December 16, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, December 16, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Ken Johnston

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That Coal Port be added to the agenda as Item 4.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, December 2, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

MAYOR MALCOLM BRODIE

1.

Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery PROJECT
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-30-002) (REDMS No. 4075960)

Committee discussed the staff memorandum titled “Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery (VAFD) Project Environmental Assessment – Supporting Documentation from BC EAO Website” from the Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy, dated December 16, 2013 (copy on file City Clerk’s Office).

At the conclusion of the discussion the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery (VAFD) Project be referred to staff to:

(1)

provide Options regarding the approval and conditions of the VAFD Project;

(2)

outline next steps; and

(3)

forward the VAFD material to the Advisory Committee on the Environment (ACE) for comments.

CARRIED

2.

Draft Resilient Economy Strategy
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4044628)

Neonila Lilova, Manager, Economic Development, noted that the Draft Resilient Economy Strategy has been prepared in response to Council Term Goal 3.4 to: “Update the City’s economic development strategy, ensuring sport hosting and events are a part of it, and that it is clear on what kind of businesses we want to attract and retain, and where future industrial and business parks will be located.”  The draft Strategy was a collaborative effort of all stakeholders listed in the staff report.  Ms. Lilova commended the work of the Economic Advisory Committee (EAC) and acknowledged Sheila Luft, EAC Chair, who was in attendance.  The staff report summarizes the draft Strategy and seeks Council’s endorsement to solicit public input on the draft Strategy.  After consideration of public input and necessary Strategy revisions, staff will present a final version in early 2014 for Council’s approval.

Discussion ensued regarding: (i) the Arts and Cultural sector being a key economic driver and the need for input from the industry, (ii) advantages of developing a regional economic strategy, (iii) the role of senior levels of government in economic development, (iv) the definition of community-oriented industries, (v) obtaining input from the immigrant community, and (vi) opportunities related to the film industry.

In response to queries from Committee, Ms. Lilova provided the following information:

·          

Section 5.6 “Support Economic Diversity, Small Business Opportunities, and Localization” supports the Arts and Cultural sector’s contribution to a vibrant community through the creation of more live-work spaces in Richmond;

·          

community-oriented industries are jobs that are geared toward servicing the population (i.e. accountants, hairdressers, local government employees, etc.) and as the population increases jobs in these areas will grow accordingly;

·          

public input, including that of the immigrant population, will be sought  through the “Let’s Talk Richmond” website;

·          

three technical reports, conducted as part of the development of the draft Strategy, provided key conclusions regarding economic investment, as well as, framing  Richmond’s economy within the Lower Mainland and exploring trends;

·          

the City’s economic development office maintains local key performance indicators; staff are currently working on expanding these to include Metro Vancouver averages for comparison; and

·          

staff have explored warehouse space for a production studio; however, Richmond has unique noise constraints and little interest has been expressed by developers for this type of opportunity to date.

Committee requested staff provide a copy of the supporting technical reports to Council.  Discussion with regard to seeking input on the draft Strategy from organizations was held and it was suggested that Committee advise staff with the names of organizations they wish to be added to the distribution list.

At the conclusion of the discussion the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the draft Resilient Economy Strategy (“Strategy”), as outlined in the staff report titled "Draft Resilient Economy Strategy", dated November 25, 2013 from the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services, be received for information; and

(2)

That staff be directed to consult with business stakeholders, including the Economic Advisory Committee, and make the Strategy available on LetsTalkRichmond.ca for public feedback.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding endorsing the draft Strategy.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED.

3.

Membership in the National Zero Waste Council
(File Ref. No. 10-6405-01) (REDMS No. 4048928)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City of Richmond apply for membership on the National Zero Waste Council;

(2)

That Councillor Barnes be appointed as the City’s representative to the National Zero Waste Council; and

(3)

That the City demonstrate its commitment to waste prevention and reduction through the Letter of Intent, as contained in Attachment 2 to the staff report dated December 9, 2013 from the Director, Public Works Operations, titled, “Membership in the National Zero Waste Council”.

CARRIED

4.

Coal PORT
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-01) (REDMS No. 4062848)

Committee discussed the staff memorandum titled “Fraser Surrey Docks – Environmental Impact Assessment Review for Direct Transfer Coal Facility”  from the Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy, dated December 11, 2013 (copy on file City Clerk’s Office).

At the conclusion of the discussion the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff memorandum from the Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy, dated December 11, 2013 be received for information;

(2)

That the City of Richmond is opposed to coal shipments from the Fraser River Estuary other than the existing Roberts Bank coal port;

(3)

That Port Metro Vancouver be requested to conduct a Health Impact Assessment and that Metro Vancouver hold a public hearing in relation to an application for an Air Quality Permit; and

(4)

That letters be sent to local MPs, MLAs, Metro Vancouver, Fraser Surrey Docks, and Port Metro Vancouver reiterating Richmond City Council’s position.

The question on the motion was not called as information was provided regarding a presentation by Otto Langer, former Federal Fishery Biologist, concerning the environmental concerns to wildlife and in particular coal dust clogging of crab gills.  Committee requested that copies of Mr. Langer’s presentation be provided to Council.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:39 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, December 16, 2013.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk