April 7, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, April 7, 2025

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Carol Day (entered the meeting at 4:01 p.m.)
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Absent:

Councillor Chak Au

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on March 17, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

CAO’S OFFICE

1.

Sister City Advisory Committee – 2024 Year in Review

(File Ref. No. 01-0135-04-01) (REDMS No. 7975268)

Councillor Day entered the meeting (4:01 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Sister City Advisory Committee – 2024 Year in Review,” dated March 12, 2025, from the Director, Intergovernmental Relations and Corporate and Strategic Planning be received for information.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

Public Shared E-Scooter and E-Bike Program – Recommendation to Award Contract

(File Ref. No. 03-1000-20-7204) (REDMS No. 7996988)

In response to Committee queries, staff noted: (i) Lime Technology Inc. now secures helmets with a lock-to-bracket system for check-in and check-out;
(ii) City procurement policy does not consider vendor domicile; (iii) Lime Technology Inc. was selected for its safety features, local experience, and strong operational and equity plans; (iv) provider fees were comparable; (v) Lime Technology Inc. offers various discounts, including for participants in the City's Recreation Fee Subsidy Program; (vi) the Province has extended the pilot program for four more years to gather additional safety and wellness data; (vii) parents can authorize use by individuals under 18; and (viii) safety messages appear on Lime Technology Inc. devices, the app, and website.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Contract 8375P - Provisioning of Public Shared E-Scooter and E-Bike Program be awarded to Lime Technology, Inc.;

(2)

That the City enter into an agreement with Lime Technology, Inc. based on the terms as outlined in the staff report titled “Public Shared E-Scooter and E-Bike Program –Recommendation to Award Contract” dated March 17, 2025, from the Director, Transportation; and

(3)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be authorized to negotiate and execute the above agreement on behalf of the City.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS & PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISIONS

3.

Hugh Boyd Fieldhouse – Referral Response

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-01) (REDMS No. 7959727)

In response to Committee queries, staff advised that: (i) the current fieldhouse stores various sports equipment; (ii) any upgrades would require sprinklers and trigger code upgrades under a Building Permit; (iii) demolition waste will be managed per Council Policy 2308, targeting 80% diversion; (iv) the old fieldhouse will be demolished near completion of the new facility; (v) wall replacement in the old facility is costly; (vi) storage containers will be used between demolition and completion; and (vii) awarding the demolition contract now secures a better rate.

It was moved and seconded

That the existing Hugh Boyd Fieldhouse be demolished as outlined in the report titled, “Hugh Boyd Fieldhouse – Referral Response”, dated March 17, 2025, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services and the Director, Facilities and Project Development, provided that demolition occur in the 2^nd quarter of 2028.

The question on the motion was not called as in reply to a query from Committee, staff noted that the brass plaque will be accessioned and integrated into the new facility during the design process.

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

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION

4.

Playing Field User Fees – Amendment to Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-10-01) (REDMS No. 7952583)

It was moved and seconded

That the Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, Amendment Bylaw No. 10648 be introduced and given, first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

5.

2025 Richmond Community Celebration Grants Allocation

(File Ref. No. 03-1085-06) (REDMS No. 7969442)

Staff advised that the Hamilton School PAC was inadvertently omitted from the not recommended list and noted that their application identified the event as a fundraiser.

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) events funded by other City sources or grants are ineligible for Community Celebration Grants; (ii) applications are thoroughly reviewed, with selected ones showing public accessibility; (iii) applicants are urged to call ahead to confirm eligibility, and feedback is given to unsuccessful applicants; (iv) events must serve the broader or local community; and (v) all events may request the Green Ambassador Program and 32 of the applications will go through the Richmond Event Approval Coordination Team (REACT).

Discussion took place on increasing this year’s budget.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the 2025 Richmond Community Celebration Grants be awarded for the recommended amount of $51,052 as identified in Attachment 2 of the staff report titled, “2025 Richmond Community Celebration Grants Allocation”, dated March 17, 2025, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services;

(2)

That the grant funds be distributed accordingly following Council approval; and

(3)

That staff review the budgeted amount for the Community Celebration Grant for 2026 and examine the definitions in the Policy and report back.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

6.

Official Community Plan Targeted Update – Proposed Update to the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Map

(File Ref. No. 08-4045-30-01) (REDMS No. 7990876)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the report focuses on public properties; (ii) various methods, including photography and satellite imaging, are being used to document Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs); (iii) ESA designation does not prohibit development but requires careful planning; (iv) an ESA policy framework is forthcoming; (v) visual records will support future development reviews; (vi) some areas may fall under both provincial and federal jurisdiction; (vii) maps and policies will undergo public consultation to inform affected property owners; (viii) the maps are living documents and may be updated; and (ix) the consultation may include mailouts to affected properties and options to note ESA status on property titles can be explored.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report entitled “Official Community Plan Targeted Update – Proposed Update to the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Map” dated March 24, 2025, from the Director, Policy Planning, be received for information; and

(2)

That the draft Environmentally Sensitive Maps which are included in the report entitled “Official Community Plan Targeted Update – Proposed Update to the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Map” dated March 24, 2025, from the Director, Policy Planning, be endorsed for public and stakeholder consultation as part of the Official Community Plan targeted update.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllr. Wolfe

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:37 p.m.).

CARRIED

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, April 7, 2025.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Associate