MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, March 15, 2011, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

Renny Nesset, OIC, Richmond RCMP, introduced Inspector Eric Hall and spoke about Mr. Hall’s past experience with the RCMP.

1.

Emergency Social Services Plan

(File Ref. No.:  09-5125-03-07) (REDMS No. 3072348)

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

Councillor G. Halsey-Brandt entered the meeting (4:05 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Emergency Social Services Plan dated January 19, 2011, be approved as the plan outlining the provision of food, clothing, shelter, transportation and personal and medical services to victims of emergencies or disasters, as required under the BC Emergency Program Act; and

(2)

The Emergency Social Services Plan be reviewed every three years.

CARRIED

2.

Community Bylaws – Year End December 2010 Activity Report

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 3136117)

In reply to queries from Committee, Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, provided the following information:

§          

newspaper distributors have been provided with approved locations and unique permits for each newspaper box within the city;

§          

enforcement of the Newspaper Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 7954will be progressive while distributors and City staff adjust to the new regulations and requirements;

§          

there were 64 dog bite incidents reported in 2010, and of these, the incidents ranged from a nip to severe bites; and

§          

permit issuance under the Newspaper Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 7954 is at the staff level.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that a list of approved locations for newspaper boxes would be useful.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report entitled “Community Bylaws – Year End December 2010 Activity Report” dated February 1, 2011, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

RCMP's Monthly Report – November and December 2010 Activities

(File Ref. No.:  09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3077789)

OIC Nesset reviewed the RCMP’s statistics for November and December 2010.

In reply to queries from Committee, OIC Nesset advised that (i) a crime analyst can examine youth related crimes; (ii) a staff report regarding community police stations is forthcoming; and (iii) ‘Beat’ Patrols are conducted by regular and auxiliary members several times a week.

Discussion ensued regarding body rub businesses in Richmond and Committee queried the operation of these businesses.

It was moved and seconded

That the OIC’s report entitled “RCMP's Monthly Report – November and December 2010 Activities” dated January 10, 2011, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

2011/2012 RCMP Annual Performance Plan – City Priorities

(File Ref. No.:  09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3130523)

OIC Nesset provided background information and in response to comments made by Committee, he noted that youth violence is a societal concern and it is not attributed to any specific factor.

It was moved and seconded

That the City identify two priorities to be considered for inclusion in the Richmond Detachment 2011/2012 RCMP Annual Performance Plan as outlined in the OIC’s report entitled “2011/2012 RCMP Annual Performance Plan – City Priorities” dated January 12, 2011.

CARRIED

5.

Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium Initiative

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 3094568)

Tim Wilkinson, Deputy Chief – Operations, provided background information and highlighted that throughout BC, there has been a six to ten percent reduction in cardiac deaths.

In reply to a query from Committee, Deputy Chief Wilkinson spoke of Richmond Fire-Rescue’s (RFR) role in the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium.  He noted that staff have requested that more feedback on RFR’s response quality and performance be provided.

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Fire-Rescue’s continued participation in the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium initiative for a further six year period be supported.

CARRIED

Councillor Barnes left the meeting (5:08 p.m.) and did not return.

6.

Cultural Transformation within Richmond Fire-Rescue

(File Ref. No.:)  (REDMS No. 3126402)

Deputy Chief Wilkinson provided background information and highlighted that over the past three years, increased outreach and targeted recruitment, aided by the BC Human Rights Tribunal Special Program, have resulted in 44% of RFR’s vacancies being filled by women and visible minorities.

In reply to queries from Committee, Deputy Chief Wilkinson advised that in 2011, RFR will develop a comprehensive recruitment and outreach strategy, which will reflect RFR’s commitment to increased diversity. Also, he noted that staff engagement has increased and is expected to continue to do so as more opportunities arise for staff participation in RFR and City initiatives.

Deputy Chief Wilkinson emphasized that Richmond Fire-Rescue is inclusive and accepts applications from everyone.

It was moved and seconded

That staff be directed to report back on the development of a comprehensive recruitment and outreach strategy that will ensure Richmond Fire-Rescue has the capacity to provide excellent service to a diverse community.

CARRIED

7.

Establishing a National Public Safety Broadband Network

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 3087841)

Jim Wishlove, Deputy Chief – Technology & Communications, provided background information.

Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety, noted that staff have spoken with David Guscott, President & CEO of E-Comm.  A report regarding the establishment of a national public safety broadband network is anticipated to be brought before the E-Comm Board of Directors.  Also, she noted that BC Ambulance is very supportive of the initiative.

Discussion ensued regarding submitting a resolution to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the allocation of the 700mhz bandwidth for Public Safety Radio and Data Communications in Canada (as outlined in the report dated December 14, 2010 from the Deputy Fire Chief, Administration and Technology) be supported;

(2)

That Industry Canada be advised of Council’s position; and

(3)

That staff draft a resolution for submission to the UBCM and FCM.

CARRIED

8.

2010 Fourth Quarter Report - Fire-Rescue

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 3141486)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report on Fire-Rescue’s operations for the 4^th Quarter ending December 31, 2010 be received for information.

CARRIED

9.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Item for discussion:

ColdFire Extinguisher

OIC Nesset and Deputy Chief Wilkinson spoke of ColdFire Extinguishers.  They highlighted that it is a very effective fire suppressant that extinguishes fires quickly and safely, and leaves surfaces cool to the touch.  Also, OIC Nesset noted that Richmond RCMP police vehicles are each equipped with a ColdFire Extinguiser.

10.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Items for discussion:

(i)

Introduction of Inspector Eric Hall

Please see page 1 for this matter.

(ii)

Crime Reduction Meeting

OIC Nesset spoke of crime reduction meetings.

(iii)

Update on 24-hour Suspension Statistics

OIC Nesset provided background information and noted that the RCMP’s October 2010 statistics report had lower than usual 24-hour suspensions as a result of a data classification error.

(iv)

On-Side Program

OIC Nesset spoke of the Onside Program, a community policing initiative that offers an opportunity for young people to connect with the police outside the traditional police environment and move towards being “onside” living a healthy, productive lifestyle.

11.

OTHER ITEMS

None.

12.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Drop, Cover, and Hold On Exercise – January 26, 2011

Ms. Procter highlighted that the City’s participation was excellent and the exercise generated lots of buzz with staff.

(ii)

Richmond RCMP Staff Complement

It was moved and seconded

That the Superintendent of the Richmond RCMP submit a report to the March 15, 2011 Community Safety Committee on the length of service in Richmond of members of the Richmond detachment as of February 28, 2011 in the following categories:

(a)

the number of regular members;

(b)

the number of non-commissioned officers;

(c)

the number of officers;

(d)

the number of those on leave; and

(e)

the number of vacant positions.

CARRIED

(iii)

Bylaw Officer

Mr. Mercer noted that as a member of the Canadian Army Reserves, Stephen Pratt, Bylaw Enforcement Officer, has been called to duty and will be deployed to Afghanistan.

Discussion ensued and Committee wished Mr. Pratt a safe return.  It was noted that a letter of support from the Mayor be sent to Mr. Pratt for his venture.

The meeting was recessed at 5:47 p.m.

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The meeting was reconvened at 6:03 p.m. with all members of the Committee present except Councillor Johnston, and including Councillor S. Halsey-Brandt.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and second ed

That the meeting adjourn (6:04 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, February 15, 2011.

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Councillor Derek Dang

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk