HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-03 Council Report EMS Implementation Report 1
City of Maple Ridge
TO: His Worship Mayor Ernie Daykin DATE: November 3, 2014
and Members of Council FILE NO:
FROM: Chief Administrative Officer ATTN: Council Workshop
SUBJECT: Environmental Management Strategy Implementation Report – Short Term High
Priority Implementation Recommendations
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Environmental Management Strategy of April 2014 provides an evaluation of existing
environmental programs, tools and practices being utilized in Maple Ridge. It contains numerous
findings and recommendations that provide the City of Maple Ridge with a “road map” for future
development and consideration of various environmental management objectives that are aligned
with OCP and Corporate Sustainability objectives. The Strategy includes short, medium, and long
term environmental strategies and action items. These Action items can help the City move towards
its municipal objectives using clear, cost effective, timely, and innovative methods that continue to
help us support a healthy natural environment.
On April 17 2014, Council received the Environmental Management Strategy (EMS) as information
and directed staff to prepare an initial EMS Implementation Report for consideration. The focus was
to be on short term high priority strategies.
At the April 17, 2014 workshop, the following resolution was passed:
That staff submit the Environmental Management Strategy report to Council
to be received as information; and
That staff be directed to prepare a report for consideration and endorsement
by Council on the various short term priority implementation items outlined in
the report.
This report considers several potential next steps for Council’s consideration and endorsement.
First it recommends that the Environmental Management Strategy be referred to the ‘to be formed’
Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee (EnSAC) for review and consideration before it is
forwarded to Council for endorsement. Second, it recommends that staff commence the
implementation of short term high priority action items identified in this report. Lastly, it
recommends that the remaining short, medium and long term strategies identified in the EMS be
reviewed with the assistance of the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee.
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The following short term, high priority action items have been identified by staff as the items to focus
on in the short term. These items are:
1. Assist with the formation of the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee;
2. Prepare recommendations for updating and improving the Tree Protection Bylaw;
3. Prepare recommendations for updating and improving the Soils Deposit Bylaw;
4. Explore additional opportunities to improve communications and awareness on
environmental review processes including watercourse protection requirements,
environmental development permit guidelines, & environment permit processes.
This report includes information on potential implications, timelines, and resources required for
implementation of short term high priority action items recommended by the consultant of record.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Environmental Management Strategy of April 2014 be forwarded to the ‘to be formed’
Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee for consideration, review and recommendation to
Council; and
That Staff be directed to prepare the remaining short, medium and long term action items in a Final
Implementation Strategy, in consultation with the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee
and forward the recommendation to Council; and
That short term high priority action items identified in Table One in the report entitled “Environmental
Management Strategy Implementation Report – Short Term High Priority Implementation
Recommendations”, dated November 3 2014, be endorsed by Council.
DISCUSSION:
a) Background Context:
Environmental Management Strategy Process:
The foundations for the Environmental Management Strategy (EMS Report 2014) come from the
OCP environmental management framework model. The goals of the OCP environmental model are
to:
Protect significant ecosystems in the Municipality;
Anticipate and respond to the impacts of climate change on land, water, and air resources;
Determine guidelines and standards that are necessary in and around environmentally
sensitive areas;
Identify situations where additional environmental studies and best management practices
are required as part of the development process;
Maintain and improve ecosystem health and human safety.
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Public involvement in the Environmental Management Strategy (EMS) process occurred over the
past two years. It included several community stakeholder group workshops, four Council Workshop
presentations, and two pubic open house sessions. There was significant support from community
stakeholders and the general public for the findings, recommendations, and implementation items
identified by the consultant of record.
The purpose of the EMS is to evaluate how the City of Maple Ridge is doing with respect to
environmental objectives and policies identified in the OCP as well as an evaluation of ongoing
environmental programs and best management practices on the ground. The EMS study also
includes recommendations on potential next steps with respect to potential updates and
improvements to existing planning tools, identification of new potential strategies, and prioritization
of implementation items over time.
The goals, objectives and recommendations of the Maple Ridge EMS Strategy dated April 2014, are
based on the City’s Official Community Plan as well as the Corporate Strategic Plan and
Sustainability Action plan.
Catherine Berris & Associates presented the findings and recommendations of the Strategy at
Council Workshop held on April 17th, 2014 which was received as information by Council. The EMS
Strategy contained recommendations along with an Implementation Plan with short, medium, and
long term phasing of action items. Figure 7 in the Strategy provides an evaluation by the consultant
of low, medium, and high priority action items based on benefits and costs of taking action versus
not taking action. At the April 17h 2014 workshop, the following resolution was passed:
That staff submit the Environmental Management Strategy report to Council
to be received as information; and
That staff be directed to prepare a report for consideration and endorsement
by Council on the various short term priority implementation items outlined in
the report.
The Environmental Management Strategy dated April 2014 was posted on the municipal website,
along with the draft implementation items for public viewing.
b) Consultant Recommendations in Environmental Management Strategy:
Environmental Management Strategy Goals
The consultant’s recommendations in the Strategy are broken down into three major goals:
1. Conserve and manage our natural assets
2. Design and build sustainable neighborhoods
3. Improve communications and environmental awareness
Each goal in the Strategy has a number of recommendations. Each of the recommendations is
further broken down into action items for the short-term (within three years), medium-term (4-6
years), and long-term (over 7 years). An evaluation of potential implications associated with short
term, high priority immediate action items recommended by the consultant and refined by staff is
provided in this report. A table containing a detailed list of the consultant goals, recommendations,
and action items is attached (see Attachment #1).
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Considerations For the Short Term High Priority Implementation Plan
A. Establishing Priorities, Pacing and Timing. More urgent priorities are to be met with action
items to take place in the short term, within the one to three year horizon, while medium
term priorities and action items will occur within the four to six year horizon, and longer term
priorities and action items will occur beyond the seven year horizon.
B. Reporting, Business Planning and Budget. A schedule of regular reporting with updates is
suggested to reaffirm priorities and action items. Budget considerations in support of these
priorities need to be part of the District’s Business Plan, and reviewed annually by Council.
C. Staff complement. Although the Environmental Management Strategy is largely the
responsibility of the Planning Department, other departments, such as Strategic Economic
Initiatives, Parks and Leisure, Engineering and Operations departments may also be
involved. Staff availability and resources for these tasks could affect the timing of work plan
development.
D. Strategic Alignment. The Environmental Management Strategy is intended to respond to the
most pressing community needs as identified by Council and reflected in corporate policies.
Recognizing that these may change over time, there could be some shifting of priorities in
response to new information or new conditions. In addition, new opportunities may emerge,
such as senior agency cost sharing programs, potential incentive programs, or other
possible options that could prompt a revised focus in strategic direction.
A. Establishing Priorities, Phasing, and Timing:
Figure 7 in the EMS identifies the key strategies, action items and priorities over the next seven (7)
or more years. Please refer to Appendix One. Each of the recommendations in the Environmental
Management Strategy were reviewed in light of District resources, budgets, and priorities along with
Council’s feedback.
All of these short term high priority strategies and action items can be effectively dealt with using
existing in-house resources over the next several years with minimum financial assistance. The
rationale for moving ahead with implementation of these action items in the short term was also
based on consultation findings over the past several years. There was more significant emphasis on
these particular topics with respect to growing concerns about liability and due diligence from local
government and citizens; increasing concerns about demands on available municipal resources;
requests for greater clarity about environmental processes, as well as greater opportunity for input
from community stakeholders on environmental matters.
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These recommended high priority short term implementation items, their associated costs, and
timelines are outlined in Table One as follows:
Table One. Short Term High Priority Implementation Action Items
Table 1. Recommended Implementation Items
Issue Council Resolution Staff or
consultant
Cost
estimate
Timeline
1 Interest in an
Environmental
Advisory
Committee
Provide Assistance with the
creation of the Environmental
Sustainability Advisory
Committee
Planning;
EnSAC Members
To be
determined
Commencement
2015
2
Update the Soils
Deposit Bylaw
That staff be directed to
provide a scoping report to
Council with proposed
amendments and updates to
the Soils Deposit Bylaw and
Tree Protection Bylaw.
That staff be directed to
provide a discussion paper to
Council to identify key issues
and opportunities on Bylaws
Planning
Not
applicable*
Commencement
2015
Update the Tree
Protection Bylaw
3
Improve clarity
around
environmental
review processes
Review environmental
processes and regulations to
ensure better clarity on
requirements & options.
Planning
Communications
Information
Services
Not
applicable*
Ongoing
* Costs to be absorbed with Planning Department Budget
Short Term High Priority Action Items:
1. Assist with the formation of the Environmental and Sustainable Advisory Committee
At the October 20 2014 Council Workshop, a report was received by a Committee Review
Task Force recommending the formation of an Environmental and Sustainability Advisory
Committee.
Staff Resources: Planning staff resources will be required to assist with the formation of
the Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Committee and provide ongoing support to
the Committee.
2. Update and improve Tree Protection Bylaw
Update and improve the Tree Protection Bylaw, with emphasis on consideration of
scoping report and discussion paper for Council’s consideration.
Staff Resources: The Planning Department would be the lead on these projects, with
technical support from the Bylaws Enforcement, Parks, and Finance Departments.
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3. Update and improve Soils Deposit Bylaw
Update and improve the Soils Deposit Bylaw, with emphasis on consideration of a
scoping report and discussion paper for Council’s consideration.
Staff Resources: The Planning Department would be the lead on these projects, with
technical support from the Bylaws Enforcement and Engineering Operations Dept’s.
4. Improve communications and environmental awareness
Provide greater clarity and communications outreach concerning the environmental
development review process and environmental permit requirements including
watercourse protection assessments, environmental development permit requirements,
and municipal environmental best management practices;
Staff Resources: Planning staff will take the lead on these projects, with some support
from Information Services, Communications and possibly the Environmental
Sustainability Advisory Committee.
Short, Medium and Longer Term Action Items:
Remaining short, medium and longer term recommended strategies and action items that are not
considered for high priority implementation in this report as they were more likely to require larger
municipal resources, more complex review and/or supporting studies, or they included strategies
that might need to be phased over longer periods of time.
The Final Implementation report is recommended to be completed with ongoing input and review
from the Council appointed Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Committee in 2015.
Next Steps
The Recommendations provided in this report to Council envision the following steps in advancing
the strategies in the EMS:
1. Council refers the Environmental Management Strategy, dated April 2014 to the
Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee for their review and possible endorsement.
Once completed, the Committee would then forward the Strategy to Council for endorsement.
2. To assist and support the proposed Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee
program which is likely to commence in 2015. Staff will provide whatever assistance is
needed to get the Committee up and running.
3. Staff will commence work on the short term high priority items identified on Table One of this
report.
4. Remaining short, medium and long term implementation items will be prepared in
discussions with the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee prior to submission for
endorsement by Council.
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B. Reporting, Business Planning and Budget:
It is noted that annual Business Planning will provide a mechanism to ensure that the
Implementation Plan for the Environmental Management Strategy reflects Council priorities. This
will provide an opportunity to reaffirm direction, consider budgets, and required staffing.
C. Staff Complement and Interdepartmental Implications:
The Planning Department will be responsible for taking the lead on the implementation for the short
term high priority items with some support from other departments. Departments that are
anticipated to be involved in the implementation from the short-term through to the long-term
include:
Planning
Parks and Leisure
Engineering and Operations
Corporate Sustainability & Finance
Information Services
These departments were involved in the Environmental Management Strategy and are aware of the
recommendations in the report. It is noted that some of these items may appear in future
department work programs. The availability of appropriate City staff to work on these
recommendations, once adopted into the work plan, will be a factor in the timing of the
Implementation Plan.
D. Strategic Alignment:
As requested in previous Council Workshops on May 2013, March and April of 2014, the discussion
items and preferences shared by Council are reflected in this report.
Recognizing that priorities may change over time in response to new information or conditions, there
will be an opportunity to address these changes and priorities through several mechanisms. The
first mechanism to ensure adaptive management measures are in place will be through the annual
business planning process. There are also potential opportunities for review of complex medium
and long term recommendations with the assistance of an Environmental Sustainability Advisory
Committee in the future.
ALTERNATIVES:
There are two possible alternative resolutions that Council may also wish to consider, as follows:
1. That Council endorse the Environmental Management Strategy April 2014 without additional
review or endorsement by the ‘to be formed’ Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee.
2. That Council direct staff not to proceed with commencement of the Short Term High Priority
Action Items and instead refer the short term high priority action items to the Environmental
Sustainability Advisory Committee for further consideration and review before forwarding it
along for endorsement by Council.
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CONCLUSIONS:
The Environmental Management Strategy contains a significant amount of research, information and
management tools that will aid in meeting future environmental demands over the short, moderate,
and long-term, with regular review and consideration of the information. This ongoing review of how
we can effectively implement environmental programs, management strategies, and best
management practices will be necessary to ensure that the goals of achieving a sustainable
community are well-supported and effective in the future.
The consolidated list of short term high priority action items recommended for endorsement in this
report will help to provide important improvements over the next several years. This report lays the
immediate foundation and provides key stepping stones for moving ahead with the broader
implementation of recommendations identified through the Environmental Management Strategy.
These strategies will also help the City of Maple Ridge continue to move towards our goals and
objectives by addressing and adapting to ongoing environmental challenges. There will also be
ongoing opportunities in the future for Council to work with the ‘to be formed’ Environmental and
Sustainable Advisory Committee to assist in the review and evaluation of remaining short, moderate
and long term strategies / actions items.
“Original signed by Rod Stott”
____________________________________________
Prepared by: Rodney Stott,
Environmental Planner
“Original signed by Christine Carter”
_______________________________________________
Approved by: Christine Carter, MCP, M.C.I.P.
Director of Planning
“Original signed by Christine Carter” for
_______________________________________________
Approved by: Frank Quinn, M.B.A., P. Eng.
General Manager of
Public Works & Development
“Original signed by J.L. (Jim) Rule”
_______________________________________________
Concurrence: J.L. (Jim) Rule
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachments:
Appendix A - Environmental Management Strategy Implementation Plan
Links:
Please see on line Environmental Management Strategy, April 2014
http://www.mapleridge.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2947
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APPENDIX A