Community Safety Committee
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Date:
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Wednesday, February 14, 2018
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Place:
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Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall
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Present:
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Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Linda McPhail
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Absent:
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Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Ken Johnston
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Also Present:
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Councillor Carol Day
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Call to Order:
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
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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 January 16, 2018, be adopted.
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CARRIED
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NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE
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March 13, 2018, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room
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The Chair made reference to correspondence received from Joanne Fisher regarding speeds bumps and its effects on ambulance services (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1).
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1.
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(1)
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Safety on River Road
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Lynda Parsons, 2491 No. 8 Road, read from her submission (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 2) and expressed concern with residents’ safety along River Road.
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(2)
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Safety Enhancements / Speed Humps on River Road
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Arline Trividic, 22600 River Road, distributed materials (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 3) and expressed concern regarding the potential installment of speed humps along River Road and was of the opinion that they would not increase the safety along the road. She spoke on signage along the road, noting that they display contradicting road rules; for instance they road is divided with a double solid line but signage posted advises that vehicles may pass when safe. She noted that regular road users often disregard signage and therefore she was of the opinion that more traffic enforcement is required in the area.
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(3)
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Safety Enhancements / Speed Humps on River Road
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Yves Trividic, 22600 River Road, expressed concern with regard to a survey that was distributed to residents in the River Road area and queried the validity of the results. He noted that the majority of accidents along River Road were all single vehicle incidents and was of the opinion that speed was not the issue. Mr. Trividic believes that speed bumps along River Road will increase emissions in the area, negatively affecting the residents and that education and traffic enforcement is the only solution.
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In reply to queries from Committee, Superintendent Will Ng, OIC, Richmond RCMP, provided the following information:
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the Road Safety Unit has been actively enforcing traffic regulations along River Road;
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speed limit signage has been installed along River Road;
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individuals who were found to be in contravention of traffic regulations along River Road were appropriately ticketed and subsequently received a letter as reminders to reduce their speed;
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under the Motor Vehicle Act, cyclists are not permitted to ride side-by-side;
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on-going discussions are underway with various cycling clubs in an effort to promote and educate cyclists on safe cycling protocols;
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the City can introduce provisions to limit cycling on particular roads; and
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public outreach is underway in an effort to promote and educate cyclists on safe cycling protocol.
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In reply to queries from Committee, Cecilia Achiam, General Manager, Community Safety, advised that Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras are anticipated to be installed at all signalized intersections; however as River Road has no signalized intersections, installment of CCTV cameras are not included in the current plan.
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Superintendent Ng noted that CCTV cameras would be beneficial along River Road as it could deter drivers from speeding and assist in law enforcement in the area.
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In reply to queries from Committee, Superintendent Ng noted that educating cyclists on safe cycling protocol is important and that more appropriate signage may be needed to better convey the regulations.
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Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that a staff report will be presented at the next Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting; he noted that the staff report will speak to all factors that may contribute to accidents along River Road, including statistics and other pertinent information. Also, he noted that the staff report will address the suitability of speed humps along River Road and that staff are open to examining the appropriateness of the signage.
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In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Wei spoke of an ongoing plan to establish a road mirroring River Road that would be primarily utilized by trucks to gain access to suitable parking facilities; however the acquisition of certain properties is necessary to complete the road. He then noted that signage along River Road is universal and as a result of the geography of the road, cyclists cannot ride adjacent to vehicles. Also, Mr. Wei remarked that signage is placed on concrete blocks as the City cannot erect signage on BC Hydro poles; thus the signage must be freestanding. He then advised that in consultation with Richmond Fire-Rescue a concrete block was installed near a fire hydrant as it would not affect access or use of the hydrant.
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In response to queries from Committee regarding vulnerable people living along River Road, Superintendent Ng advised that residents can contact the Richmond RCMP’s Vulnerable Persons Unit for response.
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Discussion further ensued regarding the cement blocks along River Road and Mr. Wei advised that this solution is the most cost effective and safe way to install signage along River Road without compromising the stability of the road; he remarked that staff could examine the potential to excavate the shoulder to install signs. Mr. Wei then advised that a comprehensive staff report on River Road is anticipated to be presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on February 21, 2018, which will allow Council to make an informed decision.
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As a result of the discussion the following referral motion was introduced:
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It was moved and seconded
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That the OIC, Richmond RCMP, examine the possibility of installing Closed Circuit Television cameras and its cost along River Road to mitigate and help traffic safety and report back to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on February 21, 2018.
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CARRIED
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COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION
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2.
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Business Licences Quarterly Report – Fourth Quarter 2017
(File Ref. No. 12-8275-01) (REDMS No. 5726464)
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In reply to queries from Committee, Carli Edwards, Acting Senior Manager, Community Safety, Policy, Programs and Licencing, noted that (i) staff are using various strategies to ensure that a sufficient number of Bylaw Officers are in the field, (ii) staff are continuing enforcement of illegal ride-sharing and tickets are regularly issued, and (iii) staff are examining various avenues on eliminating illegal ride-sharing operations. Also, Ms. Edwards spoke on the process to remove certain permitted uses on subject sites, noting that a zoning text amendment would be required and should the use be altered by the City, the current tenant or owner would be grandfathered to that permitted use.
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Discussion took place on potential ways to require businesses to clearly and openly notify the public as to whether or not the establishment is regulated by the City.
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It was moved and seconded
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That the staff report titled “Business Licences Quarterly Report – Fourth Quarter 2017”, dated January 23, 2018, from the General Manager Community Safety be received for information.
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CARRIED
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3.
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Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report - December 2017
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 5678220 v.3)
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It was moved and seconded
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That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report - December 2017”, dated January 25, 2018, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.
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CARRIED
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4.
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Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – December 2017
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5720896)
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Tim Wilkinson, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR), highlighted that RFR has seen a reduction in calls for service in December 2017 compared to December 2016, and attributed this reduction to milder weather.
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It was moved and seconded
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That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – December 2017”, dated January 16, 2018 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.
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CARRIED
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5.
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FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)
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(i)
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Touchstone Eating Together Event – February 25
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Fire Chief Wilkinson extended an invitation to Committee to attend the Touchstone Eating Together event on February 25th at DeBeck Elementary School and noted that the Firefighters will be serving pancakes alongside Touchstone volunteers.
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(ii)
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Anti-Bullying/Pink Shirt Day – February 28
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Fire Chief Wilkinson advised that this year RFR will be wearing pink epaulets instead of pink t-shirts.
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(iii)
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Time Change/Smoke Alarm Check – March 11
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Fire Chief Wilkinson advised that daylight savings will occur on March 11th and encouraged everyone to change the batteries in their smoke alarms.
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6.
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RCMP Monthly Activity Report - December 2017
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5703568)
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Superintendent Will Ng noted that staff are evaluating the effectiveness of responses for mental health related calls. He also advised that the RCMP will be working with the local Assertive Community Treatment team (a recovery-oriented mental health service delivery model) and other agencies to reduce calls for vulnerable persons and will provide bi-annual updates on high volume calls for service.
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It was moved and seconded
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That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report – December 2017,” dated January 9, 2018, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information.
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CARRIED
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7.
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RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)
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(i)
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Mental Health Nurse
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Superintendent Ng noted that a meeting has been scheduled with Vancouver Coastal Health to discuss the potential of a mental health nurse working with the Richmond RCMP.
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(ii)
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Coffee with a Cop
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Superintendent Ng advised that the Richmond RCMP will have their second Coffee with a Cop session at Waves Coffee Shop in Steveston on March 8th.
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8.
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Emergency Programs Quarterly Activity Report – Fourth Quarter 2017
(File Ref. No. 09-5126-01) (REDMS No. 5728443)
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It was moved and seconded
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That the staff report titled “Emergency Programs Quarterly Activity Report – Fourth Quarter 2017”, dated January 24, 2018, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.
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CARRIED
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9.
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Committee Standing Item
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E-Comm
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The Chair spoke on a recent -Comm planning session and noted that discussions took place (i) on a potential second site for E-Comm on Vancouver Island, (ii) on the possibility of E-Comm becoming the main Emergency Centre for the Province of BC, and (iii) the potential for a second E-Comm site south of the Fraser River in the event of a disaster in Vancouver.
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10.
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MANAGER’S REPORT
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None.
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It was moved and seconded
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That the meeting adjourn (5:11 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 Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
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_________________________________
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_________________________________
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Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair
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Sarah Kurian
Legislative Services Coordinator
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