May 10, 2022 - Minutes

Date:

May 10, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

Councillor Au (by teleconference)
Councillor 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 April 12, 2022, be adopted.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

Community Bylaws Animal Protection Services Monthly Activity Report – March 2022
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 6867465)

A brief discussion ensued with respect to opportunities for volunteers from the homeless shelter to help out at the City’s new animal shelter.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Animal Protection Services Monthly Activity Report – March 2022”, dated April 12, 2022, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Property Use and Parking Enforcement Monthly Activity Report - March 2022
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-00) (REDMS No. 6870654)

A brief discussion ensued with respect to calls for service (e.g. unsightly premises), complaint vs. proactive enforcement of the bylaws, and the process for lodging a complaint.

Discussion regarding the use/misuse of boulevards ensued.  Staff noted the distinction between properties with a boulevard or a shoulder, where parking is permitted on the shoulder, but a boulevard has a curb and parking is not permitted.

It was suggested that the statistical reports received regarding bylaws include information on warnings issued.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Property Use and Parking Enforcement Monthly Activity Report – March 2022”, dated April 13, 2022, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Business Licence Activity Report – First Quarter 2022
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-00) (REDMS No. 6870658)

A brief discussion ensued with respect to ride hailing and the administration of fines.  It was further noted that there needs to be a broader educational campaign to address illegal ride hailing.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Business Licence Activity Report – First Quarter 2022”, dated April 19, 2022, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Touchstone Family Association Restorative Justice Contract Renewal 2023-2025 and Annual Performance OutcomE Evaluation Report
(File Ref. No. 03-1000-05-069) (REDMS No. 6867340)

Judy Valsonis, Executive Director, Touchstone Family Association, was in attendance to address any questions with respect to the report.

Discussion ensued with respect to the ongoing services that could be provided, any new programming offered, and the challenges experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Committee expressed their appreciation for the partnership with Touchstone and the continued benefit to the community.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Council approve the contract renewal with Touchstone Family Association for the provision of Restorative Justice for three-years (2023-2025) as outlined in the staff report titled “Touchstone Family Association Restorative Justice Contract Renewal 2023-2025 and Annual Performance Outcome Evaluation Report”, dated April 4, 2022, from the General Manager, Community Safety; 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 terms and conditions described in this report.

CARRIED

5.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – March 2022
(File Ref. No. 09-5375-01) (REDMS No. 6872037)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – March 2022”, dated April 11, 2022, from the Fire Chief, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Chief Wishlove noted the following:

(i)

In recognition of Emergency Preparedness Week, Fire Hall No. 1, together with many emergency services partners, hosted an Emergency Programs Open House on May 7^th, receiving 800-1,000 residents throughout the course of the afternoon.

(ii)

Richmond Fire-Rescue Services will be participating in the upcoming Richmond Doors Open Event, June 4^th and 5^th at Fire Hall No. 1, providing opportunities to visit the fire hall, see the apparatus, tour the fire trucks, etc.

7.

RCMP Monthly Activity Report - March 2022
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 6859060)

Chief Supt. Chauhan provided a brief review of the report noting that the number of cases in most categories had increased in March, however no specific trends or patterns have been identified.  It was further noted that these numbers do fluctuate on a weekly/monthly basis, and that the latest CompStat reports will be reviewed to identify the hot spot areas to address any public safety concerns with a measured response.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled "RCMP Monthly Activity Report - March 2022", dated April 11, 2022, from the Acting Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information.

CARRIED

8.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Chief Supt. Chauhan noted the following:

(i)

In March 2022, of the four largest municipalities policed by the RCMP in the lower mainland, Richmond had the lowest violent crime rate and the second lowest property crime rate.

(ii)

RCMP volunteer events are ongoing with volunteers and members recently participating in the Emergency Preparedness event at Richmond Fire Hall No.1, volunteer participation for the Speed Watch Campaign this week, and many other events planned for the communing weeks and months.

COUNCILLOR CAROL DAY

9.

CAR HAILING FINES FOR PASSENGERS
(File Ref. No.)

Staff noted that enforcement of illegal ride hailing is principally done by the PTB, which would require a legislative change at the provincial level.  It was further noted that an educational program to the public would be beneficial.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter be written to the Province requesting an examination of penalties for passengers using illegal ride-hailing services; and

(2)

That staff be directed to raise the possibility of penalties for passengers using illegal ride-hailing service to the Inter-Municipal Business Licence advisory working group.

The question on the motion was called and DEFEATED with Cllrs. Hobbs, Loo, McNulty and McPhail opposed.

The following motion was then introduced:

It moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter be written to the Province and the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) requesting an examination of penalties for illegal ride-hailing services;

(2)

That staff be directed to raise the possibility of penalties regarding illegal ride-hailing services to the Inter-Municipal Business Licence advisory working group; and

(3)

Encourage the PTB to consider an educational program.

CARRIED

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff reach out to YVR Council Liaison, Dan Nomura, and ask him to raise the issue of illegal ride-haling services that are operating out of YVR, and that YVR respond to Council.

CARRIED

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:03 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, May 10, 2022.

_________________________________

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Councillor Linda McPhail
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate