November 21, 2012 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair

Councillor Chak Au

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Linda McPhail

Councillor Harold Steves (entered at 4:06 p.m.)

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, October 17, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, December 19, 2012, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

TRANSLINK 2013 CAPITAL PROGRAM COST-SHARING SUBMISSIONS – MAJOR ROAD NETWORK AND BIKE, BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE CAPITAL COST-SHARING REGIONAL NEEDS AND TRANSIT-RELATED ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS

(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04/2012) (REDMS No. 3655384 v.2)

In reply to queries from Committee, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, commented on the Railway Avenue Corridor Greenway, noting that a detailed staff report is forthcoming from the Parks department.  Mr. Wei stated that staff anticipates hearing back from TransLink on the proposed submissions by the end of 2012.

Councillor Steves entered the meeting (4:06 p.m.).

Discussion ensued regarding and the Chair requested that an update on the use of the City’s elevated cycling paths be provided in Spring 2013 when presenting the Richmond Community Cycling Committee’s annual report.

In response to a question from Committee, Mr. Wei advised that the widening of Westminster Highway (Nelson Road to McMillan Way) will allow for physical separation between vehicular traffic and cyclists.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission of:

(a)

road improvement project for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2013 Major Road Network & Bike (MRNB) Upgrade Program;

(b)

bicycle facility improvement project for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2013 Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost-Sharing (BICCS) Regional Needs Program; and

(c)

transit facility improvements for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2013 Transit-Related Road Infrastructure Program;

as described in the staff report dated October 24, 2012 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed; and

(2)

That, should the above submissions be successful and the projects receive Council approval via the annual capital budget process, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to execute the funding agreements and the 2013 Capital Plan and the 5-Year Financial Plan (2013-2017) be updated accordingly dependant on the timing of the budget process.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

2.

2012 Corporate Energy Management Update

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3650284 v.14)

Levi Higgs, Corporate Energy Manager, spoke of achievements of the 2011 Energy Management Program, noting that the City was recognized by BC Hydro as being a Power Smart Leader by awarding the City the 2012 Leadership Excellence Award.

In response to a comment made by Committee, Mr. Higgs spoke of various energy conservation initiatives, highlighting that staff anticipate launching an initiative called the Twelve Days of Energy Conservation.

The Chair stated that a summary of the staff report titled 2012 Corporate Energy Management Update would be valuable information to share at an upcoming Council meeting.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled 2012 Corporate Energy Management Program Update from the Interim Director, Sustainability and District Energy, dated October 29, 2012 be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Carbon Neutral Progress Update

(File Ref. No. 01-0370-01) (REDMS No. 3695216 v.4)

Margot Daykin, Manager, Sustainability, highlighted key achievements of  the City’s ‘Towards Carbon Neutrality’ report, noting that in 2011 Richmond City Council adopted the City’s Carbon Responsible Strategy, which focuses on managing greenhouse gas emissions effectively and outlines key principles for ensuring a sustainable approach.  Also, due to combined local government efforts, there has been a change in Provincial policy to reinvest funds generated by the purchase of external offsets.

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

§   

staff identify projects that would that have the potential for compensation action, such as the City’s organics initiatives; and

§   

in comparison to other local governments throughout British Columbia and across Canada, the City of Richmond is well ahead in its efforts  to achieve carbon neutrality.

Discussion ensued regarding the potential to utilize the Garden City Lands bog to sequester greenhouse gas emissions.  In reply to a query from the Chair, Dave Semple, General Manager, Community Services, advised that the interdepartmental team for the Garden City Lands project includes staff from the City’s Sustainability division.

In reply to a comment made by Committee, Ms. Daykin advised that although there are no financial implications associated with the staff report recommendation, there are significant financial savings through the City’s actions towards carbon neutrality.  The Chair requested that as the City’s carbon neutrality initiatives move forward, that staff make an effort to highlight the financial savings aspect.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City pursue the “Making Progress” option for meeting the terms of the Climate Action Charter for 2012; and

(2)

That the ‘Towards Carbon Neutrality – Progress Report 2012’ (Attachment 1) be made accessible to the community through the City’s website and in limited hard-copy supply at City Hall and key community centres.

CARRIED

4.

Proposed Climate Smart Program – Facilitating Climate Action by Richmond Businesses

(File Ref. No. 01-0370-01/2012) (REDMS No. 3702578 v.2)

Ms. Daykin provided background information regarding the Climate Smart Program, noting that on average, participating businesses have reduced carbon emissions by 780 tonnes per business.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Daykin and Neonila Lilova, Manager, Economic Development, provided the following information regarding the proposed Climate Smart Program:

§   

business recruitment would be conducted based on collaborative efforts between the City and Climate Smart;

§   

staff are distributing surveys to local businesses inquiring about actions they have taken to make their business more environmentally friendly;

§   

staff anticipate gathering the data from the surveys to recognize local businesses that have initiated environmentally practices;

§   

staff will communicate with various stakeholders regarding the proposed Climate Smart Program, including the Richmond Chamber of Commerce; and

§   

should the proposed Climate Smart Program be approved, staff anticipate reporting back on its activities next year.

It was moved and seconded

That the City supports the delivery of the Climate Smart Program as presented in the staff report dated November 6, 2012 titled Proposed Climate Smart Program – Facilitating Climate Action by Richmond Businesses.

CARRIED

5.

Update on 2012/2013 Snow and Ice Response Preparations

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3698671)

Ben Dias, Manager, Roads and Construction Services, advised that the City’s snow and ice response preparations are well underway.

Discussion ensued regarding the City’s Ice and Snow Removal Policy in relation to priority routes.  The Chair requested that staff re-circulate information regarding the City’s Ice and Snow Removal Policy to Council prior to the next Council meeting.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Update on 2012/2013 Snow and Ice Response Preparations, dated October 31, 2012, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Job Shadowing Pilot

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works, stated that the City has partnered with the Richmond School District to offer a job shadowing pilot program next year for secondary students.

(ii)

Dike Master Plan Phase 1 –  Public Consultation

John Irving, Director, Engineering, referenced a memorandum dated November 14, 2012 regarding the first phase of public consultation for the Dike Master Plan (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

(iii)

George Massey Tunnel Phase 1 – Public Consultation

Mr. Wei stated the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s recently announced that it would commence the first phase of the consultation process to replace the George Massey Tunnel.  Mr. Wei advised that staff would be attending two public open houses and would provide Council with regular updates as the projects proceeds.

(iv)

Bottled-Water-Free Zones

Discussion ensued regarding the I’d Tap That group’s request to create bottled-water-free zones in Richmond (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office). 

The Chair requested that staff provide Council with a memorandum updating them of the City’s various initiatives related to promoting the use of municipal tap water.

(v)

Richmond Animal Protection Society

Discussion ensued regarding correspondence (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) received by a local veterinarian regarding the Richmond Animal Protection Society’s position on the type of care provided to animals adopted from the shelter.  Mr. Semple advised that staff have responded to this matter and a copy of staff’s response will be circulated to Council for information.

(vi)

Consolidation of Richmond Islands

Councillor Steves provided background information regarding a request from the Corporation of Delta to the Steveston Harbour Authority to dredge an easterly channel in line with Canoe Pass to allow for better water flow.  It was suggested that staff investigate the possibility of allowing the area to fill in and encourage it to create a new habitat and barge.  Over time, the small southern islands would consolidate and form one large new habitat.  As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff consider an option to consolidate the islands with marsh habitat and upland habitat by gradually dredging the channels between the islands and report back.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:04 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 21, 2012.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Hanieh Berg

Committee Clerk