March 4, 2019 - Minutes
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General Purposes Committee
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Date: |
Monday, March 4, 2019 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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AGENDA ADDITION |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Snow Removal be added to the agenda as Item No. 5. |
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CARRIED |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on February 19, 2019, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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DELEGATION |
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1. |
With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, Craig Richmond, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Airport Authority, and Howard Jampolsky, City of Richmond representative to the YVR Board of Directors, spoke on airport activities: |
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the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is owned and operated by Vancouver Airport Authority, a not-for-profit organization that is governed by a non-political Board of Directors appointed from the community; |
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25.9 million passengers travelled through YVR in 2018, representing a 7.3% growth from the previous year; |
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YVR offers the lowest airport improvement fee thereby making it an attractive choice for airlines; |
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cargo operations has grown 8.1% since 2017; |
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YVR contributed $8.4 billion in total Gross Domestic Product, more than 24,000 jobs, and $16.5 billion in total economic output; |
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YVR’s capital plan includes the expansion of Pier D in the international terminal, which will increase capacity to accommodate eight additional aircraft, four contact gates, and four bussing gates; |
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YVR sustainability initiatives include (i) a new Central Utilities Building that will consolidate YVR’s heating, cooling and backup electrical system, (ii) a rainwater harvesting system, (iii) electric vehicle charging stations, and (iv) an automated guidance system; |
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despite YVR’s efforts, lowering water consumption remains challenging primarily due to growth of airport operations; the amount of water used per passenger has decreased however the number of passengers has grown significantly; and |
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YVR was voted Best Airport in North America for the ninth consecutive year in the Skytrax World Airport Awards. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Richmond, accompanied by Anne Murray, Vice President, Airline Business Development and Public Affairs, provided the following information: |
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as a result of restrictions imposed by Nav Canada, the north runway may only be utilized for specific airport operations such as landings, maintenance, and emergencies; |
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as airport operations continue to grow, there may be opportunities to discuss the use of the north runway further with Nav Canada; |
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YVR is not in favour of a curfew on airport operations due to its geographical siting on the west coast of North America; |
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there is potential to expand evening flight operations; |
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YVR is committed to fair wages however cannot compel all its contractors to follow suit; |
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YVR is in favour of 24/7 transit service to the airport; |
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additional information regarding YVR’s sustainability efforts can be provided to Council; and |
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the Templeton Area redevelopment is consistent with the area’s industrial use; aircraft will come no closer than they do already and the development of the Templeton corridor will benefit the community. |
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Discussion took place on aircraft noise concerns on the north and south runways and whether the City of Vancouver has implemented noise mitigation requirements for developments on Vancouver’s south side across from YVR’s north runway. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That a letter be written to the Minister of Transport Canada asking that the North Runway at the Vancouver International Airport be better utilized for aircraft departures to lessen the impact of aircraft noise on the people of Richmond; and |
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(2) |
That a letter be written to the City of Vancouver suggesting that noise attenuation measures in new construction be implemented to mitigate airport noise. |
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The question on the motion was not called as staff was directed to advise of other areas of importance on which Council should correspond with Transport Canada. |
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The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION |
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2. |
2018 Report from City Citizen Representatives to the Vancouver International airport Aeronautical Noise Management Committee (YVR ANMC) |
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Staff introduced Gary Abrams, City of Richmond citizen appointee to the Vancouver International Airport Aeronautical Noise Management Committee (YVR ANMC), and Mr. Abrams spoke on aircraft noise complaints. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) complainants’ personal information cannot be shared due to privacy concerns, however information to contact the City’s representatives on the YVR ANMC can be shared with complainants, and (ii) the City’s Official Community Plan directs residential development away from aircraft flight paths in an effort to address potential noise concerns. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “2018 Report from the City Citizen Representatives to the Vancouver International Airport Aeronautical Noise Management Committee (YVR ANMC)” dated February 25, 2019 from the Manager, Policy Planning, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION |
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3. |
2019 Farm Fest at Garden City Lands Update |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Paul Brar, Manager, Parks Programs, and Emily Sargent, Acting Coordinator, Leisure Services, provided the following information: |
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in an effort to attract farmers and the use of their farming equipment, $10,000 is recommended for Option 2 for activations and farm equipment logistics; |
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costs for children’s play area have already been lowered and therefore the funds proposed for each option for this item is the bare necessity; |
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proposed funds for advertising would be utilized to promote the event online and on social media; |
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staff will explore sponsorship opportunities for various costs including one for an interpretive wagon ride; and |
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Saturday, August 10th is suggested for the date of Farm Fest as much of the feedback from farmers from previous years indicates that September is challenging due to harvest activities; also, the likelihood of good weather in August is higher than in September, which affects event turnout. |
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Discussion took place and the following Committee comments were noted: |
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political activity at Farm Fest is not suitable; |
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wagon rides are a big draw for families and should therefore be included in the scope of the activities; costs for this attraction should be funded through sponsorships; |
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the challenge with securing a date in other summer months is that there are many activities throughout the city and farmers would be limited in the amount of produce they could bring due to harvest season; |
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it is reasonable to compensate farmers for the use of their farm equipment as the equipment would be unavailable for farm use for an entire day; |
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a date in September may lend itself well in attracting more attendees as many people would be back from summer holidays; |
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Option 2 could be practical with a few adjustments to its proposed budget (i.e., reduce farming activations and farm equipment logistics by $1,000 for a total of $9,000, reduce advertising by $500 for a total of $2,000, reduce signage by $250 for a total of $1,950, and reduce children’s play area by $250 for a total of $1,250); and |
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the event should focus on agriculture and agricultural companies. |
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Discussion took place on the proposed date for the 2019 Farm Fest and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the date of the 2019 Farm Fest be referred to staff to report back directly to Council. |
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CARRIED |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Option 2 (Additional Farming Activations) for the 2019 Farm Fest at Garden City Lands, as outlined in the staff report titled “2019 Farm Fest at Garden City Lands Update,” dated January 7, 2019, from the Director, Parks Services, be approved. |
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The question on the motion was not called as the following amendment motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the budget for Option 2 (Additional Farming Activations) for the 2019 Farm Fest at Garden City Lands be revised by reducing: |
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(1) |
farming activations and farm equipment logistics by $1,000 for a total of $9,000; |
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(2) |
advertising by $500 for a total of $2,000; |
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(3) |
signage by $250 for a total of $1,950; and |
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(4) |
children’s play area by $250 for a total of $1,250. |
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DEFEATED |
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The question on the main motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Greene, McNulty, and Steves opposed. |
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FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION |
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4. |
Council and Committee Agenda Distribution Options |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Claudia Jesson, Manager, Legislative Services, and Joe Erceg, General Manager, Planning and Development, advised that (i) as the majority of Council and Public Hearing materials are previously distributed as part of the Committee agendas, staff do not propose a change in the distribution of Council and Public Hearing agendas, and (ii) the current schedule of meetings allows development applications and related rezoning applications to flow through the various meetings (i.e., Council, Public Hearing, Development Permit Panel etc.) in a systematic manner. |
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Discussion took place on the various options presented and the following Committee comments were noted: |
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if the second Planning Committee in each month were to be removed, the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting could take its spot on Tuesday thereby eliminating any pressures created as a result of statutory holidays; |
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Planning Committee agendas are substantial even with bi-monthly meetings; if the frequency of Planning Committee meetings were to be decreased to monthly, the likelihood of lengthy Planning Committee meetings is high, which would not be optimal; |
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there should be no change to the current agenda distribution schedule as materials are provided with sufficient time for review and this responsibility is inherent with the undertaking of political office; |
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Metro Vancouver distributes agendas to its various directors a week in advance of meetings, which allows for sufficient time to follow-up with staff on any questions; however, early agenda distribution results in multiple agenda revisions, which makes for complicated meetings; it is often challenging to determine which agenda or report is the updated version causing much confusion among directors; |
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agenda material distribution on a Thursday would be beneficial as it would allow an additional day to review packages and to ask questions of staff on a business day as opposed to on weekends; |
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Friday agenda distribution does not allow sufficient time to review materials well or provide much opportunity for Council members to visit proposed development sites; |
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it would be valuable to examine twinning the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting with another Committee meeting in an effort to address potential pressures resulting from statutory holidays; and |
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Option 4 – Friday Distribution (10 days before) offers the most transparency to members of the public and allows for members of the public to truly be engaged in the City Council process. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Council and Committee Agenda Distribution Options” dated February 25, 2019, from the Director, City Clerk’s Office be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Option 4 – Friday Distribution (10 days before) be selected for Council, Public Hearing and Committee agenda distribution. |
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DEFEATED |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Option 2 – Thursday Distribution (4 days before) be selected for Council and Public Hearing agenda distribution. |
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CARRIED |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Option 2 – Thursday Distribution (4 days before) be selected for Committee agenda distribution. |
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CARRIED |
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The Chair of the Public Works and Transportation Committee was requested to consider options for the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting schedule. |
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5. |
SNOW REMOVAL |
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Discussion took place on snow removal as it relates to the availability of accessible parking stalls. |
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Staff was directed to take the following actions to ensure accessible parking stalls are available for use: (i) update snow clearing communication materials to include a reminder to not cause accessible parking to be blocked, (ii) advise bylaw staff to work with property owners to urgently remedy zoning violation caused by blocking accessible parking, either by snow or other means, and (iii) communicate to the Richmond Centre for Disability, the Rick Hansen Foundation, the Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee, and other groups who advocate and advise on accessibility issues how to communicate issues of blocked accessible parking to the Bylaws Department by email, phone and web. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:38 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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, March 4, 2019. |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Hanieh Berg |