MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, October 13, 2010, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATION

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Pascal Rodier, Superintendent, BC Ambulance Services (BCAS), reviewed BCAS’ Richmnd operations and provided statistical information.

Councillor G. Halsey-Brandt entered the meeting (4:17 p.m.).

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Rodier advised that (i) both emergency and non-emergency calls are billable; (ii) the paramedic bicycles utilized at YVR are fully equipped;  (iii) twelve minutes is the targeted response time in urban centres; and (iv) there have been no staff increases in Richmond over the past five years.

Mr. Rodier advised that he would provide Committee with more information regarding response times in Richmond.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

2.

Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) Funding Cuts

(File Ref. No.:  09-5125-01/2010-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2967007)

Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, provided background information.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented on the benefits and importance of the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program.

As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter be sent to the Minister of Public Safety Canada, with copies to Richmond’s Members of Parliament, expressing the City’s concern for the reduction in funding in the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP); and

(2)

That Council submit a resolution to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) requesting that they lobby the federal government to restore funding for the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program.

CARRIED

3.

RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report for July 2010

(File Ref. No.:  09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 2935837)

OIC Renny Nesset provided background information and replied to queries from Committee.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented on the Restorative Justice Program and how it functions.  Also, a comment was made regarding a new anti-gang initiative launched by the Abbotsford Police Department called ‘Operation Lodestar’.

OIC Nesset advised that he would bring forward information regarding the Restorative Justice Program.

It was moved and seconded

That the OIC’s RCMP’s Monthly Activity report for July 2010 be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Richmond RCMP Detachment Resources

(File Ref. No.:  09-5000-00) (REDMS No. 2934145)

In reply to a query from Committee, OIC Nesset advised that he would bring forward a report regarding Richmond’s Community Police Stations and detail how these stations are staffed and function.

It was moved and seconded

That the OIC’s report entitled “Richmond RCMP Detachment Resources” be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

2010 Second Quarter Report - Fire-Rescue

(File Ref. No.:  03-1000-18-023) (REDMS No. 2941210)

Tim Wilkinson, Deputy Chief – Operations, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) provided background information and commented on statistics related to fires and false alarms.

In response to queries from Committee, Deputy Chief Wilkinson advised that (i) RFR anticipates numerous retirements in 2011; and (ii) BC Hydro trained  several RFR members on how to train others in electrical safety, as a result, all RFR members are now trained.

It was moved and seconded

That the Fire Chief’s report on Fire-Rescue’s operations for the 2^nd Quarter ending June 30, 2010 be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

ADDENDUM TO THE E-COMM FIRE RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AGREEMENT

(File Ref. No.:  03-1000-18-023) (REDMS No. 2941207)

It was moved and seconded

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Law and Community be authorized to execute the addendum to the City’s Fire Records Management System agreement with E-Comm.

CARRIED

7.

community bylaws – monthly activity report for july 2010

(File Ref. No.:  12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 2952654)

Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, provided background information.  In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Mercer advised that he would provide Committee with a breakdown of how tickets are handled, specifically which types of tickets are cancelled and why.  Also, he noted that Committee could anticipate significant change regarding newspaper distribution in Richmond in the upcoming months.

It was moved and seconded

That the Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report for July 2010 be received for information.

CARRIED

8.

Site Clean Up of an Unsightly PropertyCivic Address: 13371 Blundell RoadLegal Description: Lot 3, Sec 17 Blk4N RG5W, Plan 10158

(File Ref. No.:  12-8075-20) (REDMS No. 2891888)

Mr. Mercer provided background information.  He distributed photographs taken of the site on Monday, September 13, 2010 and noted that the site remains unsightly, and in fact, now has more debris than before.

John Varga, 13371 Blundell Road, spoke of his property’s condition.

The Chair noted that Mr. Varga was served an Order to Comply on June 1, 2010 and has yet to comply.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Walden Disposal Services, as contractor for the City, be authorized to remove and dispose of all discarded materials at 13371 Blundell Road, Richmond, in accordance with the “Order to Comply” dated June 25, 2010 issued under the Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 7162 and section 17(1) of the Community Charter; and

(2)

the final cost of this removal and disposal, estimated at $4939.20 (including fees and taxes), be invoiced to the registered owners of the property located at 13371 Blundell Road.

CARRIED

9.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Item for discussion:

Deputy Chief Wilkinson spoke of the recent fire at 8540 Westminster Highway and noted that (i) the fire took place at 1:45 a.m.; (ii) RFR’s response time was 20 seconds; (iii) when RFR arrived on the scene, only five residents had evacuated, as such RFR spent the majority of their time rescuing residents versus suppressing the fire; and (iv) the investigation continues.

10.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Item for discussion:

OIC Nesset spoke of a new program aimed at addressing traffic concerns on school grounds.  He advised that he would provide Committee with an update on the program at the next Committee meeting.

11.

OTHER ITEMS

Discussion ensued regarding the recent fire that took place at 8540 Westminster Highway and Committee expressed their appreciation to the volunteers involved with the aftermath of the fire.  As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That a letter under the Mayor’s signature be sent thanking the volunteers involved with the fire that took place at 8540 Westminster Highway.

CARRIED

12.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:41 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, September 14, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Derek Dang

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Acting Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office