April 17, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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, March 20, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

There was agreement that an additional staff report, titled 2013 Flood Protection Grant Program, be added to the Agenda as Item 3A.

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Thursday, May 23, 2013, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

Water Meter Program Update

(File Ref. No. 10-6650-02/2013-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 3822769)

In reply to queries from Committee, Lloyd Bie, Manager, Engineering Planning, provided the following information:

§   

the Water Loss Management Program aims to reduce wasteful water loss caused by failing equipment such as a leaky toilet;

§   

the projected increase in Metro Vancouver’s water rate is largely due to costs associated with large capital projects such as the new Seymour-Capilano filtration system; and

§   

it would be challenging to include duplexes in the proposed universal metering program as most duplexes in Richmond share one water service.

The Chair commented on water rates and requested that staff prepare a memorandum to Council advising of Metro Vancouver’s water rates, how these rates are arrived at and subsequently passed on and calculated for Richmond residents.

It was moved and seconded

That a universal water metering program, as outlined in Option 3 in the staff report titled Water Meter Program Update from the Director, Engineering, dated April 5, 2013,  be implemented for single-family dwellings, starting in 2014, with a five-year completion target.

CARRIED

2.

Dike Master Plan – Phase 1 Report

(File Ref. No. 10-6060-05-01/2013-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 3741121)

In response to a comment made by the Chair, John Irving, Director, Engineering, advised that staff will continue to work closely with staff at Port Metro Vancouver, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Small Craft Harbours, and the Steveston Harbour Authority.  Mr. Irving advised that staff are cognizant of potential overlapping projects, and would ensure that these efforts are coordinated.

Discussion ensued regarding potential environmental impacts and Mr. Bie advised that detailed environmental assessments would be conducted as part of future phases of the Dike Master Plan.  Also, Mr. Irving commented on habitat coding, noting that red coded areas have high habitat value.

The Chair extended her gratitude to staff for all their hard work in preparing such an in-depth analysis of the Dike Master Plan.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the  Steveston Island dike alignment, identified as Primary Dike Alignment 2 in the Phase 1 Dike Master Plan Report provided as Attachment 1 to the staff report titled Dike Master Plan – Phase 1 Report from the Director of Engineering, dated April 9, 2013, be endorsed as the preferred long term diking solution in Steveston;

(2)

That the existing Southern West Dike continue to be the primary flood protection dike alignment in the Southern West Dike area;

(3)

That staff coordinate with Port Metro Vancouver and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to identify potential areas for constructed offshore barrier islands that would create habitat and provide wave dissipation for the Southern West Dike; and

(4)

That the work plan identified in the staff report titled Dike Master Plan – Phase 1 Report from the Director of Engineering, dated April 9, 2013, be endorsed.

CARRIED

3.

Regulation of Newspaper Distribution Agents and Zones

(File Ref. No. 10-6405-01/2012-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 3589585)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet and Environmental Programs, advised that the free daily publication companies currently regulated by the City’s Newspaper Distribution Regulation Bylaw 7954 were advised of the proposed changes and no feedback was received.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Newspaper Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 7954, Amendment Bylaw No. 8933 (Attachment 1), be introduced and given first, second and third readings;

(2)

Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, Amendment Bylaw No. 9017 (Attachment 2) be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and

(3)

Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 9018 (Attachment 3), be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

In reply to a query from the Chair, Ms. Bycraft commented on how residents may exchange their Green Can for different sized one.

3A.

2013 FLOOD PROTECTION GRANT PROGRAM

(File Ref. No.:  10-6340-01) (REDMS No.3836971)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the following projects be endorsed as candidates for submission to the 2013 Provincial Flood Protection Grant Program:

(a)

Bath Slough Drainage Pump Station Upgrade;

(b)

Dike Upgrade, McCallan Road to No. 2 Road;

(c)

South Dike Upgrade, No. 4 Road to Shell Right of Way; and

(2)

That should any of the above projects be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager Engineering and Public Works be authorized to negotiate and execute the funding agreements with the Province.

CARRIED

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Portland Limestone Cement

Milton Chan, Manager, Engineering Design and Construction, referenced a memorandum dated April 9, 2013 regarding Portland Limestone Cement (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).  Mr. Chan provided background information and highlighted that the production of this type of cement reduces green house gas emissions by up to ten percent.

(ii)

Transportation Division Updates

Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, provided an update on TransLink’s Area Transit Plan and the Lansdowne Road Extension.  Also, Ms. Chan commented on the Steveston Streetscape public consultation process, noting that an open house is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Steveston Community Centre from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

(iii)

REaDY Summit

Cecilia Achiam, Director, Administration and Compliance, spoke of the upcoming Richmond Earth Day Youth (REaDY) Summit scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. at Steveston-London Secondary School.

(iv)

Boardwalk in Steveston

In reply to a query regarding the Steveston boardwalk, Mr. Irving advised that the opening of the boardwalk has been delayed as much of the work to be completed is weather dependant.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:39 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, April 17, 2013.

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Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk