September 13, 2016 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

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 12, 2016, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

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

DELEGATIONS

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), representatives from E-Comm, Dave Guscott, President and CEO, along with Dave Mitchell, Director of Fire Services, Doug Watson, Vice President of Operations, and Mike Webb, Vice-President of Technology Services, distributed E-Comm’s Annual Report for 2015 (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) and provided an update of E-Comm’s activities.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Guscott, and Mr. Webb noted that (i) E-Comm has procedures to handle multiple calls for the same incident, (ii) calls are prioritized and directed to the appropriate agency, and (iii) E-Comm is working with Telus to expand capacity.

Discussion ensued with regard to the costs of an independent dispatching system compared to E-Comm.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

2.

emergency programs activity report – july and august 2016
(File Ref. No. 09-5350-00) (REDMS No. 5085579)

The Chair recognized the community activities of Norman Kotze and Anna Urbanowicz for all their efforts with displays at various shows in the community.

Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law and Community Safety, commented of staffing changes, noting that Dan McKenna will be assisting the department on an interim basis.

It was noted that the listed locations in the staff report for public drinking fountains as reported by the August 5, 2016 edition of the Richmond News is incorrect.

Ms. Carlyle noted that Kinder Morgan will be conducting an emergency exercise on MacDonald Beach on October 5, 2016. She added that (i) Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) will be observing the exercise, (ii) dog walking will not be affected, and (iii) Council members are welcome to observe the exercise. Committee then suggested that a memorandum be provided updating Council on the exercise.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

3.

Community bylaws monthly activity report – june 2016
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 5069918 v. 4)

Committee commended Community Bylaws, RFR, and Richmond RCMP staff for resolving issues related to non-compliant properties on Spires Road.

It was reported that the unsightly property on Seacote Road has been cleaned and Ben Dias, Manager, Community Bylaws and Roads and Construction and Kevin Gray, Deputy Fire Chief, noted that Bylaw Officers and RFR members attended the site and were able to speak to the property’s owner.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report –June 2016,” dated July 28, 2016, from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Community bylaws monthly activity report – july 2016
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 5127558)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report –July 2016,” dated August 15, 2016, from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Richmond Fire-Rescue monthly activity report – june 2016
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5074266)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report - June 2016,” dated August 12, 2016 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

Richmond fire-rescue monthly activity report – july 2016
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5133528)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report - July 2016,” dated August 12, 2016 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

Voluntary building access program
(File Ref. No. 99-Fire Rescue) (REDMS No. 4809517 v. 20)

John McGowan, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, reviewed the proposed Voluntary Building Access Program, noting that first responders are facing challenges in accessing secured buildings when responding to emergencies. He added that new technologies such as electronic lockbox systems are potential solutions to issues related to building access for first responders.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) costs of installing the system and potential discounts on insurance, (ii) the benefits of a building access system, (iii) examining options for a mandatory program, (iv) advocating the Province to include building access systems in the Building Code, and (v) increasing public awareness of the benefits of building access systems.

As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to provide an evaluation of the Voluntary Building Access Program by June 2017.

It was moved and seconded

That a Voluntary Building Access Program, using an electronic signal for building access (Option 2) as described in the staff report titled “Voluntary Building Access Program” dated August 19, 2016, from the Fire Chief and OIC be approved.

CARRIED

8.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Fire Chief McGowan noted that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and RFR members will be wearing pink in support of the cause.

(ii)

Fire Prevention Week

Fire Chief McGowan noted that Fire Prevention Week is scheduled for the week of October 9 to 15, 2016 and that RFR members will be in various locations in the city promoting the event. Also, he reminded residents to periodically check their smoke alarms and that smoke alarms generally have a 10 year lifespan.

(iii)

Recruitment – New Hires

Fire Chief McGowan noted that the newly hired RFR members are currently training at the No. 7 Fire Hall.

9.

2016-2017 Richmond RCMP Detachment Annual Performance Plan First Quarter Results (April 1 to June 30, 2016)
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5108570 v. 2)

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “2016-2017 Richmond RCMP Detachment Annual Performance Plan First Quarter Results (April 1 to June 30, 2016),” dated August 4, 2016 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

10.

RCMP's Monthly Activity Report - June 2016
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5056656 v. 3)

In reply to queries from Committee, Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, noted that statistics gathered can capture incidents that were mental health related.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) mental health and repeat offenders, (ii) resources required for the RCMP to respond to mental health related incidents, and (iii) advocating Vancouver Coastal Health for resources to address mental health cases.

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

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be sent to the Premier, Minister of Health, Richmond Members of the Legislative Assembly, and Vancouver Coastal Health, advocating for an increase in resources dedicated to mental health in the city.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report – June 2016” dated July 26, 2016 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

11.

RCMP's Monthly Activity Report - July 2016
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5102253)

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report – July 2016” dated August 9, 2016 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

12.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

None.

13.

COMMITTEE STANDING ITEM

E-Comm

The Chair advised that E-Comm will have a Director’s workshop scheduled for September 15, 2016.

It was noted that Ms. Carlyle will be pursing an employment opportunity outside of the City and Committee recognized her service to the City and wished her success in her future endeavours.

14.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Fentanyl Exposure

Discussion ensued with regard to recent cases of fentanyl overdoses. Supt. Nesset noted that Richmond RCMP will be issuing safeguards for members responding to these incidents.

(ii)

Airbnb Complaints

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Dias noted that there has been an increase in complaints received with respect to Airbnb listed properties. He added that staff respond to complaints and inspect the properties for illegal alterations.

(iii)

Cyclists in Non-Cycling Areas in Britannia

Discussion ensued with regard to reports of cyclists not dismounting in non-cycling areas in Britannia and cycling signs damaged.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:03 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, September 13, 2016.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator