September 13, 2023 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Carol Day, Chair
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Alexa Loo (by teleconference)

Also Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Andy Hobbs (by teleconference)

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee held on July 19, 2023, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE ACTION PROGRAM (LGCAP) YEAR 2 SURVEY REPORT AND 2021 / 2022 CORPORATE EMISSION INVENTORIES

(File Ref. No. 10-6125-05-01) (REDMS No. 7247859)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) staff will provide Committee with a memorandum with information regarding the job titles of the staff dedicated to working on climate action, (ii) lack of jurisdiction is highlighted as one of the top challenges to impeding the advancement of climate action, (iii) addition of the retrofit code into the building code will increase local government jurisdiction, (iv) staff are working with the Building Safety Standards Branch to have a retrofit plan ready by the end of 2024,  (vi) the City of Richmond relies on the Province’s Community and Energy Emission Inventory to measure the community wide GHG emissions,  (vii) the City plans to create their own inventory using CEEI protocols to report on 2022 emissions, and (viii) approximately $566,000 received by the City in 2022 was put into a reserve fund, through Council direction that money was allocated to create two new positions to focus on climate action with the Community Energy Emissions Plan.

It was moved and seconded

That as described in the report titled “Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) Year 2 Survey Report and 2021 / 2022 Corporate Emission Inventories” from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, dated August 28, 2023:

(1)

The LGCAP Year 2 Survey Report and Attestation Form be endorsed and posted on the City’s website for public information, in accordance with Provincial requirements;

(2)

A funding application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities be submitted in the amount of $200,000 for undertaking a GHG Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study for civic facilities;

(3)

The Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be authorized to enter into a funding agreement with Federation of Canadian Municipalities, should the funding agreement be successful; and

(4)

The Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2023-2027) be amended to include the GHG Emission Pathway Feasibility Study in the amount of $525,000, which will be funded from the Energy Operating Provision Account for $325,000 and an additional $200,000 contingent upon confirmation from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

CARRIED

2.

CAMBIE ROAD OVERPASS REPAIR

(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 7328755)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the repairs will involve keeping the existing alignment and structure and only replacing what was damaged, and (ii) the damage caused by the commercial dump truck was mostly to the sidewalk and signage hanging over the bridge.

It was moved and seconded

That funding of $1,400,000 from the MRN Rehabilitation Provision for the Cambie Road Overpass repair be approved and that the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2023-2027) be amended accordingly, as detailed in the report titled “Cambie Road Overpass Repair” dated August 4, 2023, from the Director, Engineering.

CARRIED

3.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Steveston Highway Multi-Use Pathway

Construction of the multi-use pathway began in late August with work starting at Shell Road and working west towards No 2 Road.  The anticipated completion of the project is late summer 2024 with construction being sequenced in five stages.  Current works include replacing the eastside bound lane on Steveston Highway between Shell Road and No. 4 Road. 

(ii)

Solar Powered Driver Feedback Signage

Signage has been installed on Odlin Road near the Alexandra neighborhood park and Thompson Elementary School. A solar powered new pedestrian activated overhead special crosswalk has been installed on Williams Road and Leonard Road

(iii)

Update on the New Steveston Interchange Project-

Construction is on-going on the Steveston Interchange project. Current activities in the area include: preload work, earth work and utility relocation. The project is on track for completion for 2025.

(iv)

Massey Tunnel Project Update

The project is in the procurement phase. The Environmental Assessment Officer’s readiness decision is forthcoming, after which the formal environmental assessment process for this project will commence. The project is on track for completion in 2030.

(vi)

YVR follow up regarding bike lane

Staff will follow up with YVR to get a status update on the projects YVR has indicated they will be initiating to increase bicycle safety in the bike lane leading up to No. 2 Rd Bridge.

(vii)

Cambie Road and No. 5 Road Project

Staff are working with the school district to get a temporary access agreement in place while they prepare to propose a permanent agreement.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:54 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, September 13, 2023.

_________________________________

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Councillor Carol Day
Chair

Raman Grewal
Legislative Services Associate