April 9, 2019 - Minutes
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Community Safety Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, April 9, 2019 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Linda McPhail |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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AGENDA ADDITIONS |
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The Chair noted that “Hamilton”, “Ackroyd and No. 3 Road”, and “Constable Gate at Steveston Highway” be added to the Agenda as new items no. 7, 8, and 9 and the remaining items renumbered accordingly. |
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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 12, 2019, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE |
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May 14, 2019, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room |
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COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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1. |
Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – February 2019 |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Carli Williams, Manager, Community Bylaws and Licencing provided the following information: |
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calls for service regarding signs include any enforcement or inquiries of illegally placed signs or illegal sign types; |
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staff have shutdown hundreds of illegal short term rental listings and staff continually review listings individually as there are licenced operations advertised on online listings along with illegal postings; |
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animal control patrols can add the Steveston waterfront area to their rotation to ensure complaints regarding off leash dogs and waste are addressed on weekends; |
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there is adequate staffing to address complaints and meet current service levels; and |
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statistics regarding illegal rideshare activity is included in the quarterly business licence report and staff were active with court dates in March and enforcement is ongoing. |
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Discussion ensued regarding providing updates to the violations and complaints of Soil Bylaw violations court proceeding outcomes and a recent article regarding illegal short term rental listings and activity in Richmond. |
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In further response to questions from Committee, Cecilia Achiam, General Manager, Community Safety and Ms. Williams remarked that (i) there is an outstanding referral regarding the possibility of registering room and board facilities and a report is forthcoming on the matter and will include options for increasing levels of service, (ii) staff have found a few listings who advertise as Vancouver listings but operate in Richmond and continue to actively investigate listings, (iii) at the peak of illegal short term rentals there were approximately 1700 online listings and short term rentals without an operator living on site are not permitted, (iv) information regarding short term rentals is available on the City’s website and staff can investigate inserting information cards with property tax notices, and (v) most individuals approached about illegal short term rental operations stop the activity when redirected. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – February 2019”, dated March 19, 2019, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
Imperial Parking Canada Corporation Contract Renewal |
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In response to questions from Committee, Susan Lloyd, Manager, Parking Enforcement, Animal Control and Administration – Community Bylaws, advised that (i) the meter program generated on average $720,000 in revenue per year in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and were previously on average $525,000 per year, (ii) staff anticipate an increase in revenue due to the installation of additional meters, (iii) a request for proposal for meter services will be issued in approximately five years, the last was in 2015, and (iv) approximately five additional meters will be installed. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the City enter into a five year-renewal contract (2019-2023) with Imperial Parking Canada Corporation, as outlined in the staff report titled, “Imperial Parking Canada Corporation Contract Renewal”, dated March 19, 2019, from the General Manager, Community Safety; and |
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(2) |
That the General Manager of Community Safety be authorized to execute the contract with Imperial Parking Canada Corporation. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – February 2019 |
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Tim Wilkinson, Fire Chief, remarked that this month’s activity report reflected an emphasis on contributing more stories to the significant events section and staff continue will to make improvements and adjustments to the reports. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Chief Wilkinson commented that public awareness on dryer duct maintenance in relation to fire prevention can be highlighted by Richmond Fire-Rescue. |
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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 2019”, dated March 18, 2019, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING |
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(i) |
Recruitment Updates (Firefighter and Coordinator, Projects and Planning) |
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Chief Wilkinson remarked that there were 562 applicants for the firefighter positions and the posting has now closed. He further advised that the anticipated hire date would be October 8, 2019. Chief Wilkinson also noted that a coordinator role, which would focus on data analysis and assist with reports to Council, had 86 applicants and the position is expected to begin within a month. |
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(ii) |
LUCAS 3 Automated CPR Machines |
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Chief Wilkinson acknowledged and commended the support from Council on approving the automated CPR devices and noted that they are often utilized and lent to BC ambulance for use. |
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5. |
RCMP Monthly Activity Report – February 2019 |
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Will Ng, Superintendent, Officer in Charge, provided an overview of the February 2019 statistics, noting in particular that (i) there has been a decrease in property crime, (ii) decrease over last month in serious assaults, (iii) decrease in mental health calls for service from January however there is still an increase from February 2018, (iv) a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been agreed upon with Vancouver Coastal Health for the Car 67 Program, (v) there have been a record number of volunteers and they continue to be very active in community outreach including break and enter outreach and engaging business owners and residents on how to safe guard against break and enters, and (vi) 4848 notices for Lock-Out Auto Crime were distributed in February. |
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In response to queries from Committee regarding a Community Police Office in Hamilton, Ms. Achiam and Supt. Ng advised that: |
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a report to the General Purposes Committee regarding possible locations and funding is forthcoming; |
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officers passionate about patrolling the Hamilton Area and Richmond RCMP have an interest in seeking a pre-deployment location in the area; |
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officers have been able to utilize the Hamilton Fire Hall as a temporary space and staff can inquire about posting signage regarding officer availability at any Hamilton office; |
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an office in the Hamilton area would help reduce response times which are currently an average of over 11 minutes; |
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officers have specific routes to patrol the homeless camp in the area to ensure compliance; |
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staff can approach Peter German in regards to producing a report for the City; |
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in the future the Blockwatch newsletter can be added as an attachment to the staff report; and |
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there are more active crime areas in the City, currently the City Centre area has higher rates of property crime, theft from autos, and auto theft however effort is made to combat any prolific offenders contributing to the higher statistics in the area. |
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Supt. Ng provided a briefing regarding the Richmond Mobile Enforcement team, and advised it has been very active with gang related intervention including pulling over high risk vehicles related to gang activity. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – February 2019”, dated March 14, 2019, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information |
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CARRIED |
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6. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING |
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None. |
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7. |
Hamilton |
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Angela Ellis, Hamilton area resident, expressed concern regarding the homeless camp site in the area noting that the number of tents has increased since they first appeared and there has been an increase in petty crime in the area. Ms. Ellis commented that assistance had been offered to the individuals on the site from local residents. She further expressed concern regarding the safety of residents and children in the neighbourhood, stating that she was of the opinion that the issue is not being adequately addressed. |
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Jonathan Chow, Hamilton area resident, expressed concern regarding the safety of the area residents and children, commenting that there have been issues with public defecation, property crime, and open drug use from individuals on the site. Mr. Chow further noted that residents may not be reporting minor theft issues. |
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Discussion ensued regarding the importance of reporting minor crimes in the area. |
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In reply to questions from Committee, Ms. Achiam advised the following: |
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staff have been directed to prepare a fact sheet regarding the Hamilton homeless camp to provide to area residents; |
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staff take all complaints regarding the matter seriously; |
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the City is managing the situation as much as possible in the interim and staff are developing a longer term solution; |
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the temporary modular housing and temporary shelter are opening soon, however the individuals on the site may not be compelled to take any offered assistance; |
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Bylaw staff and Richmond RCMP have stepped up patrols to at least three times a day to ensure the area is kept as safe as possible; |
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staff continue to reach out to service providers in the area; |
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the Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing has been the source of information to allow inquiries to be accurately tracked; |
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the City is conducting regular garbage collection for the site and providing garbage bags for use; |
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front line staff have adequate training for dealing with the situation and there is constant contact with Hamilton Community Centre staff to ensure any issues with individuals from the site are addressed; and |
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there have been no official complaints from the school or daycare in the neighbourhood. |
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In response to queries regarding requiring registration of bicycles belonging to individuals at the site in the 529 Garage program to address theft issues, Supt. Ng remarked that RCMP officers are advised to check serial numbers for any observable property during patrols and noted that registration in the program could be added. |
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Discussion then took place on (i) the impact of removing the remaining brush on the site, (ii) potential to install signs in the area with relevant contact information, and (iii) conducting a public information meeting with area residents to address concerns. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That staff be directed to conduct a public meeting with Hamilton area residents regarding the homeless camp as soon as possible. |
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CARRIED |
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Discussion further took place on the creation of information sheets for the public on the matter and direction was given to staff to provide further details including relevant contact numbers and the City’s actions. |
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8. |
Ackroyd and No. 3 Road |
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Councillor Loo spoke to a delegation to the March 20, 2019 Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting who advised of concerns regarding pedestrian safety at the intersection of Ackroyd Road and No. 3 Road. Supt. Ng advised that Richmond RCMP had been in contact with the individual to discuss her concerns and that traffic enforcement is aware of that intersection and are addressing longer term solutions including ways to slow down drivers and make drivers aware of pedestrians. |
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9. |
constable gate at steveston highway |
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Councillor Loo noted concern regarding speeding in the area and Supt. Ng advised that road safety and enforcement can be increased in the area and noted an record number of tickets for speeding had been issued this year with one officer citing over 300 distracted driver tickets since January. |
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10. |
COMMITTEE STANDING ITEM |
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E-Comm |
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None. |
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11. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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None. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:06 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 9, 2019. |
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Councillor Bill McNulty |
Amanda Welby |