July 14, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, July 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 June 9, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, September 15, 2015, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATION

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Kyle Klein, Manager, Emergency Planning, and Corry Anderson-Fennell, Manager, Media and Communications, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), provided an update on Operation KPU Safe and Sound Emergency Program.

In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Klein advised that the mass notification system is for internal use only and external notification procedures are being developed in partnership with local agencies. Also, he noted that the system can be customized to alert one or all KPU campuses, and activated through the website, a security push button, and a mobile application.  He further noted that the robust audio-visual-text hardware system is used by several universities and is updated daily with student registration information.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

2.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – May 2015
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4596820 v. 2)

In reply to queries from Committee, Ed Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, provided the following information:

§   

new dog licences have increased as a result of the City’s Animal Patrol Officer, whom canvasses door-to-door and patrols parks and dykes;

§   

Community Bylaws is appropriately staffed and complaints are addressed in a reasonable time period;

§   

during stage one and two of the Greater Vancouver Water District Water Shortage Response Plan, Community Bylaws received approximately 250 reports of illegal lawn watering; despite warning letters sent to residents in contravention of the watering restrictions, several tickets were issued; and

§   

in the event Metro Vancouver moves to stage three water restrictions, more aggressive enforcement will be warranted.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report –May, 2015,” dated June 11, 2015, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Limiting Construction and Demolition Activities-Noise Bylaw Amendments
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01; 12-8060-20-009263/009268) (REDMS No. 4604589 v. 5)

In reply to queries, Mr. Warzel advised that the purpose of the proposed amendments is to address concerns related to construction noise, noting that staff believe that the proposed limits are reasonable parameters. Also, he noted that Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 8856 allows construction noise up to 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA); generators, saws and other construction equipment typically operate at approximately 50 dBA.  He further noted that the majority of complaints received regard multi-residential or large construction projects.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the information posted on construction signage, (ii) consultation with the Home Builders Association, (iii) on how Bylaw No. 8856 differentiates between construction noise generated by homeowners versus that generated by contractors; and (iv) clarification on whether non-noise construction could occur on Sundays and holidays (i.e., painting, dry walling, and mudding).

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 8856, Amendment Bylaw No. 9263 be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and

(2)

That the Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 9268 be introduced and given first, second, and third reading.

CARRIED

4.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report - May 2015
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4620697 v. 2)

John McGowan, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR), commented that RFR has experienced a steady increase in call volume due to the dry conditions, noting that crews responded to 53 outdoor fire calls in May 2015.

In response to queries from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan stated that outdoor fires in May and June 2015 increased 200% when compared to those in 2014.  He further stated that there were no significant increases in respiratory calls due to the forest fire smoke in the area.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report - May 2015,” dated June 19, 2015 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Disposal of Surplus Equipment
(File Ref. No. 99-Fire Rescue) (REDMS No. 4589266 v. 2)

In reply to a query from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan advised that information on the future recipient of the surplus equipment would be provided to Committee.

It was moved and seconded

That the surplus City equipment listed in the staff report titled “Disposal of Surplus Equipment,” dated June 18, 2015, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be donated to Fire Fighters Without Borders.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP's Monthly Report - May Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4595358)

Staff Sargeant Dan Seibel, Administration Non-Commissioned Officer, Richmond RCMP, spoke of his tenure with the RCMP and introduced Inspector Konrad Golbeck, Richmond RCMP, and commented on his experience with the RCMP.  Staff Sgt. Seibel then distributed a copy of the RCMP Gazette (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – May Activities,” dated June 4, 2015, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Canada Day

Staff Sgt. Seibel noted that the Canada Day festivities did not generate any public safety concerns.

8.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Summer Safety

Fire Chief McGowan advised that summer safety messaging will focus on (i) barbeque safety to avoid serious injury and property damage, and (ii) water safety as statistics indicate that drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children between one and four years of age.

(ii)

Stress Resilience Workshops

Fire Chief McGowan commented that stress resilience workshops focus on critical incidents and the stress experience by those involved; he noted that these workshops were developed as part of a national program through the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Firefighters to ensure that resources are in place for members, which will ensure a resilient workforce.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:39 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, July 14, 2015.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk