November 14, 2018 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Kelly Greene
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Harold Steves

Also Present:

Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Michael Wolfe

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 October 9, 2018, be adopted.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

December 11, 2018, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report - September 2018
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 5991273)

In reply to queries from Committee, Carli Williams, Manager, Community Bylaws and Licencing, advised that (i) violations issued were for illegal operations of short-term rentals, (ii) birthing houses have the same enforcement as short-term rentals, (iii) birthing houses are not illegal unless they are in contravention of the short-term rental bylaws or health and safety bylaws, and (iv) the Bylaws Department continuously monitors for all types of short term rentals.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report - September 2018”, dated October 22, 2018, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Emergency Programs Quarterly Activity Report – Third Quarter 2018
(File Ref. No. 09-5126-01) (REDMS No. 6003124 v. 3)

In reply to queries from Committee, Cecilia Achiam, General Manager, Community Safety, advised that the level of the dangerous spill determines who will respond to the incident. She noted that the current collaboration with the Richmond School District with regard to the Richmond Resilient Communities Program is a pilot project and once the Program has been successfully created it can be expanded to include other agencies such as private schools. Ms. Achiam then noted that Emergency Programs is collaborating with other initiatives as well, such as fire prevention.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Emergency Programs Quarterly Activity Report – Third Quarter 2018”, dated October 19, 2018, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – September 2018
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5997602)

Fire Chief Tim Wilkinson, Richmond Fire-Rescue, advised that the 17.6 percent reduction in service calls is due to the changes in the Clinical Response Model by BC Health Services (BCHS). He noted that BCHS is fine tuning the program and certain calls are being diverted back to RFR.

In reply to queries from Committee, Chief Wilkinson noted that there are various levels associated with the Clinical Response Model, and based on the level if BCHS has a unit within 10 minutes of the incident they will attend. He then spoke of the robust boarding-up protocols in place for vacant buildings in Richmond and noted that staff are always exploring ways to improve upon it. Chief Wilkinson then noted that there are a number of conditions that would need to be considered in order to board-up a building; however it is based on observations made by various individuals as well as complaint based.

Ms. Achiam noted that staff are bringing forward a report for Council’s consideration with regard to tightening bylaws to handle derelict homes.

In reply to further queries from Committee, Chief Wilkinson spoke of the recent bog fire in Richmond and noted that a memorandum of understanding is underway with the Department of National Defence with regard to prevention recommendations for the site to ensure a similar situation does not occur again. Also, he advised that discussions are underway with regard to the potential of securing the perimeter of the area to deter individuals from entering the site and increased maintenance of the area.  Chief Wilkinson then remarked that the armory on the site does not store any particularly hazardous materials.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – September 2018”, dated October 10, 2018 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

(i)

Post-Halloween Operations Update

Chief Wilkinson provided an update of Halloween night, and highlighted that RFR only attended 8 emergency events through the evening and collaborated with the Richmond RCMP and Public Works to ensure all problem areas were monitored to discourage inappropriate activities. Also, he noted that RFR provided information regarding their outreach programs to members of the community.

(ii)

Lighting of the Hamilton Fire Hall and Open House

Chief Wilkinson highlighted that the Lighting of Hamilton Fire Hall will take place on December 5, 2018 from 3:30-5:00 pm.

(iii)

Pilot Community Outreach Pharmacy Program

Chief Wilkinson highlighted the Community Outreach Pharmacy Program noting that a nurse visits homes of vulnerable seniors and provides them with various services. He advised that RFR provides them with fire prevention information and written checklists and that the Community Outreach Pharmacy Program workers will follow up on RFR’s report and ensure actions have taken place. Chief Wilkinson advised that they have completed 3 out of the 10 events they have scheduled and so far it has been a great success.

(iv)

Recruitment Update

Chief Wilkinson highlighted that the recruitment process will begin at the beginning of the New Year.

(v)

SD 38 Fire Safety Curriculum

Chief Wilkinson highlighted that RFR’s outreach group is working with the Richmond School District to develop a curriculum on fire safety and prevention for students in grades 8-12.

5.

RCMP Monthly Activity Report – September 2018
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 5973697 v. 2)

Superintendent Will Ng, OIC, Richmond RCMP, spoke on (i) the increase in property crime statistics, (ii) increase in mental health related calls which may attributed to travellers passing through YVR, (iii) increasing wrap-around services with other agencies with regard to mental health related situations, (iv) the Car 67 initiative and noted that it is well underway and will be launched soon.

In reply to queries from Committee, Superintendent Ng provided background information on the Car 67 initiative and noted that (i) the initiative was introduced to reduce the number of mental health related calls for service, (ii) the Richmond RCMP has created partnerships with various organizations to create wrap-around services to aide vulnerable persons, (iii) a vulnerable persons unit was created to focus on providing services and information to vulnerable persons.

In reply to further queries from Committee, Superintendent Ng noted that the incident on Odlin Road is under investigation by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. He then noted that the police dogs services are an integrated team that is shared with other municipalities, and that the RCMP is diligently accounting for their time spent in Richmond and ensuring that the dogs start and end their shifts in Richmond. Also, Superintendent Ng advised that the RCMP will be closely monitoring response times of the police dogs as it is an important factor.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – September 2018”, dated October 16, 2018, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

(i)

Introduction of Inspector Power

Superintendent Ng introduced Kori Power who will be in charge of the plain clothes officers and community policing.

(ii)

Toy Drive – Invite to Councillors

Superintendent Ng highlighted that the 4^th annual Toy Drive will be held on November 17^th from 8 am – 12 pm.

(iii)

Halloween

Superintendent Ng advised that Halloween night went smoothly and successfully with the lowest number of calls for service than any other Halloween. He highlighted that the City was well prepared and organized for this event that officers were able to patrol with the auxiliary officers throughout the night.

7.

River Road – Report Back on Richmond RCMP Enforcement Activities
(File Ref. No. 10-6450-09-01) (REDMS No. 5915308 v. 10)

Superintendent Ng reviewed the enforcement conducted on River Road noting that (i) 34 operations and patrols took place along River Road during this initiative, (ii) 446 violation tickets were issued, (iii) 34 Speed Watch deployments occurred, (iv) digital sign boards had limited effect on speeders but speed reader boards were extremely effective, and (iv) continuous enforcement at this level is not sustainable. Superintendent Ng further noted that approximately 15% of Traffic Enforcement Unit’s time was spent on this project during the enforcement period over the summer.

Lynda Parsons, Richmond resident, queried the status of the closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras that she previously suggested be installed along River Road.

Ms. Achiam advised that the privacy assessment with regard to the CCTV cameras is ongoing and that due to the stringent requirements regarding privacy issues it is taking some time. She noted that feedback has been provided with regard to the City’s submission and staff will be providing a response back to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner shortly.

Lynda Parsons, Richmond resident, referenced her submission (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1) and requested a response to the questions noted in her submission.

The Chair directed staff to liaise with the residents of River Road and provide them with a response to their questions.

In reply to queries from Committee, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that all traffic calming measures are still an option for consideration, including the permanent removal of speed humps. He noted that the results presented in the report are typical results of effectiveness of speed reader boards; however the boards will need to be moved regularly to ensure continued effectiveness.

Arline Trividic, 22600 River Road, read from her submission (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 2) and expressed concern with regard to the enforcement conducted along River Road, particularly regarding the lack of tickets issued to cyclists. She queried whether the RCMP had conducted enforcement along River Road on a Sunday morning between 9 am and 11 am.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “River Road – Report Back on Richmond RCMP Enforcement Activities” dated October 24, 2018, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information.

CARRIED

8.

Committee Standing Item

E-Comm

None.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Update on Cannabis

In reply to queries from Committee, Sergeant Nigel Pronger, Richmond RCMP, advised that the Province will only be deploying 10 Dräger DrugTest 5000 machines as there are only limited number of trained master instructors and operators of the machine. He noted that Richmond RCMP will not be utilizing the Dräger DrugTest 5000 as there are two other devices currently being tested that are smaller and more versatile. Sergeant Pronger then advised that there are restrictions to the Dräger DrugTest 5000 machine therefore a limited number will be deployed to gather data and develop best practices.

In response to further queries from Committee, Ms. Achiam advised that during the testing phase the machines will be funded by the Province; however the detachment will be responsible for costs once they have decided which machine they will be deploying.

Superintendent Ng advised that officers have issued 14 violation tickets for cannabis use, and encountered only two drug-impaired driving situations. He advised that there has been a decrease in drug charges in the last month; however there has been an increase in violation tickets issued.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Achiam advised that strata’s have the authority to put in place their own bylaws with regard to growing cannabis plants; however staff have not received any complaints thus far. The City’s policies regarding cannabis use fall under the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy.

In response to further queries from Committee, Sergeant Pronger advised that the RCMP currently use on call drug recognition experts to identify drug impaired driving and are hoping to train up to five members to become drug recognition experts. He then noted that there is another position called Standard Field Sobriety Tester that requires a lower level of training and would be available 24/7. Sergeant Pronger advised that the same process is followed whether the Dräger DrugTest 5000 machine is used or a drug recognition expert forms an opinion that an individual is drug impaired.

(ii)

Update on Delta Casino

Superintendent Ng advised that the Delta Casino is in a non-dense area and that the RCMP is anticipating an increase in calls for service with regards to impaired driving.

(iii)

Bylaw Officer’s Authority

Ms. Achiam advised that a meeting has been scheduled with Jamie Lipp, Acting Executive Director, Policing and Security Branch, to discuss Bylaw Officer’s authority as it relates to cannabis infractions and that more information is forthcoming.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:17 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 Wednesday, November 14, 2018.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Coordinator