January 19, 2021 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Alexa Loo (by teleconference)
Councillor Linda McPhail (by teleconference)
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)

Also Present:

Councillor Day (entered at 4:10 p.m. by teleconference)

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 March 17, 2020, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

February 17, 2021, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

TransLink 2021 Cost-Share Funding Applications 
(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 6559547 v. 4)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission of road, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facility improvement projects as part of the TransLink 2021 cost-share programs as described in the staff report titled “TransLink 2021 Cost-Share Funding Applications” dated December 2, 2020 from the Director, Transportation be endorsed and that the information be considered in the 2021 Capital Budget process; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to execute the successful funding agreements.

The question on the motion was not called, as in reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the programs addressed in the report have the objective to maximize funding, (ii) a wide array of programs will be brought forward for Council consideration, such as walkway programs, (iii) TransLink will be providing the 2020 funding grants as promised, (iv) the requested 2021 funding is also in line to be awarded, and (v) this report addresses new projects for funding contributions.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

2.

Amendment to Traffic Bylaw No. 5870 to Revise Speed Limit on Ferguson Road 
(File Ref. No. 10-6450-15-01) (REDMS No. 6546592 v. 3)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that they will liaise with the other agencies regarding maintenance of Ferguson Road and the majority of the road work is complete and only minor works remain.

Councillor Day entered the meeting by teleconference (4:10 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10216, to revise the posted speed limit on Ferguson Road between McDonald Road and Shannon Road to 30 km/h, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

Municipal Access Agreement with Rogers Communications Canada Inc. 
(File Ref. No. 03-1000-21-023) (REDMS No. 6557459 v. 4)

It was moved and seconded

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Engineering & Public Works be authorized to negotiate and execute, on behalf of the City, a Municipal Access Agreement between the City and Rogers Communications Canada Inc. containing the material terms and conditions set out in the staff report titled, “Municipal Access Agreement with Rogers Communications Canada Inc.”, dated December 10, 2020 from the Director, Engineering.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place on not including 5G in the agreement, and in response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) this agreement only covers underground installations as additional information is required for the 5G network, (ii) similar agreements are in place with other carriers with some terms that differ based on negotiations, (iii)  the agreements encompass all City right-of-ways, (iv) although no complaints have been received recently, any issues or complaints that arise with regard to installation of telecommunication equipment will be addressed immediately.  

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

4.

Flood Protection Grant Funding Applications 
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 6584389 v. 5)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Steveston Island Preliminary Dike Design submission to the National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) for Mitigation Planning as outlined in the staff report titled “Flood Protection Grant Funding Applications” dated January 5, 2021 from the Director, Engineering be endorsed;

(2)

That the Drainage Pump Station Backup Power Upgrade submission to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for Adaptation, Resilience & Disaster Mitigation as outlined in the staff report titled “Flood Protection Grant Funding Applications” dated January 5, 2021 from the Director, Engineering be endorsed, and that any associated project costs beyond the eligible grant funding be funded from the City’s Drainage Reserve;

(3)

That the Dike Operation & Maintenance Manual Update submission to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for Flood Planning as outlined in the staff report titled “Flood Protection Grant Funding Applications” dated January 5, 2021 from the Director, Engineering be endorsed; and

(4)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to negotiate and execute the funding agreements with the Government of Canada, the Province of BC, or UBCM for the above mentioned projects should they be approved for funding and that the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) be amended accordingly.

CARRIED

5.

Award of Contract 6577P – On Call Collection of Hazardous Materials 
(File Ref. No. 10-6405-12-01) (REDMS No. 6520351 v. 5)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Contract 6577P – On Call Collection of Hazardous Materials be awarded at the unit rates quoted for a three-year term, commencing February 1, 2021 as follows:

(a)

GFL Environmental Inc. at an estimated total contract value of $450,000; and

(b)

Tervita Corporation at an estimated total contract value of $200,000; and

(2)

That staff report to Council for extensions beyond the initial three-year term, up to the maximum identified eight-year term under the provisions of Contract 6577P – On Call Collection of Hazardous Materials.

CARRIED

6.

Global Container Terminals Deltaport Expansion – Berth Four Project 
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-30-011) (REDMS No. 6548529 v. 4)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the map outlines major infrastructure projects in the lower mainland that would have environmental impacts in Richmond and Environmental Assessments should be coordinated by the Province to minimize confusion for stakeholders.

It was requested that copies of the staff report be provided to local MLAs and local MPs.

It was moved and seconded

That the comments outlined in the staff report titled "Global Container Terminals Deltaport Expansion – Berth Four Project ", dated December 10, 2020, from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, be endorsed and submitted to the BC Environmental Assessment Office, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, local MLA’s and local MPs in response to the provincial and federal environmental assessments.

CARRIED

7.

Banning Rodenticides on City-owned Property in Richmond 
(File Ref. No. 10-6160-06; 10-6125-01) (REDMS No. 6544080 v. 8; 6545190)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City discontinue the use of rodenticides on city-owned property for one year, as described in the staff report titled “Banning Rodenticides on City-owned property in Richmond,” dated December 10, 2020 from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy;

(2)

That staff assess the outcomes of the one-year ban on city-owned property and report the findings to Council;

(3)

That staff be directed to develop an integrated rodent management program, as described in the staff report titled “Banning Rodenticides on City-owned property in Richmond,” dated December 10, 2020 from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy;

(4)

That staff be directed to write a letter to the provincial Ministry of Environment, requesting that a review of the province’s existing policies that allow for the retail sale of rodenticides be conducted; and

(5)

That the 2021 rodent management transition program be endorsed with funding in the amount of $67,000, from the Sanitation and Recycling Provision, and be included in the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025).

The question on the motion was not called as staff responded to queries regarding rodenticides, noting that (i) there is limited research on snap traps posing a significant risk to other animals, (ii) preferred best practice for snap traps would be containing rodents, (iii)  this report addresses the banning or use of rodenticide on City-owned property, (iv) a pest management process that is consistent with the City’s current practices is being examined, (v) the delay in reporting back is due to the limited information that was available regarding rodents in Richmond, the extensive examination process to understand the problem, and reviewing potential solutions, (vi) discussions with other municipalities and subject matter experts have taken place,  (vii) rodenticides do have a place for management of large infestations in specific targeted areas, and (viii) more details on non city-owned land processes will be provided in an upcoming report.

Deanna Pfeifer, referenced a PowerPoint presentation (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1) and provided information on:

§   

rat poisons and the effects on the entire ecosystem;

§   

better alternatives that exist;

§   

negative effects of rat poison on other animals;

§   

incorrect disposal of rat poison and dead animals; and

§   

lack of education and communication.

Adrian Nelson, Humane Solutions, spoke in favour of the staff report and noted that (i) there is no follow-up once the boxes have been installed, (ii) no accountability or statistics for what happens to the animals with poison, (iii) specific sites need to be examined and addressed based on situation, and (iv) ineffective rodent management plans can be costly.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

 Water Level Rise

Staff advised that there were higher than normal river levels on January 13, 2021 as a result of King Tides, storm surges and heavy winds. It was noted that the City’s flood management protection system performed well as result of ongoing maintenance and work to the dike system.  Staff then noted that water levels have decreased and expect it to continue over the next few days and a staff report will be provided to summarize the storm season.

(ii)

Recycling Depot

Staff highlighted that (i) the Recycling Depot is now open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., (ii) additional materials such as lead acid batteries and fire extinguishers are now accepted at the Depot, (iii) feedback regarding the new arrangements and structure of the Depot from the public has been positive, and (iv) a virtual tour of the Recycling Depot will be provided on the City’s Recycling App.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:05 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 Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Associate