ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES

Tuesday, 2016 April 12

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, 2016 April 12 at 6:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

Councillor Anne Kang, Chair

Councillor Pietro Calendino, Member

Mr. Bill Brassington Jr., Citizen Representative

Mr. Peter Cech, Citizen Representative

Ms. Peggy Hua, Citizen Representative (arrived at 6:08 p.m.)

Mr. Frank Zhao, Citizen Representative

ABSENT:

Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, Vice Chair

STAFF:

Mr. Dipak Dattani, Deputy Director Engineering

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

Ms. Gisele Caron, Purchasing Manager

Ms. Lise Townsend, Ecosystem Planner

Mr. Mark Sloat, Planner 1

Ms. Melinda Yong, Environmental Technician, Parks Design

Ms. Blanka Zeinabova, Administrative Officer

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.

2.

MINUTES

a)

Open meeting of the Environment Committee

held on 2016 February 09_________________

MOVED BY councillor calendino 

SECONDED BY mr. cech

THAT the minutes of the Open meeting of the Environment Committee held on 2016 February 09 be adopted.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DELEGATION

MOVED BY Mr. brassington jr.

SECONDED BY mr. cech

THAT the delegation be heard.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Katie van der Sloot

Re: Risk Management of Triclosan

Speaker: Katie van der Sloot

Ms. Katie van der Sloot, Student, Quest University Canada, appeared before the Committee noting that Environment Canada and Health Canada are due to release a final assessment on triclosan, the chemical additive in antibacterial products. Upon release of this document, the public will have 60 days to submit comments on a risk management strategy.

**Ms. Hua arrived at the meeting at 6:08 p.m. and took her place at the Committee table.**

Ms. van der Sloot expressed numerous concerns over the chemical's safety, i.e. toxicity to aquatic life, bioaccumulation potential, endocrine disrupting effects, contribution to cancer cell proliferation, and cross-resistance to antibiotics. The speaker requested the City's support for risk management of triclosan, which would ban it from personal and household products in Canada by sending a letter to the Ministers of Health and the Environment. 

Staff advised that the Environment Canada did a preliminary assessment of triclosan in 2012; however, the final report has not been released yet.  Staff will continue to monitor this matter and report back to the Committee if necessary.

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY councillor calendino 

SECONDED By mr. zhao

THAT the correspondence be received.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Correspondence from Wilderness Committee

Re: BC's Mining Industry__________________

Correspondence was received from Mr. Joe Foy, National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee, providing its latest educational report entitled Cleaning Up BC's Dirty Mining Industry. 

b)

Correspondence from David Macdonald

Re: South Surrey Coal Terminal_______

(310 signatures on the petition as of 2016.04.07.)

Correspondence was received from Mr. David Macdonald requesting support for an e-petition sponsored by Peter Julian, MP New Westminster-Burnaby, in opposition to the South Surrey Coal Terminal. This is a port facility planned to be built on Fraser River for the purpose of exporting American thermal coal to Asia. Open coal trains will travel through White Rock, Delta, and Surrey, and load coal across the Fraser from New Westminster and Burnaby.  Mr. Macdonald expressed concern for "fugitive" coal dust and the effect this project would have on climate change. (315 signatures as of 2016.04.12.)

c)

Correspondence from Electric Vehicle Association

Re: Climate Change___________________________

Correspondence was received from Mr. Jim Hindson, Victoria Electric Vehicle Club, and other organizations representing hundreds of electric vehicle owners or advocates, indicating measures that are needed at the municipal level to accelerate the adoption rate of electric vehicles.

Arising from discussion, the Committee requested staff monitor a sale of electric vehicles for a year, and develop a policy for charging stations in the City.

Staff undertook to respond to the writer providing information on the infrastructure in the City of Burnaby.

The Committee further requested staff investigate the feasibility of local car dealers attending the Environment Week 2017 and showcasing electric vehicles.

d)

Correspondence from Species at Risk Recovery Unit, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Re: Notifications of Updates to the Species at Risk Public Registry_____________________________________________

Correspondence was received from Species at Risk Recovery Unit, Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific & Yukon Region, Environment and Climate Change Canada noting that the Recovery Strategy for Canada Warbler (Cardellina Canadensis), Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) and Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) were posted as Final on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

e)

Correspondence from Species at Risk Recovery Unit, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Re: Update to the Species at Risk Public Registry__________

Correspondence was received from Species at Risk Recovery Unit, Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific & Yukon Region, Environment and Climate Change Canada noting that the Recovery Strategy and Management Plan for the Red Knot (Calidris canutus) and the Management Plan for the Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) have been posted as proposed on the Species at Risk Public Registry for a 60-day public consultation period. 

f)

Correspondence from Otto Langer, Fisheries Biologist

Re: Protection of Fraser River Estuary______________

Correspondence was received from Mr. Otto E. Langer, Fisheries Biologist, noting that on 2015 November 17 he sent a letter to the key responsible government Cabinet Ministers and MPs about the urgent need to better protect the Fraser River estuary.  Mr. Langer submitted a list of projects that are a threat to this globally significant river and its estuary, together with a recommended action plan to resolve the issues that were created over the past decade that have put the Lower Fraser River and estuary into an environmental downhill.

g)

Correspondence from Garden City Conservation Society

Re: Resolving Public and Environmental Conflict of Interest with Port Metro Vancouver_____________________________

Correspondence was received from Mr. Jim Wright, President, Garden City Conservation Society, in support of Mr. Langer’s letter to protect the Fraser River estuary and to end Port Metro Vancouver’s conflict of interest.

h)

Correspondence from the Boundary Bay Conservation Committee

Re: Conflict of Interest and Need to Revamp Authority of Port Metro Vancouver_____________________________________

Correspondence was received from Ms. Mary Taitt and Ms. Susan Jones, Directors of the Boundary Bay Conservation Committee, in support of Mr. Langer’s letter to protect the Fraser River estuary and to end Port Metro Vancouver’s conflict of interest.

i)

Correspondence from Roger Emsley

Re: Resolving Public and Environmental Conflict of Interest with Port Metro Vancouver_____________________________

Correspondence was received from Mr. Roger Emsley of Delta in support of Mr. Langer’s letter to protect the Fraser River estuary and to end Port Metro Vancouver’s conflict of interest.

j)

Correspondence from Mr. & Ms. Yakelashek

Re: FCM Federal Bill of Environmental Rights Resolution

Correspondence was received from Rupert (age 12) and Franny (age 9) Yakelashek of Victoria seeking the City’s support of FCM Federal Bill of Environmental Rights Resolution (passed by the City of Victoria on 2016 January 07).

Staff noted that in November 2014, Council adopted a resolution on ‘The Blue Dot’ movement, and the City in general supports the Federal Bill of Environmental Rights Resolution.

k)

Correspondence from Burnaby Food First

Re: Local Food Security - Turning Policy into Action in Metro Vancouver__________________________________________

Correspondence was received from Ms. Leona Skovgaard, Burnaby Food First, advising that a report entitled “Local Food Security – Turning Policy into Action in Metro Vancouver” has been completed.  The purpose of the report is to provide information on the various approaches to food security.

l)

Memorandum from the City Clerk

Re: Environmental Sustainability Strategy Draft Report and Phase 3 Public Consultation___________________________

A memorandum was received from the City Clerk advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting held on 2016 March 07, received and adopted the above noted report seeking to initiate public consultation on the Draft Burnaby Environmental Sustainability Strategy (ESS) Report and on the Draft Burnaby Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP).

m)

Memorandum from the City Clerk

Re: Water Shortage Response Plan

A memorandum was received from the City Clerk advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting held on 2016 April 04, received and adopted the above noted report providing information on the amendments approved by Metro Vancouver to the Water Shortage Response Plan and seeking approval on incorporating the amendments to the City’s Waterworks Regulation Bylaw.

**Mr. Brassington Jr. left the meeting at 7:11 p.m.**

5.

REPORTS

MOVED BY ms. hua 

SECONDED BY mr. cech

THAT the reports be received.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Report from the Director Engineering

Re: Bear Resistant Green Bin Receptacle Pilot Project

The Director Engineering submitted a report seeking approval to undertake a Bear Resistant Green Bing Receptacle Pilot Project for select multi-family properties services by the City.

The Director Engineering recommended:

1.  THAT the Committee recommend Council to approve a bear resistant green    bin receptacle pilot project for select multi-family properties serviced by the City, as outlined in this report.

MOVED BY councillor calendino

SECONDED BY ms. hua 

THAT the recommendation of the Director Engineering be adopted.

     CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

**Mr. Brassington Jr. returned to the meeting at 7:16 p.m. and took his place at the Committee table.**

b)

Report from the Director Engineering

Re: 2015 Annual Solid Waste and Recycling Report

- A Year in Review____________________________

The Director Engineering presented the 2015 annual report on the City’s integrated solid waste and recycling program.

**Councillor Calendino left the meeting at 7:23 p.m.**

The Director Engineering recommended:

1.  THAT the Committee receive the 2015 Annual Solid Waste and Recycling Report and forward it to Council for information.

**Councillor Calendino returned to the meeting at 7:25 p.m. and took his place at the Committee table.**

Staff provided a brief overview of waste reduction programs enhancements planned for 2016.

MOVED BY mr. brassington jr. 

SECONDED BY ms. hua

THAT the recommendation of the Director Engineering be adopted.

     CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.

NEW BUSINESS

a)

Deputy Director Engineering

Re: Water Conservation Poster Contest 2016 - Finalist Selection

The Deputy Director Engineering provided the Committee with the finalists of the 2016 Water Conservation Poster Contest.

The speaker noted there were 74 entries in total – 47 from elementary schools and 27 from high schools.  The following schools submitted posters: Elementary Schools (“Save Every Drop” theme) - Ecole Seaforth Elementary, Suncrest Elementary, Chaffey-Burke, Aubrey, Stoney Creek, University Highlands Elementary, Maywood, Gilmore; and High Schools (“Conserve Water, Conserve Life” theme) - Burnaby South, Burnaby Central, and Alpha Secondary.

Staff selected eight posters for each theme and the Committee members voted on the artwork.  Members were judging creativity, originality, visual effectiveness and messaging.

Staff will gather the results of voting and winners will be contacted.  Winning posters will be displayed at the City Hall foyer during the Environment Week, as well as on the City’s website.

Bill Brassington Jr. – Environmental Awards 2017

Mr. Brassington Jr. suggested staff investigate the feasibility of creating a new Environmental Award category in recycling and green waste for multi-family buildings.

7.

INQUIRIES

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

8.

CLOSED

Public excluded according to Sections 90 and 92 of the Community Charter.

MOVED BY councillor calendino 

SECONDED BY mr. zhao

THAT this meeting do now recess.

     CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open meeting recessed at 8:12 p.m.

MOVED BY mr. cech 

SECONDED BY councillor calendino

THAT this meeting do now reconvene.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open meeting reconvened at 8:18 p.m.

9.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY mr. brassington jr. 

SECONDED BY ms. hua 

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

     CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Blanka Zeinabova

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Anne Kang

CHAIR