October 17, 2022 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, October 17, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au (by teleconference)
Councillor Carol Day (by teleconference)
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo (by teleconference)
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail (by teleconference)
Councillor Harold Steves (by teleconference)
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:27 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on October 3, 2022, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATIONS

1.

Eric Balke, Senior Restoration Biologist and Fraser River Estuary Program Manager, Ducks Unlimited Canada, was in attendance to discuss the environmental restoration works for three Fraser River Estuary Salmon Habitat (FRESH) Restoration Projects, planned for completion throughout the estuary from 2021-2024:

• Alaksen NWA Tidal Marsh Restoration (Delta);
•  North Arm Jetty Breaches (Richmond); and
• Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot Project (Richmond).

A PowerPoint presentation was given (copy on file), providing an overview of the projects, with particular focus on the Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot Project, and the overall goal of the pilot project to demonstrate the biological and physical response of the Sturgeon Bank foreshore to sediment deposition.

In response to queries from the Committee, Mr. Balke noted much of the old research infrastructure has eroded, but in recent years new stations were constructed to continue the monitoring of changes in sediment elevation.  It was further noted that the breaches constructed recently (and currently in progress) are to provide fish access, not to add sediment.

Councillor Steves provided a brief background of the efforts made in the past to address/prevent the loss of silt.

A brief summary of the numerical modelling study, conclusion, and next steps was provided, noting that one of the core purposes of the project is to demonstrate that sediment can be reused to support ecological resilience.  It was further noted that baseline monitoring of salmon and other species, as well as biofilm, began prior to any construction, and will continue to be monitored next year and beyond as additional funding is realized.

Staff advised they are working with Ducks Unlimited in providing information about the project to local area residents and the general public, including mailed placards, signage and the distribution of information through their website.

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

2022 ICIP Adaptation, Resilience & Disaster Mitigation - Green Infrastructure Grant Application - No. 3 Road South Drainage Pump Station and Dike Upgrade
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-03-01) (REDMS No. 6976339)

Staff noted Council resolution can be provided up to one month after the grant application deadline date of October 7, 2022.

With respect to the question of incorporating an entirely separate multi-use trail for pedestrians and cyclists, staff noted information obtained through close communication with the residents and Transportation staff, and lessons learned from upgrading the adjacent sections of the dike, will inform design decisions.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the No. 3 Road South Drainage Pump Station and Dike Upgrade submission to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for the Adaptation, Resilience & Disaster Mitigation program sub-stream, as outlined in the staff report titled “2022 ICIP

Adaptation, Resilience & Disaster Mitigation - Green Infrastructure Grant Application - No. 3 Road South Drainage Pump Station and Dike Upgrade” dated September 15, 2022 from the Director, Engineering be endorsed;

(2)

That should the grant application be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be authorized on behalf of the City to enter into an agreement with the Province for the above mentioned project; and

(3)

That should the grant application be successful, a capital submission of $13,000,000 for the No. 3 Road South Drainage Pump Station and Dike Upgrade be approved with funding from the above mentioned grant, the Drainage Improvement Reserve and Drainage DCC Program, as outlined in the staff report titled “2022 ICIP Adaptation, Resilience & Disaster Mitigation- Green Infrastructure Grant Application - No. 3 Road South Drainage Pump Station and Dike Upgrade” dated September 15, 2022 from the Director, Engineering, and that the Consolidated 5-Year Financial Plan (2023-2027) be amended accordingly.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

3.

Naming the Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library Replacement Facility
(File Ref. No. 06-2052-25-SCCR1) (REDMS No. 6989910)

It was moved and seconded

That the Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library replacement facility be named Steveston Community Centre and Library as presented in the report titled, “Naming the Steveston Community Centre and Branch Library Replacement Facility,” dated September 21, 2022, from the General Manager, Community Services.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:55 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, October 17, 2022.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate