As he moved towards the end of the council term, Mayor Brodie reviewed the work the city has done in the past three years, and shared his vision for building a secure and vibrant community in 2018.
His annual address, hosted recently by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, began with the city’s decision to invest more resources in police this year.
“In 2018, city council will direct about 37 cents of every tax dollar received towards police and fire-rescue services, as well as emergency programs,” said Brodie.
“Altogether, the council approved the hiring of 40 additional police officers and six municipal police support employees during the current term.”
He added the city also expects to continue investing in closed-circuit cameras at major intersections.
By the end of this year, Richmond’s population should surpass 220,000 residents, according to Brodie.
He emphasized the city's effort to overcome challenges faced in a new era, such as an increasing and rapidly-aging population, and the affordability problem.
For example, public transit-oriented, highly-dense development within City Centre remains a strong priority, including the development of the new Capstan Canada Line station, set to be completed in the next three to five years.
In 2017, the total construction value of building permits was $709 million, marking the third highest year in total, said Brodie.
“Growing by eight per cent since 2011, the number of local housing units has reached almost 73,500.
“Approximately 74 per cent of all private households are owner-occupied with the balance being rented. 42 per cent of all private households are part of a multi-family development.”
When asked by the Richmond News about the labour shortage problem faced in Richmond, Brodie said, "there is little we can do except to provide as many housing units as we can, have settlement programs and language services… to support people coming in to live in Richmond.”
There will also be more Canada Line cars, added Brodie, and “the city is doing a review of all bus operations within Richmond to see what we need in terms of more buses.”
In addition, he credited the council for voicing concerns on issues such as George Massey Tunnel, airport zoning, the Richmond Hospital, Harvest Power and the legalization of marijuana to the provincial government.
