January 27, 2025 - Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Corporate Officer - Claudia Jesson

Call to Order:

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

RES NO.

ITEM

MINUTES

R25/2-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on January 13, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R25/2-2

2.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:01 p.m.).

CARRIED

3.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items:

Items No. 11 – Consolidation of Public Compensation for Council Members, and No. 11A – Council Members Attendance at Events

Sheldon Starrett, Richmond resident, spoke in support of Items No. 11 and 11A.

Item No. 11 – Consolidation of Public Compensation for Council Members 

(1)

Maureen McDermott, Richmond resident, spoke in support of Item No. 11 and suggested that, for accountability and transparency, citizens should know how City Council compensation benefits the community.

(2)

Cody Miller, Richmond resident, spoke in support of Item No. 11.

Items No. 8 – Terms of Reference – Major Construction Projects Oversight Committee, and No. 11 - Consolidation of Public Compensation for Council Members

Jasmine Piao, Richmond resident, queried Items No. 8 and No. 11, and requested information for how the citizens can provide feedback.

R25/2-3

4.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (7:11 p.m.).

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

R25/2-4

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items No. 6 through No. 10 be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Community Safety Committee meeting held on January 14, 2025;

(2)

the General Purposes Committee meeting held on January 20, 2025;

(3)

the Planning Committee meeting held on January 21, 2025; and

(4)

the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting held on January 22, 2025;

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

7.

Major CONSTRUCTION Projects Oversight Committee Policy – Referral Response

(File Ref. No. 01-0095-20-1021) (REDMS No. 7909177)

That the Major Construction Projects Oversight Committee Policy 1021, as described in the report titled “Major Construction Projects Oversight Committee Policy – Referral Response”, dated January 6, 2025, from the Director, Facilities and Project Development, be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

Terms of Reference – MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Oversight Committee

(File Ref. No. 06-2052-25-WYAR1) (REDMS No. 7905856)

(1)

That the “Terms of Reference – Major Construction Projects Oversight Committee”, dated January 6, 2025, from the Director, Facilities and Project Development, be endorsed;

(2)

That Councillor Gillanders be appointed as Council-liaison to the Major Construction Projects Oversight Committee;

(3)

That the Works Yard Replacement Project be referred to the Major Construction Projects Oversight Committee; and

(4)

That the recruitment for members of the Major Construction Oversight Committee occurs as soon as possible and that staff report back to Council with recommended appointees.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

A revised Terms of Reference was distributed to Council (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1).

9.

Regular Council Meetings for Public Hearings Schedule Change

(File Ref. No. 01-0105-01) (REDMS No. 7929799

That the Regular Council Meetings for Public Hearings be held on a Monday at 5:30 pm immediately following a General Purposes Committee Meeting.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

10.

Referral Response - Steveston Village Heritage Conservation Grant Program (Council Policy 5900)

(File Ref. No. 01-0095-20-5900; 08-4200-08) (REDMS No. 7849100. 7886988, 7850184, 7845434, 7871676, 7860346)

(1)

That the proposed amendments to the Steveston Village Heritage Conservation Grant Program (Council Policy 5900), as detailed in the staff report titled “Referral Response - Steveston Village Heritage Conservation Grant Program (Council Policy 5900)”, dated December 12, 2024 from the Director, Policy Planning be approved; and

(2)

That an amendment to the Official Community Plan (Steveston Area Plan) be prepared to adjust the development contribution structure for the Steveston Village Heritage Conservation Grant Program to ensure long-term sustainable funding for the program.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

11.

Consolidation of Public Compensation for Council Members
(File Ref. No. 01-0105-08-01) (REDMS No.)

R25/2-5

It was moved and seconded

(1)

THAT the City of Richmond prepare a comprehensive annual financial report that details the total compensation received by Richmond Council members who serve on regional or provincial organizations, including but not limited to EComm911, Municipal Finance Authority, TransLink, and Metro Vancouver, and that this report be made accessible to the public; and,

(2)

THAT the annual financial report provides a complete itemization of each Council member’s base salary and benefits, as well as per diems, stipends, allowances, retainers, expense reimbursements, and any other compensation associated with their roles.

CARRIED

11A.

Council Members attendance at events

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

The following recommendation was DEFEATED at Committee (with Cllrs. Day, Gillanders, Heed, McNulty and Wolfe opposed.

That staff be directed to keep track of and periodically report in public on the attendance of Councillors and the Mayor at Council meetings, external board meetings, meetings where Councillors are the liaisons and public or community events.

R25/2-6

It was moved and seconded

That staff be directed to keep track of and periodically report in public on the attendance of Councillors and the Mayor at Council meetings, external board meetings, meetings where Councillors are the liaisons and public or community events.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to the merits of the recommendation.

The question on Resolution R25/2-6 was then called and it was DEFEATED with Cllrs. Day, Gillanders, Heed, McNulty and Wolfe opposed.

PLANNING COMMITTEE

Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair

12.

Referral Response: Bylaw 9861 – Greenhouses with Concrete Footings

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-009861; 08-4403-03-07) (REDMS No. 7781658, 7884976)

R25/2-7

It was moved and seconded

That Option 1, maintain current regulations, which restrict the use of concrete in greenhouses, as outlined in the report titled “Referral Response: Bylaw 9861 – Greenhouses with Concrete Footings”, dated December 12, 2024, from the Director, Policy Planning, be endorsed.

The question on the motion was not called as a brief discussion ensued with respect to the current regulations.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Loo opposed.

PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Councillor Carol Day, Chair

13.

Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-010623;10-6450-15-01) (REDMS No. 7859884, 7909364)

R25/2-8

It was moved and seconded

That the recommendation:

(1)

That the posted speed limit be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h on London Road, Princess Lane, Princess Street and the section of Dyke Road from London Road to the proposed eastern speed cushion, as described in the staff report titled “Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area”, dated December 12, 2024, from the Director, Transportation;

(2)

That Option 3 to implement the physical traffic calming measures as described in the staff report titled “Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area”, dated December 12, 2024, from the Director, Transportation be endorsed; and

(3)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10623, to revise the posted speed limit be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

be referred back to the Public Works and Transportation Committee for further discussion.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to the merits of referring the report back.

In response to query from Council, staff noted a report back to Council on an existing referral to look at the speed on Dyke Road, as well as a bike route around Bark Park, is anticipated in March.

As a result of further discussion, a friendly amendment to separate Resolution R25/2-8 was made.

The question on Resolution R25/2-8, as amended, which reads as follows:

(1)

That the posted speed limit be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h on the section of Dyke Road from London Road to the proposed eastern speed cushion, as described in the staff report titled “Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area”, dated December 12, 2024, from the Director, Transportation; and

(3)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10623, to revise the posted speed limit on the section of Dyke Road from London Road to the proposed eastern speed cushion, be introduced and given first, second and third readings,

be referred back to the Public Works and Transportation Committee for further discussion.

was then called, and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Wolfe opposed.

R25/2-9

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the posted speed limit be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h on London Road, Princess Lane and Princess Street, as described in the staff report titled “Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area”, dated December 12, 2024, from the Director, Transportation;

(2)

That Option 3 to implement the physical traffic calming measures as described in the staff report titled “Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area”, dated December 12, 2024, from the Director, Transportation be endorsed; and

(3)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10623, to revise the posted speed limit on London Road, Princess Lane and Princess Street, be introduced and given first, second and third readings,

CARRIED
Opposed:  Cllr. Wolfe

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R25/2-10

It was moved and seconded

That the Consolidated 5 year Financial Plan (2025-2029) Bylaw No. 10622 be adopted.

CARRIED

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PANEL

R25/2-11

14.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Development Permit Panel meeting held on December 11, 2025, be received for information.

CARRIED

PUBLIC DELEGATIONS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

R25/2-12

15.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on non‑agenda items (8:19 p.m.).

CARRIED

Dr. Geoffrey Blair, MD, FRCSC, spoke to his submission on the adverse health effects of gas-powered lawn equipment (copy on file City Clerk’s office).

Dr. Blair referred to the leadership of the City’s Community Energy and Emissions Plan 2050, and opportunity to continue to implement climate action at the local and federal level and lead the way by legislating a ban on the use of gas-powered lawn equipment for the sake of the air we breathe.

In response to queries from Council, Dr. Blair suggested there be a gradual reduction in the use of gas-powered lawn equipment until a set phased out deadline, if possible, and further noted (i) the District of Oak Bay has started the process of removing/eliminating gas-powered lawn equipment, (ii) noise pollution is very real and harmful; noise from gas-powered leaf blowers has well-documented bad effects on human health, and (iii) it is noted that many lawn care workers are using the machines without hearing protection or a proper 2.5 mask to filter out the particulate matter from the machines, and in the United States it has come to the attention that lawn care workers are increasingly concerned with the effects on their health.

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

R25/2-13

It was moved and seconded

That the presentation from Dr. Blair be referred to staff to look at the adverse health and other effects of gas-powered lawn equipment.

CARRIED

R25/2-14

16.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (8:39 p.m.).

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R25/2-15

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:40 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 27, 2025.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)