MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 (tentative date) at 4:30 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATIONS

1.

(a)

Archie MacLellan, 5471 Arcadia Road, provided background information and noted in an effort to comply with City bylaws, he had his building’s strata bylaws amended to allow for commercial vehicle parking on their private parking lot. 

Mr. MacLellan indicated he even had the support of the residents whose units face the parking.  However, he learned that the bylaw restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential areas regardless of if it’s on City or private property.  Mr. MacLellan advised that he has attempted to get alternative parking for his vehicles but it has been very difficult.  He requested that should a permanent solution not be reached, that he be extended 90 days to find alternate parking.

In response to a query from Committee, Mr. MacLellan noted that he has a cube van and a work trailer.

Wayne G. Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, advised that the restriction is part of the zoning bylaw and has nothing to do with visibility of a commercial vehicle.  In reply to a query, Mr. Mercer noted that his division was first made aware of Mr. MacLellan’s situation in March 2010 and Mr. MacLellan has since received a number of extensions from the Bylaws division.  Also, he noted that as per the City’s traffic bylaw, commercial vehicles are defined by their Gross Vehicle Weight and height.

Discussion ensued and Committee sympathized with Mr. MacLellan’s situation but noted that Council cannot provide bylaw exemptions.

Committee directed staff to provide Mr. MacLellan with a 60-day grace period beginning at the end of May 2010.

(b)

Steve Aujla, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Fraser Richmond Soil & Fibre Ltd. (FRSF), provided background information on FRSF and noted the following:

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FRSF will build a High Solids Anaerobic Digester (HSAD) – the first of its kind in North America to implement biogas energy production;

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the HSAD breaks down waste through naturally occurring micro organisms and into methane and carbon dioxide – also known as biogas; and

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this biogas is captured in gas-tight enclosures and can be used as fuel to produce renewable electricity and cleaned biomethane.

Mr. Aujla provided statistical information regarding his company’s efforts.  He noted that the City of Richmond has been a leader in recycling food waste organics for single-family residences and his company hopes to work with the City to expand this program to multi-family residents.  Also, he commented on the City’s Ditch Cleaning Program and indicated that he would be interested in discussing this matter with staff.

Mr. Aujla thanked the City for being proactive and invited City Council and staff to tour his company’s facility.

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

2.

DRAFT INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN - GREATER VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT

(File Ref. No.:  10-6405-04-02) (REDMS No. 2884526)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet & Environmental Programs, accompanied by Dennis Ranahan, Senior Engineer, Metro Vancouver, provided background information.  Ms. Bycraft noted that it is anticipated that the draft Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan be brought before the GVRD Board  in July 2010.

Discussion ensued regarding the draft Plan’s principle strategies and in response to queries from Committee, Mr. Ranahan advised that the draft Plan’s primary goal is to reduce waste and its 70% b 2015 target is aggressive but it is the minimum.  He also commented that the draft Plan aims to manage waste within the region.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Bycraft and Mr. Ranahan advised that (i) staff would explore opportunities with Metro Vancouver regarding establishing an Eco-Centre in Richmond and the amendments proposed by the City of Vancouver would be returning to the GVRD Board for consideration.

Discussion ensued regarding the City of Los Angeles’ Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan and Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, advised that LA’s plan does not exclude incineration in its entirety.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Metro Vancouver Board be advised of the City of Richmond’s comments relative to the Draft Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan as contained in their April 22, 2010 letter as follows:

(a)

The City of Richmond supports the Draft Solid Waste Management Plan, dated April 22, 2010; and

(b)

The City of Richmond wishes to explore the concept of establishing an Eco-Centre in Richmond in cooperation with the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

(2)

That staff investigate waste reduction and recycling strategies for multi-family complexes in Richmond and report back.

The question on the motion was not called as staff was directed to provide more detailed information on the City of Los Angeles’ Solid Waste and Resource Management proposal.

Discussion ensued regarding incineration and the limitations on other solutions.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Barnes and Steves opposed.

It was moved and seconded

That the City indicate to Metro Vancouver that particular emphasis be given to advancing strategies for the recycling of plastic materials.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

PESTICIDE USE CONTROL AMENDMENT BYLAW

(File Ref. No.:  10-6125-04-01) (REDMS No. 2770733)

Lesley Douglas, Manager, Environmental Sustainability, provided background information and commented on other lower mainland municipalities’ pesticide bylaws.

In reply to queries from Committee Ms. Douglas advised that:

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blackberry bushes and nap weed are examples of alien invasive species;

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there are 31 municipal pesticide bylaws throughout the Province, six have exemptions for alien invasive species, thirteen have exemptions for infestations, six have exemptions for sensitive ecosystems, and sixteen include a permit process; and

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staff did not recommend adding a new exclusion for infestation control under a permit process as outlined in the staff report dated May 13, 2010 due to cost implications.

Michele Li, Chairperson of the Richmond Pesticide Awareness Coalition, was opposed to the proposed bylaw amendment.  Ms. Li read from her submission, attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Li advised that anyone is permitted to use pesticides inside their home and was of the opinion that the proposed bylaw amendment was unnecessary as there currently isn’t an infestation in Richmond.

Ms. Douglas stated that there currently aren’t any known significant threats, however the proposed bylaw would act as a precautionary tool.

Discussion ensued regarding amending the Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 8514 to exclude the use for infestation control under a permit process as outlined in Option 2 of the staff report dated May 13, 2010.  As a result of the discussion the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a bylaw amendment to exclude infestation control under a permit process be endorsed as outlined in the staff report dated May 13, 2010 from the General Manager, Community Services;

(2)

That staff draft a bylaw amendment accordingly; and

(3)

That a letter from the Mayor and Council be sent to the Province and local Members of the Legislative Assembly that reaffirms the City's position to urge the introduction of Provincial legislation to prohibit the use and sale of pesticides for cosmetic use.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding Option 2 as outlined in the staff report dated May 13, 2010 and it was mentioned that the abovementioned bylaw amendment be reviewed after a year.

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

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

4.

POTENTIAL FOR PUBLIC BICYCLE SYSTEM IN GREATER VANCOUVER

(File Ref. No.:  10-6360-16-01/2010-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2876399)

In response to queries from Committee, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation and advised that a meaningful Public Bike System (PBS) in Greater Vancouver is challenging due to the existing provincial legislation that requires all cyclist in BC to wear a helmet.  He commented that staff will monitor the City of Montreal’s PBS and carefully examine their accident statistics.  Also Mr. Wei commented on various options for a Great Vancouver PBS such as separated lane ways for bikes.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

staff continue to work with TransLink and other interested municipalities on the future development and implementation of an integrated public bicycle system in Greater Vancouver; and

(2)

the City send a letter to TransLink and the City of Vancouver requesting that any implementation of a public bicycle system within its jurisdiction be expandable to other municipalities in the Greater Vancouver area in the future to ensure a compatible and seamless regional system for users.

CARRIED

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT DEPARMENT

5.

23031 WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY – FORMER HAMILTON FIRE HALL SITE

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2886306)

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

staff remove the concrete foundation, asphalt entrance and parking lot from the former Hamilton Fire Hall site (23031 Westminster Highway); and

(2)

funding for the demolition and removal of materials come from the Property Costs Provision Account.

CARRIED

6.

DITCH CLEANING PROGRAM

(File Ref. No.: 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 2891482)

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the Sidaway Works Yard soil recycling project, in the amount of $150,000 be approved; and

(2)

the funding of $150,000 come from the Drainage Utility Reserve.

The question on the motion was not called and staff were directed to speak with Mr. Steve Aujla of Fraser Richmond Soil & Fibre Ltd. regarding the removal of organic material from ditches.  The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, highlighted that the 2010 Engineering and Public Works Open House was a big success.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:25 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, May 19, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Acting Executive Assistant

City Clerk's Office