November 13, 2019 - Minutes
|
Community Safety Committee
|
Date: |
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 |
|
Place: |
Anderson Room |
|
Present: |
Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair |
|
Also Present: |
Councillor Michael Wolfe |
|
Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. |
|
|
|
MINUTES |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on October 16, 2019, be adopted. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE |
|
|
|
Tuesday, December 10, 2019, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room |
|
|
|
COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
|
|
1. |
Touchstone Family Association Restorative Justice Contract Renewal & Annual Performance Outcome Evaluation Report |
|
|
|
|
In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) statistics regarding re-offending rates for those who do not participate in the program are not collected, (ii) Union of BC Municipalities has put forward many requests to the Province for funding for the restorative justice program, and (iii) the program is tailored for youth and adults with no specific age range. |
|
|
|
|
Judy Valsonis, Executive Director, Touchstone Family Association, noted that (i) the survey provided at the end of the program has been a successful tool to receive feedback from participants and their supporters, (ii) Touchstone is exploring options to provide a pilot program to the schools in Richmond, and (iii) Touchstone has an ongoing relationship with the RCMP and collaborate with them on youth crime and other challenging cases, such as the assault incident at the library. |
|
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding a press release to inform the public on the restorative justice system and process. |
|
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
That Council approve a six per cent increase in annual funding and renew the contract with Touchstone Family Association for the provision of Restorative Justice for three-years (2020-2022); and |
|
|
|
(2) |
That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Community Safety, be authorized to execute the renewal of the contract with Touchstone Family Association under the same terms and conditions described in this report; and |
|
|
|
(3) |
That the staff report titled “Touchstone Family Association Restorative Justice Contract Renewal & Annual Performance Outcome Evaluation Report” be forwarded to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
2. |
Emergency Programs Quarterly Activity Report – Third Quarter 2019 |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the staff report titled “Emergency Programs Quarterly Activity Report – Third Quarter 2019”, dated October 21, 2019, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
3. |
Business Licence Quarterly Report - Third Quarter 2019 |
|
|
|
In response to queries from Committee, Carli Williams, Manager, Community Bylaws and Licencing, noted that (i) of the 11 tickets issued in September during an illegal ride-hailing blitz, all but one ticket has been appealed, (ii) the City has not collected any funds from tickets as the Provincial court dates for the appeals are set for 2020, and (iii) there are significant expenses associated with issuing tickets as the administrative work is significantly time consuming. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the staff report titled “Business Licences Quarterly Report – Third Quarter 2019”, dated October 17, 2019, from the General Manager Community Safety be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
4. |
Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – September 2019 |
|
|
|
In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) Bylaw officers collaborate with Richmond schools and proactively issue tickets in school zones, (ii) Richmond has a no idling policy; however, the majority of tickets issued in school zones are vehicles stopped in no stopping zones, (iii) fences are measured from the ground regardless of the grade, (iv) the soil infraction site along Highway 91 between No. 7 Road and No. 8 Road is under investigation as the property is owned by the Province and Bylaws is in discussions with the farmer to protect the surrounding trees, (v) the City charges permit fees for approved soil dumping sites and when non-compliant sites are identified, the City works with the sites to come into compliance, and (vi) the Bylaws department is in the process of filling three staff positions. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – September 2019”, dated October 16, 2019, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
5. |
Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – September 2019 |
|
|
|
Fire Chief Tim Wilkinson, Richmond Fire-Rescue, distributed a reusable pocket ashtray and a Fire Safety booklet to educate Grade 2 students about fire safety (Copy on file, City Clerk’s Office). |
|
|
|
In response to a query from Committee, Fire Chief Wilkinson noted that Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) was the first fire department in British Columbia to offer pet general resuscitation and provide leashes and crates for rescued animals. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – September 2019”, dated October 18, 2019, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
6. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING |
|
|
|
|
Items for discussion: |
|
|
|
|
(i) |
Post Halloween Operations Update |
|
|
|
In response to queries from Committee, Fire Chief Wilkinson noted that (i) discussions with the Vancouver Fire Chief are underway and the City of Richmond will continue to work with the City of Vancouver with regard to a fireworks bylaw, (ii) RFR collaborates with all City departments and the Richmond School Board to ensure the public has a safe Halloween, and (iii) a significant decrease in property damage has been observed since the firework ban and having active patrols throughout the City has also deterred any negative activities. |
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
Lighting of the Hamilton Fire Hall and Open House |
|
|
|
Fire Chief Wilkinson invited Council to attend the lighting of the Hamilton Fire Hall and Open House taking place Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
|
|
|
|
(iii) |
Public Education |
|
|
|
Fire Chief Wilkinson updated Committee members on a new workbook featuring Baby Blaze, to educate Grade 2 students about fire safety. He advised that the workbook is illustrated by a local artist, who is also a Vancouver Police Department officer. |
|
|
|
|
The Fire Chief spoke on the portable cigarette ashtray, noting that it is reusable and ensures there is no heat transfer. He highlighted that RFR will distribute portable ashtrays throughout fire safety programs during the spring and look for opportunities to work with specific groups and attend specific sites to provide information and portable ashtrays to the public. |
|
|
|
|
In response to queries from Committee, Fire Chief Wilkinson noted that it is a challenging issue to educate the public on teaching children the difference between a real fireplace and an ornamental fireplace. |
|
|
|
|
(iv) |
Transition of Dispatch Service System |
|
|
|
Fire Chief Wilkinson highlighted the new global dispatch system in partnership with E-Comm starting November 18, 2019, that enables RFR to identify the location of the fire trucks, calculate the distance and travel time and dispatch the closest vehicle. |
|
|
|
|
(v) |
Service Levels |
|
|
|
Fire Chief Wilkinson highlighted that (i) a fully active rescue company with 24/7 coverage will be stationed in Steveston beginning December 1, 2019, (ii) an additional 17 staff have been hired, (iii) Steveston fire hall has been updated, (iv) a Request for Proposal has been issued to companies for new fire equipment, (v) RFR will receive a new fire engine in January, (vi) an additional 12 firefighters will be hired and another recruitment cycle will take place for 2021, and (vii) an operational engine company in the downtown core by the second quarter of 2021. |
|
|
|
7. |
RCMP Monthly Activity Report – September 2019 |
|
|
|
Superintendent Will Ng, Richmond RCMP, reviewed statistics from the staff report. |
|
|
|
In response from queries from Committee, Superintendent Ng noted that (i) there are ongoing awareness campaigns on social media regarding safe driving, (ii) enforcement has resulted in a decrease of speeding in Steveston, (iii) letters are sent to drivers for speeding or not fully stopping at stop signs, (iv) RCMP work closely with ICBC in creating road safety awareness through the RCMP Twitter account and post examples to educate the public, (v) there is an investigation into the driverless car incident that took place at Richmond Centre, (vi) the RCMP has executed speed enforcement along River Road and have seen positive effects, (vii) 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, (viii) RCMP monitors traffic patterns and traffic flow, (ix) there has not been an increase in homeless individuals due to the modular housing in Richmond, and (x) no criminal charges have been laid regarding the Hong Kong protest at Aberdeen station on October 5, 2019. |
|
|
|
In response to a further query from Committee, Cecilia Achiam, General Manager, Community Safety, noted that the Province is passing new legislation under Bill 19 allowing properties to be seized due to money laundering and the Province is in the exploration stage of having a federal registry of numbered companies. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – September 2019”, dated October 4, 2019, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
8. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING |
|
|
|
|
Items for discussion: |
|
|
|
|
(i) |
Richmond RCMP 5th Annual Toy Drive – November 16, 2019 |
|
|
|
Superintendent Ng invited Council to attend the 5th Annual Toy Drive taking place at Ironwood Mall on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and highlighted that the 2018 Toy Drive was able to support 2394 residents. |
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
Halloween |
|
|
|
Superintendent Ng advised that there were 43 additional officers patrolling on Halloween. |
|
|
|
|
(iii) |
Project 529 Bicycle Registrations |
|
|
|
Superintendent Ng noted that during Bike to Work week officers were out on Railway Avenue and Blundell Road promoting Project 529 resulting in 7 new bicycle registrations. |
|
|
|
8A. |
Full service gas stations |
|
|
|
Discussion took place on full service gas stations and the specifics of what the service entails, and in response to queries, Cecilia Achiam, General Manager, Community Safety, noted that staff will review Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 and the details of the level of service required by full service gas stations and provide an update. |
|
|
9. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
|
|
|
None. |
|
|
|
ADJOURNMENT |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the meeting adjourn (5:10 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 13, 2019. |
|
_________________________________ |
_________________________________ |
|
Councillor Bill McNulty |
Stephanie Walrond |