September 9, 2026 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Absent:

Councillor Kash Heed

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

Councillor Michael Wolfe

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on July 14, 2026, be adopted.

CARRIED

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report - June and July 2026

(File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 8503424)

In response to a query from Committee, staff confirmed that unsightly premises complaints included within the report extend to garbage on streets and other areas not pertaining to a specific address; exceptions may include incidents where road crews notice and proactively remove rubbish without direction.

In response to further Committee questions, staff advised (i) city workers remove objects that are unsafe or obstruct passage on public areas, but may gather evidence to determine the property associated with the nuisance, (ii) water infractions are perpetrated by a variety of individuals and businesses, with over 70% of offenses remedied through consultation, education and prevention, (iii) Public Works department is aware of how many water use permits are issued and monitored for landscaping businesses and golf courses, (iv) community members reporting bylaw offenses are generally not afforded complete anonymity to facilitate follow-up and identification of vexatious complaints; however, it is common practice to withhold their identity from the subject, (v) majority of 62 non-compliant soil activities reported pertain to unauthorized soil depositing which may require lengthy remediation or the involvement the Agricultural Land Commission, and (v) the city encourages water restriction compliance through coordinated education and communication.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – June and July 2026”, dated August 17, 2026, from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Business Licence Activity Report - Second Quarter 2026

(File Ref. No. 12-8375-03) (REDMS No. 8481702)

In response to a query from Committee, staff advised that (i) staff participated in the RCMP investigation related to the sinking of an unlicensed charter boat and related deaths; and (ii) staff rely on a network of businesses and public who report unlicensed businesses in Richmond.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Business Licence Activity Report – Second Quarter 2026”, dated July 17, 2026, from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT - June and July 2026

(File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 8472007)

Discussion ensued with respect to nature of materials that washed into the river while extinguishing a machine fire on Mitchell Road.

In response to queries from Committee, Richmon Fire-Rescue (RFR) staff advised that (i) the fire involved heavy equipment inside the building, and (ii) protocol is now in place in collaboration with the City to prevent wastewater flowing into the river.

Discussion ensued with respect to a homeless encampment fire at No. 5 Road and Westminster Highway. In response to Committee queries, RFR staff advised that (i) it is unknown who will pay the cost of fire extinguishing, cleanup operations, and remediation of the encampment site, (ii) the cause of the fire is unknown, (iii) nearby jet fuel lines are buried six feet deep and were not impacted, and (iv) protocols are in place to respond to fires near the jet fuel lines.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Activity Report – June and July 2026”, dated August 14, 2026, from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

None.

5.

RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT - June and July 2026

(File Ref. No. 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 8450564)

Discussion ensued regarding injuries and hospitalizations due to e-scooter and e-bike accidents among children. It was suggested to add a table describing e-scooter and e-bike traffic infractions to the Richmond RCMP monthly activity report.

In response to Committee queries, the Chief Supt. Chauhan advised (i) e-scooter and e-bike compliance is encouraged through education programs targeting school-age children and their parents, and enforcement of regulations, (ii) fines can be levied and vary according to the type of infraction, (iii) citizens are encouraged to report incidents and infractions to the RCMP, and (iv) RCMP is happy to conduct outreach to concerned citizens, including seniors.

The Committee expressed appreciation for enforcement and education efforts and emphasized the importance of adequate funding for outreach. Further comments were offered on (i) safe pathways, (ii) operation, (iii) parking, and (iv) storage of e-vehicles, as discussed by the Council/School Board Liaison Committee.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report– June and July 2026”, dated August 18, 2026, from the Officer in Charge, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Chief Superintendent Chauhan advised that (i) the RCMP Detachment Operations Centre and Emergency Operations Centre at YVR noted no serious issues or concerns throughout the FIFA/Richmond Celebrates Soccer games hosted in the city, (ii) e-scooter and e-bike training efforts will continue, (iii) the Fifth Annual Youth Academy was a success with 24 attendees, and (iv) applications open this autumn to participate in the Sixth Annual Youth Academy in the summer of 2027.

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Retirement of Ed Warzel

It was noted that Ed Warzel, Director of Police Services has retired. Committee thanked Mr. Warzel for his service to the City.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:17 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 Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

_________________________________

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Councillor Alexa Loo
Chair

Renee Frappier
Recording Secretary