September 18, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Absent:

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 Wednesday, July 17, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

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

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

Ageing Infrastructure Planning – 2013 Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01/2013) (REDMS No. 3878967 v.3)

John Irving, Director, Engineering, provided background information and highlighted that substantial progress has been made since 2006 in regards to addressing funding gaps for the City’s various infrastructures.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Irving stated that the City’s dikes provide a comfortable level of protection; however staff are cognizant of concerns related to climate change and its effect on sea level rise.  Also, Mr. Irving commented on the City’s long-range plan to replace asbestos cement pipelines, and noted that current information regarding the condition of these pipes are more accurate, thereby enabling staff to better identify and track potential problems. 

It was moved and seconded

That the Ageing Infrastructure Planning – 2013 Update be utilized as critical input in the annual utility rate review and capital program process as described in the staff report dated August 14, 2013 from the Director, Engineering.

CARRIED

2.

Enhanced Pesticide Management Program
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-04-01) (REDMS No. 3960199)

Lesley Douglas, Manager, Environmental Sustainability, advised that the Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a province-wide ban on pesticides for cosmetic use in British Columbia.  However, it is anticipated that the Ministry of Environment conduct public consultations regarding recent amendments to the Integrated Pest Management Act, in which staff will participate.

Discussion ensued regarding the effects of Option 1 to discontinue the enhanced portion of the Enhanced Pesticide Management Program, and Ms. Douglas advised that Option 1 responds to the original intent of the Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 8514.

Discussion further ensued regarding the effects of Option 1 and Committee expressed concern with regard to the loss of community outreach and education workshops.

As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the Enhanced portion of the Enhanced Pesticide Management Program be extended until the end of 2014.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllr. Dang

3.

DETAILED ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES – NO. 1 ROAD NORTH AND WILLIAMS ROAD DRAINAGE PUMP STATIONS
(File Ref. No. 10-6340-01) (REDMS No. 3971897 v.3)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Detailed Architectural Features – No. 1 Road North and Williams Road Drainage Pump Stations dated September 3, 2013 from the Director, Engineering, be received for information.

CARRIED

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

4.

ICBC-CITY OF RICHMOND ROAD SAFETY PARTNERSHIP
(File Ref. No. 01-0150-20-ICBC1-01/2013) (REDMS No. 3833578 v.2)

Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, introduced Joanne Bergman, Road Safety Coordinator, ICBC, and David Hill, Road Safety Engineer, ICBC.

In reply to comments by the Chair, Ms. Bergman commented on ICBC’s various road safety campaigns and public education outreach programs in local schools.

The Chair requested that a presentation be made before City Council highlighting ICBC-City of Richmond Road Safety Partnership.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter be sent to the Board of Directors of ICBC expressing the City’s appreciation of ICBC’s comprehensive and collaborative approach to improving road safety in Richmond for all users;

(2)

That a copy of the report dated August 21, 2013 from the Director, Transportation outlining ICBC-City partnerships that have contributed to improved road safety in Richmond be forwarded to the Richmond Council / School Board Liaison Committee for information;

(3)

That the additional proposed road safety improvement projects, as described in the report, be endorsed for submission to the ICBC 2013 Road Improvement Program for consideration of cost sharing funding; and

(4)

That should the above applications be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to negotiate and execute the cost-share agreements and the 2013 Capital Plan and 5-Year (2013-2017) Financial Plan be amended accordingly.

CARRIED

The Chair advised that Items No. 1, 2, and 3 from the Engineering and Public Works Department would be deferred to the Tuesday, October 15, 2013 Regular Council meeting due to staff availability.

It was moved and seconded

That the Items 1, 2, and 3 considered at the Wednesday, September 18, 2013 Public Works and Transportation Committee be brought forward for Council’s consideration at the Tuesday, October 15, 2013 Regular Council meeting.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Project of the Year Award

Milton Chan, Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, highlighted that the Alexandra District Energy Utility was recognized by the Public Works Association of BC for the Project of the Year Award.

(ii)

Richmond Ice Centre

Jim Young, Senior Manager, Project Development, spoke of a recent mechanical failure at the Richmond Ice Centre and advised that the situation has been rectified.

(iii)

Richmond Works – Mobile Application

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works, commented on a mobile application called ‘Richmond Works.’  Mr. Stewart stated that the free application enables users to create public works service requests that are automatically forwarded to the City’s Public Works Service Centre for appropriate action.  Also, he noted that a user can attach pictures to their service request and follow its status to completion.

(iv)

Mitchell Island

Peter Russell, Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy, commented on air quality and traffic concerns in Mitchell Island, and updated Committee on staff and Metro Vancouver’s activities to address these concerns.

(v)

Let’s Talk Energy 

Mr. Russell advised that the City is hosting a drop-in open house at Richmond Centre Mall from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2013 and from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2013.  The open house will enable the public to learn more about how and where energy is used in Richmond through interactive displays, and community partners such as the Richmond School District, BC Hydro and Fortis BC will also be in attendance to share information about their programs.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:55 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 18, 2013.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk