Finance Committee
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Date:
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Monday, November 1, 2021
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Place:
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Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall
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Present:
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day (by teleconference)
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo (by teleconference)
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail (by teleconference)
Councillor Harold Steves (by teleconference)
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)
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Call to Order:
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:55 p.m.
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It was moved and seconded
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Committee held on October 4, 2021, be adopted as circulated.
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CARRIED
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FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION
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1.
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2022 District Energy Utility Rates
(File Ref. No. 01-0060-20-LIEC1) (REDMS No. 6714877)
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Discussion ensued with regard to the portion of the capital costs covered by grants and the long-term costs related to economies of scale as more subscribers are added.
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In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that staff can provide analysis of the average cost increase per household.
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It was moved and seconded
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(1)
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That the Alexandra District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 8641, Amendment Bylaw No. 10289 be introduced and given first, second and third readings;
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(2)
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That the Oval Village District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9134, Amendment Bylaw No.10290 be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and
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(3)
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That the City Centre District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9895, Amendment Bylaw No. 10291 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.
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CARRIED
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2.
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2022 Utility Budgets and Rates
(File Ref. No. 03-0970-01) (REDMS No. 6755531)
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Staff reviewed the 2022 Utility Budgets and rates, and spoke on (i) the review process to add staff levels, (ii) the increasing portion of costs attributed to increasing Metro Vancouver utility rates, (iii) the proposal to install water meters in multi-family dwellings, and (iv) the proposed grease collection and Sea Bin river debris collection initiatives.
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Discussion ensued with regard to (i) encouraging water conservation in the community, (ii) mitigating costs attributed to Metro Vancouver utility rates, (iii) increasing public awareness of the City’s utility costs, and (iv) reviewing options to reduce future utility rate increases by utilizing the City’s rate stabilization provisions.
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In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the proposed expansion of water metering to multi-family dwellings will help water conservation and reduce water purchase costs, (ii) the rate stabilization accounts are in an optimal level, and (iii) the City will be providing bins for the grease collection pilot project.
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It was moved and seconded
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(1)
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That the 2022 utility budgets, as presented in Option 2 for Water (page 6) including Option B for universal multi-family water metering, Option 3 for Sewer (page 14), Option 2 for Drainage and Diking (page 22), and Option 3 for Solid Waste and Recycling (page 24), as outlined in the staff report titled, “2022 Utility Budgets and Rates”, dated October 22, 2021, from the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works and the Acting General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services, be approved as the basis for establishing the 2022 utility rates and included in the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2022-2026) Bylaw; and
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(2)
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That the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to negotiate and execute on behalf of the City, the Municipal Recycling Depot Services Agreement with the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District, as outlined in the staff report titled, “2022 Utility Budgets and Rates”, dated October 22, 2021, from the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works and the Acting General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services.
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The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to the utility costs associated with drainage and diking, and as a result of the discussion an amendment motion to approve the Drainage and Diking Utility Option 3, as outlined in the staff report titled, “2022 Utility Budgets and Rates”, dated October 22, 2021, from the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works and the Acting General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services, was introduced but failed to receive a seconder.
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The question on the main motion was then called, and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Wolfe opposed.
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It was moved and seconded
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That the meeting adjourn (5:41 p.m.).
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CARRIED
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Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Finance Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, November 1, 2021.
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_________________________________
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_________________________________
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair
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Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Associate
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