July 7, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, July 7, 2025

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
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 4:01 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on June 16, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

1.

Community Wayfinding Strategy and Implementation Framework

(File Ref. No. 08-4150-04-06) (REDMS No. 8068301)

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (Copy on File, City Clerk’s Office), staff provided an overview of the Wayfinding Strategy.   

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) concerns were raised regarding potential clutter on the welcome signs if the tagline “Island City by Nature” is included, (ii) Sea Island will be incorporated as part of the overall strategy, (iii) colour range options for light poles can be explored during the implementation stage, (iv) individual projects will be costed as they are brought forward for implementation, (v) adjustments can be considered during the various phases of implementation, (vi) pedestrian signage will display distances and estimated travel times to key locations, and (vii) the top of each sign will indicate the area in which it is located.

Discussion took place on (i) including the tagline “Island City by Nature” on welcome signs into the City, and (ii) further information regarding Heads Up North vs True North.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Community Wayfinding Strategy and Implementation Framework, as detailed in the staff report titled “Community Wayfinding Strategy and Implementation Framework”, dated June 13, 2025, from the Director, Business Services, be approved; and

(2)

That staff bring forward an initial implementation project for Council's consideration.

CARRIED

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

2.

Application To Propose a New Lounge Area Endorsement To Licence #311621 - Deep Blue Distilleries Ltd - 5800 Cedarbridge Way Unit 130

(File Ref. No. 12-8275-30-001) (REDMS No. 8027630)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that, (i) while there have not been a significant number of applications to extend hours beyond 2:00 a.m., there has been a gradual increase over the years, though the absolute numbers remain low, (ii) the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch has not expressed any concerns, (iii) the business currently operates tours at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., with a capacity of 30 people per tour, and has successfully passed all inspections, and (iv) the Province is implementing an accelerated program to establish a beneficial ownership registry to verify ownership.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application from Deep Blue Distilleries Ltd., seeking the following extended hours of liquor service, and a new Lounge Area Endorsement at the premises located at 5800 Cedarbridge Way Unit 130, be supported:

(a)

A new lounge area endorsement with a total person capacity of 30 occupants;

(b)

Proposed hours of liquor service from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to Midnight and Sunday, 5:00 PM to Midnight; and

(2)

That a letter be sent to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, which includes the information as set out in Attachment 1 to this report, advising that Council recommends the approval of the new Lounge Area and extended hours of liquor service.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE DIVISION

3.

Supporting Food Security Organizations through City Agriculture Related Grant Programs

(File Ref. No. 03-1085-01) (REDMS No. 8062339)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the recommendation is to reallocate the funds, therefore there is no net loss to the organizations that have applied for the grants, (ii) by modifying the Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) guidelines it allows for those applicants that   previously applied for the Supporting Food Security (SFS) Grant to be eligible, (iii) overall funding for grant programs are funded through gaming revenue; however, overall gaming revenue continues to decrease,  (iv) the 4 organizations that previously applied to the SFS Grant program are eligible to apply for the EEG, and (v)  individuals can apply for grant amounts up to a maximum of $500.

 Discussion took place on (i) option 3 and increasing the EEG by $30,000,
(ii) reviewing the changes after the 2026 budget, and (iii) tweaking the name of the Environmental Enhancement Grant program.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 1 as outlined in the staff report titled “Supporting Food Security Organizations through City Agriculture Grant Related Programs”, dated June 16, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services, be approved; and

(2)

That the matter be reviewed after the 2026 Budget.

The question on the motion was not called as further discussion took place on separating the funds allocated to the SFS from the funds for the EEG, and as result of the discussion the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That part (1) be amended to read as follows:

That Option 1 as outlined in the staff report titled “Supporting Food Security Organizations through City Agriculture Grant Related Programs”, dated June 16, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services, be approved on the basis that the money previously allocated to the Supporting Food Security through Community Driven Events Grant grant would be separated from the balance of the Environmental Enhancement Grant.

The question on the amendment motion was not called, as discussion took place regarding the potential to reallocate funding between grant programs, specifically, if one program reaches its funding limit, there may be flexibility to shift funds to support additional grants under the other program.

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

The question on the main motion, as amended, which reads as follows:  

(1)

That Option 1 as outlined in the staff report titled “Supporting Food Security Organizations through City Agriculture Grant Related Programs”, dated June 16, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services, be approved on the basis that the money previously allocated to the Supporting Food Security through Community Driven Events Grant grant would be separated from the balance of the Environmental Enhancement Grant; and

(2)

That the matter be reviewed after the 2026 Budget.

was then called and it was DEFEATED with Cllrs. Day, Gillanders, Heed, McNulty and Wolfe opposed.  

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 3 as outlined in the staff report titled “Supporting Food Security Organizations through City Agriculture Grant Related Programs”, dated June 16, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services, be approved; and

(2)

That the matter be reviewed after the 2026 Budget.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllrs. Au

Hobbs

Loo

CAO’S OFFICE

4.

2025 UBCM Community Excellence Awards Program

(File Ref. No. 01-0130-01) (REDMS No. 8037049)

It was moved and seconded

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

(1)

Excellence in Governance: Community Driven Neighbourhood Road Safety Program;

(2)

Excellence in Service Delivery: Dike Operation and Maintenance Manual;

(3)

Excellence in Asset Management: Dike Geographic Information System (GIS) Upgrade Project; and

(4)

Excellence in Sustainability: Richmond Circular City Strategy.

CARRIED

DEPUTY CAO’S OFFICE

5.

Referral Response: Housing as a Human Right
(File Ref. No. 08-4057-05) (REDMS No. 8078492)

Discussion took place on the Federal Government endorsing this resolution.  

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed resolution, titled "Housing as a Human Right" (Attachment 1 ), which calls for the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to lobby the Province of BC to establish legislation and policy to support accessible and equitable housing and declare housing as a human right, and for UBCM to advocate to the Government of Canada to increase its direct investment in housing and to implement policies and regulations that will support and incentivize the delivery of housing for all Canadians, be endorsed and submitted to UBCM for consideration at the 2025 UBCM Convention with copies to the Local MLAs and MPs.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR KASH HEED

6.

Initiate a more accountable and contemporary structure for the Richmond Olympic Oval
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

Background information was provided on the motion.

Wayne Duzita, expressed concerns with the motion and provided the following information:

§   

the Richmond Olympic Oval (ROO) is one of the few post-Olympic facilities to be financially sustainable;

§   

the ROO has stayed true to its objectives over the past 17 years adapting to community needs and diversifying programs and funding;

§   

to understand the true financials of the ROO need to look at the 2025 and past years Profit and Loss statements;

§   

the statements shows that the city and taxpayers represent about 17.1% of the revenue, while the majority comes from membership, admissions programs, corporate functions, and 2010 Games Operating Trust;

§   

the Oval under the past Board was responsible for many changes enhancing and improving activities such as the climbing wall, outside basketball courts, retaining the Olympic Rings, and many more;

§   

reviewing the original legacy presentation could be helpful and productive in determining Council’s vision and objectives;

§   

non-traditional funding was key to sustainability; and

§   

before dissolving the structure council should examine the vision and then determine the structure.

George, Business Advisor, spoke in support of the motion and noted that they are seeking additional information regarding future plans for the Oval.

Discussion took place on (i) improvements to transparency, (ii) reviewing the governance structure with options and how its going to move forward,
(iii) competition for the other community centres, (iv) metrics for the number of Richmond residents that use the facility, (v) benefits of the Oval,
(vi) Games Operating Trust funding requirements, and (vii) financial implications of reducing the subsidy.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the maximum annual contribution to the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation for 2026 be limited to $2.5 million;

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) set out a process to examine dismantling the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation while identifying an alternative structure/framework and governance for the new facility inauguration in the first quarter of 2027; and

(3)

That the CAO provide a comprehensive document to Council by the end of 2025 outlining the purposes, strategies, and financial projections for the transition of the facility.

The question on the motion was not called, as there was agreement to deal with Parts (1) (2) and (3) separately.

Discussion took place on reviewing the Richmond Olympic Oval governance and as a result the following amendment motion to Part (2) was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(2)

That staff review the governance structure of the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation, including the basic corporate structure, and report back with options.

The question on the amendment motion was not called as a further amendment motion to Part (2) was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the following be added to Part (2):

That the CAO be directed to examine an updated process which the Richmond Olympic Oval would be moved from operating under the governance of the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation to operating under the City of Richmond, and report back.

CARRIED

The question on the main amendment motion, as amended, which reads as follows:

(2)

(a)

That staff review the governance structure of the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation, including the basic corporate structure, and report back with options; and

(b)

That the CAO be directed to examine an updated process which the Richmond Olympic Oval would be moved from operating under the governance of the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation to operating under the City of Richmond, and report back.

was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Day, Heed and Wolfe opposed.

Discussion took place on purposes, strategies, and financial projections of the ROO. As a result of the discussion the following amendment motion to Part (3) was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the following be removed from Part (3):

“…for the transition of the facility.”

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllr. Au

The question on the main motion, as amended, which reads as follows:

(3)

That the CAO provide a comprehensive document to Council by the end of 2025 outlining the purposes, strategies, and financial projections.

was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Au opposed.

Further discussion took place on the maximum annual contribution and as a result of the discussion, an amendment motion to Part (1) to defer the matter and incorporate it with the analysis in Part (3) was introduced but failed to receive a seconder.

The question on Part (1) was then called and it was CARRIED with Mayor Brodie, Cllrs. Au and Loo opposed.

COUNCILLORS CAROL DAY, LAURA GILLANDERS & MICHAEL WOLFE

7.

Finance and Audit Committee
(File Ref. No.)

Background information regarding a finance and audit committee was provided and discussion took place on including internal audit reviews.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Council change the name of the Finance Committee to the “Finance and Audit Committee”; and

(2)

That it be referred to staff to alter the Terms of Reference of said Finance and Audit Committee to include responsibilities relating to internal audits and report back.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:24 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, July 7, 2025.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Associate