2019 Annual Report

City of Chilliwack 42 Reduced reliance on automobiles. In 2019 the City provided free transit Canada Day, Christmas day as well as transit shuttles for major community events and free transit for Seniors on Oct. 1, National Seniors Day, in order to encourage the use of transit in the community. The City is extending the Valley Rail Trail north from Airport to Hocking to extend the all ages and abilities cycling facility. Staged annual Green Commuter Challenge to encourage sustainable transportation. Measure airshed greenhouse gas emissions and foster the community to become more energy efficient. Continued to facilitate sustainable transportation and encourage greater density and more efficient developments. Commenced process to create the Sardis Neighbourhood Plan and established the Infill Development Policy to support densification. Continued converting existing street lights to LED and requiring LED street lights for new developments. The City is recognized annually by the joint Provincial-Union of British Columbia Municipalities Green Communities Committee for our successful efforts to measure and reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions. The Level 3 recognition demonstrates strong climate leadership and sets the stage for broader climate action in our community. Minimize burning. Burning restrictions continue to be enforced through the Open-Air Burning Regulation Bylaw. The Provincial Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has revised and adopted new Open-Air Burning Smoke Control Regulations. The City’s Open-Air Burning Bylaw is under review and will be revised to comply with the new regulations. Over the last 4 burning seasons the online test that requires property owners to answer a questionnaire related to the open-air burning bylaw prior to receiving their permit has proven to be successful. Fire Department staff continues to gain compliance through public education and increased enforcement by issuing tickets to bylaw violators Reduction in energy consumption. Continued energy efficiency upgrades at municipal facilities in 2019. These include continued LED lighting conversions at City Hall, Heritage Park, Evergreen Hall and the Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre pool, Cheam Leisure Centre, and Sardis Sports Complex parking lot. Completed construction of new energy efficient arena at Sardis Sports Complex, which includes reusing waste heat. Completion of a stand-alone biogas heating system to run the industrial high strength pre-treatment facility at the WWTP. Promote a "zero waste" philosophy to minimize the generation of solid waste in the City, while maximizing reuse and recycling initiatives. Reduce the annual amount of residential garbage being generated per household and increase the diversion rate. In 2019 the estimated annual Curbside Program waste generated was 260 kilograms per household; the same rate as 2018 and a significant decrease (22%) from 2017 since this was the first full year that compostables collection was in place. Zero waste initiatives included curbside recycling, compostables diversion, Waste Reduction Month programs and outreach and City-Wide Garage Sales. Supporting the Fraser Valley Regional District with the region-wide source separation requirements to separate recycling and compostables from garbage in all sectors, which come into effect in April 2020. Ensure a Financial Plan is in place for long-term sustainability of the landfill. Financial Plan projects a positive reserve fund balance, along with a plan to fund closure and post-closure costs. Landfill Financial Plan reviewed in 2019 to ensure the economic sustainability of the Bailey Landfill.