November 18, 2024 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, November 18, 2024

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 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on November 4, 2024, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

CAO’S OFFICE

1.

Indigenous Relations Strategy – Proposed Guiding Principles and Focus Areas

(File Ref. No. 01-0005-01) (REDMS No. 7762260)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) according to the 2021 Census population there are approximately 1540 Indigenous people reported living in Richmond, (ii) in September, two internal training sessions were held for city staff with respect to residential schools, a lunch and learn model will be used for further training opportunities, (iii) the Guiding Principles and Focus Areas will provide guidance towards the development of a framework for the Indigenous Relations Strategy, (iv) engagement with the Musqueam Indian Band and the Tsawwassen First Nation will be prioritized in the development of the strategy, and (v) staff will work to determine which Advisory Committees align with the framework and strategy that is being developed and seek their input. 

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) the value of holding multiple public consultations, (ii) acknowledging the different calls for action, and which of the calls of action can be met and when, and (iii) opportunities for Council to participate in professional development.

Correspondence from Linda Barnes, dated November 18, 2024 was distributed on table (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1).

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Indigenous Relations Strategy proposed Guiding Principles and Focus Areas outlined in the staff report titled “Indigenous Relations Strategy – Proposed Guiding Principles and Focus Areas,” dated October 28, 2024, from the Director, Intergovernmental

Relations and Corporate and Strategic Planning, be endorsed; and

(2)

That staff be directed to develop an Indigenous Relations Strategy and engage with Indigenous communities to seek collaboration into the development of the Strategy.

CARRIED

2.

Response to Referral - Richmond Celebrates FIFA World Cup 26

(File Ref. No. 01-0005-01) (REDMS No. 7808316)

In response to queries from Committee staff advised that (i) with the proposed campaign there are many fixed costs that can not be reduced, even though the number of events are reduced, (ii) the FIFA licencing fees, agreements and guidelines are yet to be determined, (iii) licencing is included in the budget estimate, if it is above the projected budget that is in place, staff will bring it forward to Council for further direction, (iv) non commercial licencing fees are required for bars and restaurants screening matches, (v) staff are in discussions with various soccer clubs and will speak to the groups about providing workshops and clinics to youth, (vi) a shortage and increase in prices for high demand items such as screens, soccer equipment and supplies is anticipated, (vii) the Campaign Event Planning portfolio will be undertaken by existing staff positions, and (viii) Richmond based individuals and neighborhood groups can apply for neighborhood level funding of up to $500 to host their own watch parties that meet City established criteria.

Correspondence from Bruce Livingston, dated November 18, 2024 was distributed on table (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1).

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the “New Campaign” option  to celebrate the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup 2026 (FIFA World Cup 26) in Richmond, as detailed in the staff report titled “Richmond Celebrates FIFA World Cup 26 – Response to Referral,” dated October 28, 2024, from the Director, Intergovernmental Relations and Corporate and Strategic Planning, be endorsed for the purposes of continuing with planning and partner engagement; and

(2)

That one-time funding of the associated budget as outlined in the report be considered as part of the 2025 budget process.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to (i) youth engagement, (ii) availability of funds for Community Centres wanting to host events during FIFA, and (iii) possibility of allocating $15,000 of the $40,000 funding under the Richmond Kicks Grant program to host a 2^nd Summer West Fest at West Richmond event on the second semi-finals day.

In response to a query from Committee, staff advised that adjustments can be made to the proposed events and schedules and that they will work with all the various communities and bring back to a Council at the end of 2025 a final schedule and detailed programming for each event.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the motion be amended to add:

(3)

That staff be directed to bring back the final schedule with all details including funding for each category by the end of 2025.

CARRIED

Further discussion ensued with respect to (i) allocation of $5000 to each Community Centre to host their own FIFA events, (ii) staff discussions with Community groups about activities and programming of FIFA events, and (iii) the City providing resources and equipment that can be used for multiple events by multiple groups.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the motion be amended to add:

(4)

That up to $5,000 be allocated, within the existing budget, to each Community Centre to be taken from the Kick-off Event and the Community Events and Viewing Parties aspect of the budget and for the programming to be approved by the City.

The question on the amendment motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding granting the $30,000 allocated for the Community Events and Viewing Parties directly to the eight Community Associations and staff working beyond that in purchasing equipment and supplies that will support all eight of the Associations.

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

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

(1)

That the “New Campaign” option  to celebrate the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup 2026 (FIFA World Cup 26) in Richmond, as detailed in the staff report titled “Richmond Celebrates FIFA World Cup 26 – Response to Referral,” dated October 28, 2024, from the Director, Intergovernmental Relations and Corporate and Strategic Planning, be endorsed for the purposes of continuing with planning and partner engagement;

(2)

That one-time funding of the associated budget as outlined in the report be considered as part of the 2025 budget process;

(3)

That staff be directed to bring back the final schedule with all details including funding for each category by the end of 2025; and

(4)

That up to $5,000 be allocated, within the existing budget, to each Community Centre to be taken from the Kick-off Events and the Community Events and Viewing parties aspect of the budget and for the programming to be approved by the City.

was not called, as there was agreement to deal with Parts (1) (2) (3) and (4) separately.

The question on Parts (1) (2) and (3) was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Heed opposed.

The question on Part (4) was then called and it was CARRIED.

DEPUTY CAO’S OFFICE

3.

Establishing a Housing Priorities Grant Program

(File Ref. No. 08-4057-05) (REDMS No. 7845004)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed framework for a Housing Priorities Grant Program, as outlined in the report titled “Establishing a Housing Priorities Grant Program,” dated October 28, 2024, from the

Director, Housing Office, be approved; and

(2)

That staff bring forward eligible applications received through the Housing Priorities Grant Program for Council consideration.

The question on the motion was not called as in response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) to be eligible for the program, conditional approval must have been granted or a development permit issued, the grant dollars will be allocated at the time of receiving final approval, and (ii) the eligible projects are projects that are adding low end market rental units or units that are tied to BC Housing’s household income levels.

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

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

4.

Fire Vehicle Replacement Reserve Purchases (2021 to 2024) BudgetAmendment and Annual Funding Requirement for Equipment Replacement Reserve Fund - Fire Rescue Vehicles Reserve Fund

(File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 7670334)

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) procurement of hybrid fire engines, (ii) needs assessment, (iii) market impacts escalating costs, (iv) life cycle for frontline service emergency vehicles, (v) emergency vehicle replacement schedule based on maintenance and usage, and (vi) Vancouver Airport Fuel Facility Provision (VAFFC) usage.

In response to a query from Committee, Fire Chief Wishlove advised that purchasing the four trucks at this time will secure placement in a queue with a vendor that guarantees a price and a delivery date.   

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a capital request for a one-time funding of $5.0 million for Fire Vehicle Replacement Reserve Purchases be funded by Emergency Response Fuel Facility Provision (contribution from Vancouver Airport Fuel Facility Corporation), detailed in the staff report titled “Fire Vehicle Replacement Reserve Purchases (2021 to 2024) Budget Amendment and Annual Funding Requirement for Equipment Replacement Reserve Fund - Fire Rescue Vehicles Reserve Fund”, dated October 7, 2024, from the Fire Chief, be submitted through the 2025 budget process; and

(2)

That an additional level request to increase the annual contribution to the Vehicle and Equipment Reserve - Fire Rescue Vehicles by $600,000 be submitted through the 2025 budget process to ensure solvency for identified future purchase needs.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllr. Wolfe

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

5.

Steveston Village Lane Parking - Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6500-01) (REDMS No. 7861108)

It was moved and seconded

That Option 2B as outlined in the report titled “Steveston Village Lane Parking – Update” dated November 14, 2024 from the Director, Transportation be endorsed.

The question on the motion was not called as in response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) four users have subscribed to the permit program to date, (ii) the overall Steveston Parking study will be brought forward to Council at the end of 2025, and (iii) the Harbour Authority offers monthly parking.

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

COUNCILLOR KASH HEED

6.

Feasible Options and Policy for Commercial Truck Parking in Richmond
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff explore further locations beyond those previously identified in reports for potential truck parking areas in Richmond, assessing their feasibility based on a realistic evaluation;

(2)

That staff revise and/or create policies regarding land use, transportation, and agriculture to address the current demands and challenges associated with truck parking in Richmond; and

(3)

That updates on items 1 and 2 be presented to the Council within a three-month timeframe.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to (i) trucks parking concerns on Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), (ii) inconsistent enforcement, (iii) the need for dedicated truck parking for Richmond based small business truck drivers, and (iv) conducting a survey to find out where the trucks are coming from and if they are local and reporting back in the context of the referral.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:51 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 18, 2024.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Raman Grewal
Legislative Services Associate