February 19, 2020 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Kelly Greene, Vice-Chair
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Michael Wolfe

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 January 21, 2020, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Regional Harmonization of Vehicle Weight and Dimension Limits
(File Ref. No. 10-6360-00) (REDMS No. 6361233)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that the Provincial B.C. Regulation 26/58 Division 35 is the existing regulation in place and is currently being updated and the City’s Community Bylaw staff can carry out joint enforcement with the Province on City roads and perform spot checks on all vehicles.

Discussion took place on vehicle cargo securement with regards to infractions and staff noted that a memo can be provided to Committee outlining the level and types of enforcement.

In response to further queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the focus of the report is to update the regional definition of a standard vehicle in coordination with TransLink’s initiative to enable a regional permit system, (ii) all roads are designed based on national standards, and (iii) all trucks go through permit systems regarding the loads they are able to carry.

In reply to further queries from Committee, staff advised that information regarding damage to Richmond’s infrastructure due to oversized vehicles can be provided in a staff memorandum.

It was moved and seconded

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10123, to harmonize municipal vehicle weight and dimension limits and cargo securement requirements with the British Columbia Commercial Transport Regulations and Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, be introduced and given first, second and third reading.

CARRIED

2.

Application to 2020/2021 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program
(File Ref. No. 01-0150-20-THIG1) (REDMS No. 6379120 v. 4)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the space required for a barrier in the lane depends on the size of the concrete barrier, (ii) as part of the project, multiple options of various barriers were considered, (iii) staff have worked closely with the Richmond Active Transportation Committee, (iv) there is limited road right of way at the location and the raised curb is the most feasible option, (v) this is a 2019 project slated to be built summer 2020, (vi) the design option being pursued is to have cyclists go off road at Lansdowne and the bike path will be behind the bus stop, (vii) the hydro poles will be situated between the proposed bike path and sidewalk, (viii) the removal of invasive plants is part of the project.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission for cost-sharing to the 2020/2021 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program for the Garden City Road Pedestrian and Cyclist Enhancements (Lansdowne Road-Westminster Highway) as described in the staff report titled “Application to 2020/2021 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program” dated January 13, 2020, from the Director, Transportation be endorsed;

(2)

That, should the above application be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Planning and Development, be authorized on behalf of the City to execute the funding agreement; and

(3)

That the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2020-2024) be amended accordingly.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

2020 Clothes washer rebate program
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 6386389 v. 2)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that the roles and responsibilities of the City and BC Hydro have not changed for the rebate program and this rebate is for water and energy savings.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City of Richmond partner with BC Hydro to the end of 2020 to offer a combined rebate of $100 for both spring and fall campaigns, equally cost shared between BC Hydro and the City, for the replacement of inefficient clothes washers with new high efficiency clothes washers; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to execute an agreement, on behalf of the City, with BC Hydro to implement the Clothes Washer Rebate Program.

CARRIED

4.

City of Richmond Participation in the BC Building Energy Benchmarking Pilot Program
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-02) (REDMS No. 6391961 v. 10)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) buildings over 50,000 sq. ft. are welcome to participate in the program, (ii) the City currently measures and assesses energy performance of 45 buildings, (iii) the BC Building Energy Benchmarking Pilot Program is primarily funded through a grant from Natural Resources Canada and BC Hydro, (iv) the long term goal for benchmarking to be a mandatory provincial requirement, (v) the potential for the City of Richmond’s participation is 700 buildings, (vi) City staff will be sending letters to building owners and managers about the program, (vii) Open Green Building Society is a BC based, non-profit environmental, non‑government organization, (viii) the regional pilot will further advance the progress of benchmarking buildings in the City of Richmond, which it began two years ago.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Council endorse the City’s participation in a voluntary regional building energy benchmarking program, as outlined in the report titled “City of Richmond Participation in the BC Building Energy Benchmarking Pilot Program” from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, dated January 16, 2020; and

(2)

That staff be directed to report back to Council at the conclusion of the pilot program in 2021, on options to establish an energy benchmarking initiative and supportive policies in Richmond, as outlined in the report titled “City of Richmond Participation in the BC Building Energy Benchmarking Pilot Program” from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, dated January 16, 2020.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Potholes

Larry Ford, Manager, Roads & Construction Services, Engineering & Public Works, updated Committee on the status of the service and noted that (i) the City has completed 155 work orders, 490 potholes have been fixed, (ii) 33 locations remain on the list, (iii) YVR has fixed the hot spots on the way to the airport, and (iv) Public Works is prioritizing work on major roads.

Discussion ensued regarding a press release to inform the public on the projected timeline of repairing the potholes.

In reply to further queries from Committee, John Irving, General Manager, Engineering & Public Works, noted that a future report to Council will provide data with regards to the effects of large rainfall on the City’s systems.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4.33 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, February 19, 2020.

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Stephanie Walrond
Legislative Services Coordinator