February 3, 2025 - Minutes
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General Purposes Committee
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Date: |
Monday, February 3, 2025 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on December 16, 2024 and January 20, 2025, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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1. |
Award of Contract 8307P - Provision of Parking Meter Equipment (File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 7807973) |
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Staff introduced Edwin Tahir, Program Manager, Parking and Animal Services. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That Contract 8307P – Provision of Parking Meter Equipment be awarded to J.J. MacKay Canada Ltd. for a five-year term, for an estimated total value of $1,041,056.50, excluding taxes as described in the report titled “Award of Contract 8307P - Provision of Parking Meter Equipment”, dated January 6, 2025, from the Director, Community Bylaws and Licencing; |
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(2) |
That the scope change for the 2025 Capital Project Parking Meter Replacement as identified in the report titled, “Award of Contract 8307P - Provision of Parking Meter Equipment”, dated January 6, 2025, from the Director, Community Bylaws and Licencing be approved; and |
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(3) |
That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manger, Law and Community Safety be authorized to execute the contract and all related documentation with J.J. MacKay Canada Ltd. including, subject to future budget approval, the contemplated five year extension agreement and related documents. |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
(File Ref. No. 2-8075-20-AMANDA#/) (REDMS No. 7838121) |
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In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the intent of the application is to deposit soil to improve the agricultural capability of the Property, (ii) no fill activities will impact the City-owned Riparian Management Area (RMA) without an RMA protection plan from a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) and a written review and approval by the City, (iii) the Applicant is proposing to deposit 72,800 cubic metres of soil over approximately eight hectares, (iv) there is no intention to deposit soil within the Environmentally Sensitive Area, (v) the City requires the project to be monitored by an Agrologist, who will provide inspection reports every 3,000 cubic metres, review source sites, and submit a memorandum confirming the soil's suitability before deposition, (vi) in addition to the expected reporting requirements of the Agrologist or other qualified professionals as per the City and Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), staff will maintain proactive inspection and enforcement on the property, (vii) the Applicant retains a qualified professional in addition to a City contracted consultant as per Bylaw standard due diligence procedures, (viii) tracking is not required by the bylaw or policy, and while staff are investigating it, there are no ALC regulations mandating a tracking system, (ix) regular inspections of the Property when soil importation/deposition is underway will ensure the permit conditions are respected, (x) staff work |
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extensively with the ALC and there have been no preliminary concerns with the application, (xi) future owners would be bound by the same conditions of the fill application, and (xii) should the application be approved, there would be no impacts to the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation pipeline. |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) the ALC's authority to require a performance bond, in addition to the City's security deposit, to ensure approval requirements are met, (ii) the application of the Kavanagh guidelines, (iii) compliance and the history of violations, (iv) the Francis Road unopened road allowance and access to the property, and (v) the proposed soil deposition application being in support of the City’s Flood Protection Management Strategy. |
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Staff were directed to provide further information on the precedence for the requirements of the placement of fill and the financial requirements, including the standards set out the by the Kavanagh Project. |
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Lucas Hogler, Cranberry Meadow Farms Ltd., Stewart Brown, PGL Environmental Consultants Ltd., and Gord Maichin, Applicant, spoke to their application and project overview, noting (i) suitable crops, (ii) an erosion and sediment control plan, and (iii) the soil deposition plan including drainage, geotechnical, and environmental considerations. |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) the Applicant and owners of Cranberry Meadow Farms Ltd., (ii) the soil being sourced from locations within the Lower Mainland, and (iii) the presence of Sandhill cranes on the neighbouring property and the requirement to retain a QEP to assess the property for Sandhill crane activity, should the application be approved. |
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In response to queries from Committee, Mr. Brown advised that material brought to the site will have documentation from its place of origin to ensure there are no potential environmental risks, which typically requires completion of a Phase 1 Environmental Site Investigation. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the ‘Placement of Fill’ application submitted by Gord Maichin (Cranberry Meadow Farms Ltd.) proposing to deposit soil to improve the agricultural capability of the property PID: 023- 860-481 which is located at the Eastern Terminus of Francis Road be referred to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) for the ALC’s review and decision. |
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CARRIED |
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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION |
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3. |
2025 Health, Social and Safety Grants (File Ref. No. 08-4055-01) (REDMS No. 08-4055-01) |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) Mission Possible Compassionate Ministries Society’s pilot program in partnership with Alderbridge Supportive Housing, (ii) the possibility of increasing the funding for certain applicants, (iii) funding not being recommended due to duplication of existing services, (iv) increasing funding needs over time, (v) the Health, Social and Safety Grants providing funding to non-profit community organizations in delivering programs and services that benefit Richmond residents, and (vi) multiple applicants providing a community meal program and the number of meals provided. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the 2025 Health, Social and Safety Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $497,945 as identified in the staff report titled “2025 Health, Social and Safety Grants”, dated January 21, 2025 from the Director, Community Social Development; and |
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(2) |
That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly following Council approval. |
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The question on the motion was not called as the following amendment motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the recommended amount of $10,000 for Mission Possible Compassionate Ministries Society be deleted. |
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The question on the amendment motion was not called as staff were directed to provide a memorandum on the Mission Possible Compassionate Ministries Society by the February 10, 2025 Council meeting. |
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The question on the main motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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The following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That staff provide more information on Mission Possible Compassionate Ministries Society, Parish of St. Alban's (Richmond), Church on Five, and Christian Addictions Recovery Ministries Society, including whether they should be given more funding in addition to the grant amounts and the potential sources of funding. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
(File Ref. No. 07-3070-04) (REDMS No. 7870766) |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) Hamilton Community Association’s request for furnishings and the current state of their furniture and equipment and (ii) funding through the Ministry of Education and Child Care Maintenance Fund Emergency Repair and Replacement. |
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Staff advised that the overall budget for the Child Care Capital Grants is $50,000.00 and the recommended amount is $34,267.95. |
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Staff were directed to investigate Hamilton Community Association’s equipment and provide additional information by the February 10, 2025 Council meeting. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That as identified in the staff report titled “2025 Child Care Grants”, dated January 17, 2025, from the Director, Community Social Development: |
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(a) |
Child Care Capital Grants in the amount of $34,267.96 be awarded; and |
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(b) |
Child Care Professional and Program Development Grants in the amount of $7,500.00 be awarded; and |
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(2) |
That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly following Council approval. |
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CARRIED |
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PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION |
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5. |
(File Ref. No. 03-1085-01) (REDMS No. 7879234) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the Arts and Culture Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $130,039, as identified in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “2025 Arts and Culture Grants”, dated January 13, 2025, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services; and |
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(2) |
That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly following Council approval. |
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CARRIED |
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In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Cllr. Loo declared to be in a conflict of interest as she is the Recognition Chair of KidSport – Richmond Chapter, and Cllr. Loo left the meeting – 5:41 p.m. |
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6. |
2025 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants (File Ref. No. 03-1085-01) (REDMS No. 7840684) |
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In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the City Grant Program supports non-profit organizations serving Richmond residents, but applications from outside Richmond will be considered if they demonstrate a direct community benefit and (ii) the Kwantlen Farmers Market Society and Richmond Agricultural and Industrial Society are not recommended for funding, as they will receive funding through the City’s Support Food Security Through Community-Driven Events Grant. |
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Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of establishing an agricultural grants program. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the 2025 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants be awarded for the total recommended amount of $125,601, as identified in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “2025 Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants”, dated January 13, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services, and the Director, Recreation and Sport Services; and |
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(2) |
That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly, following Council approval. |
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CARRIED |
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The following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That staff examine the propriety of setting up agricultural grants for various organizations that grow food or practice food security, noting the groups that would be removed from the Parks, Recreation and Community Events Grants. |
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CARRIED |
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Councillor Loo returned to the meeting (5:50 p.m.). |
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7. |
2025 Environmental Enhancement Grants (File Ref. No. 03-1085-07) (REDMS No. 7886244) |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) the Green Teams of Canada’s fee-for-service partnership with the City and (ii) volunteer invasive plant removal events. |
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Staff advised that there is an outstanding referral regarding invasive species management, including accelerating the eradication of blackberry, and a report is forthcoming. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the 2025 Environmental Enhancement Grants be awarded for the recommended amount of $38,086 as identified in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “2025 Environmental Enhancement Grants”, dated January 13, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services; and |
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(2) |
That the grant funds be disbursed accordingly following Council approval. |
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CARRIED |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:53 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, February 3, 2025. |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Shannon Unrau |