May 12, 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

R25/9-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the   minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on April 28, 2025, be adopted as circulated; and

(2)

the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on May 5, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

2.

APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF METRO VANCOUVER

R25/9-2

It was moved and seconded

That Councillor Alexa Loo be appointed as the third Director on the Metro Vancouver Board with an allocation of three (3) votes.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding the nominee's credentials and the rationale behind the selection of the nominee. Councillor Carol Day referenced her submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes asSchedule 1). 

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Day, Gillanders, Heed and Wolfe opposed.

3.

NAMING OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND THEIR COMPOSITION BY THE MAYOR

R25/9-3

It was moved and seconded

That Councillor Michael Wolfe be appointed Chair and Councillor Andy Hobbs be appointed Vice-Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee.

CARRIED

4.

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF COUNCIL (AND THEIR ALTERNATES) AS THE LIAISONS TO CITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS

R25/9-4

It was moved and seconded

That the following Council liaisons (and where applicable, their alternates) be appointed until November 10, 2025:

(a)

Economic Advisory Committee – Councillor Bill McNulty

(b)

Minoru Centre for Active Living Program Committee – Councillor Bill McNulty

(c)

Vancouver Coastal Health/Richmond Health Services Local Governance Liaison Group – Councillor Kash Heed

CARRIED

5.

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AS LIAISONS TO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

R25/9-5

It was moved and seconded

That Councillor Carol Day be appointed as the Council Liaison to the Thompson Community Association until November 10, 2025.

CARRIED

6.

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AS THE LIAISONS TO VARIOUS CITY BOARDS

R25/9-6

It was moved and seconded

That the following Council liaisons (and where applicable, their alternates) be appointed until November 10, 2025:

(a)

Museum Society Board – Councillor Andy Hobbs

(b)

Richmond Public Library Board - Councillor Michael Wolfe and Councillor Alexa Loo (alternate).

CARRIED

7.

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AS LIAISONS TO VARIOUS SOCIETIES/COMPANIES

R25/9-7

It was moved and seconded

That Councillor Andy Hobbs be appointed as the Council liaison to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society until November 10, 2025.

CARRIED

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R25/9-8

8.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:20 p.m.).

CARRIED

9.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items

Item No. 12 - Receipt of Committee minutes

Jerome Dickey spoke to the receipt of Committee minutes.

R25/9-9

10.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (7:24 p.m.).

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

R25/9-10

11.

It was moved and seconded

That Items No. 12 through No. 16 be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

12.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting held on April 29, 2025;

(2)

the General Purposes Committee meeting held on May 5, 2025; and

(3)

the Finance Committee meeting held on May 5, 2025;

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

13.

Recreation and Sport Strategy Progress Update 2022-2024

(File Ref. No. 01-0370-20-003) (REDMS No. 7969764, 8013749)

(1)

That the achievements document, Recreation and Sport Strategy Progress Update 2022- 2024, Attachment 1, in the staff report titled "Recreation and Sport Strategy 2022-2024", dated April 7, 2025, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services, be posted on the City website and circulated to key community partners including Richmond School District No. 38, Vancouver Coastal Health, Community Recreation Associations and Societies, and Richmond Sports Council for their information; and

(2)

That a copy of this report be distributed to local Members of Parliament and local Members of the Legislative Assembly to share with others in their respective parties.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

Council gave direction to staff to include the Canadian Tire Jump Start program and any other relevant programs in the Recreation and Sport Strategy Progress Update 2022-2024 staff report.

14.

Steveston Community Centre and Library Interior Artwork Concept Proposal

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-334) (REDMS No. 7990702, 8005246, 8005253)

That the concept proposal for the Steveston Community Centre and Library Interior Artwork, as presented in the staff report titled “Steveston Community Centre and Library Interior Artwork Concept Proposal”, dated April 7, 2025, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

15.

Housing Agreement Amendment Applications to Update Low-End Market Rental Rents in Three Developments

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-010633; 12-8060-20-010646; 12-8060-20-010654; 08-4057-05) (REDMS No. 8013584, 8015801, 8015840, 8019119, 8003529, 8034051)

(1)

That Housing Agreement (Affordable Housing) (8671, 8731, 8771, 8831/8851 Cambie Road, 8791 Cambie Road and 3600 Sexsmith Road) Bylaw No. 10437, Amendment Bylaw No. 10633 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings;

(2)

That Housing Agreement (23200 Gilley Road) Bylaw No.9955, Amendment Bylaw No. 10646 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings; and

(3)

That Housing Agreement (5591, 5631, 5651 and 5671 No. 3 Road) Bylaw No. 10057, Amendment Bylaw No. 10654 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

16.

2024 Consolidated Financial Statements
(File Ref. No. 03-1200-02) (REDMS No. 8021882)

That the 2024 City of Richmond Consolidated Financial Statements as presented in Attachment 2 be approved.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Councillor Chak Au, Chair

17.

Railway Greenway Lighting – 2025 Update

(File Ref. No. 06-2400-20-RAIL1) (REDMS No. 7980422, 8012120, 8014859)

R25/9-11

It was moved and seconded

That Option 1, “Hybrid of Standard and Solar Pedestrian Lighting”, as outlined in the report titled “Railway Greenway Lighting – 2025 Update”, dated April 7, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services, be endorsed.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to (i) prioritizing solar pedestrian lighting over standard lighting, (ii) ease of implementation, reduced site impact, and environmental benefits of solar lighting, (iii) consideration of wildlife and neighbor impacts when choosing lighting, and (iv) the estimated costs associated with implementing an entirely solar lighting approach. 

In response to queries from Council, staff advised that (i) seven priority lighting areas were identified as the darkest, (ii) a hybrid approach is recommended to mitigate risks, (iii) accurate costs will be determined through the detailed design and construction cost estimates, (iv) solar pedestrian lights are adaptable and can be retrofitted and replaced with standard pedestrian lighting if found unviable, (v) implementation of solar pedestrian lighting would require minimal site work, standard pedestrian lighting would be a significant expense as it requires trenching, and (vi) the detailed design phase will include assessment and mitigation of light impacts on wildlife and adjacent neighbors.

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

R25/9-12

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate and report back on the feasibility of a solar lighting only option, including its functionality, costs, potential for phased implementation, advantages and disadvantages, and the estimated cost of retrofitting should the solar option prove unviable.

The question on the referral motion was not called as in response to Council, staff advised that they will bring forward a report for Council consideration prior to August 2025.

The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R25/9-13

It was moved and seconded

That the following bylaws be adopted:

Annual Property Tax Rates (2025) Bylaw No. 10653; and

Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 10433.

CARRIED

With the implementation of Bylaw No. 10573 (SSMUH) Bylaw, Bylaw No. 10433 is now rezoning from RS2/A to RSM/S zone.

ADJOURNMENT

R25/9-14

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:09 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, May 12, 2025.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)