May 20, 2026 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

Councillor Laura Gillanders (by teleconference)

Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Bill McNulty (entered the meeting 5:23 p.m.)

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee held on April 22, 2026, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

Mitchell Island Environmental Stewardship Initiative Update

(File Ref. No. 10-6125-01) (REDMS No. 8311168)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) a spill incident is being investigated by the Province and the City will receive an update after the investigation is complete, and (ii) staff will follow up with respect to the fire on Mitchell Island and will provide Committee with a brief at a later date.

Councillor McNulty entered the meeting (5:23 p.m.)

Discussion ensued with respect to the option of expanding and enhancing the initiative to other industrial areas in the City.

Staff noted that one of the primary objectives of the Mitchell Island Environmental Stewardship initiative is to maximize impact within existing budget resources.  Staff have considered potential expansions into other industrial areas and capital infrastructure updates currently under development.  Any direction to further expand these initiatives or activities would require additional resources.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Mitchell Island Environmental Stewardship Initiative Update”, dated April 21, 2026, from the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be received for information.

CARRIED

As a result of the discussion the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff consider enhancing the Mitchell Island Environmental Stewardship Initiative and expanding it to other areas in the City, and that staff consider the budgetary impact of that and present it during the next budget cycle.

Councillor McNulty left the meeting (5:27 p.m.).

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to staff presenting options for expansion and costs, and what the next steps are for the initiative.

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

2.

Proposed Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Reporting Requirement for Buildings - Engagement Results and Next Steps
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-01) (REDMS No. 8355413)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) to date, staff have completed partial engagement. Phase 1 focused primarily on retail buildings, offices and warehouses. The proposed Phase 2 would expand to include include hospitals, hotels, schools, and assembly buildings.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed work plan, as described in the report titled “Proposed Energy and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reporting Requirement for Buildings – Engagement Results and Next Steps”, dated April 17, 2026, from the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be approved.

CARRIED

3.

Proposed Amendments to Traffic Bylaw 5870 and Traffic Calming Policy 7018

(File Ref. No. 10-6500-01) (REDMS No. 8365992)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10750 be given first, second and third readings; and

(2)

That the amendment to the Traffic Calming Related Measures – Policy 7018, as described in the report titled “Proposed Amendments to Traffic Bylaw 5870 and Traffic Calming Policy 7018 to Implement 30km/h Speed Limit”, be approved.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

4.

Invasive Species Action Plan:  program summary
(2024 – 2025)

(File Ref. No. 10-6160-07-01) (REDMS No. 8382154)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) interviews are scheduled for the Environmental Coordinator 2 position, (ii) knotweed management is challenging and typically takes 3-5 years to achieve success using pesticides. At many sites, stem counts have decreased, though follow up treatment is required, (iii) some sites are located within the high watermark or pesticide freezone where pesticide use is prohibited unless a permit from the Province is obtained, and (iv) staff are seeing success with the demolition rodent abatement program, with a decrease in rodent-related calls since the program was implemented.

Councillor McNulty entered the meeting (5:39 p.m.)

In response to further queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the City has partnered with nonprofits and local stewardship organizations to support pollinator pastures and related initiatives, though no formal studies on pollinator numbers are currently underway in the City, (ii) the City also participates in initiatives such as the City Nature Challenge and the Nectar Trail, which promote pollinator habitat creation and provide information on local species, and (iii) staff will do some research and report back about pollinator studies underway,

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled “Invasive Species Action Plan: Program Summary (2024 - 2025)”, dated April 22, 2026, from the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Invasive Species Action Plan (2016) be updated as described in the report titled “Invasive Species Action Plan Update and Program Summary (2024 - 2025)”, dated April 22, 2026, from the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, and a draft be brought to Council for consideration.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

National Public Works Week- May 17-23, 2026

Staff advised that National Public Works Week will be held from May 17-23, 2026 with the theme of rooted in service powered by Community.  To celebrate events will include Project WET on May 26–27 for approximately 250, grade 4-7 students from six Richmond School District schools to learn about the water system, a National Public Works Scholarship presentation on May 28 for two Richmond students entering trades programs, and a free Public Works Open House at the Works Yard on May 30.

(ii)

Sinkhole on Gilbert Road

Discussion ensued with respect to the sinkhole that was discovered on Gilbert Road and Woodwards Road.  Staff advised that Metro Vancouver conducts a daily visual scan of the alignment of the Gilbert Trunk Sewer and identified the sinkhole last week. T hey are responsible for the site and excavation and are proceeding cautiously due to a potential break in the existing Gilbert trunk sewer.

(iii)

Cottonwood Trees along River Road

Staff will follow up with Committee regarding what the plan is along River Road with respect to the overgrown cottonwood branches and blackberry.

(iv)

Channelized Lane Removal

Staff advised that removal of the channelized right-turn lane at No. 4 Road and Alderbridge Way is slated for 2028.  Removal work is currently underway at Cooney Road and St. Albans Road, with Alderbridge Way and Garden City Road scheduled for construction in 2027.  Staff will provide  Committee with more information regarding the status of the top 20 collision-prone intersections.

(v)

Update on the consultation with residents on Minler Road           

Staff advised that an Open House and resident survey were conducted, as directed by Council, to gather feedback on traffic calming measures for Minler Road.  Survey responses are being compiled, with a report on the engagement results anticipated to Committee in July 2026.

Discussion ensued with respect to bringing the report forward to Committee in June 2026.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:56 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, May 20, 2026.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Carol Day
Chair

Raman Grewal
Legislative Services Associate