MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meetings of the General Purposes Committee held on Tuesday, April 2^nd, 2002, Thursday, April 4^th, 2002 and Monday, April 8^th, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

2.

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY To apprise the Committee on the status of the airline industry and to provide updates on several on-going airport initiatives.  

Mr. Mel Goodwin, Richmond's representative on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver International Airport Authority, indicated that the delegation would be speaking about a number of issues, including the status of the airline industry and environmental concerns.  

Mr. Goodwin thanked the current and previous Councils for appointing him as a member of the Board of Directors, and he then spoke about his appointment, the issues which he had dealt with, and the successes which had taken place during his time as a Board member.  He then introduced Larry Berg, President, YVR; and Anne Murray, Vice President Community & Environment.

Mr. Berg thanked Mr. Goodwin for his nine years of service on the Board of Directors.  He then reviewed and commented further on issues relating to the written material circulated to the Committee which provided statistical information on (i) the number of passengers handled annually by the Airport; (ii) the decrease in passengers since the event of September 11^th, 2001; (iii) take-offs and landings; (iv) statement of operations; (v) 2001 capital expenditures; and (vi) City charges to the Airport Authority for 2001.  (A copy of this information is attached as Schedule A and forms part of these minutes.)

During his review, Mr. Berg also spoke about:

the provision of security at the airport

regional transportation (a copy of the material circulated, entitled Major Commercial Transportation System Concept, is attached as Schedule B and forms part of these minutes).

Ms. Murray then addressed with the Committee,

the environment at the airport and the demands of the public for peace and quiet

airplane departures from the north runway

the legal challenge launched by residents affected by airport noise.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and the delegation on:

the proposed construction of the UPS building on the north side of the airport and the impact which this would have on the surrounding environmental habitat

whether the use of the north runway for aircraft departures had resulted in an increase in complaints, and the steps which were being taken, such as angling take-offs, to reduce the noise impact

the use of the airport tax/airport improvement fees to finance terminal projects

the cargo industry and the impact of the downturn in economy of the Asian and North American markets on this industry

whether the City would be requested to provide additional services to the airport as a result of the planned expansion of the facility

the provision of security at the airport, whether standards were being developed, and who was responsible for providing the security, and the models used by other airport systems in the United States and Europe

the need for a light rapid transit system to and from the airport

the amount of revenue generated by the airport which was appropriated by the Federal Government

the rationale for the closure to the public of certain environmental areas along the north side of the airport, in the area of McDonald Beach

the development of property (UPS building proposal) on the north side of the airport and the provision of services to this area, and the possible acquisition of airport property by the Musqueam Band for the construction of a casino 

the types of aircraft which would be landing at and departing from the Vancouver International Airport

the freedoms being given to Asian carriers.

In concluding the discussion, the Chair thanked the delegation for their presentation, and she spoke about the efforts of the City and the airport to ensure that a good working relationship was maintained.  The Chair also thanked Mr. Goodwin for his years of excellent service as a member of the Board of Directors.  The delegation then left the meeting.

FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

3.

Cancellation of August 12th, 2002 Regular Council Meeting
(Report:  April 25/02, File No.:  0105-01) (REDMS No. 699694)

It was moved and seconded

That the August 12th, Regular Council Meeting be cancelled, in accordance with the provisions of the Council Procedure Bylaw.

CARRIED

4.

Review and Reorganization of all Statutory Reserve Funds
(Report:  April 29/02, File No.:  8060-20-7361) (REDMS No. 634365, 228727)

The Manager, Budgets & Accounting, Andrew Nazareth, reviewed the report with the Committee.  Mr. Nazareth, along with other staff members, responded to questions relating to the various existing and proposed reserve funds.

It was moved and seconded

That Reserve Fund Establishment Bylaw No. 7361 be introduced and given first, second and third readings, and that all existing Reserve Fund balances be transferred to their corresponding new or re-established Reserve Funds (as shown in the report dated April 29th, 2002).

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

5.

Award of Contract - Richmond Provincial Courthouse Renovations
(Report:  April 16/02, File No.:  2050-20-CHT) (REDMS No. 690101)

The Manager, Facilities Planning & Construction, David Naysmith, reviewed the report with the Committee.  He advised, in answer to questions, that over a 10 year period, approximately $3.75 million net revenue would be generated for the City.

A question was raised about the requirement that subcontracts in excess of $250,000 be reported direct to Council, and whether this requirement was to obtain the approval of Council for the expenditure or to simply provide information.  Discussion ensued on this matter, during which it was noted that Council had previously approved a budget of $4.75 million for the project, and the opinion was expressed that to adopt such a requirement could defeat the purpose of the fast-tracking process. 

Also addressed during the discussion were such matters as (i) why construction had commenced prior to the awarding of the contract (advice was given that any further delays would mean that the City would be unable to meet its commitment to BCBC that occupancy would take place in December, 2002); and (ii) the surplus, if any, which the City could receive if the project was completed under budget. 

Discussion continued briefly on the forwarding of the subcontracts in excess of $250,000 to Council for approval.  As a result, it was agreed that the staff recommendation would be dealt with separately.

It was moved and seconded

That the City enter into a negotiated contract with Makum Construction Ltd. for renovations at the 7577 Elmbridge Way Provincial Courthouse facilities for the base amount of $3,882,000 plus GST.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the Tendering Procedure for the Richmond Provincial Courthouse Renovations presented in Appendix A to this report, be endorsed, with an amendment to delete the requirement that sub-contracts in excess of $250,000 to be reported directed to Council.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, discussion ensued on the proposed amendment, during which the opinion was voiced that because of the magnitude of the proposed renovations, Council should have control over the project.  However, several Committee members expressed agreement that authorization of expenditures was not required.  The request was made however that Council be kept apprised of the progress of the project and expenses, and confirmation was given that updates would be provided in memo format. 

The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED with Cllr. McNulty opposed.

6.

Eco-Industrial Program
(Report:  April 25/02, File No.:  6125-01) (REDMS No. 677048)

Cllr. McNulty left the meeting at 5:40 p.m., and did not return.

Environmental Coordinator Margot Daykin, in response to questions, provided examples of projects which could benefit from an eco-industrial program, such as a high-tech industrial park.  Reference was made to statements in the Executive Summary of the Scoping Summary which cautioned that Richmond's vision is so far sighted, that implementation may be challenging.  In reply, advice was given that additional work would be required by staff to ensure that the project was more practical and feasible to undertake.

Discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on the program, during which information was provided on (i) how staff would proceed to identify opportunities which could be expanded throughout Richmond; and (ii) the meaning of the term waste to feed linkages.  Reference was made to a natural gas outlet located in the Steveston area and questions were asked about the feasibility of using this source to provide fuel to specific area projects.  Staff indicated that this suggestion would be considered.  Staff were also urged to contact the Chamber of Commerce about the initiative.

Advice was also provided during the discussion, that the City's initiative was being considered for funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. 

It was moved and seconded

That staff continue to develop the Eco-Industrial Program and report to Council through General Purposes Committee with the results from further conceptual planning activities. 

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:57 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, May 6^th, 2002.

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Acting Mayor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant