Date:

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Derek Dang, Chair

Councillor Linda McPhail

Councillor Ken Johnston

Mayor Malcolm Brodie (4:43 p.m.)

Absent:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Chak Au

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

1.

Greg Miller, Vice President, Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue (RCM-SAR), noted that the RCM-SAR is a wholly volunteer organization which operates on the Pacific Coast of BC.  During his presentation, Mr. Miller spoke about the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base closure and the following was noted:

·          

the RCM-SAR has 36 stations, 42 vessels, and approximately 1000 volunteers who conduct approximately 800 rescues per year;

·          

the RCM-SAR has had an average response time of 15-20 minutes, which exceeds the standard response time of 30 minutes;

·          

due to Richmond’s unique geography as an island city, it is currently receiving service from two vessels in two separate locations;

·          

RCM-SAR in Richmond receives approximately 80 calls per year; and

·          

the service level for Richmond is anticipated to increase.

A discussion ensued among Committee members and Mr. Miller about the future improvements anticipated for the RCM-SAR in terms of levels of service, quality of training, including first aid, and vessels.  In answer to a query about volunteer opportunities with the RCM-SAR, Mr. Miller noted that preference is given to those who are within 20 minutes of one of the RCM-SAR boats.  Upon conclusion, Mr. Miller indicated that the RCM-SAR would be providing the City with updates on its activities on a quarterly basis. 

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, November 14, 2012, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

2.

Virtual Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) ProposAL

(File Ref. No. 09-5126-01) (REDMS No. 3647544)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Council endorse the submission of a grant proposal seeking approximately $750,000 (to be shared amongst the partners for their project expenses) to the Canadian Safety and Security Program for a virtual Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) project;

(2)

If the City is successful in receiving this grant, that:

(a)

Council authorize the City to enter a Memorandum of Agreement with Public Works and Government Services Canada and Defence Research and Development Canada Centre for Security Science;

(b)

the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Law and Community Safety be authorized to execute the Memorandum of Agreement.

CARRIED

3.

Richmond Fire-Rescue – August 2012 Activity Report

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3653340)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue August 2012 Activity Report (dated September 26, 2012, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue) be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

RCMP's Monthly Report – August 2012 Activities

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3643211 v. 2)

A discussion ensued among Committee members and Inspector Eric Hall, Richmond RCMP Detachment, about alerting the public about the number of break and enters in the Ironwood area, educating drivers about u-turns, signage for the City Centre Community Policing Station, recruiting auxiliary officers, and the feasibility of moving the South Arm Community Policing Station to a busier location.  

Mayor Brodie entered the meeting (4:43 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – August 2012 Activities (dated October 1, 2012, from the OIC RCMP) be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

COMMUNITY BYLAWS – AUGUST 2012 ACTIVITY REPORT

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3652531)

Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, was available to answer questions. 

Reference was made to Metro Vancouver’s region-wide bylaw for greens management, and it was noted that the City of Richmond is working closely on the matter with Metro Vancouver and other communities, and the details related to enforcement of such bylaw have yet to be determined.    

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Community Bylaws – August 2012 Activity Report (dated September 14, 2012 from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety) be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING PERMITS AND CITY PARKING PROGRAM

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-8952/8953/8122) (REDMS No. 3593198)

A discussion took place about the stricter controls recommended by the Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) for implementation within the City to deter abuse and misuse of accessible parking permits issued to those with disabilities. 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed enhancements to the City’s accessible parking permit program and complimentary pay parking privileges, as presented in the report titled Accessible Parking Permits and City Parking Program from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety and dated September 14, 2012, be endorsed;

(2)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 8952 (Attachment 4) be introduced and given first, second and third reading;

(3)

That Parking (Off-Street) Regulation Bylaw No. 7403, Amendment Bylaw No. 8953 (Attachment 5) be introduced and given first, second and third reading;

(4)

That Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 8954 (Attachment 6) be introduced and given first, second and third reading; and

(5)

That the additional recommendations from the Richmond Centre for Disability related to designated on-street parking spaces and additional education for residents and private property owners be referred to the City’s Parking Advisory Committee for further consideration.

CARRIED

7.

INTEGRATED TEAM ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12

(File Ref. No. 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 3654118)

Anne Stevens, Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy & Programs, provided background information, and a discussion ensued about the comparison of expenditure versus value of services received from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) for various lower mainland municipalities.   

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled Integrated Team Annual Report 2011/2012 from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, dated September 28, 2012, be received for information;

(2)

That copies of the staff report be provided to the Solicitor General and the RCMP requesting the Province to fund the integrated teams at a rate of 70/30 and assume the governance role; and

(3)

That copies of the staff report be sent to the various RCMP cities.

CARRIED

8.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING

(Verbal Report) 

Items for discussion:

(i)

Fire Prevention Week

John McGowan, Fire Chief spoke about the success of the various open houses focused on educating the public on simple and effective steps to have two ways out in case of a fire, meet local fire fighters and the mascot.  He noted that Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) will be at local Canadian Tire and Home Depot stores, and spoke about the support RFR has received from Dominos Pizza in delivering important fire safety messages on pizza boxes and through their social media channels.  

(ii)

Halloween

Chief McGowan noted that an action plan has been put in place for Halloween 2012, and thanked Council for the local ban on fireworks and spoke about the significant reduction in fireworks related incidents as a result of the ban.

(iii)

Langara Agreement Update

An update was provided on the success of the Langara Integrated Energy Healing practicum, and it was noted that a variety of people have benefited from this program. It was further noted that all parties are interested in maintaining the working relationship between the City of Richmond, Richmond Fire-Rescue, Langara College and the Integrative Energy Healing Practitioners.   

(iv)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The RFR are committed to promoting Breast Cancer Awareness month by wearing pink on four different shift days throughout October.

9.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING

(Verbal Report)

Item for discussion:

None.

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, advised that City staff participated in the BC Earthquake Drill on October 8, 2012.  Ms. Procter also spoke about the virtual Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and noted that approximately half of the staff that has been assigned to the Centre will be called upon in the spring to hold an exercise focused on responding to emergencies.  

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:09 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 Wednesday, October 10, 2012.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Derek Dang

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office