February 23, 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

R26/4-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on February 9, 2026, be adopted as circulated;

(2)

the  minutes of the Regular Council meeting for Public Hearings held on February 17, 2026, be adopted as circulated; and

(3)

the Metro Vancouver ‘Board in Brief’ dated January 30, 2026, be received for information.

CARRIED

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R26/4-2

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 – None.

R26/4-3

4.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (7:02 p.m.).

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

R26/4-4

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items No. 6 through No. 12A be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Community Safety Committee meeting held on February 10, 2026;

(2)

the  General Purposes Committee meeting held on February 17, 2026;

(3)

the Planning Committee meeting held on February 18, 2026; and

(4)

the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting held on February 18, 2026;

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

7.

2026 Local General And School Election Appointment Of Chief Election Officer And Deputy Chief Election OfficeR

(File Ref. No. 12-8125-95-01) (REDMS No. 8303083)

(1)

That Claudia Jesson be appointed as Chief Election Officer for the 2026 Local General and School Election; and,

(2)

That Evangel Biason be appointed as Deputy Chief Election Officer for the 2026 Local General and School Election.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

City of Vancouver’s Official Development Plan – Opportunity to Provide Feedback

(File Ref. No. 01-0155-20-VANC1) (REDMS No. 8275213)

(1)

That staff advise City of Vancouver staff that the City of Richmond has no concerns with the proposed Official Development Plan as prepared by the City of Vancouver; and

(2)

That consultation with the City of Vancouver continue on issues related to transportation initiatives that may impact access to and from the City of Richmond and collaborate on regional housing and homelessness.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

9.

Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-AADV1-01) (REDMS No. 8276866)

(1)

That the Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report, as presented in the staff report titled “Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee 2025Annual Report and 2026 Work Program” dated February 2, 2026 from the Director, Policy Planning, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee’s 2026 Work Program be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

10.

Richmond Advisory Committee on the Environment 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-ACEN1-01) (REDMS No. 8296510)

(1)

That the Richmond Advisory Committee on the Environment 2025 Annual Report as presented in the staff report titled “Richmond Advisory Committee on the Environment 2025Annual Report and 2026 Work Program”, dated February 2, 2026 from the Director, Policy Planning, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Advisory Committee on the Environment’s 2026 Work Program be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

11.

Review of Requirement for Bike Bells

(File Ref. No. (12-8060-20-010718) (REDMS No. 8168009, 8287965, 8287965)

(1)

That Option 3 as described in the report titled “Review of Requirement for Bike Bells” dated January 19, 2026, from the Director, Transportation be approved; and

(2)

That the Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10718, to include the provision of bicycle bells, be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and

(3)

That a letter be sent to the Minister of Transportation and Transit, the Minister of Public Safety and Richmond Members of the Legislative Assembly, seeking changes to the Motor Vehicle Act to mandate bike bells throughout the Province.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

12A.

Zoning Amendments Relating to Vehicle Parking, Access and Manoeuvring for Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-010731) (REDMS No. 8233122, 8239946)

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10731, to clarify vehicle parking, access, and manoeuvring provisions associated with Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) and small car space provisions associated with all residential development, including SSMUH, be introduced and given first, second and third reading.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

13.

Richmond Celebrates Soccer Signature Event Location and Proposed Business Terms for a Contribution Agreement

(File Ref. No. 11-7400-20-FIFA1) (REDMS No. 8266365, 8288826, 8327241, 8332601)

R26/4-5

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 1 - Aberdeen Neighbourhood Park be approved as the preferred location for the Richmond Celebrates Soccer Signature Event as detailed in the report titled "Richmond Celebrates Soccer Signature Event Location and Proposed Business Terms for a Contribution Agreement", dated January 26, 2026, from the Director Arts, Culture and Heritage Services;

(2)

That the proposed business terms, as detailed in Table 3 in the report titled "Richmond Celebrates Soccer Signature Event Location and Proposed Business Terms for a Contribution Agreement", be approved for the development of contribution agreements with Tourism Richmond and the Richmond Hotel Association; and

(3)

That staff be authorized to take all necessary steps to complete all matters detailed herein including authorizing the Chief Administrative Officer, and the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, to negotiate and execute the contribution agreements and related documentation with Tourism Richmond and the Richmond Hotel Association for the Richmond Celebrates Soccer program.

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) limited street parking and potential road closures should the Signature Event be held at Aberdeen Neighborhood Park, (ii) limited parking capacity at Minoru Park Oval for such an event and (ii) the opportunity to showcase Aberdeen Neighborhood park.

There was an agreement to deal with Part (1) and (2) (3) separately.

The question on Part (1) of Resolution R26/4-5 was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Day opposed.

The question on Parts (2) and (3) of Resolution R26/4-5 was then called and it was CARRIED.

14.

Analysis of Financial Resources and Requirements of Refuge Church, The Salvation Army and Parish of St. Alban’s

(File Ref. No. (03-1085-01; 03-1075-20) (REDMS No. 8310784)

R26/4-6

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That funding Option 2 for Refuge Church, in the amount of $75,000, with funding coming from the Council Community Initiative Account, as outlined in the report titled “Analysis of Financial Resources and Requirements of Refuge Church, The Salvation Army and Parish of St. Alban’s”, dated February 13, 2026 from the Director, Community Social Development, be approved; and 

(2)

That funding Option 2 for The Salvation Army, in the amount of $20,000, with funding coming from the Council Community Initiative Account, as outlined in the report titled “Analysis of Financial Resources and Requirements of Refuge Church, The Salvation Army and Parish of St. Alban’s”, dated February 13, 2026 from the Director, Community Social Development, be approved. 

Discussion ensued with respect to tabling the motion until the General Purposes Meeting on March 2, 2026, when the referral response regarding homelessness outreach and Community food programs will be brought forward.

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

R26/4-7

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That funding Option 2 for Refuge Church, in the amount of $75,000, with funding coming from the Council Community Initiative Account, as outlined in the report titled “Analysis of Financial Resources and Requirements of Refuge Church, The Salvation Army and Parish of St. Alban’s”, dated February 13, 2026 from the Director, Community Social Development, be tabled until a forthcoming report providing a wider scan of food security organizations is presented at the March 2, 2026 General Purposes Committee Meeting.

(2)

That funding Option 2 for The Salvation Army, in the amount of $20,000, with funding coming from the Council Community Initiative Account, as outlined in the report titled “Analysis of Financial Resources and Requirements of Refuge Church, The Salvation Army and Parish of St. Alban’s”, dated February 13, 2026 from the Director, Community Social Development, be tabled until a forthcoming report providing a wider scan of food security organizations is presented at the March 2, 2026 General Purposes Committee Meeting.

The question on Resolution R26/4-7 was not called as discussion ensued with respect to (i) the referral report being brought forward to General Purposes Committee on March 2 that will give a better understanding of the metrics of need in relation to programs for people experiencing food insecurity, (ii) the need to focus funding where it is needed most, (iii) the importance of maintaining services for these organizations, without additional funding, they anticipate a reduction in their services, and (iv) the possible need to increase the grant programs budgets as needs continue to grow.

Staff noted that tabling the motion until March 2 will not delay funding to the organizations, should Council approve funding at that time.

The question on Resolution R26/4-7 was then called and it was DEFEATED ON A TIE VOTE with Cllrs. Day, Gillanders, Heed and Wolfe opposed.

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) last year’s additional funding for the organizations being a one-time funding request, (ii) the essential work all three organizations do and the need for them to maintain their current level of services, (iii) accountability regarding services provided by the outreach workers and the use of funding, and (v) the additional funding request from the Parish of St. Alban’s to support the Wednesday Food Hamper program.

The question on Resolution R26/4-6 was then called and it was CARRIED with Mayor Brodie, Cllrs. Loo and McNulty opposed.

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

R26/4-8

It was moved and seconded

That funding Option 2 for the Parish of St. Alban’s, in the amount of $26,416, with funding coming from the Council Community Initiative Account, as outlined in the report titled “Analysis of Financial Resources and Requirements of Refuge Church, The Salvation Army and Parish of St. Alban’s”, dated February 13, 2026 from the Director, Community Social Development, be approved.

Discussion ensued with respect to this being a one-time funding request, as the Richmond School District has discontinued the food hamper program.  The additional funding would restore this essential service while the School District seeks alternative funding sources.

The question on Resolution R26/4-8 was then called and it was CARRIED with Mayor Brodie, Cllrs. Loo and McNulty opposed.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor Brodie advised that:

Johann Baart has been appointed to the Advisory Committee on the Environment for a term to expire on December 31, 2026;

Jennifer Chang has been appointed to the Richmond Tourism Association’s Board of Directors for the remainder of the two-year term set to expire at the 2027 Tourism Richmond Annual General Meeting; and

The following people have been appointed to the Richmond Tourism Association’s Board of Directors for a further two-year term to expire at the 2027 Tourism Richmond Annual General Meeting:

§  Susan Stiene; and

§  Janeil Mackay.

BYLAW FOR ADOPTION

R26/4-9

It was moved and seconded

That Revenue Anticipation Borrowing (2026)   Bylaw No. 10738 be adopted:

CARRIED

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PANEL

R26/4-10

15.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Development Permit Panel meeting held on January 14, 2026, be received for information.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R26/4-11

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (7:57 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 23, 2026.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)