1.1 Historical Update / Centennial Celebrations Announcement

Mayor Clay unveiled Port Moody’s new Centennial logo and mentioned a number of highlights that people can look forward to participating in during the Centennial Year 2013. He also noted that more information is available on the city’s web page at www.portmoody.ca which will be updated regularly and encouraged people to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. He thanked the Commemorative Society for donating chocolates stamped with the Centennial logo which were then distributed to the audience.

Carola Alder, Port Moody, indicated that she recently toured PCT on two separate occasions, and noted that the large sediment pond is only a short distance from the inlet waters. She expressed her opinion that it is important that the community be consulted on industrial plans for expansion in operations that could impact the inlet waters adding that this proposed bylaw will assist in ensuring the environment will be left in a better state for future generations.

Judith Roche, Port Moody, spoke in favour of the proposed base line industrial activity and public consultation bylaw indicating that she spends a great deal of time rowing in the inlet and encouraged the city to be proactive rather than reactive with respect to potential spills and other industrial activities that could impact the inlet.

Jeff Congram, Port Moody, spoke in support of the proposed baseline industrial activity and public consultation bylaw.

April Facey, Port Moody, spoke in support of the proposed ban on shark fin products. She related that when industry closed in Chemainus where she lived at the time, the community banded together and became a tourism destination, noting that if communities pull together they can make great changes. She suggested that as a community, Port Moody could bring the change that the shark fin ban suggests.

Group of school children and their teacher from Moody Elementary School attended and made a presentation on the research the class has done related to shark fin harvesting. The highlighted many of the negative impacts of the practice. The students read a letter that they had previously sent to Mayor and Council expressing their concerns for the environmental impact of the current practice of use of shark fin products.

Susan Ruzic, Port Moody resident and Teacher Librarian from Moody Elementary School spoke in support a ban on shark fin products. She also suggested Council look at the triple bottom line when considering bylaws, that is the financial, social and environmental impacts.

Jarrett Hagglund, Vancouver resident, spoke in favour of the proposed bylaw for baseline industrial activity and public consultation particularly the importance of public consultation and information sharing.

Kevin Hagglund, Port Moody, spoke in support of the proposed bylaw for baseline industrial activity and public consultation, particularly the importance of businesses/industry being required to consult with the public when they change or expand their operations in ways that could affect the environment. With respect to suggestions that this is not within municipal jurisdiction he cited sections from the Community Charter that provides the jurisdiction.

Nikki Bryce, Port Moody, spoke in support of the proposed bylaw for baseline industrial activity and public consultation suggesting that if industries in Port Moody wish to expand their activities, they should be required to consult with people in the community. She suggested it is unrealistic and unworkable for the consultation requirement to be left to higher levels of government.

Gabriel Wildgen, resident of Montreal, Quebec and campaigner with Humane Society International, spoke in support of a ban on the sale of shark fin products. He outlined the activities that Humane Society International is engaged in to promote bans on use of shark fin products.

Wendy Swalwell, Port Moody, indicated she supports protection of the environment noting that there are numerous requirements at the federal and provincial levels for regulating industrial activity. She inquired as to what format the engagement with the public consultation would be expected to take if industry has plans to increase or substantially change their industrial operations.

Phil Gillies, resident of Brantford, Ontario spoke on behalf of the Conservation Society of Canada indicating that he and his colleagues started the process over a year ago to ban shark fin products. He encouraged Port Moody to be the first municipality in British Columbia to ban shark fin products. He outlined numerous issues upon which this decision should be made, including environmental conservation, health, cruelty and law and order.

Rob Sinclair, resident of Toronto, Ontario urged Council to adopt a bylaw in Port Moody banning use of shark fin products. He provided a number of examples where governments in other countries are prohibiting use of shark fin products.

George Broderick, Port Moody, spoke in support of the proposed bylaw for baseline industrial activity and public consultation to build knowledge in the community about industrial activities going on in our community.

Gil Riderman, Port Moody, spoke in support of the proposed bylaw for baseline industrial activity and public consultation suggesting that people move to this community because of the environment and that is a community characteristic that should be protected.

Brent Hilpert, Port Moody, spoke with respect to the proposed bylaw for baseline industrial activity and public consultation indicating that railway and port activities are federally controlled and inquired whether there is statutory authority for the city to proceed with the suggested bylaw.

Fred Soofi, Anmore, spoke in favour of the proposed bylaw for baseline industrial activity and public consultation, particularly in support of the public consultation.

David Spence, Port Moody, indicated he is uneasy regarding the issues of the shark fin bylaw and the proposed bylaw for baseline industrial activity and public consultation on the basis that those suggests lean towards the litigious in that it is an effort to deal with ethical and moral issues by establishing legal and statutory tools to govern ourselves. He expressed concern about adopting bylaws to regulate how we should be as a community. He noted that there has already been consultation by industry in the past and the direction proposed is narrow and not perhaps as creative as it could be. He also spoke in support of the request for a proclamation for national volunteer week next week.

Delegation Application dated February 21, 2012 File: 0320-02

Mr. Congram spoke in support of his request that Council implement a ban on the trade, sale and distribution of shark fins in Port Moody. He outlined his reasons for proposing this which includes the ecological impact, health concerns, the fact that the fins are used only to add texture rather than flavour and the cruelty associated with harvesting the shark fins.

MP Fin Donelly also appeared before Council to respond to questions regarding activities in Ottawa on this issue.

Delegation Application dated March 19, 2012 File: 7780-20

Kathy Bell, Board Member, ArtsConnect presented information regarding the 13th Annual ArtWalk on April 21 and 22, 2012, and discussed other activities in Port Moody.

Delegation Application dated March 22, 2012 File: 0230-01

Jerome Bouvier provided a community update on the activities of PoCoMo Youth Services. He also outlined some of the changes they have implemented given their limited resources.

Public Input Opportunity

David Spence, Port Moody, raised a question regarding the Westhill Park revenue stream. He also noted that there was no indication of revenue from grants and asked how those are reported, noting the city does receive grants. He also inquired where the funding was for Port Moody’s 2013 Centennial celebration.

“City of Port Moody Financial Plan Bylaw, 2012, Bylaw No. 2932“a bylaw to establish the 2012-2016 Five Year Financial Plan.

Report: Councillor Nuttall, Representative to LMTAC dated April 2, 2012 File: 0375-02-09

Councillor Dilworth and Councillor Small as the two members of Council in addition to the Mayor and Karl Travis and Robert Vagramov as the citizen members.

Councillor Dilworth declared a conflict of interest on item 5.3 as she is an employee of Pacific Coast Terminals and left meeting at 9:38 pm.

Moved, seconded and CARRIED

Voting against: Councillors Glumac, Royer

Councillor Dilworth returned to the meeting at 10:21 pm.

Letter: Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, dated March 19, 2012 / Sample Proclamation / File: 0630-01

10. Public Input

Nicki Bryce, Port Moody, expressed the opinion that this Council meeting was interesting and indicated that she appreciates what Council members had to say and enjoyed the evening at Council.