ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES

Tuesday, 2015 April 14

An ‘Open’ meeting of the Environment Committee was held in the Council Committee Room, Main Floor,  City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Tuesday, 2015 April 14 at 6:00 PM.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

Councillor P. Calendino

Councillor A. Kang

ABSENT:

His Worship, Mayor D. Corrigan

Councillor R. Chang

Councillor S. Dhaliwal

Councillor D. Johnston

Councillor C. Jordan

Councillor P. McDonell

Councillor N. Volkow

STAFF:

Administrative Officer Ms. B. Zeinabova,

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

2.

MINUTES

a)

Open meeting of the Environment Committee held on 2015 February 10

MOVED BY Councillor P. Calendino

SECONDED BY 

THAT the minutes of the Environment Committee 'Open' meeting held on 2015 February 10 be adopted.

3.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY Councillor P. Calendino

SECONDED BY 

THAT the correspondence be received.

a)

Correspondence from Wendy Hinestrosa

Re: Sustainable Infrastructure

Correspondence was received from Ms. Wendy Hinestrosa expressing concerns regarding sustainability, specifically concerning storm water.  Ms. Hinestrosa suggested to investigate Seattle's green storm water and drainage project and other solutions.

Staff provided an overview of the initiatives the City is already involved with, i.e. Draft Environment Sustainability Strategy, use of regulations and standards to address these issues, City or privately initiated projects, Integrated Storm Management Plan (ISMP), discussions with Metro Vancouvrer, etc.

Arising from discussion, Councillor Calendino was granted leave by the Committee to introduce the following motion:

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CALENDINO:

SECONDED BY PETER CECH:

THAT staff send a letter to the writer thaking her for her correspondence and addressing some of the issues and City's initiatives.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

b)

Correspondence from City of Port Moody

Re: Declaration of the Right to a Healthy Environment

CARRIED

c)

Memorandum from the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Re: Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park - Fraser River Dyke Rehabilitation Compensation Sites

A memorandum was received from the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services advising that the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission, at its meeting held on 2015 February 18, received a report regarding Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park - Fraser River Dyke Rehabilitation Compensation Sites and forwarded the same to the Environment Committee for information.

d)

Memorandum from the Deputy City Clerk

Re: Blue Dot Declaration

A memorandum was received from the Deputy City Clerk advising that Council, at its meeting held on 2015 February 16, received a delegation providing an overview of the Blue Dot Campaign.  The delegation requested that the City consider passing 'Burnaby Municipal Declaration to the Right to a Healthy Environment'.  Arising from discussion, Council adopted the declaration and forwarded the same to the Environment Committee for information.

4.

REPORTS

MOVED BY Councillor P. Calendino

SECONDED BY 

THAT the reports be received.

a)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: 2015 Environment Week Program

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report seeking approval for the 2015 Environment Week Program.

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

1. THAT Council be requested to approve the 2015 Environment Week Program, as outlined in Appendix A.

Staff provided a Power Point presentation summarizing the report.

MOVED BY 

SECONDED BY Councillor P. Calendino

THAT the recommendation of the Director Planning and Building be adopted.

b)

Report from the Director Engineering

Re: 2014 Annual Solid Waste and Recycling Report - A Year in Review

The Director Engineering submitted the 2014 annual report on the City's integrated solid waste and recycling program.

The Director Engineering recommended:

1. THAT the Committee receive the 2014 Annual Solid Waste and Recycling Report and forward it to Council for information.

Staff provided a Power Point presentation summarizing the report.

c)

Report from the Director Engineering and the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Re: Grand Opening of Still Creek Works Yard

The Director Engineering and the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services submitted a report seeking approval for the Engineering and Parks Departments to host a Grand Opening of the Still Creek Works Yard on 2015 May 23.

The Director Engineering and the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services recommended:

1. THAT the Committee recommend Council to authorize staff to host the Grand Opening of the new Still Creek Works Yard for the general public on Saturday, May 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

5.

NEW BUSINESS

Councillor Calendino

Councillor Calendino noted an article in Vancouver Sun regarding Surrey's plan to convert city's organic garbage and yard trimmings into biogas for its fleet of collection trucks, municipal vehicles and city operations with the hope it might serve as a blueprint for reducing the garbage.

Staff advised that in the past the City did an economic analysis of converting the City's vehicles to biogas; however, this plan was not viable at that time.  Staff undertook to investigate a feasibility of converting greenwaste to gas.

Peter Cech

Mr. Cech inquired regarding the Environmental Sustainability Strategy report.

Staff noted that the second Draft of the ESS will be available in the Fall 2015 after which there will be another round of public consultation before it's finally adopted by Council.

Councillor Kang

Councillor Kang noted that the 'bee condos' are now in place across the City.

6.

INQUIRIES

There were no inquiries brought before the Committee at this time.

7.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY 

SECONDED BY Councillor P. Calendino

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

The Committee meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Blanka Zeinabova

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Anne Kang

CHAIR