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CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
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Date: |
August 25, 2004 | |
Author: |
T. Hammel | |
Phone No.: |
873-7370 | |
RTS No.: |
4119 | |
CC File No.: |
3501 | |
Meeting Date: |
September 30, 2004 |
TO: |
Standing Committee on City Services & Budgets |
FROM: |
General Manager of Engineering Services |
SUBJECT: |
Monitoring Chemicals Used In Graffiti Removal Contract |
RECOMMENDATION
THAT staff establish a monitoring program of random sampling of chemicals used under the City's graffiti removal contract at an annual cost of $5,000 to be funded from the reduction in the graffiti removal contract.
COUNCIL POLICY
Please refer to the "Review of Graffiti Program- Service Delivery and Environmental Impacts" report dated February 6th 2004.
PURPOSE
This report responds to Council direction at its March 25, 2004 meeting with respect to a report back on a proposed plan for monitoring the use of chemicals under the City of Vancouver's graffiti removal contract.
BACKGROUND
At the March 25, 2004 City Services & Budgets meeting, concerns were raised about chemicals used by the City's graffiti removal contractor and staff monitoring of those chemicals. In response to these concerns, Council postponed their decision on the Graffiti Program- Service Delivery and Environmental Impacts" report dated February 6th 2004 and recommended a further report back on a proposed plan for monitoring the use of chemicals under the City of Vancouver's graffiti removal contract. Council also recommended that staff investigate potential use of the graffiti removal van as part of the report back from the joint union and employer committee on light duty and employee disability on alternative service delivery mechanisms for graffiti removal from city facilities.
DISCUSSION
1. Chemical monitoring
Between March 30th 2004 and April 22nd 2004, city staff conducted 15 inspections of the contractor's removal sites for compliance with the City's best management practices and contractual requirements for graffiti removal. These inspections reviewed removal and containment methods, sampled chemicals used and determined whether any discharge to storm drains contained contaminated water. The total cost of this chemical monitoring was $1600. Staff are satisfied that the City's contractor, Goodbye Graffiti, has taken appropriate steps to comply with the City's environmental requirements and Best Management Practices. Chemical analysis of the product used revealed the product did not contain chemicals listed as carcinogens, reproductive toxins or sensitizers such as methylene chloride. This has been a learning experience for both the City and the contractor, and new methods and practices have been identified to ensure a zero discharge of chemicals into the storm sewer system. This information will be shared with other graffiti removal contractors in the coming months.
It is proposed that an ongoing monitoring program be established consisting of periodic random sampling of the contractor's chemicals and random checks of the contractor's removal and cleanup methods. These results would confirm whether the City's requirements are being met. The current contract prohibits the use of chemicals that are listed by the WCB as being carcinogens, reproductive toxins and sensitizers. Monitoring can be done by existing staff, but a budget for outside testing will be required. This is estimated to cost approximately $5,000/yr and can be funded from the reduction in the graffiti removal budget.
A further level of environmental protection is provided through the City's Sewer and Watercourse By-law and the proposed Best Management Practices which will require graffiti removal to result in the discharge of only clear water waste into the storm sewer system.
2. Graffiti Removal Contract
As reported to Council in March, 2004, it may possible to have some graffiti removal work done by City forces to create additional light duty work. The business case for this work and appropriate financing sources will be reviewed as part of the Joint Committee established under the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and CUPE Local 1004 and reported back to City Council. Staff met with union representatives for preliminary discussions regarding the use of the graffiti van. Staff will explore ways to incorporate the graffiti van into light duty work.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The funding for the proposed chemical monitoring, in the amount of $5000, can be provided from the reduction in the graffiti removal contract.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
The adoption of a set of Best Management Practices for graffiti removal from City facilities, complying with the City's Sewer & Watercourse By-Law and the monitoring program will result in an increased level of protection to the environment.
CONCLUSION
An ongoing monitoring program will ensure a high level of protection to the environment and the public related to graffiti removal.
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