May 14, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, May 14, 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

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, April 9, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, June 11, 2013, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

1.

RCMP'S MONTHLY REPORT – MARCH 2013 ACTIVITIES

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3826941)

Eric Hall, Inspector, Operations Support Officer, Richmond RCMP, commented on the increase in business break and entries for March 2013 and noted that traditionally these statistics average out over the course of the year.

In response to query from Committee, Mr. Hall advised that there is a tool on the website where people can register their e-mail addresses with the City and receive regular notifications of break and entries in their area.  Mr. Hall further advised that the RCMP have had great success with enforcement by dedicating several officers whose primary focus is to identify groups of individuals who may be responsible for a number of the break and entries.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – March 2013 Activities (dated May 1, 2013, from the OIC RCMP) be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Fire-Rescue – march 2013 Activity Report 

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3834477 v.2)

In reply to query from Committee, Fire Chief John McGowan, Richmond Fire-Rescue, commented that the number of medical calls continues to be a concern within the community.  Richmond Fire Rescue partners with the local Health Authority in educating the public on general safety practices.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue – March 2013 Activity Report, dated May 2, 2013, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

COMMUNITY BYLAWS – MARCH 2013 ACTIVITY REPORT 

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3829874 v.2)

In response to queries from Committee, Magda Laljee, Supervisor, Community Bylaws, provided further information on the following:

§  soils arriving at the Finn Road site continue to be closely monitored by Community Bylaws and Agricultural Land Commission Inspectors;

§  there is an active litigation file pursuant to the activity at the Blundell Road property;

§  the City is currently requesting proposals for new collection services and that approximately 30% of the outstanding accounts receivable are related to parking tickets; and

§  dog licensing has decreased from previous years but property and parking officers will be focusing on a city-wide dog licence canvassing initiative.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Community Bylaws – March 2013 Activity Report (dated April 15, 2013), from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety) be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

TENDER AWARD T.4747 – FIRE PUMP APPARATUS AND 105’ LADDER APPARATUS 

(File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 3835180 v.10)

In reply to query from Committee, Deputy Fire Chief Tim Wilkinson, Richmond Fire-Rescue, advised that the 105’ Ladder Apparatus meets the operational criteria for the City as the Building and Fire Codes regulate interior fire fighting measures for floors above the sixth in high-rise developments.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That tender T.4747, for a Fire Pump Apparatus and a 105’  Ladder Apparatus, be awarded to Wholesale Fire & Rescue Ltd., at a total cost of $1,874,451, plus applicable taxes; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Law and Community Safety be authorized to execute the contract with Wholesale Fire & Rescue Ltd. (WFR) for the purchase of two (2) fire apparatus.

CARRIED

5.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING

(Verbal Report) 

Items for discussion:

(i)

Recruitment

Fire Chief McGowan gave a brief update on the recruiting process currently taking place at the fire hall.  The City received over 500 applications for 100 positions with Richmond Fire-Rescue. There are approximately 112 applicants undergoing thorough job requirement testing, specifically the physical component, over the next two days.  Written testing will take place in June with the intention of having the new personnel in place by mid-September.

(ii)

Doors Open Richmond

Fire Chief McGowan noted that the Open Doors event was a wonderful success with over 850 people attending over the weekend.

(iii)

McHappy Day

Fire Chief McGowan and Deputy Fire Chief Howell participated in the McHappy Day event working in front and behind the counters encouraging donations to Ronald McDonald House.

(iv)

North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week

Fire Chief McGowan advised that the North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week is scheduled for May 5^th to 11^th.  This is an important week bringing employers, employees and various agencies together to discuss work safe issues and plans.

(v)

RFR & RCMP Summer Camp Programs

Fire Chief McGowan and Inspector Hall spoke of the joint one day summer camp sessions planned for children between the ages of 8 to 12.  The purpose behind the programs is to increase trust towards policing by teaching drills, physical training, and crime scene investigations.  The registration fee covers a T-Shirt, pizza lunch, and other items.

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING

(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

(i)

Marine Patrol – Summer 2013 Activities

Inspector Hall noted that a total of 77 patrols were run in 2012.  An application has been submitted to the Province for funding in the amount of $20,000 to offset costs of the members and maintenance of the vessel for 2013.

(ii)

Vancouver International Airport Exercise

Inspector Hall advised the “live” Vancouver International Airport exercise was held on April 17^th with the simulation of a plane crash to the west of the airport.  Richmond Fire, B.C. Ambulance, Transport Canada and other first responders participated in the exercise.  It was very successful and the exercise was useful in defining the roles and responsibilities of the responding groups.

(iii)

Westminster Highway Collision

Inspector Hall noted that the tragic accident at the intersection of Knight Street and Westminster Highway was an unpredictable event involving speeds of 210 km/h. Investigation units are in the process of reconstructing the scene in order to determine what may have caused the accident (i.e. vehicle malfunction, etc.).

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, gave a brief update on the high water advisory for the Lower Mainland area and precautions being taken by staff with respect to emergency gear and sand bag inventory, dyke inspections, and appropriate signage.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:43 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, May 14, 2013.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Heather Howey
Acting Committee Clerk