February 18, 2013 - Agenda

Pg. #

ITEM

MINUTES

GP-3

Motion to adopt the minutes of the special meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

BizLink – Richmond's Business Development Initiative

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3785458 v4)

GP-9

See Page GP-9 for full report

Designated Speaker:  Neonila Lilova

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That the staff report titled BizLink – Richmond’s Business Development Initiative, dated February 6, 2013, and presenting BizLink, Richmond’s proactive business retention, expansion, attraction, partnership development and promotional initiative, be received for information.

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

2.

PROVINCIAL SALES TAX LEGISLATION IMPACTS TO ALEXANDRA DISTRICT ENERGY UTILITY COMPETITIVENESS

(File Ref. No. 10-6600-10-01/2012) (REDMS No. 3792821 v5)

GP-23

See Page GP-23 for full report

Designated Speaker:  Alan Postolka

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

(1)

That a letter be sent to the Premier of the province of British Columbia; the Minister of Finance; with copies to the Minister of Environment, three Richmond MLA’s, Expert Panel on BC’s Business Tax Competitiveness, UBCM and municipalities operating district energy systems, conveying that:

(a)

the City of Richmond requests that the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) be implemented in a way that will ensure that all energy providers are treated equitably so that they may compete on the basis of their respective system efficiencies, technical merit and carbon emissions;

(b)

this goal be achieved by including provisions in the future PST that will:

(i)

provide for the exemption or the reimbursement of PST charges on energy (gas, electricity) purchased for the purpose of generating energy for resale;

(ii)

make available the former exemption on Production Machinery and Equipment to equipment purchased by district energy systems;

(iii)

maintain, as per the former PST regulation, the PST exemption on the sale of heat to residential district energy customers; and

(2)

That staff continue to work with other district energy providers and provincial government officials on measures that will mitigate negative PST impacts to the competitiveness of district energy systems.

ADJOURNMENT