September 9, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

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, July 15, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, October 15, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

1.

RCMP's Monthly Report - June Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4284909)

RCMP's Monthly Report - July Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4295569)

Superintendant Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, reviewed RCMP activities for June and July 2014 and commented on the number of alleged sexual offence cases; he noted that of all the open investigations, only some fall under the jurisdiction of the Richmond RCMP.  He further commented that the Richmond RCMP is working closely with Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) with regard to identifying anyone involved in the arson incidents.

In reply to a query from Committee, Supt. Nesset noted that the Richmond RCMP Traffic Division will focus on distracted driver enforcement in support of the ICBC initiative.

Discussion ensued and Committee requested that:

· 

staff separate sexual offence files specific to Richmond from those of other municipalities;

·

residential break and enter e-mail alert system be further promoted;

·

speed enforcement be increased on high traffic roads;

· 

full traffic signals be examined at pedestrian crosswalks along Minoru Boulevard and Westminster Highway;

·

a progress report on the City Centre Community Police Station with respect to effectiveness, activity levels, and volunteers be provided; and

·

any potential impacts to the Richmond RCMP budget and service levels due to budget cuts to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit British Columbia be reported.

Committee expressed appreciation for the Richmond RCMP’s attendance at community events, which supports raising public awareness and confidence.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – June Activities, dated July 11, 2014, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information; and

(2)

That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – July Activities, dated July 21, 2014, from the Officer In Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Fire-Rescue – June 2014 Activity Report
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4307432)

Richmond Fire-Rescue – July 2014 Activity Report
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4307393)

Tim Wilkinson, Deputy Fire Chief, RFR, advised that RFR had an opportunity to attend Bariatric Lift and Transfer training, noting that injuries related to the lift and transfer of patients is a significant issue for firefighters.  Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson encouraged public assistance in reporting outdoor fires and emphasized the importance of RFR arriving promptly at such incidents in an effort to maximize containment and minimize loss of property.

In response to a query from Committee, Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson commented that, with the implementation of phase one of the BC Ambulance Services (BCAS) dispatch protocol changes, RFR has experienced fewer medical call outs; however, RFR’s attendance at these calls is longer.  He further commented that BCAS advised that the second phase of the dispatch protocol changes will be coming into effect in the near future, which will further reduce RFR’s notification of certain medical events.

Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law and Community Safety, advised that a staff report responding to the referral from the April 28, 2014 Council meeting regarding the impacts of the BCAS dispatch protocol changes has been delayed due to (i) differing statistical analysis between RFR and BCAS, and (ii) limited access to patient care information.

Committee expressed appreciation for RFR’s involvement at community events and suggested the IAFF 1297 Society consider making the “Boot Drive” fundraiser available at such events.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue – June 2014 Activity Report, dated September 2, 2014, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information; and

(2)

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue – July 2014 Activity Report, dated September 2, 2014 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – June 2014
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4283951)

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – July 2014
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4312167)

Edward Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, attributed the significant increase in new dog licences to focused public communication and canvassing programming.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Warzel provided the following information:

·

with respect to dangerous dogs, restraint and/or leash requirement information is provided to the owner at the time of an incident or during the licencing process;

·

dangerous dog incidents can be reported to (i) the Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) during regular business hours, (ii) the Community Bylaws Division during the evenings, and (iii) Richmond RCMP after hours; and

·

with the exception of specific breeds designated under Dog Licencing Bylaw No. 7138, a dangerous dog classification is a result of a verified serious injure to, attack of, or aggressive harassment or pursuit of a person or animal.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – June 2014, dated August 14, 2014, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information; and

(2)

That the staff report titled, Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – July 2014, dated August 14, 2014, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3A.

Terra nova playground signage
(File Ref. No.)

Councillor Halsey-Brandt commented on the need for an increase in the number and size of “No Dogs Allowed” signage at the newly opened Terra Nova Rural Park playground.  Staff was directed to examine the adequacy of the said signage and to increase the frequency of Community Bylaw enforcement at the park.

4.

Single Source Procurement – Fire Engine with Pump

(File Ref. No. 02-0750-01) (REDMS No. 4335972)

In reply to queries from Committee, Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson advised that (i) a ten percent savings was achieved through the identification of efficiencies by a multi-functional team from RFR and the Purchasing division, and (ii) the proposed price includes on-site visits, training, and equipment valued at approximately $100,000.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a single source procurement, for a Fire Engine with Pump be negotiated to contract award with Wholesale Fire & Rescue Ltd. (WFR), at a total cost to be determined within the approved capital expenditure budget of $812,670, which was included in the City’s 2014 Capital Budget for one new fire engine with pump;

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer, General Manager of Finance and Corporate Services and General Manager of Law and Community Safety be authorized to award a single source contract as a result of the negotiation with WFR for the purchase of  a  Fire Engine with Pump; and

(3)

Should negotiations with WFR result in a failure to achieve best value for the City and a contract is not awarded, the City shall go to the marketplace by means of competitive bid for this requirement.

CARRIED

Frances Clark, 8160 Railway Avenue, requested that Committee consider amending the motion to include negotiations for three Fire Engines with Pumps and read from her written submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1).

Committee expressed appreciation for Ms. Clark’s comments and noted that Council will be working with staff to review the allocation of casino funds, including the formula utilized for said allocation, through the upcoming annual budget process.

5.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Bloodmobile Update

Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson highlighted that 24 units of blood were collected at the August 19^th Bloodmobile event surpassing the target of 18 units.

(ii)

Lafarge Training Site Update

Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson stated that access to the Lafarge Training Site will commence on October 1, 2014.  The site will be designed to provide a safe training facility for various response scenarios, such as horizontal high-rises, live fires (propane props), driver training, confined space entry, high angle rescue, and rapid intervention.

(iii)

Fire Prevention Week

Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson advised that “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives” is the theme for the 2014 Fire Prevention Week taking place from October 5 to October 11, 2014.

(iv)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson stated that RFR members will be wearing pink shirts and pink medical gloves throughout October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In response to queries from Committee, Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson provided the following information:

§ 

each rescue vehicle or fire engine requires a staffing level  of approximately 48 firefighters to provide 24/7 coverage;

§ 

there are approximately five occurrences annually in which (i) RFR resources were fully deployed, and (ii) the mutual aid partnership amongst municipal fire-rescue services was activated; and

§ 

the upcoming service level review will identify any potential equipment and service level shortfalls.

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Arson

Supt. Nesset provided background information on the increase in small arson fires and congratulated Firefighter Darren Rowley who assisted in identifying a potential suspect for several of the arsons.

(ii)

Operation Dry Water

Supt. Nesset advised that Operation Dry Water is a three-year project targeting boaters to refrain from operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol.

(iii)

Interdepartmental – Prolific Offender Arrest

Supt. Nesset highlighted the partnership with the Burnaby RCMP and New Westminster Police Department in successfully apprehending two prolific break and enter suspects.

(iv)

Emergency Preparedness – Railway

Supt. Nesset noted that, in conjunction with Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways, RFR completed scenario based training on how to respond in the event a train comes into contact with a pedestrian, vehicle, or building.

(v)

RCMP Boat Patrol

Supt. Nesset spoke to the RCMP Boat Patrol activity in water safety enforcement in regard to pleasure and commercial boating, particularly along the South Arm of the Fraser River.

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:16 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, September 9, 2014.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk