Date:

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt, Vice-Chair

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Harold Steves

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Absent:

Councillor Ken Johnston

Also Present:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Call to Order:

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

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

TRAFFIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – PROPOSED 2011 INITIATIVES

(File Ref. No.:  01-0100-20-TSAD1) (REDMS No. 3078167)

In reply to a query from Committee, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that the ‘V-Calm’ driver awareness sign installed on No. 5 Road between Kind Road and Blundell Road has not been effective in permanently reducing vehicle speeds along that section of roadway.  He noted that the signage was most effective during its first year.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed 2011 initiatives for the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, as outlined in the staff report dated December 23, 2010 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed; and

(2)

That a copy of the above report be forwarded to the Richmond Council-School Board Liaison Committee for information.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

2.

CORPORATE ENERGY MANAGER

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 3108056 v5)

In response to queries from Committee, Cecilia Achiam, Interim Director, Sustainability and District Energy, provided the following information:

§          

there has been considerable energy cost savings on the combined utility (gas and electricity) expenses of City facilities that have been directly attributed to the implementation of corporate energy management programs;

§          

the salary for the temporary full time (TFT) Corporate Energy Manager position is partially funded by a $50,000 annual grant from BC Hydro;

§          

it is recommended that the position be reclassified as regular full time and fully funded by allocating an additional $50,000 from the currently budgeted utility costs, which are not required due to the energy savings; and

§          

by fully funding the position, the City would eliminate the uncertainty of the annual granting process and a regular full time position would provide security of tenure for a field of expertise that is highly sought after.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Corporate Energy Manager position be re-classified from Temporary Full Time (TFT) to Regular Full Time (RFT); and

(2)

That a Position Control Complement (PCC) be created for the Corporate Energy Manager position.

CARRIED

3.

DIKING AUTHORITIES FOR NEW DIKES

(File Ref. No.:  10-6045-09-01) (REDMS No. 3144995)

Jim Young, Manager, Engineering Design and Construction, introduced Andy Bell, Drainage and Roads Project Engineer.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) of the City’s 49 kilometres of dike, currently approximately two to three kilometres have been raised; (ii) a dike master plan is anticipated to address any issues relating to restricting resident views as a result of raising the dikes; and (iii) due to funding restrictions, it is anticipated that approximately one kilometre of dike be raised a year.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented on discussions with appropriate ministers regarding Richmond’s dikes and the current benchmark for dikes.  Also, it was noted that the staff report be forwarded to the Flood Control and River Management Committee of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report entitled “Diking Authorities for New Dikes” dated February 7, 2011 from the Director, Engineering be received for information; and

(2)

That the staff report entitled “Diking Authorities for New Dikes” dated February 7, 2011 from the Director, Engineering be forwarded to the Flood Control and River Management Committee of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association.

CARRIED

4.

GREASE REDUCTION - GREEN MUNICIPAL FUND APPLICATION

(File Ref. No.:  10-6340-01/2011) (REDMS No. 3143389)

It was moved and seconded

That a letter from the Mayor be sent to the Federal Minister of Environment, copied to local MPs, requesting support for the City’s Grease Reduction Program application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund.

The question on the motion was not called as in reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Young advised that (i) it is anticipated that a private sector organization be engaged to supply biological and environmentally friendly product/services to food establishments that discharge or potentially discharge fats, oils and grease (FOG) to the City’s sewers; and (ii) staff desire that such a product also address existing FOG in City sewers.

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

5.

2011 PAVING PROGRAM

(File Ref. No.:  10-6340-20-P11204) (REDMS No. 3142694)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Young provided the following information:

§         

the 2011 Paving Program tender included a bid item that requires a contractor to use Permeable Asphalt on a trial basis; 

§         

if Permeable Asphalt is successful, the need to convey and pump drainage water will be reduced, resulting in a net positive environmental impact;

§         

the pace of road deterioration is expected to exceed the rate of road rehabilitation under the City’s current paving program;

§         

the City’s paving contract requires that the contractor provide a traffic management plan in an effort to reduce disruption to road users; and

§         

due to early tendering of the annual paving contract, and the recent decrease in liquid asphalt prices, the City received highly competitive rates.

Discussion ensued regarding works currently taking place along St. Albans Road between Granville Avenue and Blundell Road.  It was noted that many projects along this area require that the road be disturbed, and as such, it would be wise to put off any repaving until after all projects have been completed.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report regarding the 2011 Paving Program be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

PUBLIC SPACES RECYCLING - PROPOSED PILOT PROGRAM

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 3125389)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet & Environmental Programs, provided background information and noted that John Challinor, Director of Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Waters Canada was available to answer any queries from Committee.  Also, Ms. Bycraft advised that Bruce Rozenhart, President of the Steveston Historical Society was supportive of the initiative.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Bycraft provided the following information:

§         

the recycling containers provided by Nestlé Waters Canada during the pilot program would become the property of the City at the conclusion of the program; and

§         

the City will gain information from the communications components of the pilot program, which the City would apply to future program planning.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that both the Steveston Community Society and the Steveston Harbour Authority be aware of the proposed initiative.  Also, Committee requested that staff advise Council once the ‘Big Belly’ solar compactor garbage units have been installed.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposal by Nestlé Waters Canada to work in partnership with the City to develop and implement a 3-month pilot program for public spaces recycling, as outlined in the staff report dated February 7, 2011, be accepted.

CARRIED

7.

METRO VANCOUVER SINGLE SEWER UTILITY RATES

(File Ref. No.:  10-6400-07-01) (REDMS No. 3144350)

Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, provided background information and noted that Metro Vancouver is engaging its member municipalities in reviewing further alternative sewer utility rate structures for the provision of sewer services.  In particular, Metro Vancouver staff are interested in understanding what the implication would be of establishing a standard single sewer utility rate for member municipalities similar to what is in place for the water utility.

Discussion ensued and Committee referenced the scenarios for annual household levies by sewerage area at outlined in Attachment 2 of the staff report entitled “Metro Vancouver Long Term Sewer Utility Rates” dated February 7, 2011, from the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works.

Also, Committee commented on Metro Vancouver’s projection of future sewer utility rates, which include borrowing large sums of capital funding when required.  Discussion ensued regarding Metro Vancouver’s current policy on a standard amortization period of 15 years.  It was noted that when appropriate, the standard amortization period of 15 years be reviewed by Metro Vancouver’s Finance Committee.

It was moved and seconded

That the approach, as outlined in the staff report entitled “Metro Vancouver Long Term Sewer Utility Rates” dated February 7, 2011, from the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be endorsed.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

8.

ENHANCED PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM REVIEW

(File Ref. No.:  10-6125-04-01) (REDMS No. 3141372 v4)

Lesley Douglas, Manager, Environmental Sustainability, provided background information and in reply to queries from Committee advised that (i) staff anticipate bringing forward changes to the Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 8514 in April 2011; (ii) new generation, low-toxicity, domestic pesticides are licensed through the federal Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency; and (iii) studies related to the levels of toxicity in new pesticides are often done by both the federal government and private companies.

Council G. Halsey-Brandt left the meeting (5:24 p.m.) and did not return.

It was moved and seconded

That the Enhanced Pesticide Management Program (EPMP) as described in the staff report entitled “Enhanced Pesticide Management Program Review,” dated February 8, 2011 be approved to continue on a temporary basis for 2011.

CARRIED

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(1)

Lane Maintenance

John Irving, Director, Engineering, commented on recent complaints received regarding the state of lanes, and advised that the City’s maintenance program is in place and upgrades are forthcoming.

(2)

Environmental Assessment of the Proposal by Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation

Ms. Achiam referenced a memorandum dated February 18, 2011 regarding Environmental Assessment of the Proposal by Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC).  She advised that as part of the Environment Assessment protocol, the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has placed an advertisement in the Richmond newspapers on February 18, 2011, advising of an open house on VAFFC’s project on March 7, 2011 at the Executive Airport Plaza Hotel in Richmond. 

Also, she noted that the public notice stated that the comment period for the EAO consultation is between February 25 and April 11, 2011.  Ms. Achiam stated that staff will be in attendance of this open house and will reiterate Council’s opposition to the pipeline project.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that all pertinent information regarding this project is available for viewing on the EAO’s website.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:35 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, February 23, 2011.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk