ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES

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, 2017 January 17 at 6:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, Vice Chair

Councillor Pietro Calendino, Member

Mr. Bill Brassington Jr., Citizen Representative

Mr. Peter Cech, Citizen Representative

Ms. Peggy Hua, Citizen Representative

Mr. Frank Zhao, Citizen Representative (arrived at 6:04 p.m.)

ABSENT:

Councillor Anne Kang, Chair

STAFF:

Mr. Dipak Dattani, Deputy Director Engineering

Ms. Lee-Ann Garnett, Assistant Director Long Range Planning

Ms. Gisele Caron, Purchasing Manager

Mr. Mark Sloat, Planner 1

Ms. Melinda Yong, Environmental Technician, Parks Design

Ms. Blanka Zeinabova, Administrative Officer

Ms. Nikolina Vracar, Administrative Officer

The Vice Chair called the Open meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2.

MINUTES

a)

Open meeting of the Environment Committee

held on 2016 November 08________________

MOVED By councillor calendino

SECONDED BY ms. hua 

THAT the minutes of the Open meeting of the Environment Committee held on 2016 November 08 be adopted.

                                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DELEGATION

MOVED BY mr. cech 

SECONDED BY councillor calendino 

THAT the delegation be heard.

                                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Force of Nature

Re: Renewable Energy

Speaker: Morag Keegan-Henry

Ms. Morag Keegan-Henry, Field Organizer, Force of Nature appeared before the Committee seeking to promote the use of renewable energy in Burnaby.  The speaker requested the City to consider the creation of an expedited permitting process for small solar energy projects, which would benefit homeowners and stimulate market uptake of solar technology.

**Mr. Zhao arrived at the meeting at 6:04 p.m.**

It was noted that this expedited permitting process has already been adopted by other Canadian municipalities, including Toronto, Calgary, and Colwood. 

In addition the speaker requested the City to consider the adoption of the NRCAN Solar Ready guidelines, which would require new buildings to be built so that they can easily be outfitted with solar energy installations later.  Variants of this legislation have been adopted by Edmonton, Port Coquitlam, New Westminster, and North Vancouver.

**Ms. Katharine Harrison, Force of Nature, arrived at the meeting at 6:14 p.m.**

In conclusion, the speaker requested the City to apply to become the 6^th Canadian Solar City.

Arising from discussion, the Committee introduced the following motion:

MOVED By mr. cech

SECONDED BY mr. brassington jr. 

THAT the delegation’s presentation be REFERRED to staff for report.

                                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY councillor calendino

SECONDED BY ms. hua

THAT the correspondence be received.

                                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Memorandum from the City Clerk

Re: Review of the Federal Environmental Assessment Process_______________________________________

A memorandum was received from the City Clerk advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting held on 2016 November 21, received and adopted the above noted report providing comments on the Federal Environmental Assessment Process and seeking endorsement for submission to the Federal Environmental Assessment Process Expert Panel.

b)

Correspondence from Joel Schiele

Re: Fossil Fuels________________

Correspondence was received from Mr. Joel Schiele seeking the City to become a good steward concerning the use of fossil fuels as well as search for ways to reduce reliance upon them.  The writer noted that responsible use of fossil fuels also means responsible distribution of them for the benefit of all.

c)

Correspondence from Alan James

Re: Accountability for Fossil Fuel Companies

Correspondence was received from Mr. Alan James providing a suggestion to make fossil fuel companies pay for adaptation costs of climate change.

Arising from discussion, the Committee requested staff advise the writer to forward his concerns to the Provincial Government.

5.

REPORTS

MOVED BY councillor calendino

SECONDED BY mr. cech

THAT the reports be received.

                                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: Metro Vancouver's RateOurHome.ca Campaign

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report providing information about Metro Vancouver’s RateOurHome.ca campaign. The campaign is a voluntary campaign aimed at promoting home energy labeling to encourage improved energy efficiency.  The campaign supports both Metro Vancouver’s and the City of Burnaby’s policies and targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  The campaign is being promoted through the ESS webpage supporting citizen action, and further opportunities for promotion will be considered as they arise.

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

1. THAT the Environment Committee receive this report for information.

MOVED BY councillor calendino

SECONDED BY mr. cech

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

                                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

b)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: 2017 Environment Week Program________

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report seeking approval for the 2017 preliminary Environment Week Program.  The Program is proposed to begin on May 27 and end on June 11, and will include the Environment Festival, the City-sponsored Garage Sale Day Event, the Environmental Awards Reception and Award Presentation, Spring Bike to Work Week, Deer Lake Guided Canoe Trips, Commuter Challenge, Open House at the Burnaby Eco-Centre, Car Trunk Sale, ‘Wild About Burnaby Lake’ Environmental Stewardship Festival and Great Blue Heron Colony Tour.

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

1. THAT Council approve the 2017 preliminary Environment Week Program.

2. THAT Council approve an expenditure of up to $3,000 from the Boards, Committees and Commissions’ operating budget for promoting and advertising the City sponsored Garage Sale Day Event.

3. THAT Council approve an expenditure of up to $5,800 from the Boards, Committees and Commissions’ operating budget for promoting and advertising Environment Week.

MOVED BY mr. zhao

SECONDED BY ms. hua

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

                                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business brought before the Committee at this time.

7.

INQUIRIES

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

8.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY councillor calendino

SECONDED BY ms. hua

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

                                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Blanka Zeinabova

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Sav Dhaliwal

VICE CHAIR