July 13, 2021 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo (by teleconference)
Councillor Harold Steves (by teleconference)

Also Present:

Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Linda McPhail (by teleconference)
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)

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 June 15, 2021, be adopted.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

September 21, 2021, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

It was moved and seconded

That:

§   

Signage on the Fraser River be added to the agenda as Item No. 6A; and

§   

Noise Bylaw be added to the agenda as Item No. 6B.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

Property Use Monthly Activity Report – may 2021
(File Ref. No. 12-8375-01) (REDMS No. 6698515)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) boulevard calls for service refer to calls pertaining to the boulevard maintenance bylaw,
(ii) there is currently one soil bylaw issue in court, (iii) the two new bylaw officer positions were specifically approved for the short term rental program, (iv) there are no noticeable trends related to stop work orders,
(v) Community Bylaws is not responsible for the regulation of cranes, and
(vi) Community Bylaws staff will be taking updated photos of the unsightly premises conditions at 10100 Severn Road on July 19, 2021.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Property Use Monthly Activity Report – May 2021”, dated June 17, 2021, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

COMMUNITY BYLAWS PARKING ENFORCEMENT AND ANIMAL SERVICES MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – MAY 2021
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 6690066))

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) top patrolled parks are selected through complaints received for calls for service,
(ii) communication of changes to bylaws regarding bikes on greenways is handled by the Transportation department, (iii) the dangers of leaving animals in hot cars are communicated by social media releases and pamphlets distributed to businesses, (iv) the substance found in South Arm Park was a natural material and there was no intentional poisoning, (v) SPCA officers actively patrol parking lots looking for dogs left in vehicles on hot days, and (vi) SPCA officers have the authority to issue tickets, while Richmond Fire-Rescue is authorized to open vehicles if an animal appears to be in distress.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Parking Enforcement and Animal Services Monthly Activity Report – May 2021”, dated June 15, 2021, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – MAY 2021
(File Ref. No. 99-Fire Rescue) (REDMS No. 6694026)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) Richmond Fire-Rescue received calls for service during the heat wave, (ii) mobile computers were purchased to support remote Emergency Support Services,
(iii) the increase in calls from 2020 to 2021 was related to a number of factors, (iv) a water cooler caught on fire during a residential fire on May 24, 2021, and (v) the BC Construction Safety Alliance oversees crane safety once erected.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – May 2021”, dated June 10, 2021, from the Fire Chief, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

fire chief briefing
(Verbal Report)

None.

5.

RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT - MAY 2021
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 6678185)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the shooting in Terra Nova on June 25, 2021 is still being investigated by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and there is no risk to the public,
(ii) they are working with Vancouver Costal Health to streamline the hospital admission process, (iii) they are looking at ways to track how many incidents are related to mental health, (iv) they will look into ways to provide more details surrounding sexual assault statistics, (v) the decision to cease the Auxiliary Program was due to the pandemic, and (vi) there was no increase in hate crimes during Pride Month.

Discussion ensued with regard to the Auxiliary Program and the reason for its termination. As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be written to the provincial government requesting an update on the auxiliary police program, including the possibility of expanding the program, and that copies be sent to neighbouring municipalities.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled "RCMP Monthly Activity Report - May 2021", dated June 14, 2021, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

rcmp/oic briefing
(Verbal Report)

None.

6A

signage on the fraser river
(Verbal Report)

Discussion ensued with regard to the need for signage indicating strong currents and swimming restrictions along the Fraser River. As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine the possibility of installing appropriate signage along the Fraser River indicating dangers, risks, and swimming restrictions, and report back.

CARRIED

6B

noise bylaw
(Verbal Report)

Discussion ensued with regard to the need for construction deliveries and pick-ups to occur beyond the current restrictions in place. As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff identify and review options to permit delivery and pick-ups in non-residential zones, and report back.

CARRIED

6C

ambulance wait times during heat wave
(Verbal Report)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) Richmond Fire-Rescue is prepared to assist with wild fire suppression when necessary, (ii) they are preparing for the next heat wave, and (iii) a memo will be provided to elaborate on the successes and challenges during the recent heat wave.

Discussion ensued with regard to the need for cooling centres in Richmond and incorporating heat waves into the emergency response plan. As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine ways to incorporate heat wave planning into the City’s Emergency Management Plan, and report back.

CARRIED

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the number of ambulances in Richmond depends on other local draws, (ii) the deployment model is determined by BC Ambulance Service, and (iii) Richmond Fire-Rescue is not permitted to transport patients.

Discussion ensued with regard to long ambulance wait times and improving hospital care. As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That a follow-up letter be written to the Minister of Health requesting a status update on the BC Emergency Health Services, especially ambulance services.

CARRIED

7.

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 Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

_________________________________

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Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Shannon Unrau
Legislative Services Associate