April 7, 2014 - Minutes
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General Purposes Committee
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Date: |
Monday, April 7, 2014 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair |
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Absent: |
Councillor Linda Barnes |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, March 17, 2014, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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DELEGATION |
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1. |
With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, Councillor Bill Harper, New Westminster City Council, accompanied by Eugene Wat, Manager of Infrastructure Planning, spoke to the City of New Westminster’s perspective on replacing the Pattullo Bridge and highlighted the following: |
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rehabilitation of the Pattullo Bridge was not a viable option due to its seismic vulnerability, lack of structural integrity, and exposure to river scour; |
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New Westminster’s policy is to work towards the principle of no new added capacity in the transportation system for vehicles passing through the City; |
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over the last decade, historical data indicated a declining or stable trend in daily traffic on the Pattullo Bridge; |
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the Pattullo Bridge has become known as the free alternative to the newly tolled Port Mann Bridge, and as such, it has seen an increase of approximately 6,000 to 12,000 crossings per day; |
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increased capacity for the Pattullo Bridge is not contemplated in the City of New Westminster’s and the City of Surrey’s Official Community Plans or in Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy; |
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the expansion of the Pattullo Bridge is not consistent with TransLink’s policies for priority to be given to rapid transit, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure; |
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the City of New Westminster is a dense urban centre with no room to accommodate the expansion of its existing transportation system; |
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the City of New Westminster wishes to see the Pattullo Bridge replaced by a four lane bridge that is tolled; a toll would aid in financing such a project, while discouraging discretionary travel across the bridge; |
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the City of New Westminster is requesting that the Province (i) re-allocate $600 million earmarked for two additional lanes on the Pattullo Bridge towards additional rapid transit infrastructure, (ii) provide direct connection from the South Fraser Perimeter Road to the Port Mann Bridge, and (iii) reduce the Port Mann Bridge tolls; and |
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the City of New Westminster is seeking support for a resolution for the proposed Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project. |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) revisions to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) “Guidelines for Tolling” and the feasibility of road pricing, (ii) the Massey Tunnel Replacement proposal, (iii) traffic impacts related to expansion at the Vancouver International Airport and Port Metro Vancouver facilities, (iv) the possibility of extending the operating hours for Port Metro Vancouver in order to mitigate traffic flow during peak periods including premiums for peak deliveries, (v) expanding short sea shipping, and (vi) the need for a Regional Transportation Strategy. |
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In response to queries from Committee, Councillor Harper and Mr. Wat provided the following additional information: |
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an affordable and equitable regional road pricing structure may be a viable alternative to tolling; |
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business operating hours and ambiguous surcharge provisions in the current tolling guidelines were identified as challenges to reducing commercial traffic during peak hours; |
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during preliminary discussions, the City of New Westminster supported rehabilitating the existing Pattullo Bridge; however, TransLink was not in favour of this option; |
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weight restrictions on routes through New Westminster must be approved by TransLink; and |
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it is anticipated that future structures and connections for a potential new bridge will be designed to reflect the City of New Westminster’s urban and cohesive neighbourhoods. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the City of New Westminster’s report titled “A Reasonable Approach: A Perspective on the Pattullo Bridge” and resolution be referred to staff for analysis and comment; and |
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(2) |
That staff arrange for a delegation from the City of Surrey on the replacement of the Pattullo Bridge. |
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The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued regarding the development of infrastructure that will not address regional concerns and priorities related to rapid transit, cycling, and pedestrian options. Committee expressed the view that an integrated transportation solution to examine (i) traffic configurations and diversions, (ii) tolling policies, and (iii) other regional concerns was required. The question on the referral was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:54 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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 Monday, April 7, 2014. |
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_________________________________ |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Heather Howey |
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