January 26, 2026 - Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Laura Gillanders (entered the meeting at 7:35 p.m. by teleconference)
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Corporate Officer – Claudia Jesson

Absent:

Councillor Chak Au

Call to Order:

Mayor Brodie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

RES NO.

ITEM

MINUTES

R26/2-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on January 12, 2026, be adopted as circulated;

(2)

the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on January 19, 2026, be adopted as circulated; and

(3)

the minutes of the Regular Council meeting for Public Hearings held on January 19, 2026, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS

R26/2-2

It was moved and seconded

That an amendment be made to Item No. 7 “Community Safety Committee Motion”, to revise the motion to replace the words “Vancouver Coastal Health” with “Medical Health Officer for Richmond”.

CARRIED

PRESENTATION

Nancy Small, CEO, Tourism Richmond, presented the Excellence Award for Innovation to the City of Richmond for the Heritage Boat Restoration Program at Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site.

Mayor Brodie expressed appreciation to Tourism Richmond and highlighted the City’s partnership with the organization.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R26/2-3

2.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:04 p.m.).

CARRIED

3.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items – None.

R26/2-4

4.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (7:05 p.m.).

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

R26/2-5

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items No. 6 through No. 13 be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Community Safety Committee meeting held on January 13, 2026;

(2)

the General Purposes Committee meeting held on January 19, 2026; and

(3)

the Planning Committee meeting held on January 20, 2026;

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

7.

COMMUNITY SAFETY committee MOTION
(File Ref. No. 01-0151-01; 01-0150-20-HEAL1-01) (REDMS No.)

That a letter be sent to the Provincial Health Officer and Medical Health Officer for Richmond requesting information, on a monthly basis, on the overdoses and deaths from overdoses in Richmond.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

Award of Contract – 8490P Supply and Delivery of Computer Equipment and Related Services

(File Ref. No. 03-1000-20-8490) (REDMS No. 8254315, 8300607)

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services be authorized to extend the initial five-year contract, up to the maximum total term of seven years, for the maximum total amount of $3,748,680, as described in the report titled “Award of Contract – Supply and Delivery of Computer Equipment and Related Services” dated December 19, 2025, from the Director, Information Technology; and

(3)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services be authorized to execute Contract 8490P Supply and Delivery of Computer Equipment and Related Services and all related documentation with 341234 BC Ltd. (Microserve).

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

9.

Application by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority for a Temporary Commercial Use Permit at 5768 Minoru Boulevard

(File Ref. No. 08-4105-20- TU 25-029652) (REDMS No. 8257148, 8258842)

(1)

That the application by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority for a Temporary Commercial Use Permit for the property at 5768 Minoru Boulevard, to allow “Parking, non-accessory” as a permitted use, be considered for a period of three years from the date of issuance; and

(2)

That this application be forwarded to the February 17, 2025, Public Hearing at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers of Richmond City Hall.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

10.

Richmond Youth Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-RYAD1-01) (REDMS No. 8248798, 8248721, 8248803)

(1)

That the Richmond Youth Advisory Committee's 2025 Annual Report, as outlined in the report titled "Richmond Youth Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Program", dated December 19, 2025, from the Director, Community Social Development, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Richmond Youth Advisory Committee's 2026 Work Program be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

11.

Richmond Social Development Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-RSDA1-01) (REDMS No. 8225073, 8217271, 8218047)

(1)

That the Richmond Social Development Advisory Committee's 2025 Annual Report, as outlined in the report titled "Richmond Social Development Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Program", dated December 19, 2025, from the Director,

Community Social Development, be endorsed; and

(2)

That the Richmond Social Development Advisory Committee's 2026 Work Program be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

12.

Application by Haven Craft Homes Ltd. for Rezoning at 8560 Heather Street from “Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RSM/M)” Zone to “Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RSM/S)” Zone

 (File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-010730, RZ 24-049110) (REDMS No. 8230084, 8244710, 8246745)

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10730, for the rezoning of 8560 Heather Street from “Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RSM/M)” to “Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RSM/S)” zone, be introduced and given first, second and third reading.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

13.

Application by City of Richmond for Rezoning at 12871, 12873, 12875 Railway Avenue from “Low Density Townhouses (RTL1)” Zone to “Medium Density Low Rise Apartments (RAM1)” Zone

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-010734, RZ 25-029406) (REDMS No. 8251599, 8257935)

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10734, to amend the “Medium Density Low Rise Apartments (RAM1)” zone, and to rezone 12871, 12873, 12875 Railway Avenue from “Low Density Townhouses (RTL1)” zone to “Medium Density Low Rise Apartments (RAM1)” zone, be introduced and given first, second and third reading.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

14.

Proposed Update to Richmond’s Demolition Waste and Recyclable Materials Bylaw No. 9516 to Increase Diversion

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-010664; 12-8060-20-010717; 10-6125-07-04) (REDMS No. 8206701, 8215474, 8166219)

Discussion ensued regarding (i) demolition waste diversion requirements, with the City exceeding diversion targets and achieving high compliance,    (ii) the proposed implementation plan, including ongoing engagement, education, support, and collaboration with industry stakeholders,                 (iii) the proposed fee structure, including an administrative fee for unclaimed securities, (iv) feedback from stakeholders, (v) zero cost impact to developers and single-family homeowners, and (vi) the proposed one-year lead time and phased approach to the diversion target, including effective dates of the bylaw amendments, beginning January 2027.

R26/2-6

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That each of the following bylaws be introduced and given first, second and third readings:

(a)

Demolition Waste and Recyclable Materials Bylaw No. 9516, Amendment Bylaw No. 10664;

(b)

Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 10717; and

(2)

That the implementation plan as outlined in the report titled “Proposed Update to Richmond’s Demolition Waste and Recyclable Materials Bylaw No. 9516 to Increase Diversion”, dated December 4, 2025, from the Director, Climate and Environment, be approved.

CARRIED
Opposed: Cllr. Loo

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

15.

Approval to Commence Court Proceedings Challenging the Order of the Information and Privacy Commissioner – Public Safety Camera System Program
(File Ref. No. 10-6450-07-07) (REDMS No. 8295045, 8295967, 7720731, 7775341, 7867174, 7585235, 7901359, 7991006, 8010220)

R26/2-7

It was moved and seconded

That the commencement of Court proceedings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia seeking to judicially review and quash and set aside the Order of the Information and Privacy Commissioner dated January 14, 2026, and seeking necessary Court declarations confirming the legality of the City of Richmond’s Public Safety Camera System Program, be approved.

The question on Resolution R26/2-7 was not called as discussion ensued regarding (i) the ten priority intersections included in Phase 1 for the Public Safety Camera System (PSCS) implementation, (ii) the functionality of the PSCS cameras, which would record passively and not be actively monitored in real-time, (iii) the use of public safety cameras in other municipalities,    (iv) the critical importance of public safety and the need to pursue a judicial review of the January 14, 2026 Order of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to ensure the continuation and lawful implementation of the PSCS Program, (v) costs incurred to date for the PSCS Program and the need to resolve the program’s legality before further implementation, (vi) concerns related to costs and potential impacts to taxpayers, as well as reliance on technology, and (vii) the use of public safety cameras to assist in solving crimes.

Councillor Gillanders entered the meeting (7:35 p.m.) by teleconference.

Further discussion ensued regarding (i) parameters of the PSCS field testing, including how footage can be utilized or obtained, (ii) the use of the PSCS to assist with enforcement and solving crimes, and its potential role in deterring criminal activity, and (iii) privacy and security concerns.

The question on Resolution R26/2-7 was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Gillanders and Wolfe opposed.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor Brodie announced that:

Trustee Rod Belleza was appointed as the Richmond School Board liaison to the Richmond Child Care Development Advisory Committee for a one-year term to expire on December 31, 2026, with Trustee Debbie Tablotney as the alternate.

Councillor Chak Au has submitted his resignation as a Richmond City Councillor, effective February 1, 2026. Councillor Au has served on Council since 2011 and will continue his work as a Member of Parliament for the British Columbia riding of Richmond Centre–Marpole. At the January 19, 2026 Special Council meeting, Council approved a motion that mandates that the City will forego a by-election in the event of a Councillor’s resignation. As a result, a by-election will not be held to fill the vacancy created by Councillor Au’s resignation, avoiding the significant cost of a by-election.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R26/2-8

It was moved and seconded

That the following bylaws be adopted:

Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 10726; and

Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2026-2030) Bylaw No. 10727.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R26/2-9

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (7:56 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Regular meeting of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, January 26, 2026.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)