January 14, 2020 - Minutes
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Community Safety Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Chak Au |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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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 December 10, 2019, be adopted. |
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CARRIED |
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COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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1. |
Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – November 2019 |
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In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the Mobile License Plate Recognition Program will have vehicles equipped with mobile cameras scanning both on-street and off-street timed parking zones, (ii) the vehicles have the ability scan for license plates that have moved spots in order to enforce timed parking infractions, (iii) any dog walking business may have its license suspended or cancelled if involved in a dog bite, (iv) Bylaws has been working with the property located at 12620 No. 3 Road to ensure progress, (v) the calls for service have increased due to the staffing of a sign inspector and the increase of service by the City, (vi) the entrance to the East Nature Park off of Jacombs Road has been restricted as an environmentally sensitive area, and (vii) occupants have left the Hamilton homeless camp and Bylaws have visited the location to clear the site. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – November 2019”, dated December 12, 2019, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
Parking fees for 8620 and 8660 Beckwith Road |
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In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the $2.75 hourly rate is the current rate listed in the Consolidated Fees Bylaw, (ii) assigning a daily rate to the parking spots may result in no turnover as well as long term parking, and require a bylaw amendment, (iii) an alternative could be putting up 2 – 3 hour restricted parking, (iv) there is ample street parking in the area for transit users, (v) the other section of the lot is being rented, (vi) a site specific rate would require a bylaw amendment as currently the rate for off‑street parking lots is $42.00 per month, and (vii) the cost recovery is for the metre and the overall payback is expected to take three plus years. |
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Discussion took place regarding examining a site specific daily rate for the 32 spots geared towards commuters for the Canada Line and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Parking fees for 8620 and 8660 Beckwith Road” be referred back to staff to examine the site specific daily rate in light of the proximity of the Canada line for the 32 spots located at 8620 and 8660 Beckwith Road and report back. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – November 2019 |
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In response to queries from Committee, Fire Chief Tim Wilkinson, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) noted that (i) there is a change of policy in BC Ambulance’s call taking and how they categorize calls, (ii) the marijuana grow operation on Sidaway Road is known to RFR and is back in operation, (iii) RFR regularly inspects the grow operations to ensure they follow processes of the City’s system, and (iv) mental health issues affect how Vancouver Coastal Health, the RCMP, RFR and BC Ambulance are able to assist and offer solutions to individuals. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – November 2019”, dated December 5, 2019, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING |
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Items for discussion: |
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None. |
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5. |
RCMP Monthly Activity Report – November 2019 |
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Superintendent Will Ng, Richmond RCMP, spoke to the staff report and highlighted statistics from residential break and enters, auto thefts, and mental health. In response to queries from Committee, Superintendent Ng noted that (i) the incident with the 75 year old missing woman is still under investigation, (ii) the reduction in mental health calls can be attributed to working with one individual and reducing their calls by 70 calls, and (iii) RCMP are currently working with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to separate the statistics of drugs seizures from Vancouver International Airport and the Richmond RCMP’s in order to provide true monthly statistics for the City of Richmond. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – November 2019”, dated December 9, 2019, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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6. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING |
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Items for discussion: |
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(i) |
Lock Box Application |
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Richmond RCMP is currently working with Richmond Fire-Rescue on the soft launch of the Lock Box Application. |
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(ii) |
Richmond RCMP Mobile App |
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The Richmond RCMP Mobile App is in its 2nd stage of beta testing. Staff will tabulate the survey and the App will be launched in the 2nd quarter. |
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(iii) |
Project Iris |
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The RCMP are currently working with other municipalities to identify the benefits and challenges of a camera registry to assist in RCMP investigations. |
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Discussion ensued and in response to queries, Superintendent Ng noted that RCMP is working with E-Comm as all jurisdictions are experiencing delays with their non-emergency lines; however, 9-1-1 calls are not affected and that the Road Safety unit will monitor the pedestrian crossing located at Granville Street and the Minoru Centre of Active Living and report back. |
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Further discussion ensued and in response to queries, staff noted that (i) the City of Richmond was not one of the municipalities selected for auditing, (ii) staff followed up with birthing house complaint and the residents at the location admitted they were there to give birth and were staying with friends, the listing has been taken off the internet, and (iii) the RCMP use discernment with arrests and are trained to treat people kindly and with respect. |
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7. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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(i) |
City Centre Community Policing Office |
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Staff updated Committee that the City Centre Community Policing office is near completion and expected to open Spring 2020. |
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(ii) |
Fire at 8000-block of No. 1 Road |
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The property fire located between Blundell and Francis is currently under control. Fire and RCMP are in attendance and investigating. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:38 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, January 14, 2020. |
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_________________________________ |
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Councillor Bill McNulty |
Stephanie Walrond |