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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 Thursday, 2019 March 28
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
Ms.
Mary Lumby, Citizen Representative
Trustee
Peter Cech, Burnaby School Board
Ms.
Tessa Vanderkop, Burnaby Board of Trade
Mr.
Jerry Muir, BC Hydro
Ms.
Dana Wong, FortisBC
Ms.
Deborah Harford, Simon Fraser University
Mr.
Frank Huang, Citizen Representative
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STAFF:
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Mr.
Dipak Dattani, Director Corporate Services
Mr.
James Lota, Deputy Director Engineering
Ms.
Lee-Ann Garnett, Assistant Director Long Range Planning
Ms.
Heather Edwards, Manager Parks, Planning, Design & Dev.
Ms.
Simone Rousseau, Manager Environmental Services
Mr.
Alan Scales, Business Manager, Solid Waste & Recycling
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 6:07 p.m.
The Chair acknowledged the
unceded, traditional, and ancestral lands of the
hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and sḵwx̱wú7mesh
speaking people, and extended appreciation for the opportunity to hold a
meeting on this shared Coast Salish territory.
The Chair welcomed members
to the first Environment and Social Planning Committee (formerly the
Sustainable City Advisory Committee) for 2019, and facilitated a round of introductions.
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MOVED BY councillor keithley
SECONDED BY councillor wang
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THAT the minutes of the Sustainable
City Advisory Committee Open meeting held on 2018 November 14 be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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MOVED BY councillor keithley
SECONDED BY councillor wang
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THAT
the presentations be heard.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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School Trustee Peter Cech provided an overview of the
School District’s water conservation, waste and recycling, and Electric
Vehicle promotion initiatives.
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The speaker advised that bottle
refill stations 68 stations have been installed throughout the District. This program,
which was initiated by Burnaby North High School, reduces single use plastics and
has since been adopted by other districts province-wide.
School Trustee Cech described
the District’s waste diversion program and noted that recycling programs are in
place for food scraps, cardboard, plastics, batteries, electronics, and various
metals.
The speaker stated that the
District has 2 EVs and 15 charging stations, and plans to acquire more vehicles
and install more stations.
In conclusion, School
Trustee Cech advised that the District continues to be a leader in
sustainability initiatives, particularly in water and energy conservation.
MOVED BY
councillor keithley
SECONDED
BY councillor wang
THAT the Presentation item
3b) be moved before item 6a) Reports.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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MOVED BY Trustee Cech
SECONDED BY councillor keithley
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THAT
the delegation be heard.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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a)
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Elie Lubendo
Re:
Interfaith Harmony in Relation to the Burnaby Social Sustainability Strategy
Speaker: Elie Lubendo
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Mr. Elie Lubendo appeared before the
Committee regarding interfaith harmony and its relationship to programs in
Burnaby and the Social Sustainability Strategy (the Strategy).
The delegation advised that his
request to appear before the Committee was written at the time of the United Nations
Interfaith Harmony Week at the beginning of February, noting his intention
was to inspire reflection on the content of Strategic Priority 2 of the
Strategy and religious harmony in the City.
Mr. Lubendo referenced the recent
mass shooting at two mosques in New Zealand, expressed concern for interfaith
harmony in the City, and noted that more needs to be done to support a
stronger interfaith network.
The speaker inquired regarding the Interfaith
Network group, and plans by the City to support the group.
Staff advised that the Interfaith Network
group joined with Burnaby Together Organizing Against Racism and Hate Table
in 2019. The Table is chaired by Burnaby Family Life and meets to discuss
interfaith issues.
The Committee advised that the
Strategy, including the Cultural and Religious Harmony section, is being reviewed
and will be updated this year.
Arising from discussion and with no
objection by any member, the Committee requested staff contact Mr. Lubendo to
assist in addressing his concerns.
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moved BY councillor keithley
SECONDED BY councillor wang
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THAT
the correspondence be received.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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Correspondence was received from
West Coast Environmental Law regarding local climate change impacts and the
fossil fuel industry, and requesting the City to: 1) track the costs of
climate change that are being incurred by its community, and 2) write a
Climate Accountability Letter to 20 of the world’s largest fossil fuel
companies demanding that they pay a share of the costs of climate change.
Arising from discussion of the
correspondence, the Committee advised that a report reviewing some of the
challenges and opportunities of taking action on climate change was adopted
by Council at its Open meeting on 2019 February 11. Subsequently, His
Worship, Mayor Hurley on behalf of Council, has written to the Premier of
British Columbia, urging the government to create legislation allowing
municipal governments to launch and join class action lawsuits against fossil
fuel companies for climate-related harms.
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b)
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Correspondence from
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Re:
Schedule 1 Amendments of the Species at Risk Act
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Correspondence was received from Environment
and Climate Change Canada advising on a proposal to amend Schedule 1 of the Species
at Risk Act for nine migratory bird
species, and inviting public comment on the proposal until February 12, 2019.
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Staff advised none of these
species breed in Burnaby, but do pass through the City during migration and
some of them have been sighted in the City.
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Correspondence was received from Mr.
Patrick Nagle, CEO Modo Co-operative,
providing information on the values,
commitment and operation of the co-operative and stressing the need for an
increased use of sustainable
transportation modes to help tackle housing
and transportation challenges. Mr. Nagle advised his company looks forward to
working with Council and staff to create a more livable City.
The Committee inquired regarding a
partnership between carsharing companies and the City.
Staff undertook to investigate.
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Correspondence was received from Ms.
Leena Hasan petitioning the City to send climate accountability letters to
the world’s largest fossil fuel polluters, as requested in the letter from
West Coast Environmental Law on 2018 December 10 (see item 5a).
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Correspondence was received from Mr.
Paul Browning petitioning the City to send climate accountability letters to
the world’s largest fossil fuel polluters, as requested in the letter from
West Coast Environmental Law on 2018 December 10 (see item 5a).
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Arising from discussion of
items 5d) and 5e), the following motion was introduced:
moved BY councillor keithley
SECONDED
BY councillor wang
THAT staff provide a copy
of the Climate Change Action and Liability report that was adopted by Council
on 2019 February 11 to Ms. Hasan and Mr. Browning.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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Correspondence was received from Mr.
Barry Jones petitioning the City to send climate accountability letters to
the world’s largest fossil fuel polluters, as requested in the letter from West
Coast Environmental Law on 2018 December 10 (see item 5a).
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Mr. Jones received a copy
of the Climate Change Action and Liability report, as per Recommendation #2 of
the report.
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A memorandum was received from the
Deputy City Clerk advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting held on
2019 February 11, adopted the above noted report providing a summary of
activities of the Child Care Resources Group in 2018 and proposing a workplan
for 2019.
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A memorandum was received from the
Deputy City Clerk advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting held on
2019 March 11, received a delegation from Claire Preston regarding the impact
of tobacco products on the environment and referred concerns raised
by the delegation to the Environment and Social Planning Committee.
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Staff advised that the City
does not have the legal authority to ban the sale of tobacco products in the
City.
Arising from discussion and
with no objection by any member, the Committee requested staff provide
information on action taken to date by Metro Vancouver Regional District
regarding tobacco product waste.
Arising from further discussion,
the following motion was introduced;
moved BY councillor wang
SECONDED
BY councillor keithley
THAT staff prepare
memorandum to the Committee on the advisability and feasibility of banning the
sale of tobacco products in the City.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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A memorandum was received from the
Administrative Officer advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting
held on 2019 March 11, adopted the above noted report requesting a Capital
Reserve Fund Bylaw to finance the 2019 Access Improvements Program and providing
a summary of recent Burnaby Access Advisory Committee activities.
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MOVED BY councillor wang
SECONDED BY councillor keithley
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THAT
the reports be received.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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Item Presentation 3b) was
heard at this time.
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b)
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Proposed
Approach for Green Building Requirements in New Part 9 Residential Buildings
Presenter: Lise Townsend, Ecosystem
Planner
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Ms. Lise Townsend, Ecosystem Planner,
provided an overview of the City’s Green Building Policy for Part 9 Residential
Buildings.
Staff advised that Part 9
Residential Building includes buildings up to three storeys and less than 600m2
such as single family dwellings, duplexes, rowhouses, and multi-plexes that
meet these size criteria.
Ms. Townsend indicated that
the Policy incorporates the goals and objectives as set out in the City’s
Corporate Strategic Plan and the Social Sustainability, Economic Development
and the Environmental Sustainability Strategies.
The speaker advised the BC
Energy Step Code is a building regulation and voluntary compliance path of the
BC Building Code and a “road map” toward the provincial goal towards buildings
built to high energy-efficiency standards by 2032. The Step Code is also a tool
that local governments can use to require or incentivize higher performing
buildings
Ms. Townsend explained the
Step Code “steps” refers to levels of energy efficiency for new construction,
and includes completion target years, and ranges as follows: Step 1 “Improved”
(where we are now), Step 2 “10% Better”, Step 3 “20% Better” (by 2022), Step 4
“40% Better” (by 2027), and Step 5 “Net Zero Ready” (by 2032).
Staff outlined the proposed
approach for green building requirements in new Part 9 residential buildings
including the following components:
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energy
modeling & air tightness testing (meet Step 1 of the Step Code;
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increasing
energy efficiency over time;
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communicating
energy use (labeling); and,
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investigate
low carbon policy options.
In closing, Ms. Townsend provided the
following time-line:
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April-May:
stakeholder engagement
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June:
report back to Committee and Council;
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Summer:
internal training and communication; and,
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September:
proposed effective date.
The normal order of the
agenda resumed.
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The Director Planning and Building
submitted a report seeking Council approval for a proposed approach for green
building requirements in new Part 9 residential buildings, as a basis for
stakeholder consultation.
The Director Planning and Building
recommended:
1.
THAT Council approve the
proposed approach for green building requirements for new Part 9 residential
buildings, as a basis for stakeholder consultation, as outlined in this
report.
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MOVED BY trustee cech
SECONDED BY mr. gibbs
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THAT the recommendation of the Director
Planning and Building be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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The Director Planning and Building
submitted a report seeking approval of the program for 2019 Environment Week.
The Committee noted that the car
trunk sale to be held at Bill Copeland Sports Centre is not accessible by
transit, and inquired regarding having car trunk sales at other locations in
the City which are more accessible by transit.
Staff will investigate other
locations for the car trunk sale for next year.
The Director Planning and
Building recommended:
1.
THAT
Council approve the program for 2019 Environment Week.
2.
THAT Council
approve an expenditure of up to $5,500 from the Boards, Committees and
Commissions’ operating budget for promoting and advertising Environment Week.
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MOVED BY councillor keithley
SECONDED BY councillor wang
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THAT the recommendations of the Director
Planning and Building be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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The Director Engineering
submitted a report presenting the 2018 annual report on the City’s integrated
solid waste and recycling program.
Staff provided a PowerPoint
presentation of the summarizing the report.
The
Director Engineering recommended:
1.
THAT
the Committee recommend Council receive the 2018 Annual Solid Waste and
Recycling Report for information.
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MOVED BY ms.
lumby
SECONDED BY
Ms. Vanderkop
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THAT the recommendation of the Director
Engineering be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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Councillor
Keithley – Plastic Bags and Straws
Councillor Keithley brought forward
the following resolution for consideration:
WHEREAS single use plastic bags and
straws are known to cause significant harm to the environment; and
WHEREAS there are available
environmentally friendly alternatives to single use bags and straws; and
IN RECOGNITION that straws are a
necessary part of life for some residents, and wanting a full understanding
of the impacts.
MOVED BY councillor KEITHLEY
SECONDED BY mr. gibbs
1. THAT staff report back to
the Committee on the feasibility and advisability of eliminating the use of
single use plastic bags and straws at City facilities; and
2.
THAT
staff report back to the Committee on the feasibility and advisability of a
City-wide ban on single use plastics bags and straws.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Arising from discussion and with no
objection by any member, the Committee requested that dog “biodegradable”
plastic bags that may not be fully biodegradable, be included in the staff
review.
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There were no inquiries brought
before the Committee at this time.
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MOVED BY councillor wang
SECONDED BY councillor keithley
THAT
this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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The
Open meeting adjourned at 8:17 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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