Date:

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair

Councillor Chak Au

Councillor Linda McPhail

Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Derek Dang

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, July 18, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, October 17, 2012, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

Provision of Reserved On-Street Parking Spaces for Car-Share VehiclES

(File Ref. No. 10-6455-00) (REDMS No. 3611395 v.4)

In reply to queries from Committee, Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, advised that (i) the proposed on-street parking spaces are not located within an existing pay parking zone; (ii) as developments occur along the Canada Line, staff anticipate opportunities to provide additional spaces on private sites; and (iii) currently, Car2Go has two vehicles stationed in the Richmond Kwantlen Polytechnic University campus parking lot.

The Chair indicated that additional information related to car-share companies and how they operate would be valuable information.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the provision of reserved on-street parking spaces for the exclusive use of car-share vehicles, as outlined in the staff report dated August 24, 2012, from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed;

(2)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 8944 (Attachment 2), be introduced and given first, second and third reading; and

(3)

That Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 8949 (Attachment 3), be introduced and given first, second and third reading.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

2.

Partnership with FortisBC to Utilize and Promote Renewable Natural Gas from the Lulu Island Waste Treatment PlaNT

(File Ref. No. 10-6600-10-01) (REDMS No. 3495055 v.14)

Cecilia Achiam, Interim Director, Sustainability and District Energy, provided background information and clarified a typo on Page 5 of the staff report, noting that the net additional cost to the City in 2014 would be $32,857.

Ms. Achiam stated that in 2013, the purchase of 360 GJ of renewable natural gas from FortisBC would symbolically represent approximately ten percent of the natural gas consumption of City Hall and South Arm Community Centre.  This would be the equivalent to three cars off the road and 13,160 lbs of waste diverted from landfills.  In 2014, these figures rise to 72 cars off the road and 305,000 lbs of waste diverted from the landfills.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Achiam advised that staff anticipate bringing forward a pilot incentive program by Spring 2013, including any financial implications and external funding opportunities to encourage community utility users to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by shifting up to ten percent of their natural gas consumption.  Also, she stated that it is anticipated that this service be available for all users.

Siraz Dalmir, Community Energy Solutions Manager, FortisBC, provided background information and stated that this initiative will allow FortisBC to expand its supply of natural gas, thereby lowering the price of it.  In reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Dalmir stated that renewable natural gas is made up of the same elements as is found in natural gas.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter be sent, on behalf of Council, to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) indicating that the City of Richmond:

(a)

Supports the FortisBC application to convert biogas from the Lulu Island Wastewater Treatment Plant to renewable natural gas; and

(b)

Will purchase up to 360 GJ of renewable natural gas, which represents approximately 10% ($1,870) of the annual natural gas consumption of City Hall and South Arm Community Centre, from FortisBC in 2013;

(2)

That the City commit to purchasing 10% of the City’s annual corporate natural gas consumption of all City facilities under the corporate energy management program as renewable natural gas produced at Lulu Island Wastewater Treatment Plant (Lulu RNG) when it comes on stream with an opt out clause with 90 days notice at the sole discretion of the City; and

(3)

That staff develop and report to Council on a pilot incentive program, including any financial implication and external funding opportunities, to encourage community utility users (i.e. property and business owners) to reduce GHG emissions by shifting up to 10% of their natural gas consumption to the Lulu RNG.

CARRIED

3.

Food Scraps/Organics Recycling Program Expansion

(File Ref. No. 10-6370-10-05) (REDMS No. 3596009 v.5)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet & Environmental Programs, provided background information and an overview of the proposed program.  She indicated that staff are seeking approval to refer the proposed Food Scraps/Organics Recycling Program Expansion for consideration as part of the 2013 utility and capital budget processes.  Also, Ms. Bycraft commented on various upcoming issues related to costs associated with solid waste such as increased tipping fees.

With the aid of props, Ms. Bycraft displayed the various sizes of bins that would be available to users of the proposed program expansion.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Bycraft advised that (i) contractors of the proposed large item pickup program would properly dispose of items such as mattresses; and (ii) residents who wish to opt out of the proposed program would not receive any financial credit due to pricing implications.

Discussion ensued regarding Green Carts and Ms. Bycraft indicated that it is anticipated that garbage cans with green waste labels (Green Carts) be phased out over time.  Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering & Public Works, advised that food scraps/organics paper bag disposal will remain in perpetuity.

In reply to a query from Committee, Ms. Bycraft stated that staff have an overall communication strategy with numerous tactics to promote the proposed program expansion should it successfully go through the 2013 utility and capital budget processes.  Also, she commented on potential options for food scraps and organics collection services for residents in multi-family dwellings and commercial businesses, and noted that this matter would be subject to a future staff report.

Discussion ensued regarding the financial aspect of the proposed expansion program and Ms. Bycraft stated that there would be increased costs due to the nature of the carts requiring the contractor to utilize additional trucks and personnel.  She commented that funding for the capital cost is proposed from the sanitation and recycling provision, therefore there would be no direct financial impact reflected in the rates charged to resident for sanitation and recycling services.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the new and enhanced recycling program service levels, effective June, 2013, outlined in Option 2 of the staff report from the Director, Public Works Operations be referred for consideration as part of the 2013 utility and capital budget processes to:

(a)

add a new level of service for food scraps and organics collection services using City-provided wheeled carts for all multi-family townhome residents currently receiving the City’s blue box collection services;

(b)

provide wheeled carts to all residents in single-family households for the storage and weekly collection of food scraps and organic materials;

(c)

provide kitchen containers for the temporary storage of food scraps/organics to all residents in single-family and townhome units who currently receive the City’s blue box collection services;

(2)

a large item pickup program, limited to four items per household per year, as outlined in Option 2a) of the staff report from the Manager, Fleet and Environmental Programs, be considered as part of the 2013 utility budget process for implementation in June, 2013 for all single-family and townhome residents in conjunction with the proposed expanded food scraps/organics recycling program; and

(3)

staff review and report on potential options for food scraps and organics collection services for residents in multi-family dwellings and commercial businesses.

CARRIED

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Water Services Division Brochure

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works, distributed copies of a brochure titled Water Services Division Program, Initiatives and Water Quality (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), and stated that the brochure would be distributed to various community centres, schools, and libraries.  Also, Mr. Stewart stated that the brochure would be translated in an effort to reach as many residents as possible.

Discussion ensued and it was suggested that staff work with the City’s Intercultural Advisory Committee and the Richmond Health Department in an effort to further expand the communication of this brochure.

(ii)

David Suzuki Foundation National Campaign

Ms. Achiam spoke of an upcoming national campaign by the David Suzuki Foundation focused on getting families to get in touch with nature and commented on the various weekly themes of the campaign.

(iii)

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The Chair referenced a memorandum dated September 12, 2012 titled Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).  Mr. Gonzalez confirmed that the City will be receiving $40,000 in funding from the Province’s Community Charging Infrastructure Fund for ten charging stations.

Discussion ensued and suggestions were made in relation to launching the first installation of an electric vehicle charging station.

(iv)

Correspondence

The Chair commented on correspondence received in relation to access to washroom facilities at Canada Line stations.  Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, stated that staff anticipate bringing a report forward to an upcoming Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting regarding this matter.  The Chair requested that staff also provide an update on the Brighouse bus mall.

The Chair commented on water meters and issues related to hot water tanks.  Mr. Stewart stated that he was not aware of any such concerns; however he advised that he would examine the matter.

(v)

Miscellaneous Matters

Discussion ensued regarding the following matters:

§   

parking permits in laneways in Steveston Village;

§   

reconfiguration of parallel parking stalls in an effort to maximize space; and

§   

parking plans for the Branscombe House.

Discussion further ensued and the Chair requested that staff provide Council with a memorandum regarding the Branscombe House.

Also, discussion took place regarding the City’s aging infrastructure.  As result of the discussion, the following referral was made:

It was moved and seconded

That staff report back on the City’s aging infrastructure.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:00 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, September 19, 2012.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Hanieh Berg

Committee Clerk