September 15, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, September 15, 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 (entered at 4:07 p.m.)

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 July 14, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, October 14, 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) Dave Guscott, President and CEO, E-Comm, accompanied by Doug Watson, Vice-President of Operations, Michael Webb, Vice-President of Technology Services, and Dave Mitchell, Director, Fire Services, provided an update on E-Comm’s 2014/2015 activities, highlighting the service level targets and the next generation radio program goals and schedule.

Councillor Day entered the meeting (4:07 p.m.)

In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Watson updated Committee regarding the windstorm event of August 29, 2015 particularly related to (i) the significant increase in call volume, (ii) the challenges encountered, and (iii) the internal review of practices and procedures including communication updates through social media.  Mr. Guscott advised that E-Comm currently manages the Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME) system and as such is the only jurisdiction in Canada that uses a common database and radio system.  Also, he advised that the proposed new radio site in Steveston will be affixed to an existing commercial tower and that while additional radio towers could be constructed on existing sites, none are proposed at this time.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

2.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – June 2015
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4638993 v. 4)

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – July 2015
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4691275 v. 4)

In reply to queries from Committee, Ed Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, commented that the increase in call volume for June and July was due in part to the water restrictions, which resulted in the issuance of 13 violations and seven written warnings during Stage 2 restrictions and 141 tickets during Stage 3 restrictions.   Also, he commented that 20 to 25 abandon and/or vacant residences is a consistent average for transitional properties within the city.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – June 2015,” dated July 13, 2015, from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information; and

(2)

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report –July 2015,” dated August 21, 2015, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – June 2015
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4692400)

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – July 2015
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4692406)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

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

(2)

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – July 2015,” dated August 13, 2015 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

RCMP's Monthly Report - June Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4638849)

RCMP's Monthly Report - July Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4668244)

Superintendent Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge (OIC), Richmond RCMP, commented that the increase in thefts and fraud for both months was due to pickpocketing activity in the area; however, an arrest has been made in the case.  In addition, he advised that arrests has been made in connection to the gold fraud file; one overseas individual was surrendered to the Canada Border Services Agency and received a life time ban in Canada while two other individuals, not currently in Canada, were charged and received life time bans from entering into Canada.

In response to queries from Committee, Supt. Nesset advised that traffic section and general duty members attended at approximately 19 school sites regarding school zone enforcement which resulted in several warnings and a number of tickets being issued.

Discussion ensued on the production of a television profile by Fairchild Television on the Drug Abuse Resistance Program and it was suggested that Richmond RCMP investigate means to engage a broader audience for the proposed television production.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – June Activities,” dated July 7, 2015 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information; and

(2)

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

CARRIED

5.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

RCMP Hosts:  A Day at Green Timbers

Supt. Nesset extended an invitation to all members of Council to tour the Green Timbers ‘E’ Division Headquarters in Surrey and the Pacific Region Training Centre located in Chilliwack.

(ii)

Theft and Fraud Update

Supt. Nesset provided an update on theft and fraud in conjunction with the Richmond RCMP monthly reports.

(iii)

Strategic Plan Update

Supt. Nesset advised that the RCMP Richmond Detachment Strategic Plan is currently being updated for 2016-2018.

6.

JOINT BRIEFING – FIRE CHIEF AND RCMP/OIC
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Pedestrian Safety

In reply to a query from Committee, Supt. Nesset commented that the number of injury accidents at pedestrian crosswalks remains static and that the detachment will direct projects to the Minoru Boulevard crosswalks.  Committee suggested that the Richmond RCMP’s traffic section advise Committee of the vehicular regulations at pedestrian crosswalks.

Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson advised that this fall Richmond RCMP and RFR will launch their Pedestrian Safety campaign to inform residents and road users of key safety messages when crossing and using the roads.

7.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Breast Cancer Month

Tim Wilkinson, Deputy Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR), stated that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in support, RFR is working with the IAFF Local 1286 Union Executive to support the cause.

(ii)

Fire Prevention Week

Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson advised that Fire Prevention Week takes place from October 4^th to the 10^th.  The theme for this year is ‘Here the Beep Where You Sleep’ – focussing on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.  Also, Mr. Wilkinson spoke of various community engagement initiatives that will take place during Fire Prevention Week.

(iii)

CN Rail

Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson commented on the continued efforts to work with CN Rail representatives to reduce the fire hazard material stored at the CN Rail site.

(iv)

New Hires

Deputy Fire Chief Wilkinson advised that ten new recruit candidates began on September 8, 2015; the recruits are currently on a seven week training schedule at No. 7 Fire Hall (Crestwood).

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, advised that staff have applied for disaster financial assistance for emergency response and recovery costs related to the recent windstorm.  Also, Ms. Procter advised on the success of recent Integrated Emergency Management System exercises, with regional CEO’s participating as an advisory group, and that further exercises are planned for the coming months.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:06 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 September 15, 2015.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Heather Howey
Legislative Services Coordinator