June 19, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

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 Thursday, May 23, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, July 17, 2013, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATION

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Paul Sellew, Chief Executive Officer, Harvest Power, provided an update on Harvest Power’s air quality and operations, and the following information was highlighted:

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Harvest Power’s facility in Richmond is fully permitted and has seen several extensive operational upgrades;

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Harvest Power’s facility in Richmond has a Visitor’s Centre, which teaches guests about recycling, renewable energy, and soil products;

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Harvest Power’s Energy Garden uses high solids anaerobic digestion technology – the first of its kind in Canada; and

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the Energy Garden produces clean, low-cost energy in the form of biogas that can be converted into electricity, heat, and natural gas  suitable for use in a variety of applications.

Mr. Sellew thanked the City of Richmond for being the host community for Harvest Power’s first Energy Garden. 

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Sellew, accompanied by Geoff Hill, Manager, R & D and Compliance, commented on Federal and Provincial regulations related to Harvest Power’s processes, and organic certification of its compost material.  Also, it was noted that approximately 250 kilowatt hours to 350 kilowatt hours of electricity is created per tonne of input in the Energy Garden.

Discussion ensued and Committee expressed interest in visiting Harvest Power’s Richmond facility.

In response to the Chair’s comments regarding odour complaints, Mr. Sellew stated that Harvest Power wishes to continue building a positive business partnership with Richmond’s community, and commented on delays in fully establishing its Energy Garden.

The Chair invited Mr. Sellew to present Harvest Power’s ‘Golden Shovel’ award to the City of Richmond at an upcoming City Council meeting.

It was moved and seconded

That Harvest Power’s presentation on air quality and operations be received for information.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR LINDA BARNES

1.

CLEAN ENERGY

(File Ref. No.)

Chair Councillor Barnes provided background information, noting that a resolution related to clean / green energy should submitted to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ 2013 Convention.

It was moved and seconded

Whereas a comprehensive clean energy strategy could effectively prepare Canada for present and future energy needs and lay the foundation for a more diversified economy;

Whereas an overarching vision for a national clean energy strategy would signal to the world that Canada is prepared to be a global leader in a transition toward clean energy;

Whereas local governments face many energy challenges, including rising prices, increased pollution and aging infrastructure;

Whereas a significant number of local governments are also energy producers and providers, through locally owned electric and gas utilities and district heating systems, and also via renewable energy generation for public buildings;

Whereas FCM has called for a long-term, predictable infrastructure funding plan and federal-municipal collaboration on energy efficient building retrofits;

Be it resolved that, in order to remain globally competitive in a fast changing world, the federal government be requested to work with UBCM and FCM, to develop a new energy strategy prioritizing green-sector jobs and clean-energy innovation.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

2.

2012 Annual Water Quality Report

(File Ref. No. 10-6650-08-01) (REDMS No. 3867938)

Doug Anderson, Manager, Water Services, advised that staff have developed a pamphlet regarding Richmond’s water quality, and that this pamphlet is available in both English and Chinese.

In reply to a query from the Chair, Mr. Anderson commented on minimum water services certification requirements for water services staff.

The Chair extended thanks to Water Services staff for all their efforts in ensuring Richmond continues to deliver quality water.

Discussion ensued regarding water leaks and average water consumption per person per single-family dwelling.  It was requested that average water consumption information be relayed to residents in an effort to reduce water leaks as some residents may not be aware that their water consumption is higher than average.

Mr. Anderson advised that the average person utilizes approximately 300 litres of water per day and that this information can be conveyed to residents through the annual utility billing cycle.

Discussion ensued regarding mobile water supply units, and it was noted that these units are heavily utilized throughout the summer months.

It was moved and seconded

That the 2012 Annual Water Quality Report dated May 28, 2013 be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Energy Resource Management Plan for Corporate Buildings

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3870326 v.8)

In reply to a query from Committee, Peter Russell, Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy, advised that a staff report regarding corporate-wide targets for energy reduction and greenhouse gas reductions is anticipated to be brought forward in fall 2013.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the High Performance Building Policy No. 2306 be updated to include specific emphasis on corporate energy and GHG emissions targets and conservation priorities that reduce long term energy consumption and operational costs; and

(2)

That staff report back with the updated High Performance Building Policy No. 2306.

CARRIED

4.

National Public Works Week – Update

(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 3883243 v.2)

In reply to a comment made by Committee, Derrick Lim, Manager, Public Works Administration, highlighted that over 120 staff and their family members volunteered for this year’s Public Works Open House.

Discussion ensued regarding future outreach opportunities with various community groups, and in particular with the Richmond School District.  Also, Committee wished to see other Richmond projects such as the City’s District Energy Utility be highlighted at future events.

The Chair thanked staff involved in carrying out a successful Public Works Open House.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled National Public Works Week – Update dated June 3, 2013 from the Director, Public Works be received for information.

CARRIED

The Chair commented on new energy techniques and the possibility of utilizing these new techniques in the South Arm precinct as this area has a community centre, a swimming pool, two school buildings, and a park.  As a result, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine possible energy efficiencies in the South Arm precinct.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Parking in Steveston

In reply to queries made by Committee, Mr. Wei advised that a loading zone will be provided for the Steveston Marine and Hardware store.  Also, Mr. Wei commented on maximum parking durations throughout Steveston, noting that an extensive public consultation took place and that changing these durations may cause confusion among patrons of Steveston; however, he advised that staff could provide a more structured strategy to address the varying needs of Steveston merchants.

Cllr. Steves left the meeting (4:55 p.m.) and did not return.

Mr. Wei provided an update on various transportation-related improvements in the No. 5 Road and Steveston Highway area.

(ii)

Update on Fraser River Freshet

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works, provided an update on the Fraser River freshet, noting that no problems were encountered.

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, June 19, 2013.

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Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk