MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR HAROLD STEVES

1.

Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

(File Ref. No.:  10-6600-06-01)

Councillor Steves distributed background information, attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1, and commented on past jet fuel projects in Richmond.

In reply to queries from Committee, John Irving, Director, Engineering, advised the following:

§          

the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation’s (VAFFC) proposed application is currently in its draft stage with the BC Environmental Assessment Office;

§          

once the application is in its final form, the VAFFC will to have conduct another public consultation period; and

§          

the proposed draft application only seeks one outcome, and no alternatives are currently being considered.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that agencies such as the Canadian Environmental Assessment Office, the Vancouver Airport Authority, and the  BC Oil and Gas Commission should be notified of Richmond’s position on the proposed application.  Also, Committee commented on the consideration of alternative routes and the inadequacies of the VAFFC’s recent public consultation process.

As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the City of Richmond advise the BC Environmental Assessment Office and the VAFFC of the following:

(1)

That in any new jet fuel supply systems to the Vancouver International Airport, Richmond Council is strongly opposed to:

(a)

an off-loading facility on the south arm of the Fraser River;

(b)

a new jet fuel line through Richmond farmland and urban areas of Richmond;

(c)

there being no gain in length of jet fuel line greater than the existing jet fuel line on Lulu Island, if there is a new pipeline route; and

(d)

any increase in the number of trucks carrying jet fuel on City streets.

(2)

That the recent VAFFC public open house was inadequate to inform the public of the full situation and that the minimum criteria for adequate consultation would include:

(a)

an opportunity for attendees to provide written input;

(b)

full disclosure of the proponent’s analysis;

(c)

a discussion and analysis of the options rather than the assertion of one option; and

(d)

many opportunities at various locations for input.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding the length of the proposed new pipeline and the existing pipeline.  As result of the discussion Committee agreed to withdraw Part 1 (c).

“That the City of Richmond advise the BC Environmental Assessment Office and the VAFFC of the following:

(1)

That in any new jet fuel supply systems to the Vancouver International Airport, Richmond Council is strongly opposed to:

(a)

an off-loading facility on the south arm of the Fraser River;

(b)

a new jet fuel line through Richmond farmland and urban areas of Richmond; and

(c)

any increase in the number of trucks carrying jet fuel on City streets.

(2)

That the recent VAFFC public open house was inadequate to inform the public of the full situation and that the minimum criteria for adequate consultation would include:

(a)

an opportunity for attendees to provide written input;

(b)

full disclosure of the proponent’s analysis;

(c)

a discussion and analysis of the options rather than the assertion of one option; and

(d)

many opportunities at various locations for input.”

Further discussion ensued and Committee agreed that the Canadian Environment Assessment Agency, local MPs and MLAs, and the Federal and Provincial Ministers of the Environment also be advised of Richmond’s position on the proposed project.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

Corporate Sustainability Policy

(File Ref. No.:  01-0370-01/2010-Vol01) (REDMS No. 2824794)

Margot Daykin, Sustainability Manager, provided background information and in reply to queries from Committee advised that (i) staff will develop implementation tools that will enable Council to track whether the proposed policy is adhered to; and (ii) the proposed policy is directed at the City, however the vision is targeted at the community.

Discussion ensued and Committee expressed concern in reference to ‘living wages’ as an example of social effectiveness on page 8 of the staff report.

It was moved and seconded

That the Corporate Sustainability Policy as presented in the staff report dated April 5, 2010 from the General Manager of Community Services entitled “Corporate Sustainability Policy”, be endorsed.

The question on the motion was not called as staff was directed to remove the words ‘living wages’ from page 8 of the staff report prior to the proposed policy appearing before Council.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

2010 Annual Property Tax Rates Bylaw No. 8591

(File Ref. No.:  03-0925-01/2010-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2848515)

In reply to queries from Committee, Ivy Wong, Manager, Revenue, advised that:

§          

Farm class tax rates depend on assessment values and the number of farms in each municipality;

§          

§          

it is anticipated that the average business owner will see a marginal reduction in taxes.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the recommended adjustment to redistribute Richmond’s property taxes by class be approved and incorporated in setting the 2010 property tax rates; and

(2)

That Annual Property Tax Rates Bylaw No. 8591 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:10 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, April 19, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Acting Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office