November 10, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, November 10, 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 October 14, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

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

PRESENTATIONS

1.

(1)

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, and Corporal Tony Bernard, Traffic Unit, Richmond RCMP, briefed Committee on the data collected using the new traffic counters installed along Steveston Highway, highlighting that:

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the number of speeding vehicles are typically greater during peak times;

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the data collected can be used to calculate the optimum time for enforcement; and

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the software can calculate the percentage of speeding vehicles at varying thresholds above the posted speed limit.

In reply to queries from Committee regarding the proposed locations for traffic counters in the city, Mr. Wei noted that staff work with the Richmond RCMP to prioritize locations. Corp. Bernard added that the proposed locations are a starting point and that the traffic counters are mobile and can be easily relocated to different areas in the city.

In reply to queries from Committee, Corp. Bernard noted that the Richmond RCMP uses data from traffic surveys, whereas ICBC uses a different methodology to track high-risk traffic areas.

Discussion ensued with regard to the percentage of drivers adhering to the speed limit along Steveston Highway.

(2)

Ed Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, highlighted features of the new Online Dog License Module to register dogs, including (i) a user-friendly interface where users can easily input contact and dog information, (ii) a field to input a mailing address for registrants who live outside the city, (iii) fields where individuals can apply for a seniors discount and register a dangerous dog, and (iv) a checkout payment system.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Warzel noted that staff are anticipating that the new Online Dog License Module will attract more registrants and that a news release on the matter is forthcoming.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE

2.

Corporate Policies: On-duty attendances at funerals, retirement events, community and charity fundraising events and school visits
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4775396 v. 5)

In reply to queries from Committee, John McGowan, Fire Chief, noted that some discretion is used when selecting the on-duty attendances at community events. He added that with respect to member attendance at funerals of retired and active fire service personnel, uniformed on-duty and off-duty members may be provided, given that Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) maintains operational readiness.

Discussion ensued and concern regarding the presence of a fire truck at a former member’s funeral was expressed.

Discussion then ensued with respect to prioritizing events for RFR participation.

In reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan noted that event participation by RFR members is evaluated based on the potential educational component and service to the community. He added that events are reviewed weekly with Deputy Chiefs and the General Manager of Law and Community Safety.

Fire Chief McGowan then spoke to the attendance of off-duty RFR members at funerals, noting that the level of service applied to an RFR member fallen in the line of duty may differ compared to fallen retired RFR members or fire personnel from a different municipality.

In reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan noted that when RFR receives a new vehicle, older vehicles are placed on reserve or may be disposed.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Corporate Policies”, dated October 27, 2015 from the Chief Administrative Officer be received for information; and

(2)

That the matter be referred to staff to consult with IAFF Local 1286 regarding:

(a)

the staff report titled “Corporate Policies”, dated October 27, 2015 from the Chief Administrative Officer; and

(b)

the potential to utilize fire trucks while on-duty.

CARRIED

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

3.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – September 2015
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4748908 v. 4)

Mr. Warzel highlighted the increase in this year’s parking meter revenue over the same time last year and attributed that increase to the technological benefits of the new parking meters.

Mr. Warzel then noted that the new parking meters have been tampered with, however, Richmond RCMP have apprehended a suspect related to the incidents.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Warzel noted that all parking meters have been replaced with new meters and that the City is working with the provider to further reinforce them to prevent tampering.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – September 2015,” dated October 14, 2015, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report - September 2015
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4767107)

Fire Chief McGowan commented on the September 2015 activity report, noting that a large portion of the reported activity was related to medical incidents and that fire-related incidents were minimal.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

5.

RCMP's Monthly Report - September Activities 2015
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4747612)

Eric Hall, Inspector, Operations Support Officer, Richmond RCMP, briefed Committee on the September 2015 Activity Report.

In reply to queries from Committee, Insp. Hall noted that the Richmond RCMP has introduced a new initiative where community policing volunteers go door-to-door in areas identified to be subject to break-ins to distribute flyers and direct business owners and residents to the City’s website where they can access additional crime prevention information.

Discussion ensued regarding the variances in Auxiliary Constable volunteer hours and in reply to queries from Committee, Insp. Hall noted that Auxiliary Constables participate in a variety of community events that are similar year over year.

Also, Insp. Hall noted that the Richmond RCMP is making an effort to recruit more participants for the City’s Block Watch program.

Committee wished to express their appreciation for the memorial service in honour of Constable Agar, who passed away in the line of duty 35 years ago.

Discussion ensued with regard to a comprehensive statistical breakdown of Auxiliary Constables’ volunteer hours, and in reply to queries from Committee, Insp. Hall noted that there is a minimum number of hours required of Auxiliary Constables, however, the minimum is often exceeded.

Discussion then ensued regarding new marking technology that can be used to trace stolen property and in reply to queries from Committee, Insp. Hall noted that the Richmond RCMP is examining the new technology and will present potential options to Committee.

In reply to queries from Committee, Insp. Hall advised that recent incidents of sexual assaults in the city are still under investigation. He added that the Richmond RCMP has issued a press release to increase awareness personal safety measures.

Discussion then ensued with regard to gang activity in the city and Insp. Hall noted that the level of such activity in the city is comparable to that of other Lower Mainland municipalities.

As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to provide an update on gang activity in the city at a future Committee meeting.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

6.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Holiday Season Safety

Fire Chief McGowan spoke on Christmas tree safety, reminding residents that (i) artificial trees should be fire retardant, (ii) Christmas lights should be turned off when unsupervised, (iii) Christmas trees should be positioned away from any open flame or combustibles, (iv) trees should be disposed of properly at the end of the season, and (v) IAFF Local 1286 hosts an annual Christmas tree chipping event at the end of the season.

(ii)

Fire Hall Christmas Lighting / Open House Event

Fire Chief McGowan commented on the Christmas lighting events at the fire halls, noting that Fire Hall No. 5 will be hosting an open house event.

(iii)

Halloween 2015

Fire Chief McGowan highlighted that Halloween night was relatively uneventful and the presence of Community Bylaws, RFR members, and the Richmond RCMP contributed to the success of the evening.

7.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Insp. Hall also spoke to Halloween night, noting a slight increase in calls.

Insp. Hall then distributed a flyer (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and advised that the Richmond RCMP will be hosting a toy drive on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Ironwood Mall.

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Lafarge Training Facility

Kim Howell, Deputy Fire Chief, updated Committee on the Lafarge Training Facility, highlighting that the site should be ready for use in early December 2015.

(ii)

CN Railway Ties Stockpile

Kevin Gray, Deputy Fire Chief, advised that the pile height size has been met and CN Rail has made a commitment to keep the site manageable. He added that RFR staff will perform on-site inspections and that a Fire Safety Plan is the only remaining requirement left to be delivered.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:05 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, November 10, 2015.

_________________________________

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Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator (Aux.)