ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

Tuesday, 2015 October 13

 

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 October 13 at 6:00 PM.

 

1.

CALL TO ORDER

 

 

 

 

PRESENT:

Councillor Anne Kang, Chair

Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, Vice Chair (arrived at 6:07 p.m.)

Mr. Bill Brassington Jr., Citizen Representative

Mr. Peter Cech, Citizen Representative

Ms. Peggy Hua, Citizen Representative

Mr. Frank Zhao, Citizen Representative

 

 

ABSENT:

Councillor Pietro Calendino, Member

 

STAFF:

Mr. Dipak Dattani, Deputy Director Engineering

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

Ms. Gisele Caron, Purchasing Manager

Ms. Heather Edwards, Manager Parks Planning & Design

Ms. Lise Townsend, Ecosystem Planner

Ms. Melinda Yong, Environmental Technician, Parks Design

Ms. Blanka Zeinabova, Administrative Officer

 

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

 

2.

MINUTES

 

 

a)

Open meeting of the Environment Committee

held on 2015 June 09____________________

 

 

MOVED BY mr. brassington jr.

SECONDED BY mr. cech

 

THAT the minutes of the 'Open' meeting of the Environment Committee held on 2015 June 09 be adopted.

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

3.

CORRESPONDENCE

 

 

MOVED BY ms. hua

SECONDED BY mr. zhao

 

THAT the correspondence be received.

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

a)

Correspondence from Jerry Muir, Community Relations Manager, BC Hydro

Re: 2015 BC Hydro Community Champions Program

 

 

Correspondence was received from Mr. Jerry Muir, Community Relations Manager, BC Hydro advising that on 2015 August 18th, BC Hydro launched the 2015 edition of our Community Championships Program.  BC Hydro is looking for non-profit organizations from across BC to submit video entries that tell what they are doing to make their community more sustainable. Up to 15 finalists will be selected for public voting between October 15th and November 30th.  Results of the public voting will determine the five winners on December 15th.

 

4.

REPORTS

 

 

MOVED BY mr. cech

SECONDED BY mr. zhao 

 

THAT the reports be received.

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

**Councillor Dhaliwal arrived at 6:07 p.m. and took his place at the Committee table.**

 

a)

Report from the Director Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services

Re: Update on the Burnaby Invasive Plant Management

in Parks_________________________________________

 

 

The Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services submitted a report seeking authorization to proceed with the Invasive Plant Management work plan in Burnaby parks.

The Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services recommended:

 

 

1. THAT Council authorize staff to proceed with the proposed 2015/2016 work plan, as outlined in this report.

2. THAT a copy of this report be sent to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission for information.

 

MOVED BY councillor dhaliwal

SECONDED BY mr. cech 

 

THAT the recommendations of the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services be adopted.

 

Staff provided a Power Point presentation summarizing the report.

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

            The Committee noted that the City is doing its part removing invasive plants, and            inquired if the Province can take some measures, i.e. control what is sold in the          nurseries and stores, etc.

 

            Staff undertook to review this matter and report back to the Committee.

 

b)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: Climate Change Warning Labels on Gas Pump Nozzles

 

 

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report responding to Council's request for a report on the issue of climate change warning labels on gas pump nozzles, based on the delegation from the non-profit group Our Horizon.

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

1. THAT Council consider future opportunities for public communication about climate change in the context of the regional and municipal sustainability policy framework, including Burnaby's Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Community Energy and Emissions Plan.

2. THAT copies of this report be provided to John Nguyen representing Our Horizon, to the Metro Vancouver Climate Action Committee and to Metro Vancouver member municipalities.

 

** Mr. Zhao retired from the meeting at 6:49 p.m.**

 

 

 

 

 

MOVED BY mr. cech

SECONDED BY mr. brassington jr.

 

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

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

5.

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

            Deputy Director Engineering

 

            Mr. Dattani provided an update on nematode sale to treat European Chafer turf   pest.  It was noted that 696 properties were treated with 1,257 packages sold in total.

 

**Mr. Zhao returned to the meeting at 6:59 p.m. and took his place at the Committee table**

 

            Mr. Peter Cech

 

            Mr. Cech suggested a maximum support of the Environmental Sustainability        Strategy (ESS) by the Committee, and requested the Committee’s involvement        and possible referendum to provide for dedicated funds to support the Strategy.

 

            Staff provided an overview of the ESS process and noted that the Committee       members will have an opportunity to promote the ESS in the future.

 

            Councillor Anne Kang

 

            Councillor Kang noted a recent water shortage and climate change, and   requested a consideration be given to different plants and vegetation on City’s boulevards (i.e. rock art).

 

            Staff advised that work is in progress on a landscape management strategy.

           

6.

INQUIRIES

 

 

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

 

7.

ADJOURNMENT

 

 

MOVED BY ms. hua 

SECONDED BY mr. brassington jr.

 

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

The Open meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________

________________________

Blanka Zeinabova

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Anne Kang

CHAIR