2010, from the Officer In Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, entitled “RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report for January 2010, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

REGULATION OF NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTION SERVICES

(File Ref. No.:  ) (REDMS No. 2766784)

Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, provided background to the staff report and in response to queries advised the following:

·          

Schedule E of the Bylaw that was distributed in the agenda package to Committee was incorrect and an updated copy has been provided; and

·          

bylaw enforcement will be carried out based on public complaints and staff monitoring; and

·          

newspaper agents who distribute papers by hand will be subject to the bylaw; and

·          

publishers have been notified of the impending bylaw and have been invited to provide input on preferred newspaper box locations.

Discussion ensued, in particular, regarding the fine fee structure and whether it is adequate enough to deter newspaper distributors from placing boxes on the street without a permit.  Committee agreed that page 5 of Schedule A to Bylaw 8122, Designated Bylaw Contravention and Corresponding Penalties, be altered as follows: Newspaper Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 7954, column A5 “Penalty” should be changed to $300 for all value amounts; column A6 “Early Payment Option” should be changed to $200 for all value amounts; and column A7 “Late Payment Amount” should be changed to $325 for all value amounts.

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, responded to a query regarding whether the newspaper publishing companies have been asked to share in the cost of the newspaper distribution boxes. Mr. Wei advised that the City has a street furniture contract with the Jim Pattison Group that will provide multiple publication news racks. 

It was moved and seconded

That:

(i)

Newspaper Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 7954 (Attachment 1) be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and

(ii)

notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 8596 (Attachment 2) be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

4.

LAW & COMMUNITY SAFETY 2009 ACHIEVEMENTS AND 2010 PRIORITIES

(File Ref. No09-5000-01 (REDMS No. 2871455)

Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety introduced the staff members who collaborated on the report: Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs; Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws; Fire Chief John McGowan; and RCMP Inspector Dan McKenna.

Committee praised the comprehensive report, noting it was a good review of the past year’s accomplishment as well as a solid indication of future goals, and commended staff on the cooperation between the various departments.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report dated March 26, 2010, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, entitled “Law & Community Safety 2009 Achievements & 2010 Priorities Report” be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING

(Oral Report) 

(i)

Edgar Rodriquez’s participation in “Firefighters Without Borders” – El Salvador, and “Firefighters Without Borders” – Phuket, Thailand

Fire Chief John McGowan reported that six regional fire departments delivered technical training and equipment (safety gear, vehicles and tools) to firefighters in El Salvador, and noted that the Firefighters Without Borders crew was greeted and thanked by the President of El Salvador. In addition, Firefighter Edgar Rodriquez was recognized by the Executive Director of Firefighters Without Borders, Brian Hutchinson, for his efforts.

Further, Fire Chief McGowan reported that Firefighters Without Borders  delivered technical training and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), to Phuket, Thailand in memory of Noah Yelizarov, a young Richmond resident who died in Phuket in October 2004, and whose life might have been saved had the equipment been available.

(ii)

Mutual Aid to Delta Fire (incident on Alex Fraser Bridge requiring assistance)

Deputy Chief Tim Wilkinson, Operations reported on the amicable, cooperative working relationship between RFR and Delta Fire, noting a recent incident where RFR was called upon and was quickly able to assist Delta Fire with an incident.

(iii)

Customer Service Initiative – Nathan Bavis

Fire Chief John McGowan reported on the efforts of Firefighter, Nathan Bavis, who has put together packages in the form of a knapsack containing important information that can be distributed to the public.

(iv)

Bright Lights/Stanley Park

Deputy Chief Tim Wilkinson reported that Firefighters from all over the Lower Mainland donate their time to support the Bright Lights fundraising effort in Stanley Park.  The event will take place starting in late November 2010 until January 2, 2011. 

(v)

Annual 911 Awards

Fire Chief John McGowan reported that the next Richmond Chamber of Commerce 911 Awards will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2010.

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING

(Oral Report) 

(i)

2010 Winter Olympic Games

Inspector Dan McKenna reported on the impact of the Olympics on the resources of the detachment. The Inspector stated that the success of police operations was possible largely due to the relationships and good working partnerships established prior to the games, noting that this allowed for an easily adaptable and flexible working environment. He also commended the volunteers, noting they were an integral part of the department’s success during the Games.

(ii)

New RCMP Building

Inspector Dan McKenna reported that the new location for the RCMP detachment building on No. 5 Rd will provide flexibility and room to expand. Planning for the move is underway, and it is anticipated that it will proceed in stages beginning in December 2011.

7.

OTHER ITEMS

No items were discussed.

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Extreme Weather Shelter

Deborah Procter reported that during the 2009 – 2010 season the shelter was activated three times for a total of 23 nights, with a 65% occupancy rate.  Ms. Proctor noted that weather conditions that precipitated the activation of the shelter will be recorded in the future.

(ii)

Emergency Preparedness Week

Ms. Procter reported that Emergency Preparedness Week will take place during the first week of May 2010 and events are planned for staff as well as the public.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:27 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, April 13, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Ken Johnston,

Vice-Chair

Susan Steeves

Committee Clerk