Date:

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt, Vice-Chair

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Harold Steves

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Also Present:

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Call to Order:

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

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 (tentative date) at 4:30 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

3.

FLOOD PLAIN DESIGNATION AND PROTECTION BYLAW 8204, AMENDMENT BYLAW 8468

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2549011, 2548976)

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Flood Plain Designation and Protection Bylaw 8204 Amendment Bylaw 8468 be introduced and given first, second and third reading; and

(2)

staff bring forward an amendment to the Zoning and Development Bylaw 5300 concurrent with final adoption of Flood Plain Designation and Protection Bylaw 8204 Amendment Bylaw 8468.

CARRIED

4.

MUNICIPAL ACCESS AGREEMENT WITH NOVUS ENTERTAINMENT INC.

(File Ref. No.: 03-1000-14) (REDMS No. 2604606)

Siu Tse, Manager, Engineering Planning was available to answer questions. 

It was moved and seconded

That the General Manager, Engineering & Public Works be authorized to negotiate, enter into and execute a Municipal Access Agreement between the City of Richmond and Novus Entertainment Inc.

The question on the motion was not called, as a brief discussion ensued about the details of the Municipal Access Agreement (MAA) between the City and Novus Entertainment Inc.  It was noted that several municipalities used the City of Richmond’s MAA as a model, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities had indicated that it would post a model of Richmond’s MAA on the Federation’s website.

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

5.

CONTRACT T.3567 - NO. 2 ROAD BRIDGE PAINTING

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 2549011)

Dave Semple, Director of Parks and Public Works Operations, noted that the No. 2 Road Bridge had not been painted since 1992.  A brief discussion ensued about the quality and sustainability of the paint and other materials, as well as quality control measures to be conducted by the City as work on the bridge progresses.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Contract T.3567, No. 2 Road Bridge Painting, be awarded to Nor Lag Coatings Ltd. at the tendered amount of $626,463.60; and

(2)

the source of funds be the Major Road Network Operating, Maintenance and Rehabilitation Provisional Account.

CARRIED

Siu Tse introduced Donna Robertson, President and Chief Legal Officer for Novas Entertainment Inc., and noted that Ms. Robertson would be involved in the negotiations related to the Municipal Access Agreement with Novus Entertainment Inc.

Ms. Robertson spoke about the services offered by Novus Entertainment Inc., including high-speed internet, television and digital phone services to both residential and non-residential customers.  In conclusion, Ms. Robertson explained the means that would be used to expand the Novus Entertainment Inc. network in order to provide such services to the City of Richmond.

6.

NELSON ROAD-HIGHWAY 91 INTERCHANGE - PROPOSED CITY OF RICHMOND CONTRIBUTION

(File Ref. No.:  01-0150-20-THIG1) (REDMS No. 2619804)

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation and Tom Corsie, Vice President, Infrastructure and Development, Port Metro Vancouver, were available to answer questions.  A discussion took place about:

§         

Port Metro Vancouver’s position related to obtaining funding in the amount of $4.0M towards the proposed project; 

§         

ensuring road safety for farmers along Westminster Highway, and whether the City could be reassured that concerns related to large trucks along the highway would be addressed in the event the proposed project is approved;

§         

concerns related to the land acquisition that would be required for the proposed project, and in particular, the cost estimate for the land;

§         

the benefits realized by the City by committing to a fixed contribution towards the project;

§         

the feasibility of an easement rather than a land acquisition;

§         

the amount of land required for the proposed project; and

§         

the feasibility of speed humps along a portion of Westminster Hwy.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed contribution of $3 million by the City of Richmond to support the implementation of the Nelson Road-Highway 91 Interchange, as described in Option 1 of the staff report dated July 9, 2009 from the Director, Transportation, be approved provided that:

(1)

the impact to farm land is minimal; and

(2)

staff work with TransLink to restrict large trucks on the highway to East Richmond upon completion of the project.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion continued and concerns were expressed about the City’s proposal to contribute road Development Cost Charges (DCCs) towards provincial roads. 

It was noted that the length of Blundell Road from Nelson Road to slightly west of No. 8 Road had been funded by the Port Metro Vancouver in lieu of paying DCCs to the City.  Discussion then took place about other and future funding contributions from the Port Metro Vancouver in lieu of paying DCCs, and staff were requested to provide Council members with the following information prior to Monday, July 27^th, 2009:

(1)

details for the past five years related to the amount billed to the Port Metro Vancouver by the City of Richmond, including any amounts which are currently outstanding;

(2)

details about the Port Metro Vancouver’s contributions to the City in lieu of DCCs, including the rationale; and

(3)

a recent drawing of the design concept for the Nelson Road-Highway 91 Interchange.

The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. S. Halsey-Brandt and Steves opposed.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

7.

LOCAL CHANNEL DREDGING

(File Ref. No.:  10-6150-04/2009-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2663749)

Dave Semple, Director of Parks and Public Works Operations, and Tom Corsie, Vice President, Infrastructure and Development, Port Metro Vancouver were available to answer questions. 

A discussion ensued about:

§         

the approximate costs associated with dredging of local channels;

§         

dredging requirements for particular areas in and around Richmond including Shelter Island;

§         

the need to understand the magnitude of the problems related to dredging, and difficulties associated with obtaining participation from other groups in addressing issues and developing dredging plans; 

§         

the Canadian Coast Guard’s level of involvement and responsibility for dredging;

§         

the issue of flood protection;

§         

using river sand in a beneficial way, including creating a fresh habitat to deal with soft sand sediments;

§         

challenges encountered as a result of restrictions and requirements enforced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans; and

§         

the need for obtaining multi-government approvals in addressing many of the issues related to dredging and the difficulties associated with obtaining such approvals.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

The City staff work in partnership with Port Metro Vancouver, Steveston Harbour Authority, the Ladner Sediment Group, the Shelter Island Group, and any other interested groups to seek funding from the Provincial and federal government for the dredging and long term capital and maintenance of local channels as outlined in attachment 1;

(2)

The attached report from the Director of Parks and Public Works Operations entitled “Local Channel Dredging” dated June 29 2009, be sent to Metro Vancouver board, the Fraser Basin Council, the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Vancouver International Airport, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada for information; and

(3)

Local federal and provincial representatives be advised as to the change in support and consequent reduction of funding available for dredging in the Fraser River and the implications to local Maritime users.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff develop and bring forward to the Planning Committee options for funding on a case by case basis of Development Cost Charges and servicing costs for affordable housing projects.

The question on the motion was not called, as staff was requested to seek a way to leave the current Development Cost Charges in place and find other options for financing affordable housing projects.  It was noted that the issue of servicing charges for affordable housing projects had caused many projects to be delayed.

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

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Multi-Family Volunteer Water Meter Work Group

John Irving, Director, Engineering advised that the Multi-Family Volunteer Water Meter Work Group’s fourth meeting was scheduled to be held on Monday, July 27, 2009, and that the group was on schedule to report their recommendations back to the Public Works and Transportation Committee in September, 2009.

(b)

District Energy Utilities

Mr. Irving indicated that discussions about exploring opportunities to establish district energy utilities were ongoing between City staff and several developers. 

Mr. Irving then advised that the process for filling the position of Community Energy Manager was underway.  This position would be fully funded by BC Hydro for one year and would be instrumental in developing the Community Energy Plan over the coming year in support of the new OCP. 

Mr. Irving further advised that the City was working with Metro Vancouver on two Metro Vancouver studies that would explore utilization opportunities for waste heat from Lulu Island Treatment Plant and the Gilbert Trunk sanitary main.  A detailed memo on the matter may be expected in the near future.

(c)

Jet Fuel Project

Mr. Irving advised that the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation had applied to YVR's development permit process to enlarge the existing tank farm on Sea Island in order to increase the supply coverage time in the event of a delivery interruption.  This project would be independent of the larger Fuel Delivery Project through which the South Arm terminal is being proposed.  A detailed update memo may be expected on the matter in the near future.

(d)

Game Plan 2009 Open House

Mr. Wei provided an update to the open house which took place on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, and noted that an overall positive response had been received from the public.  Mr. Wei further noted that staff were working with TransLink to further enhance the bus connections between the Canada Line and the Olympic Oval, and that a report to Committee was expected in the near future.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:17 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, July 22, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office