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ENVIRONMENT
AND SOCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
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MINUTES
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An Open meeting of the Environment
and Social Planning Committee was held in the Clerk's Committee Room, City
Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Tuesday, 2019 September 03 at 6:00
p.m.
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PRESENT:
ADVISORY
ORGANIZATIONS:
ABSENT:
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Councillor Colleen Jordan, Chair
Councillor Joe Keithley, Vice Chair
Councillor James Wang, Member
Mr. Joel Gibbs, Citizen Representative
Mr. Elie Lubendo, Citizen Representative
Ms. Mary Lumby, Citizen Representative
Ms. Doris Mah, Citizen Representative
Mr. Andrei Zawadzki, Citizen Representative
Ms. Tessa Vanderkop, Burnaby Board of Trade
Trustee Peter Cech, Burnaby School Board
Ms. Dana Wong, FortisBC
Ms. Deborah Harford, Simon Fraser University
Mr. Jerry Muir, BC Hydro
Mr. Frank Huang, Citizen Representative
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STAFF:
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Mr. Dipak Dattani, Director Corporate Services
Ms. Lee-Ann Garnett, Assistant Director Long Range Planning
Ms. Simone Rousseau, Manager Environmental Services
Ms. Heather Edwards, Manager Parks Planning Design & Dev.
Ms. Margaret Manifold, Senior Social Planner
Ms. Lise Townsend, Ecosystem Planner
Ms. Monica Macdonald, Administrative Officer
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The Chair called the Open meeting to
order at 6:05 p.m.
The
Chair recognized the ancestral and unceded homelands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh
and traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking
people, and extended appreciation for the opportunity to hold a meeting on
this shared territory.
The
Chair welcomed members and facilitated a round of introductions.
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MOVED BY mr. lubendo
SECONDED BY ms. mah
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THAT the minutes of the Environment
and Social Planning Committee Open meeting held on 2019 June 04 be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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MOVED BY ms. lumby
SECONDED BY
ms. vanderkop
THAT item 4a) Report be brought
forward at this time.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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a)
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Report from the Director Corporate
Services and the Director Planning and Building
Re: Climate Change
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The Director Corporate
Services and the Director Planning and Building submitted a report in response
to a resolution adopted at the 2019 May 06 Committee meeting regarding taking
action on climate change.
Staff advised that, for a
number of reasons which are outlined in the report, they would not be able to
support the community carbon pollution targets proposed in the resolution. Similar
targets set by Metro Vancouver, however, would be feasible to implement and yet
still challenging,
Staff referred to Table 1
in the report, Targets Summary & Recommended Targets for Burnaby, highlighting
Burnaby’s recommended targets which include a 45% reduction by 2030, 75%
reduction by 2040, and carbon neutral by 2050. Staff advised that these targets
align with global and regional targets to better enable regional partnerships
and action.
The Committee further stated
that the City has limited jurisdiction and control over the implementation of actions
to reduce community emissions, and emphasized that in achieving these targets, would
need to work together with Metro Vancouver and in partnership with the
Provincial and Federal governments.
The Committee referred to
the City of Vancouver’s 2030 target of 50% and asked what Vancouver is doing
differently to achieve that higher target.
Staff advised Vancouver’s
50% target used 2007 emission reduction levels as a base level, which are less
than 2010 levels and roughly a 45% target equivalency. In setting community
emissions targets, 2010 levels are now being used as the base level in the
region.
The Committee further
inquired whether the targets set by other regional municipalities and the
Province was the main driving force behind choosing the recommended targets for
Burnaby.
Staff advised they also
considered the science behind climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change recommended targets; as well as, regional relationship building.
Staff stressed that working with neighbouring communities provides greater
leverage for achieving targets.
The
Director Corporate Services and Director Planning and Building recommended:
1.
THAT the Committee recommend to Council to:
a)
Declare Climate Emergency to demonstrate understanding of and commitment
towards the climate crisis and the necessity of an energy transition;
b)
Update the City's community carbon pollution reduction targets, including
interim targets that demonstrate the commitment to accelerate climate action,
as outlined in Section 6.3 of this report; and,
c)
Direct staff to bring forward a separate report on Climate Action Framework
which would outline 'Big Moves and Fast Track Actions' to ensure that climate
action continues to progress within the City across all sectors at a pace
commensurate with the City's updated community carbon pollution reduction
targets.
MOVED BY Ms.
lumby
SECONDED
BY Ms. mah
THAT the recommendation of
the Director Corporate Services and the Director Planning and Building be
adopted.
The Committee proposed that
Burnaby’s carbon pollution reduction targets be more aggressive and amend the
recommended targets as follows: 60% reduction by 2030 and carbon neutral by
2040.
The Committee noted that it
may be appropriate to wait for subsequent detailed reports, which would provide
additional information such as financial obligations on this and other matters,
before increasing the report’s recommended targets.
Further, the Committee
pointed out that if the City set higher targets than other communities in the
region and showed leadership, there could well be a positive ripple effect as
other municipalities watch to see how Burnaby is going to achieve its targets.
Staff advised that the
approach to determining these targets does demonstrate leadership and noted,
while a number of municipalities have declared Climate Emergency, many have not
yet committed to specific targets. As well, some municipalities who have
adopted targets, have not put forward any plan to meet those targets. Burnaby,
on the other hand, has identified realistic targets and committed to achieve
them.
At the conclusion of the
discussion, a motion to amend the report was introduced:
MOVED BY mr.
gibbs
SECONDED
BY mr. zawadzki
THAT
the Climate
Change report be AMENDED to change Burnaby’s recommended carbon
pollution reduction targets as follows: 60% reduction by 2030 and carbon
neutral by 2040.
DEFEATED
(Opposed: Councillor
Jordan, Councillor Keithley, Councillor Wang, Mr. Lubendo, Ms. Lumby, Ms. Mah, Ms.
Vanderkop, and Trustee Cech)
The Main motion was then
brought forward:
MOVED BY Ms.
lumby
SECONDED
BY Ms. mah
THAT the recommendation of
the Director Corporate Services and the Director Planning and Building be
adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The normal order of the
agenda resumed.
MOVED BY mr. zawadzki
SECONDED BY
trustee cech
THAT the Correspondence be
received.
CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY
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Correspondence was received from the
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy regarding the creation of
a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. Minister Heyman
expressed appreciation to the City for its support for the park, advising
that he has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Canada,
British Columbia and the syilx/Okanagan Nation. The MOU, he added, confirms
the working boundary for the proposed national park reserve, outlines next
steps, and provides a framework of collaboration as negotiations begin for an
establishment agreement.
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Correspondence was received from
Environment and Climate Change Canada providing information on modifications
to Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act. The Ministry advised that 40
species at risk have recently been registered under the Species at Risk
Act, with 15 of these species found in British Columbia.
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c)
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Correspondence from Metro
Vancouver
Re:
Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory - Sub-Regional Profiles and Assessment of
Ecosystem Loss
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Correspondence was received from
Metro Vancouver providing a copy of the above noted report adopted at the
Metro Vancouver Regional District meeting held on 2019 May 24. The report
provides an analysis of the inventory and in-depth assessment of ecosystem
loss.
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d)
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Correspondence from Metro
Vancouver
Re:
Best Management Practices for Invasive Species: English Holly, English and
Irish Ivies, Yellow Archangel, Himalayan Balsam, and Parrot's Feather
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Correspondence was received from
Metro Vancouver providing a copy of the above noted report adopted at the
Metro Vancouver Regional District meeting held on 2019 June 28. The report
provides information on five new invasive species best management practices
documents and promotion efforts.
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Correspondence was received from the
United Way of the Lower Mainland providing information and requesting support
for their United Way Period Promise campaign.
The Committee inquired whether this was
a matter for the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission..
Staff advised that this item was on
the 2019 July 25 Council Correspondence package and may be referred to the
Commission or another Committee at the 2019 September 09 Council meeting
under new business.
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Correspondence was received from the
joint Provincial-Union of British Columbia Municipalities Green Communities
Committee (GCC) congratulating the City for its successful efforts to
undertake significant climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in
the 2018 reporting year, and awarded the City Level 3 recognition – Accelerating
Progress on Charter Commitments. The GCC, established under the Community
Charter to support local governments in achieving their climate action goals,
administers a multi-level Climate Action Recognition Program. Information on
the Program was attached to the letter.
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Correspondence was received from the
Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT) pledging its on-going support towards reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging the City to urgently proceed with review
and implementation of its emissions reduction plans.
The Committee expressed appreciation
to the BBOT for its support and commitment to reducing community emissions.
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Correspondence was received from 13
Burnaby residents regarding climate emergency and IPCC targets, and advocating
for higher community-wide greenhouse gas reduction targets for Burnaby.
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Correspondence was received from Mr.
Bruce Gibbons, from Vancouver Island, regarding a request to prohibit
bottling and selling of groundwater in Burnaby. Mr. Gibbons also seeks
support for a resolution submitted to the upcoming Union of British Columbia (BC)
Municipalities convention asking the provincial government to stop approving
licences for the bottling and commercial sale or export of groundwater from
the aquifers of BC.
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Correspondence was received from Mr.
Phil Dupasquier seeking support to ban plastic election signs. The writer
advised that the signs have a shelf-life of six months, or three elections,
and is usually disposed of after just one election period.
The Committee advised that it is too
late to take the requested action for the 2019 Federal election.
Staff advised that the sign bylaw
will be reviewed in the near future which would address some of the concerns
raised by Mr. Dupasquier.
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k)
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Correspondence
from Joanne Reid
Re:
Request for Accessible Washrooms
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Correspondence was received from Ms.
Joanne Reid regarding a request for accessible washrooms, including the
installation of change tables for adults.
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The Committee advised that
this was a matter for the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission.
Staff advised that this
item was on the 2019 July 25 Council Correspondence package and may be referred
to the Commission at the 2019 September 09 Council meeting under new business.
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A memorandum was received from
the Administrative Officer advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting
held on 2019 June 24, adopted the above noted report and approved the
production of an updated Waterways of Burnaby map.
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A memorandum was received from the
Deputy City Clerk advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting held on
2019 July 29, adopted the above noted report providing details on the revised
bylaw amendments. The amendments reflect changes with service delivery,
strengthen enforcement provisions and improve readability.
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This item was dealt with
earlier in the agenda.
Trustee Cech - Burnaby School District’s
Sustainability Update
Trustee Cech provided the
following update on the District’s current projects and initiatives:
·
Lighting
projects -
completed full interior retrofit with new LED fixtures, occupancy sensors, and
dimming wireless controls at South Slope Elementary and Byrne Creek Secondary
schools. Also, completed parking lot conversion to LED and installed walkway lighting
at Burnaby Central Secondary school;
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HVAC
and boiler projects
– completed retrofit to high efficiency condensing boilers, HVAC and controls
upgrades at Brentwood Park Elementary, Morley Elementary, and Inman Elementary
schools. Also, completed the upgrade of HVAC system at Riverway West; and,
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Energy
Foreman – staffing
of the new position has been completed.
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Councillor Keithley - Making Burnaby’s Fleet Cars and Trucks
Environmentally Friendly
With unanimous consent, Councillor
Keithley brought the following resolution before the Committee for
consideration:
WHEREAS
the City of Burnaby has a large fleet of vehicles and trucks that largely run
on fossil fuels; and
WHEREAS
a number of vehicles and trucks are now available which use alternative fuel
sources - including electric vehicles; and
WHEREAS
a large number of cities in BC have acknowledged that we are in Climate
Emergency, and Burnaby is in the process of taking steps to reduce our GHGs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff report back to the
Environment and Social Planning Committee and Council on how the fleet is
managed, and outline a strategy to purchase vehicles and trucks which use
alternate fuel and electric vehicles and trucks.
Arising from discussion, the
following motion was introduced:
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KEITHLEY
SECONDED BY MS. LUMBY
THAT this matter be REFERRED to
staff to be included in the Climate Action Framework report currently
being prepared for the Committee.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Councillor Keithley - Retrofitting City of Burnaby Buildings
with Solar Panels
With unanimous consent, Councillor
Keithley brought the following resolution before the Committee for
consideration:
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KEITHLEY
SECONDED BY MR. GIBBS
WHEREAS
the City of Burnaby owns a large number of buildings; and
WHEREAS
it is generally acknowledged that an efficient way of reducing GHGs produced
by buildings is to have at least part of their needed energy supplied by
solar panels; and
WHEREAS
a large number of cities in BC have acknowledged that we are in Climate
Emergency, and Burnaby is in the process of taking steps to reduce our GHGs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff report back to the
Environment and Social Planning Committee and Council on the feasibility of
advancing the City Hall building as the first city building to be converted
to solar power, and outline a strategy to have all other civic buildings use
solar power.
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- Amended
The Committee inquired about
including this matter in the Climate Action Framework report as well.
Staff advised that, as the
City has an extensive number of civic buildings to be considered in relation to
the climate action framework, it would be preferable to prepare a separate
report.
Arising from discussion,
the following motion was introduced:
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR JORDAN
SECONDED BY MR. GIBBS
THAT the resolution be AMENDED
to read as follows:
“WHEREAS the City of Burnaby owns a large
number of buildings; and
WHEREAS it is generally acknowledged that an
efficient way of reducing GHGs produced by buildings is to have at least part
of their needed energy supplied by solar panels; and
WHEREAS a large number of cities in BC have
acknowledged that we are in Climate Emergency, and Burnaby is in the process of
taking steps to reduce our GHGs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Environment and Social Planning
Committee request Council to ask staff
to prepare a report
back to the Environment and Social Planning Committee and Council on the
feasibility of advancing the City Hall building as the first city building to
be converted to solar power, and outline a strategy to have all other civic
buildings use solar power.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED BY councillor
keithley
SECONDED BY MR.
GIBBS
THAT the resolution be
adopted, as AMENDED.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Councillor Jordan – World Rivers Day
Councillor Jordan advised
that World Rivers Day will be held on Sunday, 2019 September 22, 11:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. at the Burnaby Village Museum.
Councillor Jordan - ESPC Meeting on Thursday, 2019 October
10
Councillor Jordan advised an extra Committee meeting will be
held on Thursday, 2019 October 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the Clerk’s Committee room.
Councillor Jordan – Social
Sustainability Strategy Update
As a follow up to an
inquiry made at the 2019 June 04 meeting, Councillor Jordan requested staff
provide a report on the status of the Social Sustainability Strategy (SSS)
Update.
Staff advised that the SSS
was adopted in 2011 and an Implementation Plan, including a plan to update, was
developed shortly afterward.
Staff provided an overview
of the Update, advising that the SSS in an on-going document and “active”
strategy; and guides staff’s work plan, initiatives and day-to-day activities. Further,
the Update needs to be considered in the context of the City’s current policies
and priorities, such as the Transportation Plan Update, Housing Task Force
initiatives, and update of the Official Community Plan.
Staff advised that the
Strategy has seven priorities and provided some examples of City initiatives
that support those priorities, as follows:
1. Meeting Basic Needs – such as economic
security. Example #1 childcare and before-and-after-school care – working with
the Burnaby School District to create new childcare spaces on District land, early
in 2020 spaces will be available (for children ages 3-5 years old) at Capitol
Hill and Montecito Elementary schools. Currently working with the District on a
feasibility study to create more before-and-after-school care spaces.
Example #2 affordable
housing, the City is soon opening its first supportive housing facility at
Norland and Ledger with 52 units for people who are homeless. As well, the City
opened its first homeless shelter in 2019 August.
2. Celebrating Diversity and
Culture – being
inclusive of Burnaby’s different cultures. Example #1 including indigenous,
West African and Eastern European groups in summertime events at Burnaby Civic
Square.
Example #2 – the City is a
member of UNESCO’s Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and this
fall will be a pilot site for community and educator based training on
combating radicalism, especially in youth.
3. Getting Involved – civic and community
engagement, website enhancements and expansion of public consultation
processes, for example the work done through the Mayor’s Task Force on
Community Housing.
4. Learning for Life – Example - partnered with
Simon Fraser University to host the Festival of Learning that all people can
engage in at no cost.
5. Enhancing Neighbourhoods – Example - use of the Density
Bonus Program to plan new community facilities in North West Burnaby, and C.G.
Brown and Cameron Centre replacements.
6. Getting Around – accessible and safe
transportation. Example – implementation of Town Centre standards such as wider
sidewalks, bike lanes, and new benches.
7. Protecting our Community – emergency preparedness
and crime prevention. Example – creation of the City’s first Community Safety
Plan and recent Community Safety Survey.
The Committee inquired
regarding the location of the homeless shelter and how it was different from
the warming centres.
Staff advised that the
shelter is at Douglas Road and Springer and is open 24/7 with intake from 10:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The shelter is different from the warming centres which
provide immediate response and are only open from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
December to March.
The Committee noted that a
climate risk assessment (undertaken as part of the Climate Emergency process)
would have some important implications for the Strategy; outlining increased
climate change impacts such as more wildfire smoke and more extreme heat, which
would lead to more health issues especially for vulnerable populations needing
shelter.
The Committee inquired
regarding difficulties in completing an annual review of the strategy.
Staff advised that it is
difficult to do a rigorous annual review, as staff are a small team working
with the Strategy partners. A review was done after the completion of the first
phase, with another review planned once the second phase is completed. In the
meantime, regular updates to the Committee will be given.
Councillor Jordan –
Childcare Needs Assessment and Strategy
The Chair requested an
update on the status of the childcare needs assessment and strategy.
Staff advised that the
Provincial government announced they would promote the creation of a universal
childcare system by creating new spaces, provide funding for parents, and
initiatives to increase the workforce in the childcare facilities.
Further to this
announcement, the Province made funding available to municipalities for
childcare needs assessments and strategies.
Staff advised they had applied
for this grant, received funding, and have recently hired a consultant to help with
the childcare study and strategy for the City.
In conclusion, staff
reported that an online survey for childcare providers’ and parents’ input is
being done this fall.
Joel Gibbs – Accessibility
Mr. Gibbs advised that the area of Joe
Sakic Way and Kensington (South side) is inaccessible and inquired regarding
City’s accessibility policy and procedure.
Staff to follow up and provide
information.
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MOVED BY MR. LUBENDO
SECONDED BY MS. LUMBY
THAT
this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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The
Open meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
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________________________
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________________________
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Monica
Macdonald
ADMINISTRATIVE
OFFICER
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Councillor
Colleen Jordan
CHAIR
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