April 22, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Vice-Chair
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Alexa Loo

Absent:

Councillor Chak Au

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Linda McPhail

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 and Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Thursday, May 21, 2015, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Release of Province of British Columbia 10-Year Transportation Plan: BC on the Move
(File Ref. No. 01-0150-20-THIG1) (REDMS No. 4537163)

In reply to a query Committee, Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, advised that staff continue to liaise with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure with regard to the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project in an effort to ensure it proceeds in line with Council-approved project objectives.

It was moved and seconded

That staff be directed to continue to liaise with the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to:

(1)

identify any provincial highway and cycling improvement projects within Richmond to be funded as part of the 10-Year Transportation Plan;

(2)

seek that the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project proceeds in line with the previously Council-approved project objectives; and

(3)

pursue any cost-share opportunities for new cycling infrastructure projects or other local road improvements in Richmond.

CARRIED

2.

Provincial 2014-2015 BikeBC Program Submission
(File Ref. No. 01-0150-20-THIG1) (REDMS No. 4543539)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission for cost-sharing to the Province’s 2014-2015 BikeBC Program for Phase 1 of the Crosstown Neighbourhood Bike Route, as described in the staff report titled Provincial 2014-2015 BikeBC Program Submission, dated March 27, 2015, from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed; and

(2)

That should the above applications be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Planning and Development, be authorized to execute the funding agreement.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

Report 2014: Recycling and Solid Waste Management - Leadership and Excellence to Achieve Goals
(File Ref. No. 10-6375-05) (REDMS No. 4544434)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet and Environmental Programs, highlighted that the City was awarded the Gold Quill Award by the International Association of Business Communicators for its Green Cart Program.  Also, she noted that a press release could be issued, in addition to providing information on the award on the City’s website.

It was moved and seconded

That the annual staff report titled Report 2014: Recycling and Solid Waste Management - Leadership and Excellence to Achieve Goals, dated March 30, 2015, from the Director, Public Works Operations, be endorsed and made available to the community through the City’s website and through various communication tools including social media channels and as part of community outreach initiatives.

CARRIED

4.

2015 Liquid Waste Management Plan Biennial Report
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-03-01) (REDMS No. 4539736)

It was moved and seconded

That the “2015 Liquid Waste Management Plan Biennial Report,” presented as Attachment 1 to the staff report titled 2015 Liquid Waste Management Plan Biennial Report, dated March 23, 2015, from the Director, Engineering, be submitted to Metro Vancouver.

CARRIED

5.

River Green District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9134, Amendment Bylaw No. 9239
(File Ref. No. 10-6600-10-01; 12-8060-20-009239) (REDMS No. 4540591 v. 8)

In reply to queries from Committee, Alen Postolka, Manager, District Energy, advised that the River Green District Energy Utility (RGDEU) rate is structured to provide end users with annual energy costs that are less than or equal to conventional system energy costs, based on the same level of service.  He advised that the Alexandra District Energy Utility differs from the RGDEU in that it provides space heating, cooling and domestic hot water heating through an ambient temperature system, while the RGDEU provides space heating and domestic hot water heating through a high temperature system.  Also, Mr. Postolka noted that a graph demonstrating greenhouse gas emissions savings as a result of district energy utilities would be provided to Council.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the name for the River Green District Energy Utility be re-named to the Oval Village District Energy Utility; and

(2)

That the River Green District Energy Utility Bylaw No. 9134, Amendment Bylaw No. 9239 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

LULU ISLAND ENERGY CORPORATION

6.

Oval Village District Energy Utility Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6600-10-03) (REDMS No. 4546385 v. 3)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Postolka commented on the Oval Village District Energy Utility’s rate structure, noting that, in the unlikely event a customer does not use their system, only a Capacity Charge, which is the fixed portion, would be incurred.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled Oval Village District Energy Utility Update, dated April 1, 2015, from the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Lulu Island Energy Company, be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Port Metro Vancouver Advocacy for the Replacement of the George Massey Tunnel

The Vice-Chair circulated materials related to Port Metro Vancouver’s advocacy for the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), noting that it would be valuable for staff to examine the materials and report back.  Also, the Vice-Chair requested that all members of Council receive a copy of said materials.

As a result, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the materials related to Port Metro Vancouver’s advocacy for the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel be referred to staff for analysis and report back.

CARRIED

(ii)

Engineering and Public Works Division Updates

Lloyd Bie, Manager, Engineering Planning, highlighted that the Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels project is complete and operational.

Romeo Bicego, Manager, Sewerage and Drainage, noted that staff commenced a pilot program in partnership with a local farming family and Harvest Power on the use of compost material.

Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, highlighted that the Capital Works Open House was well received with over 300 attendees.

Lesley Douglas, Manager, Environmental Sustainability, noted that Canadian National Railway has advised that they are ceasing the recycling of railroad ties in Richmond.

Also, she commented on the Earth Day Youth Summit, noting that 180 students, 90 of which were from Richmond, attended and participated in various workshops.

Ms. Douglas provided background information regarding the Bath Slough Revitalization Initiative, highlighting that, in partnership with a public artist from Emily Carr University of Art and Design, work will be completed to transition much of the park into a pollinator pasture (wild flower meadow) that will be highly beneficial to the Richmond’s ecological network. 

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:22 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, April 22, 2015.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Harold Steves
Vice-Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk