MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, March 21^st, 2007, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, May 16^th, 2007 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (0 ITEMS)

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DECISIONS / ACTIONS (2 ITEMS)

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

3.

MID-ISLAND BARRIER SCOPING AND OPTIONS STUDY

(Report:  Mar. 16/07, File No.:  10-6045-09-06/2007-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2099468)

Discussion took place among Committee members and the Manager, Engineering Design & Construction Jim Young, on this matter, during which, in response to questions, the following information was provided:

·            

the Provincial Government had been supportive in providing funding for dyke improvements, and staff would be taking every opportunity to apply for 100% funding for the project

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the purpose of the scoping and options study would be to develop the concept of a mid-island barrier; however, it could be possible to expand the scope of the project to include the perimeter dykes

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the worst case scenario, if the mid-island barrier was constructed and a breach should occur in the easterly perimeter dyke system, would be the entire area east of the dyke being flooded

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funding in the amount of $868,000 had been received from the Provincial Government for dyke improvements between No. 7 Road and No. 8 Road; there would be no opportunity for any other funding for the mid-island barrier scoping project

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the next step would be to engage a consultant to undertake a detailed scoping study to determine what would be required, stakeholders, etc., after which efforts would be made to identify a preferred option and the costs related to that option, and finally, an application submitted for capital funding for the project.

During the discussion, information was provided on the history of the requirement for a mid-island dyke with it being noted that the staff report had talked about the possibility of considerable property damage as well as a potential loss of life for those areas west of the proposed location in the event that the mid-island dyke was not constructed. 

A question was asked as to whether this mid-island dyke concept was a requirement put forward by the Provincial Government.  In response, advice was given that the growth strategy for the City provided agreement between the City and the Provincial Government on requirements for flood protection levels, and that as part of that agreement, the construction of a mid-island dyke.  Further information was provided that the mid-island dyke was considered to be a secondary level of defence, and that the City’s primary protection would be provided by the perimeter dykes. 

Discussion continued, with the Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe providing additional information on the proposed mid-island dyke concept, and the development of a flood strategy, and what the Provincial Government would provide to the City in exchange for the mid-island dyke.  Also addressed was the feasibility of (i) constructing a barrier on industrial land because this land was already elevated, and (ii) allowing greater industrial activity along those areas of the dyke which were weak.

Further discussion ensued, with comments being made about the proposed flood strategy and to the fact that the first line of defence was the City’s perimeter dykes with the mid-island dyke being the second line.  Advice was given that the proposed flood strategy should be presented to the Committee in June, and that Committee members and Council would have several opportunities to question the mid-island dyke concept as the scoping project was completed.  Questions were raised about the timing of the completion of the mid-island dyke barrier, and advice was given in response that the timing would be dependent on finding a way to finance the project.

A brief discussion then took place on climate change and the impact which could occur in the future with respect to the City’s perimeter dykes. 

It was moved and seconded

That staff submit a 2008 capital funding request of $100,000 to allow the completion of a Mid-Island Barrier scope and alignment options study.

The question on the motion was not called, as comments were made about the reasoning of the Provincial Government to require the construction of a mid-island dyke in the City.

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

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

4.

PROPOSED CLIMATE CHANGE SCOPING STUDY FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND

(Report:  Apr. 2/07, File No.:  10-6125-01/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2142715)

The Assistant Manager – Environmental Programs, Margot Daykin, provided a brief review of her report.

Discussion then took place among Committee members and staff on:

·            

whether the City had established any targets and benchmarks with respect to green house gas (GHG) emissions, and the need for such benchmarks to determine how well the City was doing in dealing with GHG emissions and overall climate change

·            

the need to involve and educate the public about GHG emissions; City programs which were being offered to provide information to the public about issues relating to climate change

·            

the purpose of the proposed climate change scoping study

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the feasibility of partnering with other cities and municipalities to work together on various aspects of community adaptation planning

·            

transition alternative energy sources

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the key priority for adaptation planning and how this related to the City

·            

the steps which would be taken once approval had been given for the proposed study, and the timing of an update to Committee on the status of the study

·            

the use of geothermal heating and other alternative energy sources.

During the discussion, Committee’s attention was drawn to the advertisement which appeared in today’s issue of ‘The Vancouver Sun’ which highlighted the achievements of the City and the Manager, Facility Maintenance & Operations, Phil Hogg, in saving enough electricity to light over 2,500 homes every year.  (A copy of this advertisement is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.)  Mr. Hogg was congratulated on his achievement. 

Councillor Steves then circulated to Committee members, and spoke further on, an email which he had written to the Committee relating to climate change, to which was attached a copy of a study undertaken by the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture on the ability of the province to feed ourselves, and two news stories based upon the recent report made to the International Panel on Climate Change.  A copy of this email and material is on file in the City Clerk’s Office. 

Reference was made to the potential use of geothermal heating, and a suggestion was made that City staff should develop a policy which would require all new construction in the City to use geothermal heating or other energy efficient heat sources.

During the discussion, staff were commended for the preparation of an excellent report.

It was moved and seconded

That, (as per the report dated April 2^nd, 2007, from the Assistant Manager, Environmental Programs), staff undertake a Climate Change Scoping Study to examine potential impacts of Climate Change for the City of Richmond and report back to Council with major findings and recommended next steps.

CARRIED

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (1 ITEM)

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

5.

RICHMOND 2006-2031 FLOOD PROTECTION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY - UPDATE

(Report:  April 11/07, File No.:  10-6060-04-01/2007-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2093122, 2071917)

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated April 11^th, 2007, from the Director, Engineering), regarding the Richmond 2006-2031 Flood Protection Management Strategy – Update, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Mr. Young advised that the Buswell Street Pump Station project had been commissioned and that construction would soon commence.

Councillor Linda Barnes referred to a resolution adopted by the City of North Vancouver City Council relating to the recycling of demolition waste, and she questioned whether the City of Richmond had a similar requirement.  As a result of the discussion which ensued, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the matter of requiring the submission of a demolition waste recycling plan as a requirement of the issuance of demolition permits be referred to staff for review and comment to the Committee on the feasibility of this proposal.

CARRIED

Councillor Barnes then referred to an outstanding referral through the Community Safety Committee which related to soils and the dumping of unauthorized soils on agricultural land, and which was to identify acceptable sites for the local dumping of fill.  She noted that an article in the “Growing Together” publication indicated that the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Lands would soon be publishing a fact sheet on ‘Guidelines for Farm Practices Involving Fill’.  Cllr. Barnes asked staff to review the article for information, and provide an update on the status of the referral at the next Community Safety Committee meeting (scheduled for Tuesday, May 15^th, 2007).

Councillor Steves referred to the advertisement which had been brought to the Committee’s attention during the discussion on the proposed Climate Change Scoping Study, and he questioned how many other municipalities were following the City’s lead in finding energy-efficient opportunities.

In response, information was provided that staff were working with BC Hydro to form a committee in Richmond which would involve community leaders, the Chamber of Commerce, major shopping centres to shift the energy savings into the community.  As well, advice was given that BC Hydro was using Richmond to promote good energy management practices in other areas, including the placement of advertisements about Richmond’s success on buses and bus shelters, and that information would be available at the September UBCM Convention.

Discussion ensued briefly, with information being provided by Cllr. Barnes about a pamphlet prepared by the Community Energy Association, which provided information on a Community Energy Brief For Elected Officials.  She indicated that this brief talked about particular cities and the amount of energy which might be saved doing what Richmond was already doing.  Cllr. Barnes indicated that she would pass this information on to Mr. Hogg.

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 Public Works & Transportation Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, April 18^th, 2007.

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Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office