November 17, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, November 17, 2025

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au (entered the meeting at 4:15 p.m. by teleconference)
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 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on November 3, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION

1.

City Signature and Community Events Program 2026

(File Ref. No. 11-7400-01) (REDMS No. 8181002)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) an event contingency of $50,000 is included to address potential challenges with individual events, such as unexpected production issues related to weather, unanticipated increased rental costs, additional safety requirements, event alterations due to construction, and/or sponsorships or grant shortfalls, and any unused funding is returned to the Rate Stabilization Account and (ii) the City conducted a thorough review of the Richmond Event Approval Coordination Team (REACT) process, specifically with regard to safety and security requirements and risk mitigation for community events.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) smaller community events, with staff noting that City events are included on the community calendar on the City’s website, (ii) developing risk assessment and safety plan guidelines and other tools to support event organizers in ensuring the safety of event participants, (iii) funding in place to provide the appropriate level of safety and security at City events, and (iv) how operating departments, including Richmond RCMP, Richmond Fire-Rescue, and Public Works, adjust schedules and personnel assignments to meet event-related needs within their existing resources, with associated costs already accommodated in their regular operating budgets.

Staff advised that a memorandum outlining the parameters and use of the City events contingency budget can be provided in advance of the November 24, 2025 Council meeting.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City Signature and Community Events Program 2026, as outlined in Table 1 of the report titled “City Signature and Community Events Program 2026”, dated October 27, 2025, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be approved for the following events and initiatives:

(a)

Children's Arts Festival;

(b)

Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival;

(c)

Doors Open Richmond;

(d)

Community Celebration Grant Program;

(e)

Neighbourhood Block Party Program;

(f)

Steveston Salmon Festival;

(g)

Richmond Maritime Festival;

(h)

Richmond Farm Fest; and

(i)

Community Event Safety Enhancements;

(2)

That the expenditures totaling $1,113,900 for the City Signature and Community Events Program 2026 with funding of $1,027,900 from the Rate Stabilization Account, $41,000 estimated sponsorship and $45,000 estimated grant revenue be considered in the 2026 budget process; and

(3)

That a Community Festive Lights Event at Minoru Lake be investigated, including timing, budget and potential partnerships.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR ALEXA LOO

2.

Motion to Support Affected Landowners During Appeal of Cowichan Land Claim

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

Write a letter to the Prime Minister, the Premier, the Ministers of Finance, the Attorneys General to mitigate the effects of the Cowichan Land ruling on private landowners during the appeal process; and

(2)

For staff to work with the Federal and Provincial governments to investigate options to support landowners in the disputed lands in Richmond to mitigate the effects of the Cowichan Land ruling during the appeal process and report back.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding (i) the Supreme Court of British Columbia’s precedent-setting Cowichan Tribes decision, (ii) the affected properties within the Claim Area, and (iii) uncertainty for landowners and business owners and concerns from residents.

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) what is contemplated in the motion would not interfere with any discussions that the Province is having or contemplating to have with the Cowichan Tribes, (ii) any relief or guarantees would ultimately need to be acted on by the Province, (iii) the 18-month stay only applies to the titles held by Richmond and Canada that are occupied by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority where those titles were found to be invalid and defective, and Justice Barbara Young said the 18-month suspension of the title declaration was to give the Cowichan, Canada, and Richmond time to make “necessary arrangements” for the transition of title, and (iv) the Provincial government will be asking for a stay of the implementation of the Cowichan Tribes case.

Further discussion ensued regarding (i) liaising with the Province to find out what they are doing in regards to the situation, (ii) having staff work closely with the Federal and Provincial governments to collect reliable information regarding the needs and concerns of home and business owners affected by the Supreme Court of British Columbia’s decision, (iii) requesting that the Provincial government incorporate fee simple title properties affected by the Cowichan Tribe ruling into the property tax deferment program until a decision is reached by the BC Court of Appeal regarding this matter, and parameters of a tax deferment, (iv) advocating for citizens and business owners, and (v) filed notices of appeal in the case.

As a result of the discussion, the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That Part (2) of the motion be amended to read as follows:

For staff to work with the Federal and Provincial governments to investigate options to support landowners in the disputed lands in Richmond to mitigate the effects of the Cowichan Land ruling during the appeal process, including that the City of Richmond requests that the Provincial Government incorporate fee simple title properties affected by the Cowichan Tribe ruling into the property tax deferment program until a decision is reached by the BC Court of Appeal regarding this matter, and report back.

The question on the amendment motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding (i) interest and fees for property tax deferment, and (ii) various components and details to be incorporated in the report back process.

The question on the amendment motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Wolfe opposed.

Further discussion ensued regarding support and information provided to Richmond residents and small businesses by Provincial government community contacts in response to the Cowichan decision.

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

(1)

Write a letter to the Prime Minister, the Premier, the Ministers of Finance, the Attorneys General to mitigate the effects of the Cowichan Land ruling on private landowners during the appeal process; and

(2)

For staff to work with the Federal and Provincial governments to investigate options to support landowners in the disputed lands in Richmond to mitigate the effects of the Cowichan Land ruling during the appeal process, including that the City of Richmond requests that the Provincial Government incorporate fee simple title properties affected by the Cowichan Tribe ruling into the property tax deferment program until a decision is reached by the BC Court of Appeal regarding this matter, and report back.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:05 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, November 17, 2025.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Shannon Unrau
Legislative Services Associate