July 15, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

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 Chak Au

Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)

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 Community Safety Committee held on June 10, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

1.

(1)

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1), Robert Groenhof, Clinical Operations Manager, Vancouver South and Richmond, British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), provided an overview and data of the BCEHS involvement in Richmond.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) percentage of positions filled and staffing issues throughout the province, (ii) the decrease in mental health related calls and relevant resources, and (iii) overdose data and the Lifeguard App, a free phone app that brings emergency responders to people who may be having an overdose on drugs while alone.

(2)

Samantha Deoliveira, Richmond resident, spoke to concerns regarding the temporary housing unit located at 6999 Alderbridge Way.

In response to queries from Committee, the delegation noted (i) lighting would likely not deter the behaviour of some of the individuals but could potentially help the patrons in the area to know if the area is clear, and (ii) surveillance cameras could provide video evidence if charges are brought before the courts.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the potential benefits of increased lighting, surveillance cameras and mobile safety trailers, and (ii) action taken by Richmond RCMP and RainCity to prevent further incidents and hold residents/guests accountable for inappropriate behaviour.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate:

(1)

options to increase RainCity's oversight, responsibility and accountability of residents and guests and where people congregate at the supportive housing site on 6999 Alderbridge Way;

(2)

options to increase RCMP presence in the area surrounding 6999 Alderbridge Way during the day;

(3)

options to increase safety at the nearby dog park, including lighting, surveillance cameras, tree maintenance and a second entrance; and

(4)

opportunities for on-going community engagement.

CARRIED

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

2.

COMMUNITY BYLAWS MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – MAY 2025

(File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 8080480)

Staff provided an update from the June 10, 2025 Community Safety Committee meeting, noting (i) the City was responsible for $9,500.00 for clean up of the Tree Island dock, paid for through a Council approved contingency reserve stemming from the Wharves Regulation Bylaw 10182, and the remainder of the costs were borne by Transport Canada, responsible for moving the vessel, and (ii) with respect to animal controlled enforcement of off-leash dogs on the West Dyke Trail, there has been more patrols in the area resulting in significant ticket issuances, which will be reflected in the numbers to be reported for the June and July reports to Committee.

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted (i) the increase in parking enforcement revenue can be attributed to a combination of factors including an increase to a full staff compliment, deployment of more technology and proactively exploring other/new technologies such as license plate recognition and mobility software platforms, as well as a significant uptick in compliance related revenue generated from meters, (ii) steps are underway to deploy special operations to address parking violations by delivery trucks including mobile software solutions, working with Transportation staff to look at more designated areas and potential enforcement options, (iii) under City bylaws, property owners are responsible for maintaining the shrubs at a certain height and cannot place items or obstacles on them that may obscure traffic, and (iv) staff are aware of the resources available to individuals who do not have a home and are living in their vehicle, and staff work with outreach teams and closely with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR) to help people into programs, ensuring they are still receiving services and that they are in medical contact.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – May 2025”, dated June 16, 2025, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT –MAY 2025

(File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 8070519)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – heed – May 2025”, dated June 20, 2025, from the Fire Chief, be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called as a brief discussion ensued with respect to the purchase of new apparatus.

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

4.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

None.

5.

RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – May 2025

(File Ref. No. 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 8056104)

In response to queries from Committee, Superintendent Julie Drotar noted (i) there are some mobile surveillance trailers available within the RCMP Provincial Headquarters, but not the specific large mobile ones that have been used in the Vancouver area; they would have to be purchased and cost approximately $100,000, (ii) the current cameras are limited, they are in vehicles or mobile vehicles in trailers that can be relied on but are in limited supply, (iii) mobile surveillance trailers could be utilized to capture video to aid in pursuing charges, or for a major community event or larger event like Canada Day, or utilized in assisting by having more eyes on the population, and could also be a good deterrent, and (iv) RCMP actively engage local businesses on the mitigation of commercial break and enters.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – May 2025”, dated June 18, 2025, from the Officer in Charge, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

None.

The following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, explore the purchase or rental of a mobile surveillance trailer system for utilization by the RCMP.

CARRIED

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:11 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, July 15, 2025.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Alexa Loo
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate