June 14, 2016 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, June 14, 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

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 May 10, 2016, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

July 12, 2016, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

The Chair spoke on the staff reports presented to Committee, noting that Committee was satisfied with the level of information presented. He added that Committee would like staff to include the action taken to respond to issues in the City and any additional information if required.

Committee directed staff to sequence monthly reports and verbal reports consecutively during the meeting.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

Emergency Programs Activity Report
(File Ref. No. 09-5350-00) (REDMS No. 5030636)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Emergency Programs Activity Report,” dated May 20, 2016 from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

City of Richmond’s Participation in Exercise Coastal Response
(File Ref. No. 09-5350-00) (REDMS No. 5030779)

Lainie Goddard, Manager, Emergency Programs, briefed Committee on the City’s participation in the Coastal emergency exercise in early June 2016, noting that the exercise simulated a major coastal earthquake and the potential impact of the event on the City’s infrastructure.

Discussion ensued with regard to the City coordinating an emergency simulation and drills in the future and the providing Council with information in a timely manner during an emergency.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Goddard noted that Council would be the body to declare a state of emergency for the City and the City plans to organize an emergency exercise in 2017.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “City of Richmond’s Participation in Exercise Coastal Response,” dated May 20, 2016 from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

The Chair commended Emergency Programs staff on their reporting and their visibility in the community.

3.

EMERGENCY PROGRAMS BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Lost Children at Community Event

Ms. Goddard advised that with the help of individuals using radios and bicycles, two lost children were reunited with their grandparents at a community event the previous week.

(ii)

Meeting Place in an Emergency

Ms. Goddard commented on discourse taking place within the community regarding a predetermined place for people to meet during an emergency, noting that the City does not have predetermined meeting places due to uncertainties that could occur during an emergency. She encouraged that residents enlist on the City’s emergency notification system, and listen to local broadcasts for instructions during an emergency.

4.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity REport – April 2016
(REDMS No. 5009583)

In reply to queries from Committee regarding vacant homes and bylaw officers, Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law and Community Safety, advised that (i) dwellings that appear to be unkempt may not necessarily be vacant and may be reported as an unsightly premises to Community Bylaws, (ii) the City increases available bylaw officers during anticipated peak times, (iii) parking officers may act as property use officers when needed, and (iv) a Community Bylaws organizational chart can be provided to Committee.

Discussion ensued with regard to regulations related to real estate signs, and Ron Graham, Supervisor-Community Bylaws, noted that the City issues tickets and advises the real estate company of non-compliant real estate signs. He added that regulations only permit one real estate sign per property.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – April 2016,” dated May 24, 2016 from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – April 2016
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5008089)

John McGowan, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, reviewed Richmond Fire-Rescue’s (RFR) monthly activities in April 2016, highlighting successes in public education and the minimization of property loss. He added that medical responses related to sickness and headaches may involve breathing and consciousness components.

In reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan noted that RFR engages the Richmond RCMP in suspicious fire investigations.

Discussion ensued with regard to placing on-site signage and securing the site following a property fire. Ms. Carlyle added that staff can examine on-site signage and noted that RFR crews have proceeded to alert neighbouring properties in past fires.

In reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan noted that RFR will prepare a media release informing residents of an increased fire risk during warmer months.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report - April 2016”, dated May 13, 2016 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Ships to Shore Event

Fire Chief McGowan advised that RFR will be present in the upcoming Ships to Shore Event scheduled on June 30 to July 2, 2016.

(ii)

Salmon Festival

Fire Chief McGowan advised that RFR will participate in the upcoming Salmon Festival.

7.

2015-2016 Richmond RCMP Detachment Annual Performance Plan Fourth Quarter Results (From January 1 to March 31, 2016)
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4988223)

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) advocating for more mental health support from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the Province, (ii) the reported increase of police incidents involving mental health in the region, (iii) the impact of mental health on police resources, (iv) Richmond RCMP collaborating with the VCH on mental health issues, and (v) extreme cases of distracted driving in the city.

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

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be sent to Vancouver Coastal Health advocating for an increase in resources dedicated for mental health in the city.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued with regard to the success of tagging bicycles in the community through the Project 529 program, and including supplementary information to explain possible distortions in crime statistics such as repeat offenders.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “2015-2016 Richmond RCMP Detachment Annual Performance Plan Fourth Quarter Results (January 1 to March 31, 2016),” dated April 20, 2016 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

8.

RCMP’s Monthly Report – April 2016 Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4992093 v. 5)

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – April 2016 Activities,” – dated June 1, 2016 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

9.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Speeding on River Road

Inspector Konrad Golbeck, Richmond RCMP, briefed Committee on speeding along River Road, noting that vehicle speeds have been reduced following recent enforcement in the area.

(ii)

Police Week

Insp. Golbeck highlighted that all Richmond RCMP teams participated in Police Week during the week of May 19, 2016.

(iii)

Home Invasion Incident

Insp. Golbeck briefed Committee on a home invasion incident and discussion ensued with respect to securing garage door openers and personal information inside vehicles.

10.

COMMITTEE STANDING ITEMS

(i)

E-Comm

The Chair advised that the upcoming E-Comm Annual General meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2016.

(ii)

Emergency Services

This item was discussed previously in the meeting.

(iii)

Block Watch

This item was previously referenced in a staff report.

11.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Ms. Carlyle noted that (i) the Amber Alert system is active in the City, (ii) there is an invitation to Council to tour the new RCMP facility in Vancouver International Airport, (iii) the BC Association of the Chiefs of Police and the Province hosted a working session with Chiefs of Police in the province in early June 2016, (iv) the RCMP is currently working on a Disability Management Program to reduce costs and is comparing leave statistics with other police agencies, and (v) it is anticipated that information on the RCMP’s Auxiliary program will be available in the third quarter.

Ms. Carlyle briefed Committee on her tour of first responder facilities in northern British Columbia and discussions with first responders in support of the Honour House facility in New Westminster.

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 Tuesday, June 14, 2016.

_________________________________

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Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator