June 11, 2024 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Alexa Loo, Chair
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)

Call to Order:

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

AGENDA ADDITIONS

It was moved and seconded

That Steveston Parking be added to the agenda as Item No. 6A, Steveston Lane Parking be added as Item No. 6B, and Brighouse Safety be added as Item No. 6C.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on May 14, 2024, be adopted.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

COMMUNITY BYLAWS MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – APRIL 2024

(File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 7674325)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) Boulevard Maintenance Regulation Bylaw 7174 have provisions to enforce overgrown tree and shrub offences obstructing traffic and sidewalks, (ii) the City enforces illegal dumping contraventions, however such offenses are infrequent, (iii) parking enforcement revenue is city-wide and can be attributed to retail and business transactions returning to pre-pandemic levels, and (iv) Richmond Fire Rescue (RFR) will issue false alarm tickets.

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) contact information for the public to report dog complaints, (ii) educational brochures on dog ownership are handed out with dog licenses and/or available on social media, (iii) dog walkers require a business license to operate, and staff can explore options to identify dog walkers, and (iv) the City bylaws limits the amount of pets per household.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – April 2024”, dated May 9, 2024, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Business Licencing, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

REVIEW OF HOURS OF OPERATION OF KARAOKE CLUBS AND NIGHT CLUBS

(File Ref. No. 09-5355-00) (REDMS No. 7671706)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that multiple complaints and an increase in severity of calls are not uncommon in relation to businesses that include alcohol consumption late in the evenings adding that the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, Business Licence department, Bylaw Department and RCMP routinely enforce proactive education measures through active patrols.

It was moved and seconded

That the permitted hours of operation of Karaoke Clubs and Night Clubs remain unchanged as outlined in the staff report titled “Review of Hours of Operation of Karaoke Clubs and Night Clubs”, dated May 14, 2024, from the Director, Community Bylaws and Licencing.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllr. Heed

Discussion then took place on comparing food primary and liquor primary establishments in relation to night time operations and calls of service, and as a result the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff explore how a pilot project could be run for licenced premises to extend operating hours and report back with comparison data.

CARRIED

3.

RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – APRIL 2024

(File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 7672426)

Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Trevor Northrup, provided an update on the Health Protection Team that met with Vancouver Coastal Health to discuss preparations for the upcoming heat and wildfire season.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the six outdoor overdose/poisoning incidents appear to be in one location and staff will report back with more detailed location data, (ii) the Iona Beach fire was investigated and determined to be a human-caused fire, (iii) overdose poisonings includes alcohol poisonings, (iv) licensing/training for RFR staff follows a three year renewal cycle and new training is implemented with the changes in types of calls adding that RFR members are Emergency Medical Assistant First Responders, (v) RFR has seen a steady rise in electric multi-modal fires, and (vi) medical calls are keeping pace with the aging demographics and the clusters on the heat maps align with senior home locations.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – April 2024”, dated May 13, 2024, from the Fire Chief, be received for information.

CARRIED

Councillor Gillanders left the meeting (4:54 p.m.) and returned (4:55 p.m.).

4.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Doors Open Richmond

Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Northrup, spoke to the Doors Open Richmond event at Fire Hall No. 1, noting it was a huge success with over 5239 people in attendance highlighting Fire Prevention and Emergency Programs, Community Outreach, and YVR Fire and Rescue partners.

5.

RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – APRIL 2024

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 7658574)

In reply to queries from Committee, Superintendent Julie Drotar noted that
(i) retail theft arrests involve both organized rings and repeat offenders, adding that the majority of these offenders are not from Richmond, (ii) staff is providing public awareness on fraud prevention through pamphlets in multiple languages, social media campaigns, newspapers, and news media, (iii) serious assaults with weapons can involve any item, with the exception of guns and knives, which have their own categories, (iv) the increase of break and enter incidents stem from crimes of opportunity, and (v) driver license infractions are a result of traffic enforcement stops.

Discussion ensued in respect to D.A.R.E. presentations in high schools noting that high schools need to invite the RCMP to provide proactive presentations on issues concerning youth.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – April 2024”, dated May 10, 2024, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Doors Open Richmond

Superintendent Drotar spoke to the success of the Doors Open Richmond event with approximately 1800 in attendance highlighting the provincial canoe competition.

(ii)

Red Lights at Intersections

Committee spoke to an increase in report of vehicles running red lights, noting that these complaints can be forwarded to the RCMP for investigation.

(iii)

No. 2 Road and Westminster Highway Intersection

Discussion ensued with respect to traffic congestion and vehicular accidents stemming from the fluctuation in gas prices at the corner of No. 2 Road and Westminster Highway. As a result of the discussion, staff noted that City bylaws mandates full service at gas stations and prohibit vehicles from stopping on the roadway. Staff advised that staff can review options to prevent traffic congestion in the area.

6A.

STEVESTON TOWNSITE PARKING

Discussion ensued with regard to alleviating parking issues in Steveston Village, and as a result the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff conduct a comprehensive parking study on the Steveston Townsite and look at all occupancy levels and options including empty spots, loading zones, permit zones, paid parking zones, and Steveston Harbour Authority properties; and

(2)

As part of the study, staff consult with Steveston Merchants Association, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Richmond and other stakeholders;

and report back.

CARRIED

6B.

STEVESTON TOWNSITE LANE PARKING

Discussion ensued with regard to parking in Steveston lanes as an option for Steveston employers/employees during the summer months, and as a result the following referral motion  was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff review, analyze and assess parking in Steveston lanes to determine when and what circumstances and conditions that parking in lanes can occur, and report back.

CARRIED

Discussion then took place on immediate measures that the City can take to ease parking congestion in the Steveston area in advance of the summer season such as signage and loading zone enhancements.

Discussion ensued with regard to encouraging accessing the Steveston area by cycling, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff look into creating secure bicycle parking in Steveston, and report back.

CARRIED

6C.

BRIGHOUSE NEIGHBOURHOOD PARK SAFETY

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) Bylaw Officers actively patrol the park and if necessary remove unoccupied tents allowing better access to the washrooms, (ii) staff will report back on the hours in which the public can access the washrooms, (iii) the ambassador hours have been adjusted to better align with sport user group schedules, and (iv) staff will monitor the ambassador program and make any changes needed to keep the park safe and accessible for all users.

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:52 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

_________________________________

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Councillor Alexa Loo
Chair

Andrea Mizuguchi
Legislative Services Associate