June 17, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Harold Steves
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Alexa Loo
Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Absent:

Councillor Ken Johnston

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

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 Thursday, May 21, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, July 22, 2015, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATIONS

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, James Repenning, Senior Vice President, Harvest Power, accompanied by Wayne Davis, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Harvest Power, provided background information regarding Harvest Power’s operations in Richmond. 

Mr. Repenning then spoke of Harvest Power’s odour control efforts, noting that operations can be tailored based on daily emailed forecast on the risk of odour and a portable dynamic olfactometer aids in quantitatively assessing odour levels.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Repenning advised that the anaerobic digestor was not fully operational when organics collections began, which resulted in odour complaints.  Also, he commented on mixed waste, stating that Harvest Power would not accept such waste as contamination levels are too high.  Mr. Repenning then expressed interest in collaborating with the City on further recycling initiatives.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Jim Nelson, Senior Manager of Marketing, Power Smart, BC Hydro, highlighted the following information:

§   

the City saves approximately $800,000 a year and 8.65 gigawatt hours as a result of its energy conservation efforts, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of approximately 780 homes;

§   

upgrades at existing facilities such as the Richmond Ice Centre and the installation of energy efficient equipment at new facilities such as the Richmond Olympic Oval have contributed significantly to energy savings;

§   

the City has received BC Hydro’s Power Smart Excellence award since 2003; and

§   

BC Hydro is pleased to partner with the City on energy conservation programs such as the Clothes Washer Rebate program.

In reply to queries from Committee, Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, advised that payback on energy conservation equipment is typically five years; also, he noted that staff would provide Council with a memorandum in relation to costs saved as a result of energy conservation equipment at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

Mr. Gonzalez then commented on the City’s partnership with BC Hydro on the Clothes Washer Rebate program, noting that should interest in the program exceed that of the program’s budget, additional funding would be required to expand the program and as such, a staff report would be brought forward for Council’s consideration.

Discussion took place on the City’s commitment to reducing energy consumption by 10% by 2020, and it was noted that information regarding lower mainland municipalities’ efforts would be interesting.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

Gilbert Road Widening (Dinsmore Bridge-Elmbridge Way) – Implementation Strategy
(File Ref. No. 10-6360-01) (REDMS No. 4543746 V. 2)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Gilbert Road Widening (Dinsmore Bridge-Elmbridge Way) – Implementation Strategy,” dated April 24, 2015 from the Director, Transportation be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Proposed Implementation Strategy for River Parkway: Gilbert Road to Cambie Road
(File Ref. No. 10-6360-01) (REDMS No. 4541620 v. 7)

In reply to queries from Committee, Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, spoke of the interim standard for River Parkway, noting that as the area develops, staff will leverage development cost charges in order to complete the final configuration, which will be a four-lane major arterial road.

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that the project’s cost is anticipated to be $11.3 million by 2019 and therefore, staff are proposing to include it as part of future 5-Year Capital programs.  Also, Mr. Wei commented on several road improvements implemented along River Road in an effort to address motorists’ complaints.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed implementation strategy for River Parkway (Gilbert Road-Cambie Road), as described in the staff report dated April 24, 2015 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed; and

(2)

That the project to extend River Parkway from 200 m northeast of Gilbert Road to Cambie Road be submitted for Council’s consideration as part of the City’s budget process.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

4.

Annual Flood Protection Report 2015
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-04-01) (REDMS No. 4591508)

In reply to a query from Committee, Lloyd Bie, Manager, Engineering Planning, advised that the City’s dike elevations are between 4.0 and 4.7 metres geodetic, and the Provincial flood protection standard is 3.5 metres geodetic.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Annual Flood Protection Report 2015” (dated May 29, 2015, from the Director, Engineering) be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

2015 CORPORATE ENERGY MANAGEMENT UPDATE
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-05-01) (REDMS No. 4580306 v. 9)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “2015 Corporate Energy Management Program Update” from the Director, Engineering, dated May 25, 2015, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

BC CLIMATE LEADERSHIP PLAN
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-02) (REDMS No. 4581892)

It was moved and seconded

That a letter under the Mayor’s signature be sent to the Premier’s office, with copies to the Minister of Environment, the Chair of the BC Climate Leadership Team, the provincial Climate Action Secretariat, and Richmond MLAs, requesting that the comment period for the draft “Framework for the Climate Leadership Plan” be extended to September 30, 2015, to provide sufficient time for local government review.

CARRIED

7.

WATER AND ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-02) (REDMS No. 4588225

It was moved and seconded

That, as presented in the staff report titled “Water and Energy Conservation Programs for Businesses and Residential Properties” dated May 27, 2015, from the Director, Engineering:

(1)

the implementation of a program to install efficient, low-flow water fixtures in businesses and institutions be endorsed;

(2)

the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to execute a funding agreement with FortisBC and other potential partners to implement the program; and

(3)

the City’s existing water conservation kit offered to properties with a water meter be expanded to include all residential customers.

CARRIED

8.

National Public Works Week - Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 4585216 v. 2)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “National Public Works Week – Update” from the Director, Public Works, be received for information.

CARRIED

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Mr. Gonzalez referenced a memorandum dated June 4, 2015 regarding the WesPac Tilbury Marine Jetty Project, noting that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has extended the project’s public comment period to June 24, 2015.  Also, Mr. Gonzalez advised that an update on the matter was forthcoming.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:59 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, June 17, 2015.

_________________________________

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk