Date:

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt, Vice-Chair

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Ken Johnston

Absent:

Councillor Harold Steves

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, December 15, 2010 (tentative date) at 4:30 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

ENERGY UPDATE REPORT

(File Ref. No.:  01-0370-01) (REDMS No. 3005454)

Mark Roozbahani, Energy Manager, provided background information on the Energy Update report, and reported that on October 25, 2010 the City had received a BC Hydro Power Smart award.

Discussion ensued, with Committee commending staff on delivering effective energy reduction in City owned buildings and amenities, and in response to queries Mr. Roozbahani and Philip Hogg, Manager, Facilities Operations and Maintenance advised that:

·          

staff will advise at a future Committee meeting who will be able to access the rooftop green garden at the Library and Cultural Centre;

·          

a number of energy projects are in progress that assist staff to ascertain Green House Gas (GHG) emissions; and

·          

staff is working on Phase 2 of a community energy management plan that would adapt and convert corporate benefits into regular home benefits.

Staff was directed to report further details regarding energy initiatives, at a future meeting of Committee.

The Chair suggestion that the Energy Update Report be submitted to the Advisory Committee on the Environment, for their review, and that at a future Council meeting staff could attend to make a presentation on the Energy Update Report, was met with general approval.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the staff report entitled “Energy Update Report” from the General Manager, Community Services, dated November 2, 2010 be received for information; and

(2)

the staff report entitled “Energy Update Report” from the General Manager, Community Services, dated November 2, 2010 be forwarded to (i) the City’s Advisory Committee on the Environment (ACE) and (ii) a future meeting of City Council to allow staff to make a presentation on the “Energy Update Report” staff report.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

2.

TRANSLINK 2011 CAPITAL PROGRAM COST-SHARING SUBMISSIONS – MAJOR ROAD NETWORK, BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSIT-RELATED ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

(File Ref. No.:  01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 2994795)

In response to queries Victor Wei, Director, Transportation provided information regarding funding from TransLink as well as funding from developers, for work at Highway 99 and No. 5 Road.

Committee commended Transportation staff and the Richmond Community Cycling Committee on the development of the Crabapple Ridge Bikeway project.

In response to the Chair’s query regarding how the public is able to navigate the new bikeway, Mr. Wei stated that Transportation staff works with Parks staff on the City’s universal trail signage, targeted to cyclists, to help them ‘discover” the City’s bikeways.

In addition to way finding signage, the City’s bikeways are published in a Richmond Cycling Map and a Regional Cycling Map.

Mr. Wei concluded his remarks by noting that the Crabapple Ridge Bikeway could be completed as early as mid-2011.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission of:

(a)

road and traffic signal improvement projects for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2011 Major Road Network (MRN) Minor Capital Program;

(b)

bicycle facility improvements for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2011 Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost-Sharing Program; and

(c)

transit facility improvements for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2011 Transit-Related Road Infrastructure Program;

as described in the staff report dated October 26, 2010 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed;

(2)

That, should the above submissions be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to execute the funding agreements; and

(3)

That the addition of the roadway sections as described in the report comprising the Crabapple Ridge Bikeway to the City’s On-Street Bicycle Network Plan be endorsed.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

3.

FRASER RIVER DISCUSSION FORUM

(File Ref. No. ) (REDMS No. 3060574)

Dave Semple, General Manager, Parks and Recreation Department, provided background information and stated that the Fraser River’s importance to all communities along its banks, including Richmond at the south end of the river. He noted that there is no entity in charge of the River, and its social, environmental and economic well being. Mr. Semple stressed the importance of collaboration between municipalities, Federal entities, Provincial entities and others, such as the Fraser Basin Council and various volunteer groups, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Fraser River.

Discussion ensued among Committee, Mr. Semple, and John Irving, Director, Engineering, and especially with regard to:

·          

who would be invited to attend and participate in the proposed Lower Fraser River Discussion Forum in 2011, funding sources such as the Vancouver Foundation, for the Forum, and the anticipated benefits arising from the Forum;

·          

the idea of the Fraser Basin Council taking the lead in organizing the proposed Forum, and how Richmond can participate; and

·          

high salinity in the river is an important issue and requires further research.

The Chair noted that the sustainability of the Fraser River is an important issue to be addressed, and that the City should participate in the forum, while the Fraser Basin Council should take the leadership role in organizing the forum.

Staff was requested to submit to Council a one page, point form, fact sheet about the proposed Fraser River Discussion Forum.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That City staff continue to work with the Fraser Basin Council and other key stakeholders, to coordinate a Lower Fraser River Discussion Forum in 2011; and

(2)

That City staff continue to work with other Fraser River stakeholders and senior levels of government to develop a framework for a multi-agency organization that governs a province-wide Fraser River Sustainability Management Strategy, based on collaboration and consensus.

CARRIED

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

4.

STEVESTON HARBOUR CANNERY CHANNEL LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT PLAN – EASTERN NAVIGATION CHANNEL AND INTERTIDAL HABITAT

(File Ref. No.: 10-6150-01) (REDMS No. 3060793)

John Irving provided background information and advised that the proactive Steveston Harbour Cannery Channel Long Term Concept Plan focuses on a long-term vision for a more sustainable river and harbour. He summarized the rationale for the new proposed Eastern navigation channel, causeway and enhanced intertidal habitat area.

Discussion ensued between staff and Committee, and in particular on:

·          

in the near future staff will submit further detailed plans to Committee;

·          

when the eastern causeway and intertidal marsh is constructed, there will be a reduction by 61% of the amount of sediment entering the harbour; dredging is an on-going necessary requirement;

·          

Port Metro Vancouver can no longer provide funding towards the annual dredging of the Steveston Channel but, to allow for a transition period, the Port has established a local channel dredging contribution program;

·          

dialogue regarding future funding of dredging will take place between the City and the Federal and Provincial governments; and

·          

the Steveston Harbour Cannery Channel Long Term Concept Plan necessitates a shared approach, among key stakeholders, including but not limited to the City, Federal authorities, Provincial authorities, Port Metro Vancouver, the Federal Government agency Small Craft Harbours, and the Steveston Harbour Authority.

Lorne Slye, 11^th Avenue, Steveston spoke in his capacity as Chair, of a group of eight separate non-profit entities in Steveston, and he encouraged Committee to support the Steveston Harbour Cannery Channel Long Term Development Plan.

Mr. Slye stated that there must be collaboration among government officials and the business community, but that ultimately someone has to take responsibility for the harbour development plan, and he commented that Richmond could act as a catalyst for brining groups together for this cause.

He noted that he often hosts decision makers on boat tours of Steveson Harbour and that the harbour is under threat due to flotsam coming downriver and being deposited on the harbour’s shores, as well as the silt build up that is taking place. Mr. Slye further commented that he believes the concept of the environmental island will be helpful in solving the silting problems in the harbour.

Andrew Cornell, a Senior Project Engineer with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Small Craft Harbour agency, spoke in support of the importance of collaboration among agencies, municipalities and other stake holders, to accomplish the Steveston Harbour Cannery Channel Long Term Development Plan.

Mr. Cornell noted that there is great diversity of activity on the waterfront, and that the plan’s concept arose from the harbour’s basin waterlots, where past dredging has taken place.

Bob Baziuk, General Manager, Steveston Harbour Authority, spoke and noted that he has lobbied the Federal government to recognize that dredging is a Federal responsibility, and he has heard Federal authorities state that they recognize dredging as a national issue that must be effectively addressed.

Mr. Baziuk stated his full support for the Steveston Harbour Cannery Channel Long Term Development Plan, which he described as bold. He noted that Steveston Harbour is bombarded by debris, and stated his support for the proposed land reclamation to create an enhanced intertidal habitat area.

In response to a query from the Chair, Mr. Baziuk advised that at every opportunity, when speaking with Federal officials, he stresses the idea that multiple stakeholders are the key to any initiative, including the Steveston Harbour Cannery Channel Long Term Development Plan.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the concept, use and potential redevelopment of the foreshore in front of the City owned properties at 6240 to 6280 Dyke Road (the Eastern Entrance Plan) for a new navigational channel, causeway, and intertidal habitat area be approved and that the February 2010 Balanced Environmental Plan 5249-D-28.1 provided within the 2010 Hay & Company report be used as the guiding framework until a final plan has been completed;

(2)

That City staff work together with Steveston Harbour Authority and Small Craft Harbours to establish a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the intent and commitment to work together towards a mutually beneficial long term vision for Steveston Cannery Channel; and

(3)

That City staff continue to work closely with the Province, Port Metro Vancouver, Small Craft Harbours and Steveston Harbour Authority to clarify roles and responsibilities, finalize all plans, and approval processes, for Phase 1 – Construction of the eastern navigational channel, causeway and intertidal habitat area.

NCARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, reported on a recent event during which two water transmission mains failed. A home, as well as a restaurant, sustained some water damage.

Mr. Stewart advised that City crews had handled and rectified the situation in an effective and timely manner.

Mr. Stewart stated that the weather forecast includes an anticipated snow event, and that City crews are ready to be dispatched to sand and salt the roads.

(b)

Mr. Wei reported that the pile driving activity undertaken by the Province on the northbound ramp over Highway 91 during the week of November 8, 2010, had stopped on November 16, 2010.

During the pile driving activity complaints concerned: (i) the noise, and (ii) the closure of the two fast inside lanes in both directions.

Mr. Wei advised that the Ministry of Infrastructure had dedicated one member of their staff to respond to each of the complainants.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:30 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, November 17, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Sheila Johnston

Committee Clerk