Questions were asked during the Meeting via Zoom.
Eddie Dearden, 206 - 1420 Alpha Lake Road
Mr. Dearden shared that he is a local builder in Whistler and he has noted the rising CO2 emissions due to inefficient energy building options, which are readily available under local bylaws until the government mandates Step 5. Whistler has recently lost its leading position in the rankings of the energy step code. City of North Vancouver has recently implemented Step 5, while Whistler builders use Step 3, primarily high carbon heating systems. This is contrary to the Big Moves Strategy presented to Council. Increasing to Step 5 is considered net-zero ready, which means no retrofit will be necessary in the future.
Mayor Crompton advised there will be a report forthcoming which will revisit the Big Moves Strategy in the next several months. The building Step Code recommendations will be included in these reports.
General Manager of Resort Experience J. Gresley-Jones advised they are working on a comprehensive update to the Green Building Policy to include implementation roadmaps. RMOW will be undertaking stakeholder and public engagement as part of the implementation strategy.
Mr. Dearden asked Council how they feel about buildings that will require an energy retrofit in the future, such as addition of cladding and removal of gas heaters.
Mayor Crompton advised Council is aware this work lies in front of it and as such there is a report on tonight's agenda with respect to GHG emissions and the General Manager of Resort Experience has undertaken updating the RMOW Green Building Policy.
Mr. Dearden asked if Council and staff have read the recent IPCC Assessment Report on Climate Change.
Mayor Crompton advised it is in his list to be read and as a member of the BC Climate Caucus has been anticipating this report.
Paul Hothersall, 2240 Gondola Way
Mr. Hothersall asked if Council is aware that in the past, when discussing the Alta Lake Sewer updates, staff advised it would be alternating traffic in each direction. There are various people that are upset with respect to the ongoing paving taking place currently in Whistler. Mr. Hothersall asked a further question regarding one-way traffic on Alta Lake Road as it may be critical to re-open due to the wildfire shutdowns, Highway 99 through Whistler is the only way into the Cariboo region of BC.
General Manager of Infrastructure Services, J. Hallisey advised the road works associated with the Alta Lake Road sewer works were largely complete and so the road would be reopening soon.
The Mayor further advised the highway is not something the Municipality has jurisdiction over. We can only make our concerns known to MOTI.
General Manager of Infrastructure Services advised currently there is a collection of problems that have unfortunately come together simultaneously and is exacerbating the already slow-moving traffic.
Mr. Hothersall asked an additional question regarding the amendment to the Five-Year Financial Plan, wondering if there a specific reason the presentations are not part of the agenda or minutes and asked if Council could include presentations as part of the package.
The Mayor advised that this Council asks a lot of questions and RMOW staff are very thorough in their reports and information reported.
Chief Administrative Officer V. Cullen advised staff do their best to be clear in their communication particularly when it comes to financial communications. Additionally there is an opportunity to take feedback with respect to the way RMOW communicates out information.
Director of Finance C. Price advised in many cases financial reporting strikes a balance between density of information and clarity of the information.
Mr. Hothersall noted he is an advocate for the Plain English Campaign and observed it doesn't appear that it should be financially burdensome to add these presentations to the minutes.
Jared Areshenkoff, 4821 Spearhead Drive
Mr. Areshenkoff is excited to see the Zero Waste Action Plan in the agenda tonight and asked a question regarding the accountability of targets within the reports. Has there been any discussion regarding penalties if targets are missed and bringing in a third party consultant to assist with this? Additionally, the review period is a number of years out and there seems to be little benefit in reviewing every five years versus each year? The targets are not being reviewed regularly quickly enough.
General Manager of Infrastructure Services J Hallisey explained that the intent is to bring results back to Council on an annual basis as to how RMOW is performing. The 5-year date is specifically to review the targets, rather than how we are doing in meeting the targets. Additionally, there is no plan to bring in a third party consultant, and the primary contributors to waste are businesses in Whistler.
The Mayor advised that the reporting back to Council is important and the Zero Waste Action Committee will be regularly involved in these considerations.
Mr. Areshenkoff is concerned that in tonight's report it is noted that it's cheaper for the construction industry to leave recycling to be sorted by municipal facilities than to have any sorting at the construction sites. Is there a way to further incentivise waste producers to separate their waste and minimize waste stream contamination?
General Manager of Infrastructure Services advised that it will take a hybrid model of recycling. There have been significant incentives offered for sorting at site, however many construction sites in Whistler do not make this physically possible due to lack of space. There is work remaining to be done in this respect.