June 15, 2026 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, June 15, 2026

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on June 1, 2026, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

CAO’S OFFICE

1.

2026 UBCM Community Excellence Awards Program

(File Ref. No. 01-0005-01) (REDMS No. 8387953)

It was moved and seconded

That the City of Richmond’s submissions to the Union of BC Municipalities 2026 Community Excellence Awards program be endorsed:

(1)

Excellence in Governance: Building Our Future Together: Social Development Strategy (2025-2035);

(2)

Excellence in Service Delivery: Richmond Fire-Rescue Online Education Program;

(3)

Excellence in Asset Management: Murals Celebrate Richmond’s Beauty; and

(4)

Excellence in Sustainability: Nature-Based Flood Protection Solutions Assessment.

CARRIED

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Richmond Sport Hosting Strategy (2026-2031)

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-10-02) (REDMS No. 8393560)

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Sport Hosting Strategy (2026-2031), as detailed in the report titled “Richmond Sport Hosting Strategy (2026-2031)”, dated June 1, 2026, from the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services and the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, be approved.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to (i) program funding, (ii) opportunities to support regional, provincial and national events, (iii) volunteer fatigue, (iv) the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) program governance, (v) the inclusive nature of all the sporting activities in Richmond, and (vi) capacity and availability of facilities to fulfill events.

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised (i) the program is funded entirely through the MRDT, with the current funding arrangement in place until June 30, 2027; the process to renew that funding arrangement and the MRDT is currently underway, (ii) 2025 was the third consecutive year that Richmond hotels met and exceeded pre-pandemic in-room revenue levels, (iii) tourism partners and feedback from the community identified an absolute need and a desire to continue funding the program; there is also a commitment by the partners to review program funding amounts, (iv) staff will be looking to engage the Sports Council and the Sports Task Force to review the grant program, (v) regarding scheduling and capacity challenges within facilities, this strategy calls for more planning and scheduling coordination processes to ensure events that align well with the City’s facilities and capacities are targeted and provide a balance of use that is for community sport and recreation as well as sport hosting, (vi) staff are also looking at opportunities on how the program can better support regional, provincial and national events, and (vii) the emphasis on accessible and parasport events was partially driven by where the City has an opportunity/competitive advantage, having a long track record of delivering parasport events in a variety of different disciplines, and the benefit of having facilities such as the Oval.

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

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

Award of Contract - 8562P - Provision of Traffic Control Services

(File Ref. No. 02-0745-01) (REDMS No. 8389258)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Contract 8562P – Provision of Traffic Control Services be awarded for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2026, to Glen Traffic Solutions as the primary service provider and with United Traffic Control Ltd. and The Universal Group identified as the secondary and tertiary providers respectively, for the maximum total amount of contract of $3,230,600, excluding taxes, as described in the report titled “Award of Contract – 8562P – Provision of Traffic Control Services” dated June 1, 2026, from the General Manager, Engineering & Public Works; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to execute the contracts with Glen Traffic Solutions, United Traffic Control Ltd. and The Universal Group.

The question on the motion was not called as a brief discussion ensued with respect to RFP process.

In response to a query from Committee, staff noted the ability to award a contract based on a company’s geographic location is prevented under the   Canadian Free Trade Agreement and the northwest procurement trade treaties, and that a memorandum to provide further information will be prepared for Council in advance of the next Council meeting.

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

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

4.

Housekeeping Amendments to Traffic, Soil Deposit and Removal, Boulevard Maintenance, Noise and Related Enforcement Bylaws

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 8355981)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10752, be introduced and given first, second and third readings;

(2)

That Soil Deposit and Removal Bylaw No. 10200 Amendment Bylaw No. 10681, be introduced and given first, second and third readings;

(3)

That Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bylaw No. 9742, Amendment Bylaw No. 10754, be introduced and given, first, second and third readings;

(4)

That Boulevard Maintenance Regulation Bylaw No. 7174, Amendment Bylaw No. 10755 be introduced and given first, second and third readings;

(5)

That Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 10756 be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and

(6)

That Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 8856, Amendment Bylaw No. 10765 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

5.

Application by BC Housing Management Commission for a Temporary Use Permit at 2520, 2540, 2560, 2580, 2600, 2640 Smith Street and 9031 Bridgeport Road

(File Ref. No. TU 26-011521) (REDMS No. 8412272)

Sheldon Starrett, Richmond resident, spoke to Agenda Item No. 5 and No. 6.  In particular, Mr. Starrett noted (i) the need to ensure safe housing access for seniors, (ii) concerns with respect to the housing model for Aster Place, and (iii) a request that Council not renew the Temporary Use Permit, as a better solution to supportive housing needs to be found.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application by BC Housing Management Commission for a new Temporary Use Permit that permits a three-storey supportive housing building with 40 studio units at 2520, 2540, 2560, 2580, 2600, 2640 Smith Street and 9031 Bridgeport Road be considered for a period of three years starting on March 15, 2027, through to March 15, 2030; and

(2)

That the application be forwarded to the July 20, 2026, Public Hearing at 5:30 pm.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to (i) the current supportive housing model, (ii) lack of safe, affordable housing, and (iii) funding constraints.

In response to a query from Committee, staff noted the City is not a party to the operating agreement between BC Housing and Community Builders, but is party to a Memorandum of Understanding which speaks to some of the operational requirements of staffing and oversight of tenant and staff conduct.

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

6.

Seniors Homelessness in Richmond

(File Ref. No. 07-3000-01) (REDMS No. 8440024)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted (i) privacy and confidentiality practices and protocols were put in place by the integrated outreach team, and City policies and procedures for the outreach team specify they cannot share information about an individual without that individual's consent, which is based on legislation, (ii) there was a memorandum presented to Council regarding Aster Place when the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was entered into in 2021, and (iv) the terms of the initial MOU can be used for the renewal.

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) the need for a new MOU for Aster Place, and (ii) consideration of an emergency shelter fund.

As a result of the discussion, it was requested that (i) a new MOU for Aster Place be drafted and reviewed by Council before it is finalized, and (ii) a copy of the letters set out in the recommendation be sent to the Salvation Army.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter be sent to the Premier, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, the Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, and local Members of the Legislative Assembly to advocate for sustainable funding to enhance services that support seniors at risk of or experiencing homelessness;

(2)

That a letter be sent to the President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health; the Vice President, Richmond Community, Vancouver Coastal Health; the Vice President, Richmond Acute Care, Vancouver Coastal Health and the Medical Health Officer to advocate for sustainable funding to enhance services that support seniors at risk of or experiencing homelessness;

(3)

That a request to meet with the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and the Minister of Health at the 2026 Union of BC Municipalities Conference be submitted; and

(4)

That staff explore options for a possible emergency shelter fund.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:01 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, June 15, 2026.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate