MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, August 18^th, 2003, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

steveston advisory task force on parking - recommendations
(Report:  June 17/03, File No.:  0100-20-SPAR1-01) (REDMS No. 1024601)

The Manager, Transportation Planning, Victor Wei, indicated that he was available to answer questions.  He then expressed his appreciation on behalf of staff on the commitment and dedication of the Task Force, and he thanked the Task Force for their efforts in trying to improve parking in Steveston.  Mr. Wei then introduced Mr. Sean Lawson, a member of the Task Force.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on:

the lack of long term parking for employees and visitors in the Steveston area, and whether any consideration had been given to using Steveston Harbour Authority property as parking lots for long term parking

the need to review the parking space rate charged for cash in lieu of parking to determine if the rate was appropriate; and whether future developers in the Steveston area should be required to provide the actual number of parking spaces needed for the use being proposed, rather than paying cash in lieu

whether business owners and operators in the Steveston area would be receptive to partnerships which would allow public parking on private properties (shared use) during peak times as a means of maximizing the efficiency of their parking lots

whether a traffic signal should be erected at the intersection of No. 1 Road and Moncton Street; and whether such an installation would encourage motorists to race through amber lights

when the installation of the new parking signs would be completed

the request of staff for approval of a consultant to undertake a survey during the summer of 2004; whether the work could be undertaken by City staff, and the proposed cost of $50,000

whether there was actually a shortage of parking spaces in the Steveston area , based on the information gathered by the Task Force

ways to reduce the impact of cars in the Steveston area by developing additional bicycle lanes, etc.

whether the Steveston Advisory Task Force on Parking should continue, or whether the membership of the City-wide Parking Advisory Committee should include representatives from the Steveston area

the imposition of two hour parking limits to encourage the movement of vehicles

the increase in parking spaces along Bayview Street, and whether angle parking could be added on the north side of Chatham Street

the rationale for proposing one way traffic on No. 1 Road, south from Moncton Street to Bayview Street

the impact, if any, of the construction of the proposed tram line to the provision of parking on Bayview Street

what action would be taken by staff, if the proposed recommendations were adopted by Committee, and ultimately, Council

future plans for transportation in Steveston with respect to the development of the RAV line.
 

During the discussion, information was provided that the current parking areas would continue to function with a two-hour parking limit until the issue had been addressed more fully by a consultant in the coming year.  Also to be addressed by the consultant would be the location of long term employee parking; Stevestons one-way street system to determine how each intersection would be affected by any change in traffic flow; traffic patterns, and where the shortage in parking was.  Mr. Wei added that staff were hoping that the consultant would complete the work by September, 2004.

Mr. Wei advised, in response to further comments, that one of the primary objectives of the Task Force review was to optimize parking spaces in the Steveston area; that staff were endeavouring to ensure that parking was used efficiently, and that parking in rear lanes was being considered.

Also during the discussion, Committee members commended the Task Force for an excellent and thorough report.

Reference was to the request for a consultant, and advice was given that staff had the expertise to do the work, however there were a number of other high priority and capital projects on which staff were currently working.  In addition, approval of the RAV line had created a great deal of work for the Transportation Department.  Advice was given that for staff to undertake the survey would mean that other high priority projects would have to be put aside.

With reference to the suggestion that representatives of the Steveston area be named to the City-wide Parking Advisory Committee rather than continuing the Task Force, the comment was made that because of Stevestons unique character and the fact that issues faced by that community were not faced by the rest of Richmond, it was felt that Steveston should have its own committee.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the recommendations of the Steveston Advisory Task Force on Parking, (as described in Attachment 1 of the report dated June 17^th, 2003, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed.
 

(2)

That staff report through separate reports or other regular work program initiatives, on the required action plans to address the above recommendations from the Steveston Advisory Task Force on Parking in a timely manner.
 

(3)

That the contributions of the Steveston Advisory Task Force on Parking towards improving parking conditions in Steveston be formally acknowledged.
 

The question on the motion was not called, as the following amendment was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the following be added as Part (4), That the City enter into correspondence with the Steveston Harbour Authority regarding the mutual intentions of the City and the Steveston Harbour Authority regarding Steveston Harbour Authority property.

CARRIED

The question on the motion, as amended, was not called, as a further amendment was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That Recommendation No. 7 of the report from the Steveston Advisory Task Force on Parking (Attachment 1 to the report dated June 17^th, 2003, from the Director, Transportation), be amended by inserting the following words ahead of Part (a) of Recommendation No. 7, To be considered as an additional level budget request.

CARRIED

The question on the motion, as amended, was then called, and it was CARRIED.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

3.

APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL LIAISON TO THE STEVESTON INTERURBAN RESTORATION SOCIETY
(Report:  Aug. 20/03, File No.:  0060-20-SIRS1) (REDMS No. 1056386)
 

It was moved and seconded

That Councillor Harold Steves be appointed as the Council liaison between the City and the Steveston Interurban Restoration Society, and that Councillor Linda Barnes be appointed as the alternate.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:36 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, September 2^nd, 2003.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerks Office