ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE

MINUTES

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 Thursday, 2019 October 10 at 6:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

ADVISORY ORGANIZATIONS:

Councillor Colleen Jordan, Chair

Councillor Joe Keithley, Vice Chair

Councillor James Wang, Member

Trustee Peter Cech, Burnaby School Board

Mr. Joel Gibbs, Citizen Representative

Mr. Elie Lubendo, Citizen Representative 

Ms. Mary Lumby, Citizen Representative 

Mr. Andrei Zawadzki, Citizen Representative

Mr. Jerry Muir, BC Hydro

Mr. Darin Wong, FortisBC

ABSENT:

Ms. Deborah Harford, Simon Fraser University

Mr. Frank Huang, Citizen Representative

Ms. Doris Mah, Citizen Representative

Ms. Tessa Vanderkop, Burnaby Board of Trade

STAFF:

Mr. Dipak Dattani, Director Corporate Services

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

Ms. Simone Rousseau, Manager Environmental Services

Ms. Lise Townsend, Ecosystem Planner

Ms. Monica Macdonald, Administrative Officer

2.

MINUTES

a)

Minutes of the Environment and Social Planning Committee Open meeting held on 2019 September 03_______________

MOVED BY mr. gibbs 

SECONDED BY trustee cech 

THAT the minutes of the Environment and Social Planning Committee Open meeting held on 2019 September 03 be adopted.

                 -   amended

3.

DELEGATION

a)

MetroVan Repair Cafés

Re: Proposal for a Repair Café Program in Burnaby

Speakers: Dan Withers, Co-Founder and

                  Yining Sun (Sunny), Co-Founder

Mr. Dan Withers and Ms. Yining Sun (Sunny), Co-Founders, MetroVan Repair Cafés, appeared before the Committee seeking support to start a “Repair Café” program in the Burnaby.

Mr. Withers advised that a Repair Café is a gathering for people to learn how to fix their broken items with the help of experienced volunteers. Repair Cafés began

in the Netherlands and are now established around the world, including in the following Metro Vancouver cities: Surrey, Vancouver, Maple Ridge, and Port Coquitlam.

Ms. Sun explained that a Repair Café takes place in a public space, consists of different repair stations manned by volunteers, and is typically a monthly pop-up event. The following items can be repaired: electronics, small appliances, clothing and textiles, jewelry, bicycles, toys, small pieces of furniture, and musical instruments.

Mr. Withers described the two major benefits of a Repair Café:

1.    Waste reduction - repair of visitors’ items to be reused, passing on of repair knowledge, influencing (sustainable) purchasing habits, connecting visitors to local repair businesses; and,

2.    Community building - inclusion - different generations and cultures participating.

In conclusion, the delegation stated that they are looking for a partnership with and funding from the City to start a Repair Café program in Burnaby.

The Committee inquired regarding the delegation’s office support, as well as Repair Cafés in the region, including the type community support they receive.

The delegation advised that MetroVan Repair Cafés did not have an office, Ms. Sun and he were the only staff, and summarized community support, as follows:

·         City of Vancouver - provides some venues (other venues donated by Neighbourhood Houses) but no funding;

·         Maple Ridge – owned and operated by the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society (RMRS), received a start-up grant from the Federal Government and has received grants from VanCity and the RMRS; and,

·         Port Coquitlam – city-owned and operated program.

The Committee inquired regarding the funding required for a Burnaby program.

Mr. Withers advised that the delegation needs $10,000 for the first event and $5,000 for subsequent events; however, he noted that in-kind donations for printing and promotions can significantly reduce these amounts.

The Committee further inquired regarding the group’s volunteer database and whether the same volunteers help in other community events; as well as, asked how the 1600 Repair Cafés in Europe are supported.

The delegation advised that volunteer databases are unique to each community and are made up of volunteers that live and serve in that community. With respect

to the European Cafés, he advised that most of these are supported by a foundation or are in partnership with their respective cities.

Arising from discussion, the Committee thanked the delegation and advised that, as this proposal involves multiple Committees and departments, members and staff would need to discuss this proposal further prior to any decision being made.

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

a)

Correspondence from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Re: Proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve – Update___________________________________

Correspondence was received from the Honourable Catherine McKenna, M.P., Minister of Environment and Climate Change, advising that the governments of Canada and British Columbia and the syilx/Okanagan Nation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formally work toward establishing a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. Further, the Minister advised that the next step will be to negotiate a formal national park reserve agreement which will define the terms and conditions for the establishment, development, management and operation of the reserve.  

b)

Correspondence from Angelika Hackett

Re: Support for Ambitious Climate Targets in Burnaby

Correspondence was received from Ms. Angelika Hackett, Burnaby resident, expressing concern for climate change and requesting that the City adopt, as a minimum, the latest International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommended

Green House Gas (GHG) reduction targets for community-wide emissions. Further, Ms. Hackett asked that the City include these targets in its Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) and Official Community Plan (OCP), and establish a plan for measuring and reporting which would also include a proposal for funding these initiatives. Identical letters were also received from 31 other Burnaby residents (available in the Clerk’s Office).

c)

Correspondence from the Stoney Creek Environment Committee

Re: Proposed Gondola for Simon Fraser University  _                          

A copy of correspondence sent from Mr. Alan James, Member at Large – Education, Stoney Creek Environment Committee, to the TransLink Board of Directors was received opposing a gondola to Simon Fraser University (SFU).

In his letter, Mr. James advised that, regardless of the route chosen, a gondola to SFU presents a threat to the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area (BMCA) and to Stoney Creek, a salmon-bearing stream. Mr. James is requesting that the

project be designated as ‘reviewable’ under the BC Environmental Assessment Act Reviewable Projects Regulation to conduct a Provincial Environmental Assessment of the south part of the BMCA and of the cumulative effects of all stressors on Stoney Creek.

Staff advised that TransLink will be conducting public consultations on route options in 2020.

d)

Correspondence from the Force of Nature Alliance

Re: Support for IPCC Targets and Green House Gas Reduction - Petition Letter______________________

Correspondence was received from the Force of Nature Alliance (which included a petition of 1100 Burnaby residents and a letter from Burnaby Residents Opposing Kinder-Morgan Expansion (BROKE), SFU 350, Embark Sustainability Organization, Burnaby Climate Hub, Force of Nature, Acorn Canada and BC/Burnaby Acorn) expressing concern for climate change and requesting Council:

·         adopt the latest IPCC recommended GHG reduction targets for community-wide emissions;

·         establish meaningful interim targets which would be included in the CEEP and the OCP;

·         draft a plan for measuring and reporting; and,

·         prioritize high-impact climate solutions.

e)

Correspondence from Iain Macanulty and Vibeke Rasmussen

Re: More EV Charging Stations in Burnaby________________

Correspondence was received from Iain Macanulty and Vibeke Rasmussen, Burnaby residents, expressing appreciation to Council for declaring Climate Emergency and supporting plans to reduce Burnaby’s carbon usage. The writers requested consideration of more EV charging stations around the City, particularly at civic facilities.

The Committee inquired regarding the inclusion of EV charging stations in the Climate Action Framework report that staff are currently developing.

Staff confirmed that the Climate Action Framework report (a follow-up report to the 2019 September 09 Council Climate Change report) would include the matter of EV charging stations, as well as advised that seven stations will be installed throughout the City by the end of 2019. Installation of an additional 20 stations are planned, subject to funding from BC Hydro and Council approval.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY mr. lubendo 

SECONDED BY mr. gibbs

THAT staff send a letter to Iain Macanulty and Vibeke Rasmussen providing information on the City’s EV charging stations program, and advising that this matter will be included in the Climate Action Framework report.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

f)

Correspondence from Terry Callender

Re: Appreciation for Climate Action and Suggestions for Action

Correspondence was received from Terry Callender, Burnaby teacher, expressing gratitude to Council for declaring Climate Emergency, adopting community-wide emission targets, and installing charging stations at schools. The writer suggested the City takes additional actions, such as installing signage thanking people for taking public transit, and water bottle refill stations in public buildings (not just in the schools).

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY ms. lumby 

SECONDED BY mr. zawadzki

THAT staff send a letter in response to the writer of item f), and items g) and h) advising that their comments, suggestions, and questions will be considered in the Climate Action Framework report.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

g)

Correspondence from Chris Baudat

Re: Appreciation for Climate Action and Questions for Council

Correspondence was received from Chris Baudat, Member, Director’s Guild of Canada expressing appreciation for Council’s climate action; as well as inquiring regarding next steps and receiving cooperation from the Provincial and Federal Governments.

h)

Correspondence from Yilin Dong

Re: Support for Climate Emergency Declaration and Comments for Further Action____________________

Correspondence was received from Yilin Dong, Burnaby/Vancouver High School student, expressing support for the Climate Emergency Declaration and hopes for future climate action.

i)

Correspondence from the Wilderness Committee

Re: Protection of Old-Growth Forests___________

Correspondence was received from Mr. Torrance Coste, National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee B.C., expressing concern for the protection of old-growth forests. Mr. Coste referred to the latest paper by the Wilderness Committee, Old-Growth Crisis, which highlights the issue, and called on Municipal Governments to raise this issue with local MLAs.

j)

Correspondence from Metro Vancouver Home Trap Coalition

Re: Request for City Representation on Metro Vancouver Home Trap Coalition__________________________________

Correspondence was received from Mr. Mark Stockbrocks, Home Trap Coalition member, expressing concern for people with disabilities or mobility challenges who live in buildings that have only one elevator; and advising that he and others have experienced weeks or months trapped in their homes when the one elevator has broken down. Mr. Stockbrocks called for City support to address this issue and advocate to end “home traps” in Burnaby.

Staff advised that the BC Building Code does not require an elevator for low-rise buildings (four storeys or less), however, does require at least one elevator for  hi-rises.

The Committee noted that, unless residents report being trapped in their homes due to elevator failure, the City would not know the frequency of these incidents and how many individuals are being affected.

The Committee inquired regarding a requirement for residents to report “home trap” incidents.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY trustee cech 

SECONDED BY councillor ketihley

THAT the writer’s concerns be REFERRED to staff for consideration in the development a Standards of Maintenance Bylaw; and,

THAT a letter be sent to Mr. Stockbrocks with this information.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

NEW BUSINESS

6.

INQUIRIES

7.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY mr. lubendo 

SECONDED BY councillor wang 

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Monica Macdonald

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Colleen Jordan

CHAIR