October 12, 2022 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

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 21, 2022, be adopted.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

Animal Protection Services Monthly Activity Report - August 2022
(File Ref. No. 09-5375-09) (REDMS No. 6961075)

Staff noted there are approximately 424 dog licenses that remain in arrears and will be closed as canvassing has completed.  Any follow-up required will happen over the next month in preparation for the renewals for 2023.

In response to questions from the Committee, staff noted:

·      the canvassing campaign provides the opportunity to connect with residents and close accounts as the result of a move out of town or the pet has deceased;

·        the monthly average of new dog licenses is 80 new dogs (+/-1,000 per year), which is fairly consistent with previous years averaging 80-100 new dogs per month, depending on account closures;

·    with SPCA taking over the contract in the last year, there has been more enforcement and increased visibility in local parks, bringing awareness to the dog licensing program, including more education brought through social media as well as a dedicated email for residents to bring in complaints that are then dispatched to the SPCA; and

·       with the recent opening and popularity of Bark Park and Tait Waterfront Park dog off-leash areas, there will be a re-evaluation of new parks to include Hamilton and other possible waterfront areas, working together with Parks and Animal Protection Services, as part of the agenda in the future.

A brief discussion ensued with respect to the monitoring of coyotes.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Animal Protection Services Monthly Activity Report – August 2022”, dated September 14, 2022, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Property Use and Parking Enforcement Monthly Activity Report - August 2022
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-00) (REDMS No. 6987286)

Discussion ensued with respect to illegal dumping in farmland and violation enforcement.  Staff noted that roughly 20% of the calls for service that are reflected in the unsightly and boulevard maintenance category occur within the ALR.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Property Use and Parking Enforcement Monthly Activity Report - August 2022”, dated September 15, 2022, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – August 2022
(File Ref. No. 5375-03) (REDMS No. 6976603)

In response to questions from the Committee, Chief Wishlove advised:

·      the Province adopted recommendations from the provincial audit reports that the interactions and medical interventions firefighters will be able to perform will be increased.  The next task will be with the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Branch, working with the fire chiefs in the region, to establish timelines, implementation dates and training impacts.  Upgraded training is anticipated within the next number of months; and

·       as part of the normal practice, the Coast Guard is summoned anytime a structure fire is being fought that is closely located to the river for a risk management or risk mitigation perspective.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – August 2022”, dated September 12, 2022, from the Fire Chief, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Chief Wishlove noted in recognition of Fire Prevention Week, the community outreach team created a number of videos:  (i) “How to Draw a Home Escape Plan”; (ii) “Hotel Escape Plans”; and (iii) “Shelter in Place”, which will be released each day throughout the week, to all the followers through various social media channels as well as the Richmond Fire-Rescue website.

5.

RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – AUGUST 2022
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 6957673)

In response to questions from the Committee, Acting OIC Supt. Drotar noted:

·       with respect to speeding concerns - Traffic Services and volunteers are aware of the areas with the most amount of speeders, and enforcement is being done, however it would be beneficial to know where complainants are seeing speeding in order to follow-up;

·          with respect to mental health apprehension, multiple units are patrolling the streets and very engaged, and there has not been an increase in crimes or violent crimes in Richmond, as seen in other municipalities;

·       the “Hate Has No Place” campaign has been very useful in sending the message that nobody in the community stands for this type of behaviour and will be an ongoing program bringing new ideas to the public.

With respect to concerns expressed regarding speed limit signage for e‑scooter use along the Railway Trail, staff noted the issue will be followed up with the Director of Transportation and will also liaise with Parks.  Acting OIC Supt. Drotar also noted members have been throughout Richmond roads educating the public on e-scooter speed and safety, and have also given fines to people caught speeding on roadways that were utilizing e-scooters.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – August 2022”, dated September 15, 2022, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

None.

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Appreciation to the Chair

The Committee expressed their appreciation to Councillor McPhail for the great work done over the years with the Community Safety Committee and as Councillor.

(ii)

South Simcoe Police Officers

With the recent loss of two South Simcoe Police Officers in the line of duty, Councillor Hobbs acknowledged all police and other first responders and the work they do to protect citizens by putting their life on the line 24/7.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:39 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 12, 2022.

_________________________________

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Councillor Linda McPhail
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate