November 12, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, November 12, 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 Wednesday, October 15, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, December 9, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

1.

RCMP's Monthly Report - September Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4377017)

Superintendant Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, commented on the increased crime statistics and continued efforts to reduce residential and property thefts in an effort to reach specific targets.  Also, Supt. Nesset advised that current figures vary from those of the past perhaps due to the success of previous enforcement measures.

Committee commended community policing volunteers who distribute notices on vehicles at specific parking lots in an effort to promote vehicle safety.  Also, Committee expressed appreciation for the number of Auxiliary Officers and their involvement at local events to foster community safety.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – September Activities dated October 6, 2014, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – September 2014
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4381069)

Committee thanked staff for their efforts in addressing unsafe illegal suites in the City, and commented on the importance of neighbourhood involvement in identifying such issues.

Discussion ensued and Committee raised concern with regard to the muzzling of dangerous dogs at off-leash dog parks and directed staff to post appropriate signage at the No. 3 Road dog park.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report –September 2014, dated October 20, 2014, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Richmond Fire-Rescue – September 2014 Activity Report
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4389363)

Deputy Fire Chief Tim Wilkinson, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR), highlighted the importance of training with regard to RFR’s ability to respond to critical incidents; for instance, he noted that a variety of skills were utilized in the upside down vehicle incident on River Road.

Committee expressed appreciation for the RFR’s efforts throughout the River Road incident and acknowledged support for training.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue – September 2014 Activity Report, dated October 20, 2014, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

BC AMBULANCE SERVICE – DISPATCH PROTOCOL CHANGES
(File Ref. No. 09-5125-01) (REDMS No. 4364121)

Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson provided background information regarding the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) dispatch protocol changes.

Discussion ensued regarding the importance of RFR’s attendance at medical events and that staff examine and report back to Committee on options for maintaining RFR’s current level of service should BC Emergency Health Services implement Phase Two of the Resource Allocation Plan (RAP). 

In response to a query from Committee, Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law and Community Safety, advised that RFR has not been excluded from attending medical events under Phase One of the dispatch protocol changes.  She noted that the staff report is seeking Council’s support in requesting that BC Emergency Health Services suspend implementing Phase Two of the RAP until an agreement has been reached on service levels for the City. Also, Ms. Carlyle noted that the BC Fire Chief Association and the Metro Vancouver Mayors Committee support the request before Committee.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Fire Chief continue to update Council on the impacts of the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) dispatch protocol changes; and

(2)

That Council write a letter to the BC Emergency Health Services, requesting that no further changes to the BCAS Resource Allocation Plan be implemented without consultation and agreement with the City of Richmond. 

CARRIED

4A.

traffic calming pedestrian zone signs

(File Ref. No.)

Committee requested that staff provide an update on a pilot project regarding traffic calming measures on Tweedsmuir Avenue near Maple Lane Elementary School.

4B.

speeding on russ baker way and HOV lane violations
(File Ref. No.)

Committee commented on excessive speeds along Russ Baker Way and HOV lane violations and requested increased enforcement.

5.

RCMP AND FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Halloween Update

Insp. Nesset and Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson advised that there were few incidents on Halloween and that crews were present at areas of interest.

(ii)

RFR Christmas Open House Events

Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson advised that planning is underway for the “Light Up the Firehall” Christmas Open House events that will be held from December 1 to 5, 2014 at Brighouse Fire Hall No. 1, Steveston Fire Hall No. 2, Sea Island Fire Hall No 4, Shellmont Fire Hall No. 6, and Hamilton Fire Hall No. 5, respectively, between 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Committee thanked RFR staff involved in erecting the light display at Stanley Park, noting that proceeds of the event are directed towards camps for burn victims.

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Electronic Cigarettes

Ed Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, provided an update on the research being conducted regarding electronic cigarettes and that a report from Dr. James Lu, Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), is expected to be issued in early 2015.  Mr. Warzel advised that a staff report would be provided to Committee once the VCH statement has been released.

Discussion ensued regarding nicotine inhalers and that an amendment to Public Health Protection Bylaw No. 6989 may be required to regulate certain electronic cigarettes.

(ii)

Ebola Update

Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, provided information on a tabletop exercise held at the Vancouver International Airport by the Public Health Agency of Canada in response to the current Ebola health concern.  Ms. Procter outlined the procedures regarding (i) patient care and transportation to isolation facilities at Richmond General Hospital or Surrey Memorial Hospital, (ii) passenger safety, and (iii) aircraft decontamination.  She then advised that meetings will take place in order to ensure that first responders have the proper personal protective equipment.

(iii)

Changes to the Police Act

Barbara Sage, Staff Solicitor, provided an update on legislative changes to the BC Police Act and provided the following information:

·

Bill 4, given first reading on October 23, 2014, proposes to grant the Province sweeping powers to impose a specialized service provider for the provision of specialized policing services on a municipality and to allocate the costs for such services between the municipalities and the Province;

·

former Bill 14, now known as the Justice Statutes Amendment Act 2014, amended a number of statutes including the Police Act; however, not all amendments are in force;

·

currently in force, the number of persons the Provincial Cabinet can appoint to a municipal police board has been raised by two, thereby increasing the Province’s involvement in the constitution of the police board; a municipal police board will now consist of the mayor, one person appointed by Council and not more than seven (formerly five) persons appointed by the Province;

·

an amendment not yet in force gives the Province greater power to (i) require cooperation and coordination among the provincial police force, municipal police departments, and designated policing units in relation to the investigations into the whereabouts of missing persons, (ii) establish standards respecting principles, practices and strategies to be used in missing persons cases and complex investigations and major crimes and community consultation; and

· 

a further amendment not yet in force adds Part (8.1) of the Act, which deals with internal and external audits of major case investigations.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:44 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, November 12, 2014.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk