February 13, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Derek Dang, Chair
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Bill McNulty

Absent:

Councillor Linda McPhail

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

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, January 15, 2013 be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, March 12, 2013, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PRESENTATION

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Sheila Yamamoto, Block Watch Coordinator and Dave McGee, GIS Analyst, presented Criminal Activity Maps, a crime web application, and the following information was highlighted:

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this is the first Canadian crime web application to use Open Street Map as a base map;

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there is no software licensing or maintenance fees associated with this crime web application;

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the application may be utilized on computers and Smartphones;

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data entry began January 1, 2012 and new data is entered daily; and

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users can apply filters that specify crime types during a specific time period.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the application would be promoted through the Block Watch program; (ii) anyone can utilize the application by entering the web address http://csgeo.city.richmond.bc.ca or by visiting the City’s website; and (iii) groups interested in learning more about the application and its functions can contact the Block Watch Coordinator.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

1.

Richmond Fire-Rescue – December 2012 Activity Report

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3780358)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue – December 2012 Activity Report (dated January 18, 2013, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue) be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Proposed Medical Marihuana Access Regulations

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-03-02) (REDMS No. 3768844)

In reply to queries from Committee, Kim Howell, Deputy Fire Chief, provided background information and advised that as per the current Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMARs), licensees are not obligated to inform local governments of their activities.  She stated that overall the proposed changes to the MMARs are positive in that a potential authorized producer will be required to notify the local government, police, and fire department of the details of the location of production.  However, the proposed changes fail to require that an authorized producer comply with local and provincial laws, such as the Richmond Zoning Bylaw and the BC Building and Fire Codes.

Discussion ensued and Committee expressed concern regarding the proposed changes to the MMARs in relation to the lack of obligation for a potential authorized producer to comply with local and provincial regulations.

It was moved and seconded

That the Minister of Health be advised, by way of comments through the Health Canada website, that the proposed Medical Marihuana Access Regulations require compliance with applicable Provincial and Municipal laws in order to obtain a license.

CARRIED

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

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be sent to the Federal and Provincial Ministers of Health, Richmond MPs, and Richmond MLAs requesting that the proposed Medical Marihuana Access Regulations require compliance with applicable Provincial and Municipal laws in order to obtain a license.

CARRIED

3.

RCMP's Monthly Report – December 2012 Activities

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3743459 v.3)

Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge (OIC), Richmond RCMP, reviewed the RCMP’s December 2012 activities and spoke of statistical trends for 2012.

OIC Nesset commented of break and enters at herbal medicine retailers, highlighting that arrests were recently made.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – December 2012 Activities (dated January 8, 2013, from the OIC RCMP) be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Marine Patrol Program 2012

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3730153 V.8)

OIC Nesset introduced Constable Marco Sallinen, Richmond RCMP.

Constable Sallinen commented on the success of the Marine Patrol Program, and in reply to a query from Committee, stated that relations with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary and Richmond Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue remain positive.

The Chair requested that information promoting the Richmond Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue be provided on the City’s website.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled Marine Patrol Program 2012 (dated January 20, 2013, from the OIC RCMP) be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Community Bylaws – December 2012 Activity Report

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3754775 v.3)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Community Bylaws – December 2012 Activity Report (dated January 24, 2013 from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety) be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING

(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

(i)

Richmond Fire-Rescue New Kit Display

Fire Chief John McGowan, Richmond Fire-Rescue, spoke of Personal Protective Equipment for firefighters, noting that the City will save approximately $800 per set for the new gear.

(ii)

Burn Awareness Week (February 3^rd to February 9^th)

Fire Chief McGowan commented on Burn Awareness Week, stating that RFR is committed to providing the community with harm prevention strategies that will increase public safety.

(iii)

Anti-Bullying Day (February 27^th)

Fire Chief McGowan stated that RFR and Local 1286 are keen to raise awareness against bullying and will be showing their support by wearing a pink shirt and by attending schools to speak on the matter.

(iv)

Bright Nights in Stanley Park

Fire Chief McGowan highlighted that over $300,000 was raised for the Firefighters’ Burn Fund throughout the 2012 holiday season.

7.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING

(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

(i)

Herbal Store B & E

Please refer to Page 3 for discussion on this matter.

(ii)

Provincial Government/Impact/ICBC Announce Significant Reductions In Auto Crime In BC (2012)

OIC Nesset highlighted that since 2003 auto-related crimes reported to ICBC have dropped by 50 to 75 per cent in BC.

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:39 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, February 13, 2013.

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Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk