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Mayor: City focusing on safety and sustainability

By Hannah Scott, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Published 2:56 PST, Wed February 26, 2020

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

Public safety, environmental sustainability, and a stronger economy are priorities for the City of Richmond moving forward.

Mayor Malcolm Brodie stressed these during his annual address to local business leaders at a Richmond Chamber of Commerce luncheon Feb. 26. 

After every civic election, city council implements a strategic plan that will last four years. The 2018-2022 strategic plan has eight key areas that guide planning and action.

In his address, Brodie outlined the plan and a “desire to provide proactive and forward-thinking leadership that recognizes Richmond’s unique identity and rich history.”

Brodie noted that the city plans to commit to an additional 51 RCMP officers, 20 municipal employees and 36 firefighters before 2022, helping to ensure that Richmond continues to have one of the lowest rates of violence and property crime in the region.

There are also plans to combat money laundering through governmental partnerships, limits on cash payments for taxes and fees, and police resources. 

The Vancouver International Airport has a Snow Geese Deterrence Program, combining volunteers and trained dogs to ensure that the migration of snow geese does not endanger aircraft taking off or landing.

In terms of environmental sustainability, there are plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate plastic waste. 

“As Richmond city council leads the challenge to become an even more sustainable and environmentally-conscious city, we are adopting many circular economy principles,” said Brodie.

Examples include longer hours and extended services at the Richmond Recycling Depot and a ban on single-use plastics—which the city is waiting for the provincial government to approve. By phasing out single-use plastics, the city hopes to remove 650 tonnes worth of items from the waste stream each year.

Flood protection initiatives include increased pump capacity at drainage pump stations. Last year, the city invested over $16 million to improve the dike system, preparing for the sea level increases projected for the next hundred years.

Brodie also reflected on Richmond’s recognition as the first local “bat friendly” committee, highlighting the importance of bats in agricultural systems. The city continues to work to create more habitats for local bats, including a large ‘bat condo’ in Terra Nova Park.

The city is working to administer 355 community garden plots on six city sites and three school district locations.

Through the city’s partnership with FoodMesh, the Richmond Food Recovery program will divert 225,000 kilograms of food annually, creating 300,000 meals and saving an estimated $1.25 million.

The city has several planned community initiatives aimed at building a stronger sense of community in Richmond. Brodie also noted that the Minoru Centre for Active Living will soon be fully open, aiding the city’s goal to be “active and thriving.”

Over the past year, the city has issued building permits for over $980 million in construction projects, intending to grow the City Centre area and other neighbourhoods. The city also handed over $29 million to TransLink for development of a new Canada Line station which will support further development in the rapidly-growing Capstan Village community.

Ultimately, said Brodie, the city aims “to ensure an adequate supply of housing for people of all ages and income levels.” 

The economic sector continues to be supported by filming, agriculture, business, and tourism.

“Our many civic achievements during 2019 and expectations for the future will continue to improve the lives and affairs of our residents and businesses,” he said. “The City of Richmond has always been a leader with bold, innovative programs and strategies as we build a safe and resilient city for generations to come, and council looks forward to another year of success and to working with all who live or work in our city.”

A full copy of the mayor’s 2020 annual address can be found at:  https://www.richmond.ca/cityhall/council/about/messages/annualaddress2020.htm.

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