October 16, 2019 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

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 September 10, 2019, be adopted.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, November 13, 2019, (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) Oliver Grüter-Andrew, CEO, E-Comm, provided the following information:

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E-Comm has consistently met or exceeded its service level target for calls answered within a prescribed time frame; however, E-Comm will continue to improve their response times to non-emergency calls.

§   

E-Comm has launched their new training facility and it has doubled the efforts in training and improved staffing;

§   

Services have been expanded to southern Vancouver Island from Saanich to Duncan;

§   

Coast Mountain Bus Company has recently joined the E-Comm radio network, further enhancing the region’s public safety goals;

§   

E-Comm’s strategic plan will incorporate new innovations for public use, such as cell phone apps and social media platforms for non-emergency reporting.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Grüter-Andrew noted that ongoing public education regarding emergency and non-emergency calls is necessary and that E-Comm is exploring options to create a universal phone number for non-emergency call across the region.

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

2.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – August 2019
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01/20) (REDMS No. 6293494)

In reply to queries from Committee, Carli Williams, Manager, Community Bylaws and Licencing, noted that (i) the two enforcement files noted in the staff report were in relation to an operation of an illegal business and illegal short-term rental suites, (ii) dog patrols occur in the evenings and on weekends in addition to the weekdays, (iii) a property was found to be demolished without proper permits and protocols, (iv) the Passenger Transportation Board will not be issuing fines to illegal ride hailing operators until licenced companies are operating; therefore, the City will not be engaging in any future illegal ride hail blitzes until licenses are issued, and (v) non-compliant applicants have not properly disclosed the source of the soil.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – August 2019”, dated September 12, 2019, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Housekeeping Amendments for Traffic Bylaw No. 5870; Parking (Off-Street) Regulation Bylaw No. 7403; Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122; and Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-02-01) (REDMS No. 6155988)

A staff memorandum was distributed (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) outlining corrections to Amendment Bylaw No. 10023 and Amendment Bylaw No. 10024.

Discussion took place on the closure of parking meters and parking spaces located within a metered street during construction of new developments, and it was noted that the recovery revenue of $100 per day per block meter machine was not sufficient.

It was moved and seconded

That the following bylaws are introduced and given first, second and third readings:

(1)

Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10023;

(2)

Parking (Off-Street) Regulation Bylaw No. 7403, Amendment Bylaw No. 10024;

(3)

Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 10025; and

(4)

Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, Amendment Bylaw No. 10026.

CARRIED

4.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – August 2019
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 6288338 v. 2)

Discussion took place on the Butti Pocket Ashtray and it was noted that the City should examine the feasibility of providing portable cigarette extinguishers to the public at City events.

In response to queries from Committee, Fire Chief Tim Wilkinson, Richmond Fire-Rescue noted that RFR are continuously exploring new innovations for fire prevention.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine the feasibility of The Butti Pocket Ashtray, including cost, and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding The City of Vancouver’s Pocket Ashtray Pilot Program and in response to further queries regarding ashtrays on lamp standards, staff noted that a review on its feasibility can be examined.

The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – August 2019”, dated September 16, 2019, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Award  of Contract 6334Q - Supply and Delivery of Boots and Accessories for Richmond Fire-Rescue
(File Ref. No. 99-Fire Rescue) (REDMS No. 6301150 v.5)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that retired fire accessories are recycled and donated to local organisations and communities in British Columbia for volunteer firefighters.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Contract 6334Q - Supply and Delivery of Boots and Accessories for an initial three year term be awarded to Associated Fire Safety Group for the estimated average annual amount of $150,000.00, with an option to renew for two further one years terms, for an estimated total contract value of $750,000.00 over the five year term; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager of Community Safety be authorized to execute the Contract 6334Q as outlined in the staff report titled “Award of Contract 6334Q – Supply and Delivery of Boots and Accessories for Richmond Fire-Rescue”, dated September 16, 2019, from the Fire Chief.

CARRIED

6.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

(i)

Smoking Campaign Update

Fire Chief Wilkinson highlighted that RFR will continue to explore innovative ways to combat smoking. 

(ii)

Halloween

Fire Chief Wilkinson highlighted that RFR will continue to be vigilant during Halloween to ensure public safety and will be in attendance at City and non‑City sponsored events. 

In reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief Wilkinson noted that there is a permit process for fireworks events and private firework events are not typically posted on the City website. 

Discussion took place on the City of Vancouver’s upcoming motion regarding fireworks restrictions and it was suggested that staff provide information to the City of Vancouver outlining the successes the City of Richmond has had with its fireworks permit program.

7.

RCMP Monthly Activity Report – August 2019
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 6253277 v. 4)

Superintendent Will Ng, Richmond RCMP, reviewed statistics from the staff report. He then highlighted that the Fox 80 mental-health car (i) launched on October 10, 2019, (ii) has received positive feedback, and (iii) shifts have been scheduled during times of high call volume.

In response to queries from Committee, Superintendent Ng noted that (i) the number of drug offences will fluctuate based upon initiatives and specific targeting operations, (ii) the RCMP has been engaging in more proactive road blocks, (iii) the RCMP are examining the potential to incorporate 529 Garage in all bikes shops in the City to encourage individuals to register their bicycles, (iv) a public auction is held for all confiscated bicycles, and (v) the RCMP are exploring options to collaborate with local universities to conduct research with regards to trends or patterns behind the increase in mental health calls.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – August 2019”, dated September 11, 2019, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information.

CARRIED

8.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

Halloween

Superintendent Ng highlighted that the RCMP will be patrolling on Halloween to ensure public safety.

8A.

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue FUNDING REQUEST
(File Ref. No.)

It was moved and seconded

That a letter of support for Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue’s funding request for new equipment to the Vancouver Airport Authority be endorsed.

CARRIED

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Construction at 11400 No. 2 Road

Staff updated Committee on the ongoing construction located at 11400 No. 2 Road and as a result, staff were directed to provide more information on enforcement options, such as ticketing, fencing regulations, tree and hedge height limits, repair costs to City property, and the accessibility of bylaw and permit information on the City’s website. 

(ii)

Storeys Project

Staff noted that a staff memorandum was distributed to Council regarding the Storeys Update.

(iii)

Money Laundering Inquiry Public Meeting

Staff advised that the Money Laundering Inquiry Public Meeting will be taking place on November 7, 2019 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm at the Hilton Hotel in Richmond.

(iv)

Touchstone Family Association Annual Report

Staff advised that the Director from Touchstone Family Association has been invited to present their annual report in November.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:12 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, October 16, 2019.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Stephanie Walrond
Legislative Services Coordinator