March 12, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Derek Dang, Chair
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Ken Johnston
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 Wednesday, February 13, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, April 9, 2013, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

1.

Richmond Fire-Rescue – January 2013 Activity Report

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3801260)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue – January 2013 Activity Report (dated February 14, 2013, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue) be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Business Plan (2012-2015) Progress Report

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3799183)

In reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief John McGowan, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) provided the following information:

§   

RFR wishes to improve its emergency response times in 2013 by refining its dispatch to on-scene workflows and by ameliorating traffic-light operations with the aid of the Transportation division;

§   

a staff report regarding the proposed community sponsorship package is anticipated to be brought forward for Council’s consideration in Spring 2013; and

§   

while attending a community event, firefighters remain in service and if a call for service comes through they immediately leave the event to respond to the call.

Discussion ensued regarding the increase in the number of vehicles failing to yield and to pull over when being approached by an emergency vehicle.  It was noted that a public education campaign in partnership with other stakeholders such as the Richmond RCMP and ICBC would be timely.

In response to additional queries from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan advised that RFR is currently examining its inspections program and analysing the risks associated with certain types of inspections.  He remarked that RFR has engaged the Richmond Chamber of Commerce on other fire safety initiatives and that this relationship could be expanded to include business inspections. 

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue Business Plan (2012-2015) Progress Report (dated February 14, 2013, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue) be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

RCMP's Monthly Report – January 2013 Activities

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3795582)

In reply to queries from Committee, Lainie Goddard, Manager, RCMP Administration, spoke of the Block Watch Program and advised that when a residential break and enter occurs, letters highlighting home safety tips and encouraging residents to join or form a Block Watch Program are circulated within the surrounding neighbourhood.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – January 2013 Activities (dated February 25, 2013, from the OIC, RCMP) be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

2013/2014 RCMP Annual Performance Plan – Community Priorities

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3768183)

OIC Nesset provided background information and requested Committee’s input regarding the proposed community priorities as part of the 2013/2014 RCMP Annual Performance Plan.

In response to comments made by Committee, OIC Nesset advised that distracted driving due to the use of cell phones is a priority across the lower mainland. Also, OIC Nesset spoke of pedestrian safety and stated that although there was a decrease in the number of fatalities, the number of interactions between pedestrians and vehicles remains concerning.

OIC Nesset stated that the Richmond RCMP would be pleased to partner with RFR and other stakeholders to promote appropriate road safety behaviours such as pulling over when approached by an emergency vehicle.

Discussion ensued regarding the proposed community priorities as part of the 2013/2014 RCMP Annual Performance Plan and there was agreement that all three community objectives be included as part of the 2013/2014 RCMP Annual Performance Plan. 

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

It was moved and seconded

That (i) pedestrian safety, (ii) break and enters (residential and commercial), and (iii) personal theft/robbery in downtown core be included as community priorities for the Richmond Detachment 2013/2014 (April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014) RCMP Annual Performance Plan.

CARRIED

5.

Community Bylaws – January 2013 Activity Report

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3799171 v.10)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Community Bylaws – January 2013 Activity Report (dated February 22, 2013 from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety) be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

Animal Control Program – Enhanced Welfare and Regulation

(File Ref. No.12-8060-20-8961/8966/8962) (REDMS No. 3790655 v.10)

Edward Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, provided background information and advised that staff anticipate integrating the Animal Control Regulation Bylaw with the adjudication process.

Discussion ensued regarding existing off-leash dog areas and it was noted that these areas are littered with dog feces due to irresponsible owners who fail to pick up after their dogs.  The addition of Woodward’s Slough Park as an off-leash dog area is concerning as it may result in the park displaying similar conditions.

In response to this concern, Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, advised that additional signage could be installed at off-leash dog areas, and that commercial dog walkers would be reminded of off-leash dog area regulations.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed amendments to the City’s Animal Control Regulations related to dogs and other animals, as presented in the report titled Animal Control Program – Enhanced Welfare And Regulation from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety (dated January 25, 2013) be endorsed;

(2)

That Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 7932, Amendment Bylaw No. 8961 be introduced and given first, second and third reading;

(3)

That Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 7321, Amendment Bylaw No. 8966 be introduced and given first, second, and third reading; and

(4)

That Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 8962 be introduced and given first, second, and third reading.

CARRIED

7.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING

(Verbal Report) 

Items for discussion:

(i)

Pedestrian Safety Campaign

Please see Page 5 for discussion on this matter.

(ii)

British Columbia Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund

Fire Chief McGowan highlighted that through IAFF Local 1286, Richmond firefighters have contributed over $100,000 to fund one of eight accommodation units at the Burn Fund Centre in Vancouver.

(iii)

RFR Recognition Ceremony

Fire Chief McGowan stated that the RFR recognition ceremony is scheduled to take place at one o’clock on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Fire Hall No. 1.

(i)

Pedestrian Safety Campaign

Fire Chief McGowan, accompanied by OIC Nesset, commented on the March 7, 2013 pedestrian safety campaign held at the Brighouse Canada Line station.

8.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING

(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

(i)

911 Awards

OIC Nesset spoke of the 11^th Annual 911 Awards scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at the River Rock Casino.

(ii)

April YVR Exercise

OIC Nesset advised that the Vancouver Airport Authority will be hosting a full scale exercise event on Wednesday, April 17, 2013.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:07 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, March 12, 2013.

_________________________________

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Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk