ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

MINUTES

 

An Open meeting of the Environment and Social Planning Committee was held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Tuesday, 2019 June 04 at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Closed meeting from which the public was excluded.    

 

1.

CALL TO ORDER

 

                     

PRESENT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADVISORY ORGANIZATIONS:

 

 

ABSENT:           

Councillor Colleen Jordan, Chair

Councillor Joe Keithley, Vice Chair

Mr. Frank Huang, Citizen Representative

Mr. Elie Lubendo, Citizen Representative 

Ms. Mary Lumby, Citizen Representative 

Ms. Doris Mah, Citizen Representative

Ms. Tessa Vanderkop, Burnaby Board of Trade

Mr. Andrei Zawadzki, Citizen Representative

 

Ms. Deborah Harford, Simon Fraser University

Mr. Jerry Muir, BC Hydro

Ms. Dana Wong, FortisBC  

 

Councillor James Wang, Member

Trustee Peter Cech, Burnaby School Board

Mr. Joel Gibbs, Citizen Representative

 

STAFF:

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. Lise Townsend, Ecosystem Planner

Ms. Monica Macdonald, Administrative Officer

 

The Chair called the Open meeting to order at 6:03 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 and facilitated a round of introductions.

 

 

2.

MINUTES

 

 

a)

Minutes of the Environment and Social Planning Committee Open meeting held on 2019 May 06                                              

 

 

MOVED BY mr. lubendo

SECONDED BY councillor keithley

 

THAT the minutes of the Environment and Social Planning Committee Open meeting held on 2019 May 06 be adopted.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

3.

DELEGATIONS

 

 

MOVED BY ms. mah

SECONDED BY mr. zawadzki

 

THAT the delegations be heard.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

a)

The Sustainabiliteens

Re: Climate Crisis

Speakers: Lilah Williamson, Natalie Chang and Amy Daiminger

 

 

Ms. Lilah Williamson, age 15, Ms. Natalie Chang, age 13, and Ms. Amy Daiminger, age 17, organizers of the Sustainabiliteens, appeared before the Committee providing a youth perspective on the climate crisis and presented an overview of the Sustainabiliteens’ work across Metro Vancouver.

 

Ms. Williamson advised she grew up in Burnaby and loves the City. She stated that when she learned about climate change and global warming at age 11, she was terrified and felt that no one seemed to care about clean air and water and a stable environment. The speaker feels even more terrified now, four years later, and noted that in 2018 global emissions are still rising.

 

Ms. Chang advised that the Sustainabiliteens, teens from across Metro Vancouver, are part of Climate Strike Canada, a national group of young people coming together to demand that governments treat climate change as an emergency. Ms. Chang noted that the Sustainabiliteens have taken the following actions in 2019:

 

·         January 16 - delegation before Vancouver City Council in support of a motion to declare climate emergency;

·         March 15 - 2,000 Vancouver climate strike (an international day of action with 1.4 million students worldwide participating); and,

·         May 3 - 3,000 Vancouver climate strike.

 

Ms. Daiminger expressed appreciation to the City for what it has done so far to address the climate crisis and referenced Burnaby’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy, Official Community Plan, and Community Energy and Emissions Plan; however, voiced concern that this action is not enough.

 

In conclusion, the delegation advocated that the City declare climate emergency and set emission reduction targets of 65% by 2030 and net zero by 2040.

 

 

b)

Force of Nature Alliance

Re: Burnaby's Climate Targets and Declaration of Climate Emergency

Speaker: Jake Hubley, Community Organizer

 

 

Mr. Jake Hubley, Community Organizer, Force of Nature Alliance, appeared before the Committee providing an overview of the group’s work, as well as their collaborative efforts with other cities in identifying climate targets.

 

The speaker referred to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C released in 2018 October which recommended community-wide emission reduction targets of 45% by 2030, 65% by 2040 and 100% by 2050. Mr. Hubley advised that these are the minimum targets needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change by the next generation, and advocated that the City set even higher emission reduction targets. Five cities in the Lower Mainland have adopted targets to date.

 

Mr. Hubley stated that cities have a big influence in reducing the impact of climate change. He noted a number of solutions to reducing community-wide emissions which cities could implement, including adoption of: BC Step Code, property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, more bike lanes, car free streets, banning plastic bags, and renewable natural gas. Further, the speaker emphasized the importance for cities to measure and report emission levels, and tracking progress.

 

The delegation also advocated that cities declare “climate emergency”. In addition to the Lower Mainland cities of Richmond, Vancouver and New Westminster, over 600 cities internationally have declared “climate emergency”.

 

In conclusion, Mr. Hubley advised Force of Nature is asking that all municipalities within the Lower Mainland do the following:

 

1.    Pass a formal resolution to adopt the latest IPCC recommended greenhouse gas reduction targets for community-wide emissions.

 

2.    Establish a set of interim targets.

 

3.    Draft a plan for annual transparent measuring and reporting.

 

In closing, Mr. Hubley added that he would provide the Committee and staff with additional information to support Burnaby’s work regarding climate targets.

 

The Committee recommended the delegation bring this presentation to Metro Vancouver which has jurisdiction over many of the areas addressed by Mr. Hubley.

 

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

 

 

MOVED BY councillor keithley

SECONDED BY ms. lumby

 

THAT the correspondence be received.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

a)

Memorandum from the Acting Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Re: South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve       

 

 

Correspondence was received from the Acting Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services regarding support from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) for the creation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve. In 2014, the UBCM membership endorsed a resolution to create a national park in the South Okanagan, and subsequently, a request for action from the UBCM was forwarded to the Provincial and Federal Governments. In his memorandum, the Acting Director provided the text of the Governments’ response which was not to support a national reserve for the South Okanagan.

 

5.

REPORTS

 

 

MOVED BY mr. huang

SECONDED BY ms. mah

 

THAT the reports be received.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

a)

Report from the Director Engineering

Re: Amendments to Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw 12875 (2010)

 

The Director Engineering submitted a report requesting amendment to the Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw 12875 (2010) and Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 12657 to reflect changes with service delivery, strengthen enforcement provisions and improve readability.

 

 

The Director Engineering recommended:

 

1.    THAT the Environment and Social Planning Committee recommend Council authorize the City Solicitor to amend:

 

a.    the Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw 12875 (2010):

 

i.      to implement requirements for storage and management of receptacles for waste and set out requirements for collection of waste receptacles within determined bear areas;

 

ii.    to implement changes to strengthen enforcement of illegal dumping;

 

iii.   to provide clarity of language in several clauses throughout the

Bylaw for increased readability; and

 

iv.   to define the “Additional No-fee Medical Waste Receptacle”;

 

b.    the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 12657:

 

i.      to implement penalties for the storage and management of receptacles for waste and set out times of waste receptacles within designated bear areas;

 

ii.    to increase penalties for illegal dumping and various other bylaw infractions; and

 

iii.   to add new staff positions to the Screening Officer and Bylaw Enforcement Officer sections.

 

MOVED BY mr. lubendo

SECONDED BY councillor keithley

 

THAT the recommendation of the Director Engineering be adopted.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

b)

Report from the Director Engineering

Re: Annual Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Report (2018)

 

 

The Director Engineering submitted a report presenting the City’s Annual Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Report for 2018.

 

 

 

 

The Director Engineering recommended:

 

1.    THAT the Committee recommend to Council to:

 

a.    Receive this report for information purposes; and

 

b.    Forward a copy of this report to Mr. Binny Sivia, Environmental Health Officer, Fraser Health Authority, Unit #207 - 2776 Bourquin Crescent West, Abbotsford, BC V2S 6A4.

 

MOVED BY mr. zawadzki

SECONDED BY ms. vanderkop

 

THAT the recommendation of the Director Engineering be adopted.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

c)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: Green Building Requirements for
New Part 9 Residential Buildings                            

 

 

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report seeking approval for the proposed green building requirements for new Part 9 residential buildings.

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

 

1.    THAT Council approve the proposed green building requirements for new Part 9 residential buildings, as outlined in this report.

 

2.    THAT Council approve the proposed Building Bylaw amendments for Energy Step Code, as outlined in Section 4.1 of this report.

 

MOVED BY ms. vanderkop

SECONDED BY mr. lubendo

 

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

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

d)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: All On Board Campaign                                      

 

 

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report providing more details about the All On board Campaign.

 

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

 

1.    THAT the Committee request Council to approve the resolutions contained in Section 5.1 of this report, for submission to the 2019 Union of BC Municipalities Convention.

 

2.    THAT a copy of this report be forwarded to the All on Board campaign representatives and Burnaby MLAs for information.

 

MOVED BY councillor keithley

SECONDED BY ms. lumby

 

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

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

e)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: World Rivers Day 2019                                       

 

 

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report seeking approval of the proposed program for World Rivers Day 2019 at the Burnaby Village Museum, and expenditures for advertising and promotion of the program.

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

1.    THAT Council approve the proposed program for World Rivers Day 2019 at the Burnaby Village Museum.

 

2.    THAT Council authorize expenditures for World Rivers Day 2019 in the amount of $4,000 for advertising and promotion, as outlined in this report.

 

3.    THAT a copy of this report be forwarded to the Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission; Mark Angelo, World Rivers Day Chair and Founder and representative of the International River Foundation; and the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia for information purposes.

 

MOVED BY mr. huang

SECONDED BY ms. mah

 

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

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

 

 

6.

TABLED MATTER

 

 

a)

Correspondence from the Wilderness Committee

Re: South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve

 

 

Correspondence was received from the Wilderness Committee expressing concern for the decline of wildlife populations in Canada and the growing number of species at risk, and advocating action to protect the species that are not yet at risk and to recover species already at risk.

 

The Wilderness Committee, noting that the South Okanagan-Similkameen region is home to over 65 federally listed species at risk, is seeking support for the creation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve.

 

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

 

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR keithley

Seconded by COUNCILLOR wang

 

THAT this item of correspondence be now TABLED.

                                                                        CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

The correspondence was TABLED to the 2019 June 4 Committee meeting to allow staff time to research information regarding any support from other BC local governments or the Union of BC Municipalities for the creation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve.

 

MOVED BY Mr. lubendo

SECONDED BY Councillor keithley

 

THAT the correspondence from the Wilderness Committee seeking support for the creation of a South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve be now LIFTED from the table.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

            Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

 

MOVED BY Councillor keithley

SECONDED BY ms. lumby

 

That the Committee recommends to Council that Burnaby support the creation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve.

 

   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

 

7.

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

Councillor Keithley – Plastic Containers and Utensils

 

Councillor Keithley provided a resolution regarding the use of single use plastic containers and utensils, and requested that notice of motion be waived.

 

With unanimous consent, the following resolution was brought forward for consideration at this time:

 

MOVED BY councillor keithley

SECONDED BY ms. lumby

 

WHEREAS single use plastic containers and utensils are known to cause significant harm to the environment; and

 

WHEREAS there are available environmentally friendly alternatives to single use plastic containers and utensils;

 

THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED THAT:

 

1.    Staff report back to the Committee on the feasibility and advisability of eliminating the use of single use plastic containers and utensils at City facilities; and

 

2.    Staff report back to the Committee on the feasibility and advisability of a City-wide ban on single use plastics containers and utensils.

 

          CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

Arising from discussion, the Committee agreed to combine the above report with the report on plastic bags and straws.

 

Councillor Jordan – Environmental Awards Reception and Ceremony

 

Councillor Jordan announced that the Annual Environmental Awards ceremony to honour award recipients will be held during the regular Open Council meeting on Monday, June 10th at 6:00 p.m. A reception will be held at 5:00 p.m. in the main foyer. All members are invited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

INQUIRIES

 

 

            Mr. Lubendo - Social Sustainability Strategy Update

 

Mr. Lubendo inquired regarding the status of the Social Sustainability Strategy Update.

 

Staff undertook to follow-up.

 

Councillor Keithley – Plastic Water Bottle Use

 

Councillor Keithley inquired regarding the City’s policy on use and sale of plastic water bottles at City facilities, and proposed consideration of water refill stations at City’s facilities.

 

Staff undertook to provide the information.

 

9.

CLOSED

 

 

MOVED BY ms. mah

SECONDED BY mr. zawadzki

 

THAT the Committee, in accordance with Sections 90 and 92 of the Community Charter, do now resolve itself into a Closed meeting from which the public is excluded to consider matters concerning personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for a municipal award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the municipality on condition of anonymity.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

MOVED BY councillor keithley

SECONDED BY ms. lumby

 

THAT the Open Committee meeting do now recess.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

The Open Committee meeting recessed at 7:22 p.m.

 

MOVED BY ms. lumby

SECONDED BY mr. huang

 

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now reconvene.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

The Open Committee meeting reconvened at 7:24 p.m.

 

 

10.

ADJOURNMENT

 

 

MOVED BY ms. mah

SECONDED BY mr. zawadzki

 

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

The Open meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

 

 

 

 

________________________

________________________

Monica Macdonald

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Colleen Jordan

CHAIR