May 22, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Absent:

Councillor Chak Au

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, April 24, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, June 18, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) Street Light Standards
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 4223751)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Light Emitting Diode (LED) Street Light Standards dated May 1, 2014, from the Director, Engineering be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Legislative Changes: Update and Review – New Water Sustainability Act, Federal Fisheries Act Update and Ombudsperson Review
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-00) (REDMS No. 4225681)

Discussion ensued regarding the fact that the BC Provincial Government has passed the New Water Sustainability Act, and in doing so, has created more work for local governments across the province.

Peter Russell, Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy, stated that through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), local governments are discussing ways to alleviate some of the work.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Legislative Changes: Update and Review – New Water Sustainability Act, Federal Fisheries Act Update and Ombudsperson Review, dated May 5, 2014 from the Director, Engineering be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Multi-Material BC Program – Post Collection Arrangements
(File Ref. No. 10-6370-03-01) (REDMS No. 4229060)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet and Environmental Programs, commented on how the enhanced recycling program, which began this week, is running well.

Discussion ensued regarding feedback the Committee has received from residents that have requested that no more bins be used for recycling in Richmond. Ms. Bycraft noted that if residents would prefer a smaller or larger blue box, they can be picked up at Richmond’s Recycling Depot.

The Committee requested that Ms. Bycraft report back to the Committee in the Fall regarding the progress of the enhanced recycling program. The Committee noted that they would like to see a cost analysis of this program. Ms. Bycraft stated that she would report back after July, as that is when the City will receive its first payment.

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 Contract T.2988, Residential Solid Waste & Recycling Collection Services with Sierra Waste Services Ltd. (in accordance with the May 9, 2014 staff report titled Multi-Material BC Program – Post Collection Arrangements from the Director, Public Works (the ‘Staff Report’)) to establish a recycling materials consolidation facility under the terms outlined in the Staff Report; and

(2)

That additional funding for the consolidation facility in the amount of $140,000 plus applicable taxes for one-time costs, and related service costs per one of approximately $320,000 annually be approved, with funding from the Sanitation and Recycling provision.

CARRIED

4.

Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) & Carbon Neutral Implementation Strategy Reporting Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 4221410 v. 5)

Mr. Russell updated the Committee on the City’s progress on the Climate Action Charter. He noted that since the City has signed the BC Climate Action Charter, the City is responsible for publicly announcing their carbon emissions use. As an incentive of signing the Climate Action Charter, the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) returns the money that was paid in carbon tax, back to the City.  

Discussion ensued regarding how the carbon credits are quantified by CARIP. Mr. Russell noted that CARIP is still working on how to properly quantify these carbon credits as there have been some issues with the current system, including penalties for early action. Mr. Russell commented on how the City will be contacting the BC Provincial Government to discuss their concerns with the existing program.

In response to queries from the Committee regarding composting, Mr. Russell noted that the City is in talks with the Operators of Harvest Power to see if they would be interested in a business development opportunity to compost on farm lands.

The issue of carbon capture in soil was discussed as the Richmond Carbon Marketplace is working to achieve carbon neutrality for the City. Mr. Russell advised that the issue will be investigated further.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program reports indicating the City’s achievement of carbon neutrality in 2013, included as attachments in the staff report titled Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) & Carbon Neutrality Reporting – Update, dated April 30, 2014, from the Director, Engineering, be posted on the City’s website,

(2)

That staff work with the Climate Action Secretariat, joint Provincial-UBCM Green Communities Committee, and other municipalities to refine carbon accounting methods that are part of the Carbon Neutral Progress Reporting and Climate Action Recognition programs; and

(3)

That copies be sent to the Richmond MLA’s and the Richmond School District.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued regarding the Memorandum, dated May 22, 2014, titled “Alexandra District Energy Utility awarded the 2014 Canadian National ENERGY GLOBE Award” (attached to and forming part of the Minutes as Schedule 1). The Committee congratulated Alen Postolka, District Energy Manager, and his staff for winning the Canadian National ENERGY GLOBE Award.

Discussion ensued regarding the Memorandum, dated May 9, 2014, titled “Flood Protection Program Funding Bath Slough Drainage Pump Station Upgrade” (attached to and forming part of the Minutes as Schedule 2). The Committee congratulated Milton Chan, Manager, Engineering Design and Construction, for receiving 90% of Provincial available funding for the Bath Slough project.

In response to queries from the Committee about the fire at the Richmond Landfill over the weekend, Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, noted that the cause of the fire is still unknown and an investigation is currently underway.

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works, provided an update on Project Wet, the Public Works Open House, and the Sidaway site. Project Wet was very successful as classes from across Richmond showed up to learn about the importance of water. The Committee extended their thanks to the volunteers who made the program happen. Mr. Stewart discussed how the Public Works Open House is this Saturday, May 24^th from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. This is an opportunity to visit the Works Yard, receive a tour of the fire halls, and sample food from different vendors. Mr. Stewart discussed how the results from the Sidaway site had come back with no sign of any spores. 

Lesley Douglas, Manager, Environmental Sustainability, summarized her Memorandum, dated May 20, 2014, titled “Richmond Earth Day Youth Summit 2014” (attached to and forming part of the Minutes as Schedule 3). She noted that the 3^rd Annual Richmond Earth Day Youth Summit was very successful.

Ms. Bycraft noted that she was informed this week that the City won the Bronze Quill award, for the launch of the green cart program in Richmond, through the International Association of Business Communicators.

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, sadly noted that Larry Pamer, who was the Chair of the Richmond Community Cycling Committee, passed away after suffering from a stroke earlier in the year. The Committee passed along their condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Pamer.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:26 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, May 22, 2014.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Amelia White
Acting Assistant Committee Clerk