April 14, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Linda McPhail

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

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, March 10, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, May 12, 2015, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATION

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1), Aaron Harnden, Unit Leader, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) Station 10 updated Committee on the RCMSAR’s activities.

In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Harnden provided the following information:

§   

the RCMSAR has approximately 44 members;

§   

10 members joined the RCMSAR in 2014, with six members completing the training program; approximately 17 individuals have enrolled for the 2015 training session;

§   

the closure of the Kitsilano Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue station has had little effect on the number of calls to the RCMSAR;

§   

in addition to boating safety courses offered by the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, the RCMSAR is exploring opportunities to conduct pleasure boating safety education and checks at the Britannia and Imperial Landing docks; and

§   

incident reports are provided to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria (JRCC); the JRCC report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.

PRESENTATION

2.

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, accompanied by Corporal Tony Bernard, Traffic Unit, Richmond RCMP, presented on new traffic counter units, noting that the units have a 98% accuracy rating and will be (i) mounted on City light standards, (ii) programmed to record traffic volume, speed, distances between vehicles, and other data, and (iii) used to assist in traffic enforcement.  He further noted that two units, costing approximately $5,000 per unit, have been purchased; upon completion of the trial period, it is anticipated that an additional four to six units will be obtained.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Wei provided the following comments:

§   

two initial sites for the use of the traffic counter units will be along Steveston Highway and Garden City Road;

§   

the selection criteria included (i) installation safety, (ii) favourable feedback from other jurisdictions, and (iii) cost;

§   

the units are widely used throughout the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada;

§   

staff anticipate approaching the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia to explore cost sharing opportunities for future purchases;

§   

the units are expected to have a life span of approximately 20 years; and

§   

the public will be informed on the new traffic counter units and their use in traffic enforcement through various communication mediums.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

3.

COMMUNITY BYLAWS MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – FEBRUARY 2015
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4523351 v. 5)

Discussion ensued regarding the potential for residents to appeal the designation of “dangerous dog” as per Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 7932.  It was suggested that the matter be referred to staff to explore practices of other municipalities as it relates to an appeal process for a dangerous dog registration and report back to Committee.

The Chair referenced correspondence from a resident, dated April 12, 2015, related to an unsightly premise on Sealord Place (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), and staff was directed to update Council on the matter.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – February 2015, dated March 13, 2015, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Richmond Fire-Rescue – February 2015 Activity Report
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4533713)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue – February 2015 Activity Report, dated March 16, 2015, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

RCMP's Monthly Report - February Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4528219 v. 2)

In reply to queries from Committee, Inspector Sean Maloney, Richmond RCMP, advised that, while mailbox theft is a Lower Mainland issue, Richmond has not been identified by Canada Post as an area of significant concern.  Additionally, Insp. Maloney advised that arrests made in March 2015 have further reduced mailbox theft in Richmond.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the need for public education related to running red lights, and (ii) reports of attendants at a local gas station requesting credit card personal identification numbers from customers.  Insp. Maloney commented that the matters would be investigated and the information provided to Committee.

In response to queries from Committee, Superintendent Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge (OIC), Richmond RCMP, advised that graduates from the RCMP Youth Academy are presented certificates from the Superintendent of Schools and himself.  Regarding Auxiliary Constables’ involvement in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, Supt. Nesset noted that Auxiliary Constables are continuing to deliver the D.A.R.E. program in schools; however, pending clarification from Ottawa regarding the Auxiliary Constable program, the delivery of said program may change.

Committee referenced an article on the Rick Hansen Foundation website (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) and congratulated the Richmond RCMP on the success of the pilot School Sports Program.  Insp. Maloney advised that it is anticipated that the Program, in partnership with the Richmond School District, the Rick Hansen Foundation and Ambassadors, will continue.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – February Activities, dated March 5, 2015, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

Richmond RCMP Block Watch Program
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4510071 v. 6)

Lainie Goddard, Manager, RCMP Administration, provided background information on the Richmond RCMP Block Watch program.

In response to queries from Committee, Ms. Goddard commented that (i) the budget amount related to Block Watch signage would be provided to Committee, (ii) two full-time municipal employees, complimented by five Community Policing personnel, coordinate the Block Watch program, and (iii) canvassing for volunteers is on-going through Auxiliary Constables and Block Watch Captains.

It was moved and seconded

That in 2016, staff prepare a further report on the progress of the Block Watch program.

CARRIED

7.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Youth Squad

Please refer to Page 4 for discussion on this matter.

(ii)

OnSide

Insp. Maloney stated that the Richmond RCMP do not have a funding source for the OnSide Program, which provides police officers the opportunity to take youth to a Vancouver Canucks sporting event.  Richmond RCMP are hopeful that tickets to BC Lions games will be made available.

8.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

McHappy Day

Fire Chief John McGowan, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR), advised that, on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, Deputy Chief Kim Howell and he, along with volunteer off-duty crews, will be participating in the McHappy Day event to raise funds to support children in need.

(ii)

CN Rail

Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Gray, RFR, commented that, with regard to clean-up efforts for the operation on No. 5 Road, CN Rail have submitted a compliance plan.  He further commented that RFR issued an Order to Comply on April 7, 2015.

(iii)

Recruitment

Fire Chief McGowan advised that RFR received 579 applications.  He spoke of the recruitment process, noting that he anticipates hiring approximately eight new recruits by September 2015.

(iv)

Status of Fire Hall Projects

Deputy Fire Chief Kim Howell, RFR, provided an update on the status of several fire hall projects, noting the following:

§   

the relocation of Fire Hall No. 1 operations has been dispersed to City Hall West, Fire Hall No. 4 (Sea Island) and Fire Hall No. 6 (Shellmont);

§   

a photo opportunity will be scheduled with City Council, media and RFR on the demolition day for Fire Hall No. 1;

§   

the British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) will relocate their Sexsmith operations to the rear of Fire Hall No. 3 (Bridgeport);

§   

a joint committee with RFR and BCAS has been structured to work on developing operating guidelines and processes to build a productive and positive interagency relationship;

§   

Fire Hall No. 3 (Cambie) is in the building permit stage; the site has been cleared and is being preloaded;

§   

a classroom, at Fire Hall No. 4 (Shellmont), has been renovated to accommodate one suppression truck and staff that were relocated from Fire Hall No. 1;

§   

the emergency vehicle mechanic shop and staff have been relocated to Fire Hall No. 6 (Sea Island);

§   

while environmental clearances are pending, RFR is preparing the onsite trailer for classroom, change room and washroom facilities for the Lafarge training site; and

§   

it is anticipated that the Lafarge training site will be fully operational by September 2015.

Fire Chief McGowan spoke to RFR efforts in identifying and managing historical and IAFF Local 1286 assets and information from Fire Hall No. 1.

In reply to a query from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan advised that significant data analysis was conducted by RFR in an effort to ensure best response practices.

(v)

Railway Safety Update

Fire Chief McGowan provided an update on discussions held with the City’s Manager of Emergency Programs and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities related to improvements to the non-disclosure template, as well as data related aspects to Protective Direction No. 33 for the transport or import of dangerous goods.

(vi)

RFR Long-Service and Promotional Awards Ceremony

Fire Chief McGowan advised that RFR’s Long-Service and Promotional Awards Ceremony will be held at City Hall on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 10 a.m.

9.

EMERGENCY PROGRAMS
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Emergency Preparedness Week

Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, stated that Emergency Preparedness Week is May 3 to 9, 2015 and highlighted the staff and community education presentations will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and on Thursday, May 7, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., respectively.

(ii)

Emergency Notification System Rollout

Ms. Procter advised of the launch event for the new emergency notification system to be held at Minoru Park on Friday, May 8, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

(iii)

Quake Cottage

Ms. Procter highlighted the City’s initiative, in sponsorship with the Insurance Bureau of Canada and FortisBC, to bring the Quake Cottage up from California.  She commented that the Quake Cottage is a trailer capable of simulating up to an 8.0 magnitude earthquake and will act as a vivid call to action for the community to prepare for emergencies.

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:02 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, April 14, 2015.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk