April 12, 2016 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, April 12, 2016                  

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 4:15)

Call to Order:

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

A moment of silence was observed in honour of RCMP Constable Sarah Beckett.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on March 15, 2016, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

May 10, 2016, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATIONS

1.

Brian Hobbs, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR), provided boating safety information (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) and provided an update on RCMSAR activities, noting that (i) RCMSAR membership has grown and receives many applicants, (ii) RCMSAR has locations in the North Arm and in Steveston, (iii) response time from Steveston has been reduced to 15 minutes, (iv) RCMSAR is active in attending community events, (v) in the long term, RCMSAR will be reviewing potential sites in the North Arm for relocation, (vi) RCMSAR receives funding from the Federal Government, Provincial Government grants and public donations, (vii) RCMSAR utilizes City’s facilities such as the Steveston Outdoor pool for training, and (viii) RCMSAR is seeking support from the City with respect to formalizing costs to using City facilities.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Hobbs, noted that (i) volunteer hours have been distributed to the increase of volunteers, (ii) RCMSAR operates all year round, and (iii) RCMSAR participates in training with the RCMP.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff work with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue to mitigate various expenses where community facilities have been used for the purposes of training and fundraising, and report back.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR LINDA MCPHAIL

2.

Lowering the speed limit in urban areas
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion took place regarding (i) policy recommendations made by the Provincial Health Officer to reduce speed limits, (ii) survivability of lower velocity crashes, (iii) impacts to traffic and enforcement, and (iv) implementation of lower speed limits in other jurisdictions.

In reply to queries from Committee, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, noted that (i) otherwise posted, the Motor Vehicle Act limits speed to 50 km/h in urban areas and 20 km/h in laneways, (ii) reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h in urban areas will have enforcement and signage challenges, (iii) there are areas in the city where a speed limit of 30 km/h is appropriate, (iv) roads are formally classified in the City, and (v) the proposed policy recommendations will require further review with the Provincial government and municipalities, and staff will report back to Committee on the matter.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) the potential effect of lower speed limits on reducing casualties, (ii) reducing speed limits in high pedestrian areas, and (iii) the placement of signage in school zones.

As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to provide Committee with information related to the traffic enforcement tickets issued for infractions such as speeding and distracted driving and review the placement of speed limit signs in school zones, and report back.

Discussion ensued regarding potential conflict with farming vehicles and increasing the number of speed limit signs in the city.

In reply to queries from Committee, Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, noted that an update will be provided on a traffic incident on Westminster Highway.

3.

Community bylaws monthly activity report – february 2016
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4948259)

In reply to queries from Committee, Michelle Orsetti, Acting Manager, Community Bylaws, noted that (i) the increase in enforcement activity in 2016 compared to the previous year may reflect the recent changes to noise and construction sign regulations, (ii) real estate signs are prohibited on City property, (iii) individuals can report real estate sign violations to City Bylaws, and (iv) the fine for grease management violations is $150.00.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – February 2016”, dated March 14, 2016, from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

richmond-fire-rescue monthly activity report – February 2016
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4917696)

Fire Chief John McGowan reviewed Richmond Fire Rescue’s (RFR) monthly activities, noting that structure fires are being contained and that an increase in the number of medical calls may be contributing to the trend of an overall increase to service calls.

Fire Chief McGowan offered comments on service calls to high rise buildings, noting that RFR has the capacity to respond to calls in high rise buildings; however additional time may be required for access.

In reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan noted that the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) responds to incidents within its facilities and RFR can respond if required. He acknowledged the new developments surrounding YVR, noting that RFR is reviewing the service levels required for these areas.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – February 2016”, dated March 15, 2016, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Richmond rcmp block watch program
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4961080)

Edward Warzel, Manager, RCMP Administration, reviewed the Block Watch Program and offered comments on the Program’s growth. He added that a survey conducted on the Program will require further analysis.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) City management of the Program, (ii) registration requirements for Block Watch Captains, (iii) the limited response to the survey, (iv) conducting the survey in different languages, (v) the timeline to enhance the Program, (vi) assigning a City staff member to oversee the Program, (vii) the administrative role of City staff in the organizational structure of the Richmond RCMP, and (viii) the operational function of the Program being managed through the Richmond RCMP.

As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to provide Committee with an organizational chart of the Richmond RCMP in relation to the role of City staff and the Block Watch Program.

Discussion then ensued with regard to (i) encouraging community engagement in the Program, (ii) managing the Program through the community, and (iii) staff providing a report on the matter by July 2016.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled ‘Richmond RCMP Block Watch Program’, dated March 21, 2016 from the Officer In Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information; and

(2)

That staff review the Block Watch Program and report back by July 2016.

CARRIED

6.

Rcmp’s monthly report – February 2016 Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01/2016-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 4936385 v. 3)

Supt. Nesset reviewed the RCMP’s February 2016 activities and offered comments on (i) the crime clearance rate, (ii) definitions of solved cases, and (iii) ways to increase police presence and visibility. He added that staff are reviewing the policing survey and will report back to Committee.

In reply to queries regarding fluctuations in the number of thefts from motor vehicles, Supt. Nesset noted that offenders may focus efforts on other crime types and statistics are comparable to the five year average. He added that crime analysts can provide investigators information related to crime hotspots. He further noted that there has been an increase in sexual offenses and a reduction in robberies compared to the same time in 2015.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – February Activities 2016”, – dated March 14, 2016 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

McHappy Day

Fire Chief McGowan noted that RFR is participating in McHappy Day on May 4, 2016, and that the event will take place at the Blundell, Ironwood Plaza and Alderbridge McDonalds locations.

(ii)

Joint RFR/RCMP Summer Camps

Fire Chief McGowan noted that Camp Courage is a joint project by RFR and the Richmond RCMP, hosting approximately 30 youths between the ages of 9 to 12. He added that the camp is scheduled for the summer and will give youth the opportunity to participate in firefighting and policing skills.

(iii)

Danielle Dubet

Fire Chief McGowan wished to commend RFR member, Danielle Dube for her athletic achievements in the University of British Columbia.

8.

EMERGENCY PROGRAMS
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Emergency Planning Week – May 1  to 7, 2016

Lainie Goddard, Manager, Emergency Programs, advised that Emergency Preparedness week will take place beginning on May 1, 2016, and that an information booth will be located in City Hall and the Works Yard. She added that Council is invited to attend an upcoming presentation on personal preparedness.

(ii)

Public Works Open House – May 14, 2016

Ms. Goddard noted that the Public Works Open House is scheduled for May 14, 2016.

(iii)

Earthquake Preparedness

Ms. Goddard noted that the City, RFR and the Richmond RCMP hosted an Earthquake Preparedness presentation on April 6, 2016 in City Hall, and added that the event was well attended.

9.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

New Vancouver International Airport Office

Supt. Nesset advised that the RCMP has been provided office space within the YVR terminal and added that Council members or staff are invited to tour the site.

(ii)

Mental Health Presentation (by Cst. Heather Hall, Mental Health Coordinator)

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) Constable Heather Hall, Mental Health Coordinator, Richmond RCMP, spoke on topics related to policing and mental health in the city, noting that policing incidents involving mental health have increased.

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) support provided by the Province and resources required to address mental health issues in the community, (ii) the impact of mental health issues on the community, and (iii) the impact of mental health issues on hospital and first responder resources.

In reply to queries from Committee, Cst. Hall noted that there are some spaces available in the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, managed by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and added that there is a proposal to have an ACT Team dedicated for Richmond.

Discussion ensued with regard to advocating the Provincial government for an ACT Team in the city and Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law and Community Safety, noted that staff can discuss the matter with VCH.

10.

Committee Standing items

(i)

E-Comm

The Chair advised that E-Comm is considering adding a Vice-Chair position to the E-Comm Board in the next 16 months.

(ii)

Emergency Services

 Emergency Services was discussed earlier in the meeting.

(iii)

Block Watch

Block Watch was discussed earlier in the meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:57 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 12, 2016.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator