April 24, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Thursday, April 24, 2014

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.

The Chair advised that the order of the agenda would be varied to consider Item No. 6 – Richmond's Ecological Network Management Strategy prior to Item No. 2 – Bath Slough Revitalization Initiative.  Also, Committee agreed to consider a matter regarding dredging as Item No. 8A.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Thursday, May 22, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

PROPOSED RAILWAY-ROADWAY GRADE CROSSINGS REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
(File Ref. No. 01-0140-20-TCAN1-01) (REDMS No. 4165866 v.3)

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that staff have recently learned that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in conjunction with TransLink will be sending a letter to the federal Minister of Transport and senior staff at Transport Canada expressing significant concerns with the proposed Railway-Roadway Grade Crossings Regulations and Standards.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a letter be sent to the federal Minister of Transport and to Transport Canada as formal comment in response to the pre-publication of the proposed Grade Crossings Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on February 8, 2014:

(a)

requesting that the specification of a maximum time limit of five minutes that a moving train may block any at-grade roadway crossing be included in the proposed Grade Crossings Regulations;

(b)

reiterating the previous Council resolution of July 23, 2012 that the proposed Grade Crossings Standards be revised to be engineering guidelines to allow for a risk-based approach that provides flexibility to address any identified safety concerns and, if the proposed Standards are implemented, a dedicated program be established by Transport Canada to provide adequate funding support to municipalities for any upgrades required from the new Standards; and

(2)

That a copy of the above letter be sent to all Richmond Members of Parliament, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, TransLink, and Lower Mainland municipalities affected by the proposed Regulations and Standards for support of the above request.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

6.

Richmond's Ecological Network Management Strategy
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01/2014) (REDMS No. 4143643 v.3)

Peter Russell, Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy, provided background information and in reply to queries from Committee advised that (i) the intent of the proposed public consultation is to identify key actions that will facilitate the achievement of goals set out in the Ecological Network Management Strategy, (ii) staff anticipate reporting back with an action plan in fall 2014 or winter 2015, and (iii) as a key stakeholder, the Advisory Committee on the Environment will be engaged as part of the proposed public consultation.

It was moved and seconded

That the Ecological Network Management Strategy, as described in the staff report titled Ecological Network Management Strategy – Phase 1 dated April 3, 2014, from the Director, Engineering, be endorsed for the purposes of public consultation.

CARRIED

2.

Bath Slough Revitalization Initiative
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-25-017) (REDMS No. 4149768 v.9)

Discussion ensued and Committee requested that staff forward the Bath Slough Revitalization Initiative to the Council / School Board Liaison Committee for information.  Also, Committee requested that staff provide a detailed map identifying the Bath Slough catchment area prior to the next Council meeting.

In reply to a query from Committee, staff advised that illegal dumping in the Bath Slough catchment has ebbed.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 1 – Proceed with the Bath Slough Revitalization Initiative on a Pilot Basis, as presented in the staff report titled Bath Slough Revitalization Initiative dated February 6, 2014, from the Director, Engineering, be endorsed; and

(2)

That the staff report titled Bath Slough Revitalization Initiative dated February 6, 2014, from the Director, Engineering be forwarded to the Council / School Board Liaison Committee for information.

CARRIED

3.

Gateway Theatre – Energy Retrofit Project
(File Ref. No. 06-2050-20-GT) (REDMS No. 4169249 v.4)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Russell and Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works provided the following information:

§   

energy accomplishments such as the 30% reduction in natural gas use (when compared to the previous year) are highlighted in the annual Corporate Energy Update report;

§   

staff are continuously seeking additional opportunities to promote energy accomplishments, such as the introduction of a ‘Green Newspaper’ in partnership with the Corporate Communications division;

§   

as a result the pilot retrofit project, staff are examining the feasibility of implementing such a project in other City facilities; also, the Lulu Island Energy Corporation enables the City to examine such a project for private buildings; and

§   

based on the first year cost avoidance savings, including the incentive funding, the project is estimated to have a six year payback period.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Gateway Theatre – Energy Retrofit Project dated March 26, 2014, from the Director, Engineering be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Japanese Fisherman's Benevolent Society Building – Interior Design
(File Ref. No. 06-2050-20-JNB) (REDMS No. 4171969 v.4)

Lorne Slye, 11911 3^rd Avenue, Chair of the Steveston Historical Society, requested that the proposed interior design of the Japanese Fisherman’s Benevolent Society building incorporate donated shoji screens.  Mr. Slye was of the opinion that these shoji screens were valuable artifacts and, therefore they should be displayed.

In reply to a query from the Chair, Connie Baxter, Supervisor, Museum and Heritage Sites, advised that, in speaking with the interior design architect and contractor, the shoji screens can indeed be incorporated as part of the interior design renovations.

The Chair thanked staff and community members for their time and commitment in ensuring this project maintain and promote the building’s historical and cultural significance.

It was moved and seconded

That the status update report for the Japanese Fisherman’s Benevolent Society Building Interior Design be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Richmond Energy Challenge and the Climate Smart Program
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4196803)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Russell and Katie Ferland, Business Development Liaison, provided the following information:

§   

businesses discontinuing using the Climate Smart tool to monitor greenhouse gas emissions indicated that they wish to see whether the Pacific Carbon Trust and Fortis BC will review support for the Climate Smart program;

§   

staff anticipate that the Richmond Energy Challenge be funded in its entirety by external funds; and

§   

staff anticipate recruiting businesses to participate in the Richmond Energy Challenge throughout the summer; the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and other similar groups will be approached as part of the recruitment process.

It was moved and seconded

That, as presented in the staff report titled Richmond Energy Challenge and the Climate Smart Program dated March 28, 2014, from the Director, Engineering:

(1)

staff’s development and implementation of a “Richmond Energy Challenge” for larger private buildings be endorsed; and

(2)

the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to execute a funding agreement with BC Hydro, and other potential funders, to implement this Challenge.

CARRIED

6.

Richmond's Ecological Network Management Strategy
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01/2014) (REDMS No. 4143643 v.3)

Please see Pages 2 and 3 for action on this matter.

7.

Manhole Cover Art Contest and Program
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-100) (REDMS No. 4184720)

It was moved and seconded

That the implementation of the public art contest and program for integrating artwork on sanitary sewer and storm drainage manhole covers, as outlined in the staff report from the Director, Engineering, and Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services dated April 8, 2014, be endorsed.

CARRIED

8.

Multi-Material BC Program Implementation
(File Ref. No. 10-6370-03-01) (REDMS No. 4196769 v.2)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet and Environmental Programs, commented on forthcoming aspects of the Multi-Material BC (MMBC) program implementation, noting that staff are exploring partnership opportunities with other local governments for a consolidated processing plant.

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

§   

there have been a number of concerned expressed by businesses in regards to the costs associated with the implementation of the MMBC program;

§   

businesses have the opportunity to submit their own stewardship plan or work directly with MMBC;

§   

MMBC sets recycling rates and as such, this is beyond the City’s purview;

§   

public outreach initiatives include (i) awareness advertising in local newspapers, (ii) an informational insert in the metered utility bills, (iii) additional information will be distributed to single-family homes in conjunction with the delivery of new recycling receptacles, and (iv) information on the City’s website and social media accounts;

§   

public outreach initiatives are geared towards residents;

§   

the recycling receptacle for glass materials was intentionally designed to be small so that it would not be cumbersome;

§   

residents may continue to use existing blue boxes; also, there will be a taller blue box; and

§   

a subsequent staff report will be brought forward for Council consideration regarding costs related to the processing plant.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented that the MMBC program is mandated by the provincial government and follows a ‘polluter-pay’ model.

The Chair requested that forthcoming public communication materials include information regarding the City’s rationale to partner with MMBC.  Also, Committee requested that Tamara Burns, Vice-President Supply, Canadian Stewardship Services Alliances receive a copy of the letter addressed to Allan Langdon, Managing Director of MMBC.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering & Public Works be authorized to negotiate and execute an amendment to or replacement of Contract T.2988, Residential Solid Waste & Recycling Collection Services with Sierra Waste Services Ltd. (in accordance with the April 7, 2014 staff report titled “Multi-Material BC Program Implementation” from the Director, Public Works (the “Staff Report”)), to:

(a)

include acquisition, storage, assembly, labelling, delivery, and related tasks for the bags, containers and carts associated with implementation of the program changes and added recycling materials to be collected under the terms of the City’s agreement with Multi-Material BC per Section1, Item a) of the Staff Report;

(b)

remove the processing and marketing components from the scope of work and incorporate other changes described in Section 1, Item b) of the Staff Report, effective May 19, 2014;

(c)

modify the scope of work as described in Section 1, Item c) of the Staff Report to collect glass as a separate recycling stream, newsprint and mixed paper products as one combined stream, and collect an expanded scope of recycling materials as defined by Multi-Material BC as Packaging and Printed Paper for all residents serviced by the City for recycling services under Contract T.2988, effective May 19, 2014;

(d)

add administrative provisions to address the requirements of the contract with MMBC, as described in Section 1, Item d) of the Staff Report;

(e)

revise the annual contract amount to approximately $6,391,841.26 (depending on contract variables such as required added equipment, inflationary and unit count increases), effective May 19, 2014;

(2)

That additional funding for the remaining portion o f the 2014 Sanitation and Recycling budget be approved at the estimated amount of $650,000 and that full program funding in the estimated amount of $1,040,000 be included in the 2015 utility budget process for Council’s consideration;

(3)

That a letter be sent to Allan Langdon, Managing Director of Multi-Material BC (MMBC), copied to Tamara Burns, Vice-President Supply, Canadian Stewardship Services Alliances, expressing concern regarding the negative operational and financial impacts associated with the current designated post-collection site (located in Surrey) for Richmond’s recycling materials, and that MMBC be urged to establish a site within closer proximity to Richmond; and

(4)

That staff evaluate options, alternatives and costs associated with addressing the operational and logistical challenges associated with the current designated post-collection site for Richmond, and report back to Council.

CARRIED

8A.

dredging in the fraser river
(File Ref. No.)

Councillor Steves distributed copies of an article titled ‘Plan for deeper dredging in Fraser River could have high environmental price’ published April 22, 2014 in Business In Vancouver (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and spoke of adverse affects of dredging in the Fraser River. 

Discussion ensued regarding the article and staff was requested to contact University of British Columbia Professor Michael Church.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the article titled ‘Plan for deeper dredging in Fraser River could have high environmental price’ published April 22, 2014 in Business In Vancouver be referred to staff for analysis and report back.

CARRIED

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

2014 Capital Projects Open House

John Irving, Director, Engineering, highlighted that the 2014 Capital Projects Open House was well attended and advised that staff are currently planning public tours of City infrastructure, such as pump stations.

(ii)

2014 REaDY Youth Summit

Mr. Russell advised that the 2014 REaDY Youth Summit will be held at R.A. McMath Secondary School on Saturday, April 26, 2014.  He highlighted that 500 people have registered to attend the event and staff anticipate approximately 200 additional walk-in attendees.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:46 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 Thursday, April 24, 2014.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk