June 13, 2017 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

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 May 9, 2017, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

July 11, 2017, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATION

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Aaron Harnden, Station Leader, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR), provided an update on RCMSAR activities and spoke of the following:

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maritime services provided to the community;

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RCMSAR locations: Middle Arm of the Fraser River and Steveston;

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participation in community outreach and community interaction events;

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statistics on the past 12 months in and out of the water;

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various vessels owned by the RCMSAR; and

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RCMSAR future goals.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Harnden, advised that (i) the average age of recruitment currently is 50-55 years of age and that recruitment is increasing, (ii) crews are volunteer based, (iii) there is an increase in fundraising endeavours, and (iv) the ideal size for a team is 52 members.

Mr. Harnden informed that the annual dinner dance fundraiser is on September 9^th.

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

2.

COMMUNITY BYLAWS MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – April 2017
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 5384294)

Greg Scarborough, Manager, Community Bylaws, highlighted that enforcement efforts on short-term rentals has been successful.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Scarborough advised that there are regulations on smoking outside and are enforced by Vancouver Coastal Health.   

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – April 2017” dated May 17, 2017, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – April 2017
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5390420 v. 2)

John McGowan, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, highlighted statistics from the Richmond Fire Rescue Monthly Activity Report.

In reply to queries from Committee, Chief McGowan advised that crews are prepared in full hazmat apparel when responding to any level of hazmat danger.

Discussion ensued in regards to (i) BC Ambulance and increased medical calls, and (ii) higher levels of medical training for Richmond Fire-Rescue.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – April 2017”, dated May 11, 2017 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Fire Hall No. 3 Grand Opening

Chief McGowan advised that (i) the official opening will be on July 15^th, (ii) this is the first time for Fire-Rescue and BC Ambulance to share a location in an urban setting, and (iii) the Provincial Government will be participating in the opening.

5.

2016-2017 Richmond RCMP Annual Performance Plan Fourth Quarter Results (January 1 to March 31, 2017)
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5379834 v. 2)

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “2016-2017 Richmond RCMP Annual Performance Plan Fourth Quarter Results (January 1 to March 31, 2017)”, dated April 27, 2017 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP's Monthly Activity Report - April 2017
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5385348 v. 3)

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report – April 2017,” dated May 15, 2017,  from the Officer In Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

McMath School Threat

Inspector Eric Hall, Richmond RCMP, provided Committee with an update on the threat at McMath Secondary School. Inspector Hall advised that the RCMP debriefed with the Richmond School District and identified that better protocols need to be put in place for improved communications and decision making.

Discussion ensued in regards to increased staffing requirements to ensure safety of the community and minimize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and reduce overtime.

(ii)

Mail Theft

Supt. Will Ng, Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, provided an update on the progress of decreasing mail box thefts, advising that (i) the number of mailboxes in disrepair has decreased, (ii) the cost of a mailbox with numerous compartments is expensive, and (iii) mail theft has decreased due to targeting prolific offenders.

In reply to queries from Committee, Inspector Hall advised that the RCMP is working with Canada Post and has developed different strategies to decrease mail theft. He noted that the education component of the strategy is to stop mail delivery to private buildings without sufficient mail boxes to encourage landlords to properly secure them.

Inspector Hall advised that a student from Richmond will be awarded with the D.A.R.E BC Citizenship award on June 20^th.

Supt. Ng noted that the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) has taken some enforcement action in regards to shutting down illegal gaming houses in Richmond and arresting 9 individuals related to various illegal activities.

8.

Committee Standing Items

(i)

Emergency Programs

Cecilia Achiam, General Manager, Community Safety, introduced Norman Kotze as Acting Manager for Emergency Programs.

Mr. Kotze, advised that (i) another volunteer recruitment session will be held on June 19^th (ii) the Amateur Radio Field Day will be part of Burkeville Daze on June 24^th and 25^th (iii) Quake Cottage will be at Burkeville Daze on June 25^th, (iv) there will be a joint Community Safety presentation with the RCMP, Block Watch and Richmond Fire-Rescue on June 27^th at South Arm Community Centre, and (v) the Emergency Operation Centre Open House will be on June 28^th.

(ii)

E-Comm

The Chair advised that the Annual General Meeting is next week. Also, he noted that a new CAO has been appointed and more information will be available soon.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Deputy Fire Chief Retirement

Chief McGowan advised that Kim Howell, Deputy Fire Chief will be retiring. The Chair thanked Deputy Chief Howell for her service.

(ii)

Wee Medical Marijuana Dispensary

Carli Edwards, Manager, Customer Services and Licencing, provided an update on the injunction for closure of Wee Medical. Ms. Edwards advised that Wee Medical has re-opened under a new name, however staff is working diligently to resolve the issue and a memorandum will be provided to Council with more information. 

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 13, 2017.

_________________________________

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Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Sarah Kurian
Legislative Services Coordinator