Minutes - May 1, 2023 (Special)
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Special Community Safety Committee
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Date: |
Monday, May 1, 2023 |
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Place: |
Council Chambers |
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Present: |
Councillor Alexa Loo, Chair Councillor Bill McNulty Mayor Malcolm Brodie |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Chak Au Councillor Carol Day Councillor Michael Wolfe |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:49 p.m. |
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COUNCILLOR ALEXA LOO |
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1. |
RESOLUTION RE MODULAR HOUSING AND RELATED ISSUES (File Ref. No.) |
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Further to the referral motion of April, 12, 2023, Councillor Loo noted the following: |
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Whereas: |
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(A) |
Richmond City Council will need to address questions related to the lease of the Alderbridge Modular Housing project (“Alderbridge”) on city-owned land, now set to expire in 2024; and |
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(B) |
There are many complex questions to investigate regarding this project and activities in the surrounding area; |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(A) |
That staff investigate and report back to closed or open General Purposes Committee on matters related to Alderbridge including: |
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(1) |
the range of housing options on the continuum and whether other options may better support Alderbridge residents who wish to progress to other models of housing wherever located; |
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(2) |
the effectiveness of the current operator of Alderbridge, the remaining length of the term of the lease and statistics on the success of the recovery/housing journey of past and present residents; |
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(3) |
the adequacy, availability and overall effectiveness of the supports for Alderbridge residents and whether the approach to those residents with drug addictions is appropriate; |
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(B) |
That RCMP and staff investigate and report statistics on calls for service from various departments during the tenure of the Alderbridge lease including the amount and type of crime in the area as well as a comparison with other communities with modular housing complexes similar to Alderbridge; and |
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(C) |
VCH Medical Health Officer be invited to present an update including: |
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(1) |
number of overdose deaths in Richmond; |
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(2) |
how the Province is implementing the “health care first” approach after decriminalization of illicit drugs; and |
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(3) |
number of overdoses are occurring in residential homes compared to those on the street or in modular housing. |
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CARRIED |
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Before the motion was called, discussion ensued with respect to taking a broad review of community safety and other related issues in city centre, including (i) the importance of determining that people are supported with the right continuum of care, (ii) obtaining metrics regarding supportive housing, (iii) the impacts of a global mental health crisis and homelessness, (iv) neighbourhood concerns expressed, (v) factors linked to trends in crime, (vi) the important role of supportive housing, (vii) challenges within City Centre and transient individuals; (viii) relationships between operators and tenants, and (ix) regular communication amongst City, Vancouver Coastal Health and RCMP staff. |
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The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Heed opposed. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the April 12, 2023 referral motion be rescinded. |
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CARRIED |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:32 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 Monday, May 1, 2023. |
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Councillor Alexa Loo |
Lorraine Anderson Legislative Services Associate |