June 3, 2024 - Minutes

Date:

Monday, June 3, 2024

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:25 p.m.

MINUTES

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on May 21, 2024, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

FCM FEASIBILITY STUDY ON FINANCING OPTIONS FOR ENERGY RETROFITS TO EXISTING GROUND-ORIENTED HOUSING

(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 7562606)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Council endorse a funding application in the amount of $175,000, to be submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), to conduct a feasibility study on a low-interest energy retrofit financing program for existing ground-oriented residential buildings;

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be authorized to enter into a funding agreement with FCM, should the application be successful; and

(3)

That the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2024-2028) be amended accordingly.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding
(i) feasibility and costs associated with energy-related improvements for homeowners, (ii) the Local Government Climate Action Program that provides initiatives in reducing community wide green house gas emissions while addressing equity issues; and (iii) reviewing various studies to determine the range of energy efficient measures.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

RICHMOND RESPONSE: YVR AIRPORT ZONING REGULATIONS

(File Ref. No. 01-0153-01 ) (REDMS No. 7686776)

In reply to queries to Committee, staff noted that (i) staff will follow up with Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA) on the flight path changes impacting building heights, (ii) staff will explore public awareness opportunities to advise residents and stakeholders of changes in zoning regulations, (iii) Transport Canada’s wildlife hazard provisions do not take into account our local habitat, adding the guidelines are vague and updates are needed, and (iv) a memo is forthcoming that will outline in detail the airport zoning regulations.

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) VAA operations, including flight paths, (ii) aircraft bird-strike numbers, (iii) re-routing flights to other airports in the region, and (iv) future runway options.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That as described in the staff report titled “Richmond Response: Proposed Airport Zoning Regulations for YVR”, dated May 23, 2024, from the Director, Policy Planning, staff comments be endorsed and submitted to Transport Canada as part of their Canada Gazette public consultation process on the proposed Vancouver International Airport Zoning Regulations;

(2)

That a letter be prepared outlining the City of Richmond’s concerns on Transport Canada’s proposed Vancouver International Airport Zoning Regulations and request a review of the proposed Airport Zoning Regulations for the Vancouver International Airport to the following:

(a)

Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant;

(b)

Minister of Environment and Climate Change;

(c)

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard;

(d)

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy;

(e)

Minister of Agriculture and Food;

(f)

Members of Parliament for Richmond;

(g)

Members of the Legislative Assembly for Richmond;

(h)

Provincial Agricultural Land Commission Chair; and

(i)

YVR Board Chair; and

(3)

That staff be directed to initiate dialogue with the Vancouver Airport Authority to re-affirm their commitment to applying to Transport Canada to increase building heights in select portions of the City, in particular the south end of the City Centre Area Plan.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR LAURA GILLANDERS

A brief discussion ensued with respect to (i) funding qualifications,
(ii) operations and best practices of the Salvation Army House, (iii) duration of stay, and (iv) the continuum of care and the transition to other services.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

Staff research and advise options for obtaining the federal grant money available for costs associated with housing refugees and asylum seekers; and

(2)

Staff review the policies of Salvation Army House to analyze how we can make the shelter more available to Richmond residents such as by looking at access to emergency rooms, lengths of stay, and wait times.

CARRIED

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 General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, June 3, 2024.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Andrea Mizuguchi
Legislative Services Associate