February 9, 2026 - Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
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

R26/3-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on January 26, 2026, be adopted as circulated; and

(2)

the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on February 2, 2026, be adopted as circulated;

CARRIED

APPOINTMENT TO THE FIRST NATIONS BUILDING COMMITTEE
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

R26/3-2

It was moved and seconded

That Councillor Laura Gillanders be appointed to the First Nations Building Committee.

CARRIED

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R26/3-3

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

Item No. 19 – 2026 Health, Social and Safety Grants

Fr. Bill Mok, Rector of St. Alban’s Anglican Church, spoke to their written submission in support of their grant funding application (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1), noting the impact of the support and advocacy work they provide through a number of community outreach programs for those Richmond residents facing food insecurity.

Item No. 19 – 2026 Health, Social and Safety Grants

Jerome Dickey, Richmond resident, spoke to the increased need for grant funding and the pressure on municipalities, and provided considerations for the grant process as a whole.

Item No. 18 – 2026 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants

Tamás Revoczi, Sea Island Community Association, spoke to the Association’s grant application in support of the Burkeville Hallowe’en Fireworks display, a 12-minute professional fireworks show (at a cost of approximately $4,700) organized and provided by the Association through fund raising, donations and the enormous amount of volunteer support.

Item No. 19 – 2026 Health, Social and Safety Grants

Glenda Strang, Salvation Army Richmond Community Church, spoke to the mobile feeding (food truck) services provided for the homeless in Richmond and the long-term investment goals (e.g., a commercial kitchen, installation of emergency showers, etc.), noting the funding application is seen as a collaboration not dependency, to provide the essential outreach and support services needed by starting with a meal and building trust.

Item No. 19 – 2026 Health, Social and Safety Grants

Wayne Massing, Church on Five (Refuge Church) spoke to the collaborative food aid delivery (FAD) and the extensive Refuge Church outreach services provided within the community, noting outreach is not just the time to provide a meal, but a time to have the conversation, build a relationship and enable the wrap around services where needed.

Item No. 19 – 2026 Health, Social and Safety Grants

Ramsey Anderson, spoke in appreciation for the welcoming and respectful support he received from the Salvation Army Richmond Community Church, noting the positive impact the support made in his ultimate journey to find permanent housing.

Item No. 19 – 2026 Health, Social and Safety Grants

Andrew Spence, spoke as a past and current client of the support and outreach services provided by Salvation Army and Refuge Church.

Item No. 19 – 2026 Health, Social and Safety Grants

Tyler Kelly, a former client of the Salvation Army and Refuge Church, spoke to the generous support he received during a very difficult time in his life, and encouraged Council to continue to support the important programs and services (and hope), the Salvation Army provides.

R26/3-4

4.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (7:57 p.m.).

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

R26/3-5

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items No. 6 through No. 16 be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting held on January 27, 2026;

(2)

the General Purposes Committee meeting held on February 2, 2026;

(3)

the Finance and Audit Committee meeting held on February 2, 2026; and

(3)

the Planning Committee meeting held on February 3, 2026;

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

7.

2026 Community Mural Program Projects

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-255) (REDMS No. 8214349, 8214869, 8217935)

That the 2026 Community Mural Program Projects as presented in the report titled “2026 Community Mural Program Projects”, dated January 5, 2026, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

Volunteer Management Strategy – Guiding Principles

(File Ref. No. 01-0370-20-006) (REDMS No. 8152829)

That the guiding principles, as detailed in the report titled “Volunteer Management Strategy – Guiding Principles”, dated January 5, 2026, from the Director, PRC Planning and Strategic Initiatives, be approved and used to inform the strategic directions and actions of the new five-year Volunteer Management Strategy.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

9.

Award of Contract 8523Q – Microsoft Subscriptions and Licensing with Teams

(File Ref. No. 03-1000-20-8523Q) (REDMS No. 8275682)

(1)

That Contract 8523Q – Microsoft Subscriptions and Licensing with Teams be awarded to Econix Infotech Ltd. for a three-year term for an estimated value of $2,866.268.52,excluding taxes as described in the report titled “Award of Contract 8523Q – Microsoft Subscriptions and Licensing with Teams” dated January 8, 2026, from the Director, Information Technology; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services be authorized to execute the contracts and all related documentation with Econix Infotech Ltd.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

10.

2026 Arts and Culture Grants

(File Ref. No. 03-1085-01) (REDMS No. 8245108, 8188858)

(1)

That the Arts and Culture Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $132,380, as identified in the report titled “2026 Arts and Culture Grants”, dated January 12, 2026, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage; and

(2)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly, following Council approval.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

11.

2026 Environmental Enhancement and Food Security Grants

(File Ref. No. 03-1085-07) (REDMS No. 8257870, 7526012)

(1)

That the Environmental Enhancement and Food Security Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $68,178, as identified in the report titled “2026 Environmental Enhancement and Food Security Grants”, dated January 12, 2026, from the Director, Parks Services; and

(2)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly, following Council approval.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

12.

2026 Child Care Grants

(File Ref. No. 03-1085-01) (REDMS No. 8203333, 6353944, 7780016)

(1)

That the 2026 Child Care Capital Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $46,295.05 as identified in the report titled “2026 Child Care Grants”, dated January 16, 2026, from the Director, Community Social Development; and

(2)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly following Council approval.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

13.

Revenue Anticipation Borrowing (2026) Bylaw No. 10738

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-010738) (REDMS No. 8267465, 8267455)

That Revenue Anticipation Borrowing (2026) Bylaw No. 10738 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

14.

Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-SADV1-01) (REDMS No. 8255327, 8255650, 8258657)

(1)

That the Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee’s 2025 Annual Report, as outlined in the report titled, “Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Program”, dated January 15, 2026, from the Director, Community Social Development, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee’s 2026 Work Program be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

15.

Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-RIAD1-03) (REDMS No. 8244991, 8207789, 8207786)

(1)

That the Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee's 2025 Annual Report, as outlined in the report titled “Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Program”, dated January 15, 2026, from the Director, Community Social Development, be received for information; and

(2)

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

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

16.

Cultural Harmony Plan 2024-2025 Highlights Report

(File Ref. No. 08-4055-20-CHAR1) (REDMS No. 8241610, 8265105)

(1)

That the Cultural Harmony Plan 2024–2025 Highlights Report as outlined in the report titled, “Cultural Harmony Plan 2024–2025 Highlights Report”, dated January 16, 2026, from the Director Community Social Development, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Cultural Harmony Plan 2024–2025 Highlights Report be posted on the City website and distributed to key partners, local Members of Parliament and the Legislative Assembly, and federal and provincial ministries related to multiculturalism, immigration and anti-racism.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Councillor Michael Wolfe, Chair

17.

First Nations Building Committee Terms of Reference and Referral Response

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-20-FNAT1-01) (REDMS No. 8266114, 8261636, 8261637, 2787619, 7373274, 8319790)

Correspondence received on table (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

R26/3-6

It was moved and seconded

That the First Nations Building Committee Terms of Reference, as detailed in the report titled “First Nations Building Committee Terms of Reference and Referral Response”, dated January 5, 2026, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be approved, provided that the Musqueam Indian Band be invited to be a voting member of the First Nations Advisory Committee.

The question on Resolution R26/3-6 was not called as discussion ensued with respect to the documentation of the existing building.

In response to queries from Council, staff reported (i) video and photography imaging of the building has been documented and there are plans to continue the documentation of the building, (ii) any of the wood that is salvageable will be salvaged and integrated into the reconstructed building in the future, (iii) there hasn’t been any conversations with First Nations groups to date however, by having Musqueam at the table for the First Nations Building Committee to talk about future research on the history of the building, staff will proceed with that work and continue to investigate the history of the building.

The question on the Resolution R26/3-6 was then called and it was CARRIED.

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

18.

2026 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants (File Ref. No. 03-1085-01) (REDMS No. 8141733, 8141827, 8141786)

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Cllr. Loo declared to be in a conflict of interest as she is the Director of Recognition of KidSport – Richmond Chapter, and Cllr. Loo left the meeting (8:06 p.m.).

R26/3-7

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the 2026 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $127,862, as identified in the report titled “2026 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants”, dated January 12, 2026, from the Director, PRC Planning, Strategic Initiatives, Director, Parks Services, and the Director, Recreation and Sport Services; and

(2)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly, following Council approval.

The question on Resolution R26/3-7 was not called as a brief discussion ensued with respect to facility rental fees for sport hosting events for grant recipients. 

In response to a query from Council, staff noted (i) the Richmond Oval is charging rental fees for the use of their facilities which are in line with the standard fees for other sport hosting events, and (ii) OneAbililty Games has applied for a Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grant, specifically for funding to support personnel expenses, volunteer supports and equipment, program supplies and accessibility measures related to the Games, not to support rental costs for hosting the games at the Richmond Oval; similar to a number of other grant applicants that have applied for, and being recommended for, a grant to support specific programs and events that would utilize City subsidized facilities (including park and aquatic facilities facilities).

The question on Resolution R26/3-7 was then called and it was CARRIED.

Cllr. Loo returned to the meeting (8:13 p.m.).

19.

2026 Health, Social and Safety Grants

(File Ref. No. 03-1085-01) (REDMS No. 8227458, 8240919, 8241245, 8311347, 8319793)

Correspondence received on table (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

R26/3-8

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the 2026 Health, Social and Safety Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $516,908 as identified in the report titled “2026 Health, Social and Safety Grants”, dated January 20, 2026, from the Director, Community Social Development, including an addition of $10,000 to the Richmond 55+sers Wellness and Fitness Society; and

(2)

That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly following Council approval.

The question on the Resolution R26/3-8 was not called as it was noted there was a referral from the General Purposes Committee meeting of February 2, 2026, requesting more information on Church On Five, Salvation Army and St. Albans Parish Church, including an analysis of their needs and other sources of funding they have, and the outcomes of previous grants, noting that the requested information is anticipated for the next General Purposes Committee meeting.

The rationale for a further referral motion was provided, noting the need for a broader overview not directly tied into the three organizations identified in the earlier noted referral.

In response to queries from Council, staff noted (i) success stories of the City’s outreach workers will be included with the Homelessness Strategy Update anticipated to be brought forth in April, and (ii) staff have provided different grant opportunities to the three entities identified in earlier referenced referral, as well as other recipients of the 2025 grants; when there are opportunities, staff continue to advocate for other forms of funding and also look for other forms of funding that are available.

The question on Resolution R26/3-8 was then called and it was CARRIED.

The following referral motion was introduced:

R26/3-9

It was moved and seconded

As an interim measure prior to the Homelessness Strategy Update, the Poverty Plan Update and the Community Action Food Plan reports being presented to Council for consideration later this year and further to a funding decision, that staff provide:

(1)

An overview of the current provision of community outreach and other services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Richmond, including schedules, funding and services delivered; and

(2)

An overview of community programs addressing food insecurity in Richmond, including schedules, funding and services delivered.

The question on Resolution R26/3-9 was not called as discussion on the merits and timeline of the referral was considered.

In response to queries from Council, staff noted (i) there is currently a program manager for Homelessness that oversees the outreach workers and works with staff in a number of entities, (ii) the Homeless Strategy update and the Poverty Plan update will provide highlights, and (iii) the Community Action Food Plan is intended to be a future oriented plan, looking at how the City can better coordinate some of the food initiatives, which will come forward to Council later in the year.

The question on Resolution R26/3-9 was then called and it was CARRIED.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R26/3-10

It was moved and seconded

That the following bylaws be adopted:

Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 10574; and

Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 10734

CARRIED

R26/3-11

It was moved and seconded

That Demolition Waste and Recyclable Materials Bylaw No. 9516, Amendment Bylaw No. 10664, be adopted.

CARRIED

R26/3-12

It was moved and seconded

That Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 10717, be adopted. 

CARRIED

R26/3-13

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment  Bylaw 10724 (OCP Update), be adopted.

CARRIED
Opposed:  Cllr. Hobbs

R26/3-14

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10725 (Environmentally Sensitive Areas Update), be adopted. 

CARRIED

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PANEL

R26/3-16

20.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Chair’s reports for the Development Permit Panel meetings held on May 28, 2025 and July 16, 2025, be received for information; and

(2)

That the recommendations of the Panel to authorize the issuance of:

(a)

Development Permit (DP 24-043129) for the property at 8460 Alexandra Road, and

(b)

Development Permit (DP 24-049965) for the properties at 5120 and 5140 Williams Road,

be endorsed, and the Permits so issued.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R26/3-16

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:42 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, February 9, 2026.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)