April 20, 2020 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, April 20, 2020

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day (attending via teleconference)
Councillor Kelly Greene (attending via teleconference)
Councillor Alexa Loo (attending via teleconference)
Councillor Bill McNulty (attending via teleconference)
Councillor Linda McPhail (attending via teleconference)
Councillor Harold Steves (attending via teleconference) 
Councillor Michael Wolfe (attending via teleconference)

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on April 6, 2020, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

Report 2019: Continuous Improvement for Sustainable Waste Management 
(File Ref. No. 10-6370-01) (REDMS No. 6433406 v. 3)

In reply to queries from Committee regarding the use of reusable bags during the COVID-19 pandemic, staff noted that during this time it is anticipated that the widespread use of single-use plastic bags and styrofoam containers will be temporary and staff can examine provisions to allow use of single-use plastics in extraordinary circumstances.

It was moved and seconded

That the annual report titled, “Report 2019: Continuous Improvement for Sustainable Waste Management” be endorsed and be made available to the community on the City’s website and through various communication tools including social media channels and as part of community outreach initiatives.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) options to repurpose or recondition repairable items from the Richmond Recycling Depot, (ii) the timeline to expand the Recycling Depot’s operating hours to seven days a week, (iii) improving the traffic management in the area around the Recycling Depot, (iv) collaborating with Richmond School District No. 38 on expanding the Flexible Plastic Packaging Recycling Campaign Pilot Project, (v) potential initiatives to recycle grease and produce biofuels, (vi) options to enhance commercial recycling, and (vii) enhanced communication regarding the disposal of drywall and wood.

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

2.

2019 Winter Rainfall and 2020 Flood Protection Update 
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 6389311 v. 7)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled, “2019 Winter Rainfall and 2020 Flood Protection Update”, dated April 9, 2020 from the Director, Engineering, be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to the response to drainage issues caused by construction activity in the Hamilton area.

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

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

3.

Agricultural Land Commission Non-Farm Use Application by the City of Richmond for the Garden City Lands Community Farm and Conservation Bog Area at 5560 Garden City Road 
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-GCIT1) (REDMS No. 6414306 v. 11)

Staff provided an overview of the proposed application, and highlighted the site’s (i) proposed farming features and soil deposits, (ii) perimeter trail and proposed boardwalk, (iii) proposed layout and trail features, (iv) proposed access points, and (v) options for community gardens.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) focusing design of the site for farm use and reducing proposed non-farm structures and park use features, (ii) reviewing the proposed number of parking spaces on-site, (iii) reviewing the proposed materials to be used for trails and the boardwalk,
(iv) collaborating with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) on the site’s farm programming, (v) increasing the number of community garden plots on-site, (vi) reviewing placement of washrooms and water fountains on-site, and (vii) reviewing options to limit ambient light at night on-site.

Staff spoke on the Agricultural Land Commission non-farm use application process and in reply to queries, staff noted that the proposed community gardens would be considered as a farm use. Staff added that trail design and trail features can be reviewed to reduce impact to the site’s environmentally sensitive areas.

Discussion then ensued with regard to reviewing the site’s development and proposed features, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Agricultural Land Commission Non-Farm Use Application by the City of Richmond for the Garden City Lands Community Farm and Conservation Bog Area at 5560 Garden City Road”, dated March 27, 2020, from the Director, Park Services be referred back to staff; and

(2)

That staff schedule a workshop on the proposed development of the Garden City Lands Community Farm and Conservation Bog Area at 5560 Garden City Road.

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 20, 2020.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator