October 23, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

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, September 18, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, November 20, 2013, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

TransLink 2014 Capital Program Cost-Sharing Submissions
(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 4001650)

In reply to a query, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that the City of Richmond’s costs are typically at 50% of the total project costs but for this year it is slightly higher than 50% as some components of the submissions are not eligible for cost-sharing under the program.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission of:

(a)

road improvement project for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2014 Major Road Network & Bike (MRNB) Upgrade Program,

(b)

bicycle facility improvement project for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2014 Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost-Sharing (BICCS) Regional Needs Program, and

(c)

transit facility improvements for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2014 Transit-Related Road Infrastructure Program,

as described in the staff report, 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 2014 Capital Plan and the 5-Year Financial Plan (2014-2018) be updated accordingly dependant on the timing of the budget process.

CARRIED

Mayor Brodie left the meeting at 4:01 p.m. and returned at 4:02 p.m.

2.

Universal Single-Family Water Meter Program – 4966P
(File Ref. No. 10-6650-02) (REDMS No. 3989995 v.2)

In response to a query, Lloyd Bie, Manager, Engineering Planning, stated as the project moves forward, staff will now prepare several tiers of notification informing residents throughout the implementation period.

It was moved and seconded

That the Universal Single-Family Water Meter Program be contracted to Neptune Technology Group (Canada) Ltd. for a six-month term with a City option to extend to a three-year term.

CARRIED

3.

Water Loss Management Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6650-02) (REDMS No. 3979772 v.3)

Mr. Bie advised that reducing the water pressure has a two-fold benefit to the City; (i) it would reduce system leakage, and (ii) it would potentially extend the replacement curve of the ageing infrastructure for the water meter system reducing monies required for capital replacements each year.

It was moved and seconded

That the Water Loss Management Update report (dated September 26, 2013 from the Director, Engineering) be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Green Fleet Action Plan
(File Ref. No. 02-0780-00) (REDMS No. 3982693 v.2)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet & Environmental Programs, explained that there were a number of factors taken into consideration with vehicle replacement, such as, age, condition, mileage, technology, market availability, and departmental needs and objectives.

It was moved and seconded

That the “Richmond Green Fleet Action Plan” as outlined in the report from the Director, Public Works Operations dated September 24, 2013, be approved as the City of Richmond’s action plan and business strategy for improving fuel efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing overall environmental impact of equipment and vehicle operations.

CARRIED

5.

Garbage Collection - Review of Service Level Options
(File Ref. No. 10-6405-01) (REDMS No. 3997638 v.2)

Ms. Bycraft advised that the report outlines the various levels of garbage collection service available for Committee discussion and direction.

In response to a query on which option would be recommended based on environmental or waste reduction factors, Ms. Bycraft stated that it is estimated that options #4 and #5 would achieve an approximate additional 8% reduction in solid waste. Ms. Bycraft noted that the bi-weekly collection may be a motivating factor for those who have yet to participate in the waste reduction program.

Discussion ensued regarding the various levels of service, particularly options #4 weekly and #5 biweekly collections.  As good statistics are not available Committee discussed staff conducting a pilot program, in combination with a major education program.

Councillor Dang left the meeting at 4:14 p.m.

In response to further queries, Ms. Bycraft commented that green gas emission statistics, from municipalities involved in the cart collection program, are not available and that although bi-weekly collection will reduce emissions those reductions would not be as significant as one might expect.  She further commented that garbage service must be provided whether or not a resident uses the service.  Ms. Bycraft noted that since the implementation of the Green Cart program, staff has received inquiries related to carts for garbage pick-up.

Councillor Dang returned to the meeting (4:16 p.m.).

Discussion continued on the need for more environmental performance statistics and it was suggested that the report be referred back to staff (i) to construct and recommend, including cost implications, a six-month pilot project to start in 2014, (ii) to construct an educational program in general and specific to the pilot areas, and (iii) report on the relative expectations on environmental reductions and costs.

Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering & Public Works, suggested that the pilot project be conducted on both option #4 and #5.  The City provides a high level of service and has seen an 8% reduction in waste through the organics program.  Staff could conduct two small pilot projects to report back in 2014 with the objective to implement a new program in 2015.

Mr. Gonzalez indicated that staff could request Sierra Waste Services to track fuel consumption in order to report any environmental benefits to the program.  Emissions from the garbage trucks are not significant overall.

At the conclusion of the discussion the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That garbage collection service levels report be referred to staff :

(a)

to construct and recommend, including logistics and cost implications, a six-month pilot project to start in 2014 for Options No. 4 and No. 5;

(b)

to develop an educational program for residents in general and specific to the pilot areas; and

(c)

to report on the relative expectations on the environmental reductions and costs.

CARRIED

5A.

Garbage

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

Councillor Steves advised that Neil Grant, Harvest Power, is arranging a meeting with interested parties with regard to implementing a pilot project using the compost material, from the yard and food waste collected in Richmond, as fertilizer.  The project farm land would use regular fertilizer on a portion of land and the compost material on another portion for comparison and study purposes.  The following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the compost project be referred to staff in order for staff to continue to work with Harvest Power and the agricultural community on the compost project.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Public Works Department Update

Ms. Bycraft stated that correspondence had been received from Metro Vancouver advising that they will be starting consultation regarding a proposed organics ban and are seeking input from the public on the types of organics that should be included, what type of enforcement should occur, and the way the ban should be phased in with the intent for implementation of the ban in 2015.  The ban primarily targets the restaurant and commercial industry but would affect individuals as well.

Staff was advised to include the Chamber of Commerce and Richmond Tourism in the consultation process.

(b)

Transportation Department Update

Mr. Wei updated Committee that an oversize truck, heading northbound on Highway 99, struck the Cambie Road overpass.  RCMP had closed Highway 99 for approximately 45 minutes in order to allow the truck to back up and take the off-ramp.  Based on the visible damage observed by RCMP the damage appeared to be minor. Transportation Division staff have now confirmed that the damage was minor in nature.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:32 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, October 23, 2013.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk