SUSTAINABLE CITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

An Open meeting of the Sustainable City Advisory Committee was held in the Council Chamber, main floor, City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Wednesday, 2017 November 01 at 6:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the Open meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

2.

MINUTES

a)

Minutes of the Open meeting of the Sustainable City Advisory Committee held on 2017 September 06                          

MOVED BY mr. brassington jr.

SECONDED BY mr. nathwani

THAT the minutes of the Sustainable City Advisory Committee Open meeting held on 2017 September 06 be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

PRESENTATION

MOVED BY councillor calendino

SECONDED BY trustee narang

THAT the presentation be heard. 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Burnaby Transportation Plan Update and Consultation

Speakers: Lee-Ann Garnett, Assistant Director Long Range

                  Planning                                                                    

                  Stu Ramsey, Manager Transportation Planning

                  Renee De St. Croix, Senior Long Range Planner

Ms. Lee-Ann Garnett, Assistant Director Long Range Planning, Mr. Stu Ramsey, Manager Transportation Planning, and Ms. Renee De St. Croix, Senior Long Range Planner, provided an update on the Burnaby Transportation Plan. 

Ms. De St. Croix advised that the City will be updating the Plan in three phases:

• phase one, from 2017 July to 2018 March, will focus on setting a direction (i.e., seeking confirmation of vision, themes and goals);
• phase two, from 2018 April and 2019 June, will focus on building the Plan (e.g., policy, networks and actions);
• phase three, from 2019 July to 2019 December, will include development of an implementation strategy.

The City will be conducting public consultations for each phase, and it is working with a graduated approach consisting of three communications styles:

·         process awareness (e.g., providing information to the public regarding the Plan update, opportunities for participation, and transportation system);

·         broad engagement (e.g., activities that distribute information and elicit feedback);

·         targeted engagement (e.g., detailed conversations focused on issues and opportunities).

Ms. De St. Croix outlined the draft vision for the Plan:

• all travel choices are enjoyable and the transportation system is the foundation of our thriving public spaces and our quality of life;
• the transportation system not only moves people and goods between destinations but provides places for people to meet, linger, and participate in city life; and,
• balanced and comprehensive system that offers accessible and safe mobility in support of a healthy, green, prosperous, and connected community.

Within the vision there are six themes and several goals for each theme:

• Accessible – Access and Choice (e.g., provide easy, reliable, and flexible travel options);
• Safe – Safe and Secure Mobility (e.g., reduce deaths, injuries, and conflicts);
• Healthy – Active People in Healthy, Livable Communities (e.g., increase the enjoyment of moving in the city);
• Green – A Protected and Enhanced Environment (e.g., increase the use of more sustainable modes)
• Prosperous – A Thriving, Sustainable Economy (e.g., increase modal options for goods movement and commercial services);
• Connected – Community/Integrated and Well-Designed Places (e.g., increase integration of land use and transportation).

Following the presentation, the Committee members participated in an activity to provide feedback regarding the Plan’s vision, themes, and goals, as well as issues and opportunities to be considered when drafting the Plan.

*Mr. Tsai arrived at the meeting at 6:25 p.m.*

Each member shared their suggestions and concerns with the Committee and staff. 

Staff encouraged the Committee members to visit the City’s website to fill out a questionnaire and provide additional feedback regarding the Plan.   

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY MR. ZHAO

SECONDED BY MR. TSAI

THAT the correspondence be received.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Correspondence from the Provincial - UBCM Green Communities Committee

Re: Recognition for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2016                                                                                                 

Correspondence was received from the joint Provincial-Union of British Columbia Municipalities Green Communities Committee (GCC), congratulating the City on its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in 2016.  As a signatory to the Climate Action Charter, the City has taken action on climate change and to reduce GHG emissions in the community and corporate operations.  Through the Climate Action Recognition Program, the GCC has awarded the City Level 3 recognition – “Accelerating Progress on Charter Commitments”. 

5.

REPORT

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CALENDINO

SECONDED BY TRUSTEE NARANG

THAT the report be received.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: Development of Electric Vehicle Policy for Burnaby

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report outlining an approach for development of policy supporting electric vehicles in Burnaby in support of the approved Environmental Sustainability Strategy (ESS) and Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP).

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

1.    THAT Council approve the scope and process for development of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy in support of Burnaby's approved ESS and CEEP, as outlined in this report.

Staff provided a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the report.

MOVED BY MR. NATHWANI

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR CALENDINO

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee suggested that the EV charging station parking stalls at the City’s facilities be located farther from the entrance doors to ensure they are being utilized by drivers intending to charge their vehicles.  Further, the Committee inquired regarding curbside charging on meters and monetizing charging at the City’s facilities to prevent prolonged occupation of EV charging stations. 

Staff advised that there will likely be a fee for the use of the City’s EV charging stations.

The Committee noted that the City could implement a swipe card system allowing residents using a facility for a short-term period to park their vehicle at an EV charging station free of charge by using a facility provided swipe card on the charging meter.

6.

NEW BUSINESS

Lubna Abdelrahman

Ms. Abdelrahman advised that November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and appealed to the City for support on addressing this issue. Ms. Abdelrahman noted that there is a high prevalence of violence against women in the Arab-African community.

Further, Ms. Abdelrahman expressed concerns regarding recent loss of several members of Sudanese community to drug overdoses, and appealed to the City for support.  Ms. Abdelrahman noted that more awareness needs to be raised regarding mental health, guns and drugs, especially in elementary schools. 

Staff advised that the Healthier Community Partnership Committee works with Fraser Health and the School Board on issues such as mental health, and undertook to provide more information to Ms. Abdelrahman. 

Councillor Calendino suggested that the RCMP and mental health counsellors provide information on the issue at the community gathering. 

Trustee Narang advised that the school system has programs such as conflict resolution; in order for the programs to be implemented, staff need to be aware of problems in the community.  Trustee Narang undertook to communicate with Ms. Abdelrahman regarding organizing an information session for the community on available programs. 

Bill Brassington Jr.

Mr. Brassington Jr. advised that during the night of October 31 there were up to 100 youths at Eaton Park indiscriminately shooting fireworks, and suggested that the City ban the use of fireworks outside of permitted public places. 

Councillor Dhaliwal encouraged the speaker to direct a correspondence on the matter to the Public Safety Committee. 

Councillor Calendino noted that greater enforcement may be required. 

Councillor Dhaliwal

Councillor Dhaliwal advised that Mr. Nathwani and Ms. Boudreau are retiring from the Committee upon a completion of their six year term as citizens’ representatives.  Councillor Dhaliwal thanked Mr. Nathwani and Ms. Boudreau on their contribution to the community, and encouraged them to consider other volunteer opportunities with the City. 

Mr. Shiraz noted that Burnaby is a champion in creating a pluralistic community, and advised that he is looking forward to creation of Aga Khan urban park as well as potentially volunteering with the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission.  

7.

INQUIRIES

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

8.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY mr. zhao

SECONDED BY trustee baljinder

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Nikolina Vracar

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Sav Dhaliwal

CHAIR