October 16, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Derek Dang, Chair (entered at 4:01 p.m.)
Councillor Linda McPhail, Vice-Chair
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Bill McNulty

Call to Order:

The Vice-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 10, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, November 13, 2013, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

Cllr. Derek Dang entered the meeting (4:01 p.m.).

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That the UBCM Derelict and Abandoned Vessels Draft Manual be added to the agenda as Item 4A.

CARRIED

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

1.

community bylaws – august 2013 activity report
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3984502)

Edward Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, highlighted that there had been a concentrated effort to reduce the number of abandoned homes from 107 in August 2012 to the current total of 81 residences.  The decreases in revenues were due to increased resources for parking enforcement in Steveston during the summer of 2012.

In response to queries regarding the reduction in abandoned homes, the status of the parking meter replacement program, and the Dispute Adjudication program, Mr. Warzel advised that the reduction in abandoned homes was due to working with the homeowners resulting in the residences either being demolished or renovated for occupancy.  The cost for the parking meter replacement program has been approved by Council and staff is in the final stages of the Request for Proposal process.  In terms of the Dispute Adjudication Program success by the applicant is related to the quality of the dispute.

Committee raised a concern regarding pest control related to the available food source from the seed used by persons feeding pigeons in the area.  Mr. Warzel acknowledged the concern and noted that while enforcement is problematic, staff are addressing the issue through environmental changes, such as, garbage disposal and trimming back vegetation.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Community Bylaws – August 2013 Activity Report dated September 12, 2013, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE – AUGUST 2013 ACTIVITY REPORT
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3986344 v.2)

Fire Chief John McGowan, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR), commented that the August 2013 statistics are fairly typical for the summer months.  Many of the outdoor fires were the result of the warm, dry weather season with bark mulch and grass fires.  RFR has been working closely with the business community, especially with large installations that use bark mulch, to mix other less combustible materials with the rock and gravel.

In reply to a query concerning Lafarge, Fire Chief McGowan advised that the final lease agreement is before Lafarge’s facilities staff and he is expecting the agreement to come before Committee shortly.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue – August 2013 Activity Report, dated October 4, 2013, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

RCMP'S MONTHLY REPORT – AUGUST 2013 ACTIVITIES
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3990194)

Superintendent Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, highlighted the following from the August 2013 Activities report:

§   

that the Operation “Dry Water” event held in partnership with the Canadian Safe Boating Council was a great success;

§   

two men were charged in the kidnapping attempt while two other suspects have disappeared; and

§   

the City of Richmond is not alone in the increase in residential break and enters, as the district crime analysis reports that all areas are suffering the same plight.

Superintendent Nesset distributed the “3^rd Quarter 2013 Richmond RCMP Crime Prevention Newsletter” to Committee (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

In response to queries regarding the cost of firearms qualification per officer, the use of the Vancouver Gun Club for firearms qualification, and distracted driving charges, Superintendant Nesset advised the cost for one officer for one full day of firearms qualification in Chilliwack is $450.00.  The RCMP has not investigated the use of the Vancouver Gun Club for the annual firearms qualification; however, Assistant Commissioner Norm Lipinski is in negotiations with the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) for the use of their facility at considerable savings.  In terms of the distracted drivers, officers are prosecuting drivers they witness using an electronic device. The RCMP is hesitant to encourage the involvement of the general public.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – August 2013 Activities” (dated October 8, 2013, from the Officer in Charge, RCMP) be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

LOWER MAINLAND DISTRICT REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE INTEGRATED TEAM ANNUAL REPORT 2012/13
(File Ref. No. 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 3983025 v.8)

Anne Stevens, Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy & Programs, summarized that the costs to the City of Richmond for 2012/13 was $429,000.  The average cost over the past two years is $421,000.  In terms of the costs of the integrated teams to the City, staff reported the projected value of service on the information provided.

Discussion ensued regarding the current funding formula of cost based on Criminal Code activity, accurate accounting of the cost and services, and the disproportional distribution of costs to the Municipalities.

Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety, advised that discussions are taking place concerning whether the current funding formula is still appropriate and whether different formulas should be applied for different teams.  Previously, when Municipalities have objected to the funding formula the Provincial government has upheld the terms of the agreement.

Ms. Carlyle suggested that Committee hear from the Officer in Charge of the Integrated Teams and express the need for better accounting in order to show value for the service provided.

Further discussion ensued regarding obtaining an accurate accounting of the integrated services that reflect the true costs of services.  Ms. Carlyle advised that staff conduct an analysis of the annual report and attempt to determine activity based on the data provided.  At the conclusion of the discussion the following motion was introduced.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled “Lower Mainland District Regional Police Service Integrated Team Annual Report 2012/2013” from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, dated September 24, 2013, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Officer in Charge of the Integrated Teams be invited to attend a Community Safety Committee meeting to more fully explain the services provided and the basis of all cost allocations.

CARRIED

4A.

UBCM DERELICT AND ABANDONED VESSELS DRAFT MANUAL
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

Councillor McPhail advised that UBCM has prepared a draft manual regarding the complex issue of derelict and abandoned vessels.  As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the UBCM Draft Manual on Derelict and Abandoned Vessels be referred to staff for input.

The question on the motion was not called as staff was directed to include the cost and any responsibility of the City in the analysis of the draft manual.  The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED.

5.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report) 

Items for discussion:

(i)

Richmond Fire-Rescue United Way Fundraising Activities

As part of the City of Richmond’s United Way Annual fundraising campaign Fire Chief McGowan invited Council to attend the Car Wash at Fire Hall No 1 at Gilbert and Granville on Saturday, October 19, 2013, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (weather permitting).

(ii)

Richmond Fire-Rescue Vehicle Sponsorship

Fire Chief McGowan advised that In 2012 City Council approved funding for 50% of a Mobile Fire and Life Safety Public Education Trailer.  The balance of the funding was to be acquired through sponsorship. With the assistance of Jordan Thorsteinson, Manager of Corporate Partnerships, we have garnered the sponsorship of the Richmond Branch of Canadian Western Bank for a donation of $67,500 towards the purchase of this unit. Once the internal processes are complete and the market is explored for suppliers a trailer can be built and delivered within four months from the purchase order being issued.  This unit provides a more realistic, yet safe, educational experience for the public in fire and life safety education, as well as extreme weather scenarios.

(iii)

Movember

Fire Chief McGowan stated that RFR members will be participating in the Movember fundraising charity events to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues. The launch will start on November 1^st and at the end of the month RFR will host a ‘Movember Shave-Off’ at City Hall on Friday, November 29^th, at 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to catch the maximum traffic for a boot shake.  This year RFRs Local 1286 Union have arranged for large Moustache’s to be placed on our Fire Trucks in support of the event.

(iv)

School Fire Drills

Fire Chief McGowan advised that in our efforts to achieve RFR’s Mission, to protect and enhance the liveability of the City through service excellence in education, prevention and emergency response, this year’s school fire drills were enhanced by adding a Fire and Life Safety Education (F&LSE) component linked to Fire Prevention Week.  The campaign ran from Monday, September 30^th to Friday, October 4^th.  A total of 51 schools were visited (38 elementary, 10 secondary, and 3 private) by RFR.  Following on from the school fire drills RFRs F&LSE will be providing 35 extra age specific safety presentations in a class setting.

(v)

Joint Update with RCMP – Pedestrian Safety Week

Fire Chief McGowan, accompanied by Supt. Nesset, advised that the Pedestrian Safety campaign (organised by the RCMP) will be launched on the morning of Wednesday, October 23, 2013.  The city wide initiative is directed at pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists to promote key safety messages when crossing and using the roads.  RCMP, along with ICBC, has designated high traffic and pedestrian areas such as the Canada Line transit stations, and Buswell Bus Loop to distribute reflective wrist/arm bands along with a pamphlet on pedestrian safety.

(vi)

Joint Update with RCMP & Emergency Programs – Halloween

Fire Chief McGowan, accompanied by Supt. Nesset, spoke to the measures being taken by the RCMP and Emergency services for a save community Halloween event.  RFR Halloween operations will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 11 p.m.  Halloween has been relatively quiet in terms of emergency response as a direct result of the fireworks bylaw implementation.  RFR will have two additional fire crews available and will be patrolling areas of interest (schools, hospitals, and community centers).  RFR will be present at all corporate fireworks displays.  RCMP will also provide enhanced patrols.

Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, advised that Community Services and Community Bylaws will have extra staff available and are taking appropriate measures in anticipation of a safe community event.

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Item for discussion:

(i)

RCMP – Hits on Criminal Activity Map Sites

Supt. Nesset advised that in August 2013 there were 2251 visits by 1907 individuals with 5290 pages viewed on the Richmond RCMP and City of Richmond Crime Prevention Criminal Activity Map web pages.

(ii)

RCMP Strategic Plan

Supt. Nesset noted that the current RCMP Strategic Plan is coming to an end and that a new Strategic Plan should be coming before Council in the near future. 

(iii)

Family Shoplifting

Supt. Nesset updated Committee on the apprehension of a family for shoplifting.  When officers attended the residence a hoard of stolen goods was discovered.  Officers have since received calls from individuals that may have purchased goods from the family.

(iv)

Residential Break & Enters

With regard to the residential break and entries, Supt. Nesset advised that officers apprehended a 73 year old individual who may have been involved in 8 or more offences.

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Policy Models Report

In reply to a query, Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety Department, advised that staff have received a draft of the report and the authors will present the report to Committee in November.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:52 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 16, 2013.

_________________________________

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Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk