May 4, 2009 - Minutes


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City of Richmond Meeting Minutes

General Purposes Committee

 

 

 

Date:

Monday, May 4, 2009

 

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

 

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Harold Steves

 

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:14 p.m.

 

 

 

MINUTES

 

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, April 20, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

 

 

CARRIED

 

 

1.

Presentation by Metro Vancouver regarding the Zero Waste Challenge and the impacts of other Metro Vancouver Initiatives. 

 

 

 

Fred Nenninger, Division Manager for Regional Utilities Planning at Metro Vancouver, gave presentations on: (i) Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge; and (ii) Draft Liquid Waste Management Plan for Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District and Member Municipalities.  Copies of both presentations are on file at the City Clerk’s Office.

 

 

 

Mr. Nenninger’s presentation on Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge highlighted the following points:

 

 

 

 

§   

the 5 R Hierarchy consisting of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, and Residuals, it was noted that the region is currently at a 55% diversion rate for reusing materials;

 

 

 

§   

the program’s focus, which includes (i) continued improvement of current programs as well an emphasis on promoting participation, (ii) aggressive change that will result from new initiatives and increased costs; and (iii) and realizing a zero waste economy in the future by reaching a diversion rate above 70% for reusing materials;

 

 

 

§   

recycling programs for organics and food waste, as well as wood, paper, plastic, and electronic waste;

 

 

 

§   

establishing Eco-Centres and regulations related to recycling programs for multi-family and commercial complexes;

 

 

 

§   

the differences between a linear economy and a zero waste economy; and

 

 

 

§   

the current status and anticipated timeline related to completing the Solid Waste Management Plan.

 

 

Mr. Nenninger’s presentation on Draft Liquid Waste Management Plan for Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District and Member Municipalities highlighted the following points:

 

 

 

 

§   

the plan was approved by the Minister of Environment in 2002, and requires a review every five years;

 

 

 

§   

actions for continuing the plan, which include: (i) environmental monitoring programs; (ii) maintaining and operating sewerage systems; (iii) elimination of combined sewer overflows; (iv) collaboration with the Environmental Monitoring Committee and the Storm water Interagency Liaison Group; and (v) municipal integrated storm water management plans on the watershed scale;

 

 

 

§   

using waste as a resource for (i) renewable energy; (ii) water conservation; and (iii) nutrient recycling;

 

 

 

§   

climate change strategies and supporting a sustainable region;

 

 

 

§   

realizing an affordable and effective plan by: (i) reinvesting in aging sewers and treatment plants; (ii) being innovative; (iii) recovering the resources in sewage and storm water; (iv) monitoring performance to protect the environment; and (v) building adaptable systems for future needs;

 

 

 

§   

estimated cost increases in the Regional Sewer Levy between 2020-2030; and

 

 

 

§   

the Liquid Waste Management Plan 2009 schedule. 

 

 

A discussion ensued between Committee members and the Delegation about:

 

 

 

 

§   

the need for clearly defined costs attached to implementation of the Zero Waste Challenge, and the impact on individual home owners;

 

 

 

§   

possible partnerships for establishing Eco-Centres and promoting and developing a market for materials such as styrofoam;

 

 

 

§   

tipping fees associated with various waste programs;

 

 

 

§   

the use of incinerators and the related impact on air quality and emissions, as well as the availability of new technology; and

 

 

 

§   

concerns related to the lack of public participation in public meetings related to the matter.

 

 

During the discussion, Committee members requested that they be provided with copies of the 2008 Regional CFO Report, which provides cost figures related to all regional programs including Metro Vancouver, Translink, and Parks programs, prior to the Regular Council meeting scheduled for May 11, 2009.

 

 

 

In conclusion Mr. Nenninger was requested to give a presentation about new technologies related to waste and energy management at a future meeting.  

 

 

 

 

 

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

 

 

2.

Highway Closure and Removal of Highway Dedication Repeal Bylaw 8483 – Capstan Way Lane and Sexsmith Road

(File Ref No.:  12-8060-20-8483/Vol 0106-2290-20-089/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2587809, 2588475)

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

In conjunction with the abandonment of Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaws associated with rezoning application RZ 03-254977, it is recommended

 

 

That:

 

 

(1)

Highway Closure and Removal of Highway Dedication Repeal Bylaw 8483 be introduced and given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings; and

 

 

(2)

the notice of repeal be advertised prior to final adoption.

 

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

That the meeting adjourn (5:05 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 4, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office