AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That the letter dated June 18, 2010 from YVR’s Senior Vice President, Marking and Business Development regarding UBCM resolutions be added to the Agenda as Item 3.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, June 7, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & FACILITY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

Hamilton Community Centre – Green Roof Access and Horticulture Options

(File Ref. No.:  06-2050-20-HCC/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2907944)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report dated May 31, 2010, entitled “Hamilton Community Centre – Green Roof Access and Horticulture Options” from the Director, Project Development be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued and in reply to queries from Committee, Greg Scott, Director, Project Development, provided the following information:

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sedums are moss-like planting materials;

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staff continue to investigate converting the Library Cultural Centre’s concrete patio roof top into a green workable garden;

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an elevator would be required for a rooftop garden at Hamilton Community Centre (HCC) as it is a public facility and wheelchair access must be provided to all areas of the building; and

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the cost for a roof garden varies based on its size and the type of irrigation utilized.

Discussion ensued and Committee questioned the need for providing elevator access to a rooftop garden if there were also a ground level garden.  Mr. Scott noted that he would look into the matter.

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

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

2.

Corporate Sustainability Framework – Climate Change Strategic Program

(File Ref. No.:  01-0370-01) (REDMS No. 2918689)

Margot Daykin, Sustainability Manager, Community Services, provided background information and in reply to queries from Committee advised the following:

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staff are reviewing resource options to move the program forward as it has been identified as a priority;

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costs associated with any additional climate change action which extend beyond current resources will be considered in future annual budget processes;

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when looking at a potential program, staff consider the implementation of said program as well;

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at current greenhouse gas emission (GHG) levels, the City would potentially face an operational impact of over $300,000 per year to meet its carbon neutral commitment;

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staff are exploring options for taking increased GHG reduction action and developing a local carbon offset program that would both reduce carbon offset expenditures and enable offset expenditures to be re-invested in the community;

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staff are looking at interactive ways in which the community can easily learn of the City’s Corporate Sustainability Framework and its facets; and

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in 2009 the City received approximately $100,000 from the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program and approximately $50,000 in 2008.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented on the content of the report and noted that a copy of the report should also be forwarded to the Minister of State for Climate Action.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Corporate Climate Change Strategic Program, as presented in Attachment 1 of the report dated June 1, 2010 entitled “Corporate Sustainability Framework – Climate Change Strategic Program” be endorsed;

(2)

That funds from the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program be placed in a Carbon Neutral Provisional Fund and used to support greater Corporate GHG reduction actions;

(3)

That the Mayor send a letter to the Premier of BC with copies to the Minister of Environment and the Minister of State for Climate Action and local MLAs requesting that the Province reinstate funding for the Climate Change Showdown initiative; and

(4)

That a copy of this report be forwarded to the Richmond Board of Trustees and John Yap, MLA and Minister of State for Climate Action.

CARRIED

3.

YVR’s REQUEST FOR UBCM RESOLUTIONS SUPPORT

(File Ref. No.:)

The Chair referenced a letter dated June 18, 2010 from YVR’s Senior Vice President Marking and Business Development seeking Council’s support for two proposed Union of British Columbia Municipalities resolutions (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1).

Discussion ensued and as a result the following motions were introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the following resolution as presented in the letter dated June 18, 2010 from YVR’s Senior Vice President Marking and Business Development, entitled “Elimination of Provincial Fuel Tax on International Passenger Flights” be supported:

WHEREAS local airports and communities recognize and appreciate that the Province eliminated fuel taxes on international cargo operations, and that the carbon tax is not applicable to international flights;

AND WHEREAS other provincial jurisdictions have eliminated fuel tax on international flights, placing them in a more competitive position to significantly enhance new opportunities and gain new business;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of British Columbia eliminate the fuel tax on all international passenger flights, which would cost the government approximately $20 million annually in forfeited revenue but the growth in international travel would quickly offset this amount and generate a net increase in government’s overall revenues, as well as supporting economic development in airport communities and improving BC’s international connectivity, building a base for future growth.

CARRIED

Opposed:  Cllrs. S. Halsey-Brandt

Steves

It was moved and seconded

That the following resolution as presented in the letter dated June 18, 2010 from YVR’s Senior Vice President Marking and Business Development, entitled “Provincial Support for Airport Marketing Programs” be supported:

WHEREAS local communities across British Columbia recognize their airports are a significant economic generator but there is no systematic marketing effort for our airports;

AND WHEREAS recent changes in international agreements will facilitate travel from Asia and the recovering world economy will stimulate new route planning by airlines, and the World Route Development Forum held in Vancouver in September 2010 – in North America for the first time – will give the province additional profile among airlines and travel planners;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia work with BC airports to create an air service marketing program that would generate awareness of what our province has to offer, leverage financial resources and initiate a greater sharing of information among partners to help improve BC’s marketing, and increase international and transborder flights to BC.  Such a program, involving the Province, BC Airports and regional economic development agencies, would include promoting British Columbia as Canada’s gateway between North America and Asia for air travelers and air cargo, as well as identifying specific target markets in the US and Europe and appropriate promotional materials.

CARRIED

Opposed:  Cllr. Steves

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:45 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, June 21, 2010.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Acting Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office