April 11, 2017 - Minutes
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Community Safety Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on March 14, 2017, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE |
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May 9, 2017, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room |
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LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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1. |
Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – February 2017 |
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Cecilia Achiam, Director, Administration and Compliance, referenced a memorandum to Council regarding an update on Short-Term Rentals, and a news release compiled regarding snowfall safety. |
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In response to concerns raised related to the safety and security of demolition sites in the City, Ms. Achiam stated that staff would examine the matter. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – February 2017”, dated March 20, 2017, from the Acting General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – February 2017 |
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Tim Wilkinson, Acting Fire Chief, advised that staff was investigating new methods and tools to manage boat fires. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – February 2017”, dated March 17, 2017 from the Acting Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Acting Fire Chief Wilkinson confirmed that the staff report on emergency response training for Richmond Fire-Rescue personnel will be presented at an upcoming Community Safety Committee meeting. Also, he added that a report to Council was forthcoming on the results of the recently completed request for proposal process. |
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Acting Fire Chief Wilkinson spoke to the potential development of a mixed-use building, whereby the main floor would be occupied by Richmond Fire-Rescue and other floors would be utilized for residential and/or commercial uses. Discussion took place on the logistics of developing such a building, and Acting Fire Chief Wilkinson advised that the notion is in its preliminary stages and staff are reviewing several options. |
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In relation to previous discussion on future demolition sites, Acting Fire Chief Wilkinson noted that the City has robust boarding-up protocols. |
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4. |
2017-2018 Richmond RCMP Detachment Annual Performance Plan - Community Priorities |
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Superintendent Will Ng, Officer In Charge, Richmond RCMP, provided background information and spoke on Property Crime, Organized Crime, and Vulnerable Persons Unit: |
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initiatives currently utilized to decrease property crime; |
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Block Watch Captains were assigned to specific neighbourhoods; |
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numerous projects focussed on targeting drugs and drug trafficking; and |
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three full-time officers have been assigned to work with vulnerable persons. |
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Discussion ensued in regards to organized crime and in reply to queries from Committee; Supt. Ng noted that there will be numerous initiatives to discourage engagement in illegal gaming houses. Also, he spoke on specific challenges Richmond faces as a community; however, he highlighted that as a result of strong community engagement, the City has been fortunate with regard to issues associated with organized crime. |
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Committee expressed their appreciation on the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program and its success and noted they would like to attend graduation ceremonies. |
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In reply to queries, Inspector Eric Hall, Richmond RCMP, noted that it is RCMP protocol that the RCMP attend to all types of calls received. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Property Crime, Organized Crime – Drug Offences, and Vulnerable Persons Unit as listed in the staff report titled “2017-2018 RCMP Annual Performance Plan – Community Priorities” (dated March 6, 2017 from the Acting OIC, RCMP), be selected and considered for inclusion in the Richmond Detachment fiscal 2017-2018 (April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018) RCMP Annual Performance Plan. |
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CARRIED |
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5. |
RCMP's Monthly Activity Report - February 2017 |
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Insp. Hall highlighted RCMP activities from February 2017. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Insp. Hall stated that a municipal employee administers the Block Watch Program and that efforts are being made to increase community engagement. Training sessions with Block Watch Captains will be pursued. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report – February 2017” dated March 7, 2017 from the Officer In Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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6. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING |
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Supt. Ng commented on the recent modification of RCMP uniforms by some officers in an effort to draw attention to salary discrepancies between RCMP officers and municipal police officers. |
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OIC Ng then highlighted that nine officers in full uniform attended the Vimy Ridge 100 year Anniversary event. Also, he noted that 10 local high school students will be graduating from the RCMP Youth Academy on April 20, 2017. |
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7. |
Committee Standing items |
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(i) |
Emergency Programs |
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Lainie Goddard, Manager, Emergency Programs, highlighted that (i) May 2017 has been proclaimed by the City of Richmond as Emergency Preparedness Month, (ii) a volunteer information session on Emergency Preparedness will be held on May 31, 2017, (iii) discussion regarding a partnership between Emergency Programs and Block Watch is underway, (iv) an Open House of the Emergency Operations Centre will be held May 3, 2017, (v) emergency training will be provided for City staff from various departments, and (vi) information provided to Mayor and Council on their roles in an emergency, and emergency training programs. |
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In reply to queries from Committee regarding Sea Island Community Association (SICA), Ms. Goddard noted the Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) has been delayed. |
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Ms. Goddard agreed that a briefing on the NEPP program would be prepared for distribution to community association and society liaisons. |
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(ii) |
E-Comm |
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The Chair noted that E-Comm is still recruiting for a new Chief Executive Officer. Comments were offered on recent improvements to the City’s fire truck radio equipment. |
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Councillor Dang left the meeting (5:01 p.m.) and did not return. |
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8. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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Cambie Fire Hall |
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Jim Young, Senior Manager, Capital Buildings Project Development, provided an update on the anticipated occupancy of the Cambie Fire Hall. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5.04 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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 11, 2017. |
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Councillor Bill McNulty |
Sarah Kurian |