June 7, 2023 - Minutes (Special)

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)

Corporate Officer – Claudia Jesson

Call to Order:

Mayor Brodie called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

RES NO.

ITEM

Mayor Brodie recessed the meeting at 4:01 p.m. for the Special General Purposes Committee meeting.

The meeting reconvened at 6:32 p.m. with all members of Council present.

1.

STEVESTON HIGHWAY MULTI-USE PATHWAY PROJECT PHASES 1 AND 2 – UPDATE

(File Ref. No. 10-6360-16-01, 03-1000-20-6708P) (REDMS No. 7195912, 7250290)

SP23/3-1

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Steveston Highway Multi-Use Pathway Project Phases 1 and 2 – Update” be referred back to staff to bring back information on other routes and options to better connect our existing networks.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion took place on (i) waiting for further information on the George Massey Tunnel project, (ii) safety concerns of the multi-use pathway (MUP) on Steveston Highway,
and (iii) moving ahead with the project.

The question on the referral motion was then called and it was DEFEATED with Mayor Brodie, Cllrs. Au, Gillanders, Hobbs, Loo, and Wolfe opposed.  

SP23/3-2

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 1 as described in the staff report titled “Steveston Highway Multi-Use Pathway Project Phases 1 and 2 – Update”, dated May 10, 2023, from the Director, Transportation and the Director, Engineering be approved; and

(2)

That the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2023-2027) be amended accordingly.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place on (i) the pros and cons of narrowing the road lanes, (ii) the buffer of grass and trees, (iii) not delaying the project any longer, (iii) maintenance of the grass and tree buffer, (iv) loss of vegetation and park space, (v) improving pathway connectivity in the City, and (vi) safety concerns.

Direction was given to staff to examine (i) upgrades to Williams Road and Dike Road, such as plastic bollards, and fresh painted lines, (ii) options to deal with increased traffic and speed on farm roads, (iii) options and costs for wooden bollards with reflectors on median and trees, and (iv) options for narrowing the median and adding a railing in some locations around significant trees to retain more trees.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Day, Heed, Hobbs and McNulty opposed.

ADJOURNMENT

SP23/3-3

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (7:16 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Special meeting of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)