MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, September 11, 2012, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

Bylaw Amendments – Scrap Metal Dealers

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-8919/8920) (REDMS No. 3544971)

In reply to queries from Committee, Glenn McLaughlin, Chief Licence Inspector & Risk Manager, provided the following information:

§          

seven provincial inspectors have been appointed to enforce the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act;

§          

benefits of the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act is that it is province-wide and fines range from $100 to $500 depending on the contravention;

§          

reporting requirements of the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act are in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act; and

§          

a seller of regulated metal that has marks indicating ownership by a local authority, like the City of Richmond or a public utility, must provide proof of ownership when selling the regulated metal.

Discussion ensued and Committee expressed concern regarding the reporting requirements of the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act.  Mr. McLaughlin stated that if staff were to identify gaps in the legislation, staff would report to Council on their findings.

Discussion further ensued and Committee queried how stolen regulated metal would be identified if the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act does not include a retention period whereby metal dealers and recyclers must keep purchased regulated metal segregated for a specific period of time.  Mr. McLaughlin advised that the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act stipulates that the description of the regulated metal purchased is adequate information to identify any stolen regulated metal.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Business Licence Bylaw No. 7360, Amendment Bylaw No. 8919, that provides for Business Licence requirements for scrap metal dealers and recyclers and various housekeeping amendments, be introduced and given first reading;

(2)

That Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538, Amendment Bylaw No. 8920, that removes requirements relating to scrap metal dealers, be introduced and given first reading; and

(3)

That a letter be written to the provincial Minister of Justice and local MLAs requesting that:

(a)

there be a retention period instituted as per the City’s current bylaw as there is a need for identification of the original source of the scrap metal;

(b)

more enforcement staff be assigned to conduct inspections; and

(c)

police be permitted to enforce the legislation.

CARRIED

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

2.

RCMP's Monthly Report – May 2012 Activities

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3543357)

Renny Nesset, OIC, Richmond RCMP, commented on the detachment’s statistics for May 2012.

In reply to a from Committee, Lainie Goddard, Manager, RCMP Administration, advised that there are three full-time and six auxiliary staff in the Victim Services area.

OIC Nesset spoke of Canada Day activities in Steveston Village and commented on a small number of unwanted activities that took place.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – May 2012 Activities (dated June 7, 2012, from the OIC RCMP) be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Richmond RCMP 2011-2013 Strategic Plan Update – Fiscal Year 2011/12

(File Ref. No. 09-5350-11) (REDMS No. 3523350)

Discussion ensued and it was noted that the Richmond RCMP 2011-2013 Strategic Plan Update – Fiscal Year 2011/12 does not include the costs associated with the programs listed under the five strategic priorities.

In reply to queries from Committee, OIC Nesset advised that (i) statistics indicate that those referred to the Youth Intervention and Restorative Justice Programs are less likely to become repeat offenders; and (ii) several factors determine whether a youth is referred to the Youth Intervention Program or the Restorative Justice Program.

Discussion took place and Committee queried how Council would redefine the RCMP Strategic Plan to add emphasis to certain areas and how the Plan relates to the budget. 

Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety, advised that the Richmond RCMP 2011-2013 Strategic Plan Update – Fiscal Year 2011/12 report is not intended to be a budget request, but to provide Council with an update on what the OIC is doing with the existing budget.

Discussion ensued and Committee directed staff to make reference to the Richmond RCMP 2011-2013 Strategic Plan Update – Fiscal Year 2011/12 during the budget process.

Discussion further took place regarding the costs associated with the programs listed under the five strategic priorities and it was requested that this information be provided to Council.

In reply to queries from Committee, OIC Nesset advised that the teachers’ job action did not interrupt the RCMP’s youth engagement initiatives and auxiliary constable hours have steadily risen over the years.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled Richmond RCMP 2011-2013 Strategic Plan Update – Fiscal Year 2011/12 (dated June 15, 2012 from the OIC RCMP) be received for information; and

(2)

That staff be directed to provide costs for the various RCMP programs as described in the report titled Richmond RCMP 2011-2013 Strategic Plan Update – Fiscal Year 2011/12 (dated June 15, 2012 from the OIC RCMP).

CARRIED

4.

Richmond Fire-Rescue – May 2012 Activity Report

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3553500)

In reply to a query from Committee, John McGowan, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, advised that (i) the marina firefighting training cost approximately $80,000 for all members to attend a two-day course; and (ii) shift levelling and other scheduling tools were utilized in an effort to minimize operational impacts.

Discussion ensued regarding the number of medical calls the fire department attends to and Fire Chief McGowan stated that the most suitable apparatus is deployed based on the nature of the emergency.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue May 2012 Activity Report (dated June 27, 2012, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue) be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Community Bylaws – May 2012 Activity Report

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3551969 v.4)

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

§          

as with the introduction of any new parking regulation, staff have received typical feedback on the new parking regulations in Steveston;

§          

enforcement revenue increased as a result of a full compliment of enforcement officers; and

§          

there is no regulation prohibiting vehicles from parking longer than three hours on a street that abuts a residential premise after 6:00 p.m.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Community Bylaws – May 2012 Activity Report (dated June 12, 2012 from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety), be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

Abandoned and Vacant Properties Update

(File Ref. No. 09-5126-01) (REDMS No. 3544779 v.5)

Anne Stevens, Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy & Programs, stated that as of July 10, 2012, there was 218 demolished structures, 148 structures that are currently being monitored by Community Bylaws, and six unsecured buildings.

In reply to a concern from Committee, Ms. Stevens advised that if there is a fire at a property, the City does charge back some costs associated with the fire through the property owner’s home insurance policy.  She stated that once an abandoned or vacant property is identified, staff attempt to contact the owner immediately.  Also, she stated that a pamphlet is being created to be given to those applying for a demolition permit.

Discussion took place regarding the rationale to keep these types of properties as opposed to demolish them.

Fire Chief McGowan commented on the fire that took place early Sunday morning near Francis Road and No. 2 Road.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Abandoned and Vacant Properties Update (dated June 25, 2012 from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety) be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING

(Verbal Report) 

Designated Speaker:  Fire Chief John McGowan

Items for discussion:

(i)

Canada Day Events Update

(ii)

Joint Deployment Exercise

Fire Chief McGowan spoke of Richmond Fire-Rescue’s participation in the 2012 Ships to Shore and Salmon Festival, noting that both events were a big success. 

Fire Chief McGowan commented on a joint exercise with the RCMP’s marine personnel.  Also, he noted that Richmond Fire-Rescue partnered with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and assisted with a rescue after two people were marooned on Shady Island.

Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of installing a sign along the dike, near where Shady Island connects to the dike at low tide.  It was suggested that the sign provide daily high and low tide times.  However, it was noted that such a sign could create a liability concern for the City.

Ms. Carlyle advised that there are signs at the dike and on Shady Island regarding the dangers of crossing the river, however she stated that staff would examine making the current signs more apparent.

8.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING

(Verbal Report)

Designated Speaker:  Supt. Renny Nesset

Items for discussion:

(i)

RCMP’s Fraser Guardian

OIC Nesset commented on two marine incidents that were successfully resolved with the aid of the RCMP’s marine vessel called the Fraser Guardian.  He spoke of the benefits of having the Fraser Guardian and noted that the vessel allows the RCMP to have a preventative and enforcement role on Richmond’s waters.

(ii)

RCMP Summer Youth Camps

OIC Nesset spoke of the RCMP’s summer youth camps, whereby kids have the opportunity to interact with police officers up close and learn about the history of the RCMP, crime scene investigation, drill and deportment, and law and physical education.

(iii)

City Centre Community Police Station

OIC Nesset advised that a grand opening of the City Centre community police station is scheduled for September 20, 2012.

(iv)

Auxiliary Constables

OIC Nesset spoke of the number of hours served by Auxiliary Constables since 2009.

Discussion ensued regarding the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard station.  As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be written to the responsible Minister and local MPs confirming that Richmond Council does not support the removal of the Kitsilano Coast Guard station and is concerned about the negative impact it is bound to have on services of the Sea Island Coast Guard station.

CARRIED

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:22 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 10, 2012.

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Councillor Derek Dang

Chair

Hanieh Berg

Committee Clerk