November 12, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, November 12, 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 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 Community Safety Committee held on October 15, 2025, be adopted.

CARRIED

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – September 2025

(File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 8193035)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted (i) driving factors for the significant increase in parking revenue and violations can be attributed to having a full staff compliment who have been proactively patrolling hotspot areas, as well as the implementation of the license plate recognition technology, which enables more efficiency in terms of allocating resources to look at time-based infractions, (ii) enforcement numbers have also driven staff’s goal to achieve compliance, which has also been noted through the increased usage of metering, and (iii) the priority privilege with respect to infractions is life safety over those infractions that may have less of a life safety component or none at all (e.g., September priority to ensure a large allocation of resources to schools, particularly during the rush to drop off/pick up children where there’s an increased danger of double parked cars near sidewalks).

A brief discussion ensued with respect to the process Bylaw Officers undertake for parking infractions where the driver or occupant is present noting (from a safety perspective) that visual evidence and a record of the license plate would have already been collected before approaching the vehicle.

Further discussion ensued with respect to the lengthy process for the bylaw prosecution referenced in the staff report, noting the agricultural enforcement and $141,000 fine (which has been received) and the additional remediation costs of the property that were also significant.  Staff noted the precedent has been set that the City is quite serious about violations that occur within the ALR.

In response to further queries from Committee, staff reported (i) an investigation is underway with respect to allegations of an individual imitating a bylaw officer, and the importance for the general public to avoid any confrontation with the individual, (ii) similarly, with respect to any potential altercation with fellow dog owners, it was further noted the importance of reporting to Bylaws and/or the appropriate authorities should there be any violations, and not to confront the individual(s) directly, (iii) staff have made some outreach efforts with the BCSPCA and subject matter experts to solicit feedback in the area of cat bylaws in BC and management practices for urban free roaming cats, and will report back to Committee with any information obtained, and (iv) the addition of another soil bylaw enforcement officer has enabled an increase in proactive patrolling and greater presence overall, also increasing the potential of obtaining any neighbourhood concerns.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – September 2025”, dated October 14, 2025, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – September 2025

(File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 8183964)

A brief discussion ensued with respect to the reported number of medical responses to YVR.  Chief Wishlove noted he was not aware of any contractual arrangement with YVR for Richmond Fire-Rescue’s responsibility, in conjunction with BC Ambulance, to respond to medical emergencies at YVR, in addition to RFR’s response to fires, alarms and natural or other types of emergencies that are part of RFR’s responsibility under the access agreement.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – September 2025”, dated October 15, 2025, from the Fire Chief, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING

None.

4.

RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT - September 2025

(File Ref. No. 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 8175434)

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) the increase in tickets issued for distracted driving, (ii) a reduction in the average hospital wait time for apprehensions, and (iii) the relatively low year to date motor vehicle collisions, compared to the recent years.

Superintendent Julie Drotar noted that road/traffic enforcement is the responsibility of every single unit that patrols the streets of Richmond, a combined effort of every all members, front line as well as the road safety unit.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – September 2025”, dated October 14, 2025, from the Officer in Charge, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING

None.

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:35 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, November 12, 2025.

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Councillor Alexa Loo
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate