October 14, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Absent:

Councillor Derek Dang

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That a presentation by Kim Moldowan on car seat safety be added at the top of the agenda.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on September 15, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

November 10, 2015, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PRESENTATION

CAR SEAT SAFETY
(File Ref. No.)

Kim Moldowan, Children’s Restraint Systems Technician, spoke to the need for regular on going City sponsored car seat safety checks and education clinics, and read from her written submission (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1).

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Moldowan commented that (i) car seats expire between six to ten years, (ii) for a fee, expired car seats can be recycled at a facility in the Lower Mainland, (iii) expired car seats stripped of all parts are accepted at the City’s Recycling Depot on Lynas Lane. Also, she advised that she is currently in discussions with management at a local big box toy store on the potential to offer a trade-in credit of $50 for an expired car seat.   Ms. Moldowan further commented that, due to differing safety standards, it is illegal to use foreign model car seats in Canada.

Committee encouraged Ms. Moldowan to work with the Richmond District Parents Association and the Richmond Child Care Advisory Committee to conduct car seat checks and public education clinics.

John McGowan, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR), advised that RFR conducts a car seat safety program twice a month and that during the construction of the new No. 1 Fire Hall, the program is being offered at Fire Hall No. 5 in the Hamilton area. 

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – August 2015
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4732996 v. 2)

Ed Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, provided background information, noting that bylaw officers attended 533 water-use complaints during August 2015 and that the City’s Animal Control Officer in conjunction with the Dog Licensing Program has resulted in lower dog off-leash complaints and the issuance of over 7,000 dog licenses to date.

In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Warzel advised that (i) Community Bylaws’ staffing compliment is adequate at this time, (ii) a report from Metro Vancouver regarding water restriction best practices is forthcoming, (iii) discussion with the owner of the pigmy goat has resulted in the relocation of the goat, and (iv) there are further opportunities to be realized regarding dog licensing within the city.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – August 2015”, dated September 18, 2015, from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – August 2015
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4736830 v. 2)

In reply to queries from Committee, Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law and Community Safety, stated that it is anticipated that RFR’s draft facility study report would be presented to Council late 2015.  Fire Chief McGowan noted that the consultant has been provided information including (i) RFR’s records for the past five years, (ii) the potential jet fuel pipeline and storage facility, (iii) the Vancouver Airport Authority’s master plan, and (iv) development projects in the City Core and River Rock areas.  Also, Ms. Carlyle advised that a staff report will be presented at an upcoming General Purposes Committee meeting regarding the August windstorm and the City’s emergency preparedness.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – August 2015,” dated September 21, 2015 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Noise Bylaw Administration Matters and Housekeeping Amendments
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-009486) (REDMS No. 4743480)

In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Warzel commented that the enforcement of Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 8856 is in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the Richmond RCMP, with VCH managing day time calls and weekend/evening follow-up.  He further commented that staff is reviewing the use of auxiliary staff for noise enforcement during weekends; however, it is anticipated that the proposed amendments will provide clarity for the general public.  Also, Mr. Warzel advised that the public will be advised of the proposed new regulations by a press release, a newspaper advertisement, and a public bulletin.

Discussion ensued regarding public education and it was suggested that the noise regulation information be included in the City’s Home Owner Building and Renovations Guide and provided to building permit applicants.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Noise Bylaw Administration Matters and Housekeeping Amendments,” dated October 2, 2015, from the City Solicitor, be received for information; and

(2)

That Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 8856, Amendment Bylaw No. 9486, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

4.

RCMP's Monthly Report – August Activities 2015
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4722438)

Superintendent Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge (OIC), Richmond RCMP, accompanied by Inspector Konrad Golbeck, Operations Support Officer, and Sargent Rob Quilley, Traffic Section, provided the following information regarding rules governing vehicular traffic stopping for pedestrians at marked, unmarked and/or controlled crosswalks:

§   

vehicles must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian where traffic control signals are not present;

§   

a vehicle must yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk on the half of the roadway that the vehicle is travelling on; also, a vehicle must yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk if the pedestrian is on the other half of the roadway (i.e., furthest from the roadway that the vehicle is travelling on) when the pedestrian is so close to make it dangerous to proceed;

§   

where a pedestrian is stepping off the roadway on the far side of a divided roadway, a vehicle travelling on the opposite side should be able to proceed without stopping;

§   

once a pedestrian has reached mid-way on the far side of a roadway, vehicles travelling on the opposite side should be stopping to yield to the pedestrian;

§   

at controlled intersections without specific pedestrian hand signals, pedestrians have the right-of-way over vehicles;

§   

turning vehicles must yield to pedestrians; however, they may proceed with the turn if not impeding or making it dangerous for the pedestrian to cross the roadway;

§   

if it is unsafe for the vehicle to come to a stop, a pedestrians cannot move off the sidewalk or impede vehicular traffic, even at a controlled pedestrian crosswalk;

§   

where there is no intersection or marked/unmarked crosswalk, the pedestrian must yield to vehicular traffic;

§   

a walk signal means pedestrians can walk, vehicles have to yield to pedestrians;

§   

a flashing hand or “Don’t Walk” signal means the pedestrian should not be stepping off the curb onto the roadway; if already in an intersection and proceeding across the pedestrian must quickly continue to cross the roadway;

§   

a solid hand signal means the pedestrian should not be stepping off the curb to enter the intersection; and

§   

collision statistics on the pedestrian crosswalk on Westminster Highway between Minoru Boulevard and No. 3 Road remain low.

In reply to queries from Committee, Supt. Nesset advised that Auxiliary Officer hours are slowly increasing due to the relaxation in the policy changes implemented after the shooting at Parliament Hill and that the investigation is ongoing with regard to the shooting that took place near No. 2 Road and Westminster Highway.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – August Activities 2015,” dated September 8, 2015, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Halloween 2015 & Fireworks

Fire Chief McGowan advised that a joint Halloween operation between RFR and the Richmond RCMP will run between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. and will include the availability of two additional fire crews, the patrol of areas of interest, and RFR’s presence at all corporate fireworks displays.

(ii)

Winter Safety

Fire Chief McGowan commented that winter safety messaging will target (i) testing household smoke alarms in conjunction with the fall time change, (ii) kitchen safety in relation to grease fires, and (iii) Christmas tree and home decoration safety tips.

(iii)

Movember

Fire Chief McGowan noted that during November, RFR Local 1286 staff will be participating in the Movember fundraising charity event to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues.  RFR’s Local 1286 will arrange for large moustaches to be placed on City fire trucks in support of this event, which raised over $7,000 in 2014.

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Supt. Nesset advised that the Richmond RCMP will also be participating in the Movember fundraising charity event and that the information requested related to officer tenure and language will be provided at a future Committee meeting.

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Ms. Carlyle noted that city staff will be participating in an emergency exercise at City Hall between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2015.  She further noted that the Richmond Chamber of Commerce is no longer in a position to run the 911 Awards.  Also, Ms. Carlyle advised that a staff report on the Auditor General for Local Government’s review of Surrey’s policing and their relationship with the RCMP will be provided in November 2015.

Discussion ensued regarding the City continuing the “911 Awards” in conjunction with the annual service milestones ceremony in order to recognize the achievements of the City’s emergency response members.  As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the “911 Awards” ceremony be referred to staff to explore best practices to incorporate the “911 Awards” under the responsibility of the Law and Community Safety Division.

CARRIED

The Chair spoke to the need for various corporate policies and as a result of the discussion the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the Chief Administrative Officer examine and report back to the Community Safety Committee by November 10, 2015 on the development of corporate policies related to the following issues:

(1)

RFR crews and other City Departments attending on-duty events such as retirements, funerals, community events, and fundraisers, etc.;

(2)

RFR charity fundraising and boot drives; and

(3)

the continuation of RFR’s school visits.

CARRIED

In reply to a query from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan advised that staff is exploring various options related to first responders access to buildings during an emergency, noting that a staff report will be presented at a future Committee meeting regarding the options and any potential bylaw amendment requirements.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:00 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, October 14, 2015.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Heather Howey
Legislative Services Coordinator