Public Works & Transporation Committee Meeting Minutes - July 5, 2000

Date:

Wednesday, July 5, 2000

Place:

W.H. Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Ken Johnston, Vice-Chair

Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Kiichi Kumagai

Absent:

Councillor Lyn Greenhill, Chair

Councillor Derek Dang

Call to Order:

The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

It was MOVED and SECONDED

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, June 21, 2000, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

2.

MR. DALE PITTS, ASCT, REGARDING THE RECONSTRUCTION OF WILLIAMS ROAD BETWEEN SHELL AND NO. 5 ROADS

3.

(Report: June 27/00, File No.: 0275-30-97-65) (REDMS No. 162011)

Mr. Pitts introduced himself as a long time Richmond resident and past member of the City Planning Committee. He then read a detailed report of events which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms part of these minutes.

A discussion ensued between the Committee members, Mr. Kendrick, Mr. Pitts, and the Manager, Sewerage and Drainage, Barrie King. It was noted that the City is insured against such claims should they be substantiated, however, in this case a claim has been denied. Mr. Pitts expressed his concern at this decision in that an adjuster never attended his home nor provided him with a written report. Mr. King explained the use and cost effectiveness of concrete base in road construction

It was moved and seconded

(1) That the report (dated June 27, 2000 from the City Solicitor), regarding Claim for Property Damages - 11680 Seaton Road, be received for information.

(2) That staff report on the issue of the insurance adjuster report and the procedure of staff in visiting the Pitt’s home.

CARRIED

2.

(Report: June 23/00, File No.: 6450-17-02) (REDMS No. 161383)

Senior Transportation Engineer, Victor Wei, reviewed the report and introduced the Chair of the Richmond Committee on Disability, Mr. Vince Miele, along with Frances Clark and Rob Sleath. Traffic Signal Systems Technologist Jeff Bycraft gave a brief overview of equipment, past and present, and displayed a sign that is currently in use in the City. Mr. Bycraft said that an audible pedestrian signal had been installed, on July 4, 2000, at #2 Road at McDonalds, which utilizes both the button delay and pole locator feature.

In the discussion that ensued Mr. Miele and Ms. Clark questioned who was involved in the consultation process and the selection of equipment. Mr. Sleath voiced that his concerns extended beyond the pole locator issue, asking that the City look at different solutions to solve more problems.

In answer it was explained by Mr. Bycraft that the City uses universal, multilingual devices that are superior to equipment used by other jurisdictions. It was noted that while it is difficult to adjust to ambient noise levels the equipment used is capable of elevating audio levels at certain times of the day. Mr. Bycraft has worked, along with Peggy Casey and Rob Sleath from RCD, with the goal of provision of services to everyone in a cost effective manner. This would include seniors with disabilities as well the deaf and blind population.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the enhancement of the City’s current audible traffic signals with a "pole locator" feature be introduced on a trial basis as part of the City’s regular Traffic Signal Maintenance Program.

(2)

That staff continues to consult the Richmond Committee on Disability and the visually impaired community to monitor the performance and effectiveness of the enhanced audible signals and to identify further modifications if necessary.

CARRIED

3.

(Report: June 20/00, File No.: 6360-06) (REDMS No. 160452)

Victor Wei reviewed the report.

Ms. Bailey, 9020 Dixon Avenue addressed the Committee explaining her objection to the proposed driveway, not only because of the effect the vehicle headlights will have on the three residences directly across from the proposed location, but also out of concern for the children walking to school and the park. Ms. Bailey would not be opposed to a pedestrian entrance.

Discussion then ensued on the closing off of Heather Street and the benefit of a cedar hedge being installed on the front of Ms. Bailey’s property.

It was moved and seconded

That staff monitor traffic conditions in the Heather Street/Dixon Avenue area and to report to Council if further traffic management measures are warranted.

CARRIED

4.

(Report: June 8/00, File No.: 0780-01) (REDMS No. 147301)

The report was reviewed by the Director of Operations, Eric Gilfillan and the Manager, Fleet Operations, Ken Fryer, who indicated that the proposed policy was reviewed with Messrs. McAulay and Bhullar.

A brief discussion then ensued with Cllr. Johnston requesting that Council be provided with (i) an annual update of who is on the seniority list, and (ii) an annual summary of the hours work by company, and ensure that a requirement for the provision of $5 Million Third Party Liability coverage be part of the safety compliance. Mayor Halsey-Brandt questioned the financial impact on the City, to which Mr. Fryer replied that after a rate has been established it would be the truckers choice as to whether he wished to work for the City.

It was moved and seconded

That the current Truck Hire Policy File No. 5001-2 (dated November 27, 1984) be rescinded and that staff be directed to implement an Administrative Procedure for the annual hiring of trucks for City requirements.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGERS’ REPORTS

(Report: June 28/00, File No.: 2050-01) (REDMS No. 158645)

A brief presentation, including visuals, was made by the Manager, Facilities Planning and Construction, David Naysmith.

During the discussion that ensued it was noted that a report on the Public Safety building will be completed in the next month after which a report on Firehalls, with the focus on Firehall 5, will be prepared. Mr. Naysmith is working with the Fire Department on the location for Firehall No. 5. It was clarified by Mr. Naysmith that the Fire Department is responsible for the location of the Fire Hall, with himself being responsible for building type and cost etc. Over the next 18 months a full report on all Civic buildings will be prepared, however, presentation will be made in small segments.

(b)

The Manager, Roads and Construction Services, Tony Hillan, said that the Provincial Government has approved, from the Flood Protection Assistance Fund, $164,000 of the $219,600 project cost for the Dyke Infrastructure.

(c)

The Manager, Fleet Operations, Ken Fryer, presented Mayor Halsey-Brandt with a project completed by students at Riverside Children’s Centre. The project reflected the student’s appreciation of the City taking on site several pieces of heavy equipment to enhance their work on the study of machines. The June 20^th event proved to be a valuable experience for the children and their teacher, Sharon Grant.

(d)

Project Engineer Robert Gonzalez, updated the Committee on the status of the hedge on McLennan Avenue. After speaking to the owner of the property, who did not want the laurel hedge removed, the City cut the hedge back to the property line.

The asphalt paving on McLennan Road is complete.

B A Blacktop will replace their signs with those that meet the City standard over the next few weeks.

(e)

The Manager, Engineering Planning, Paul Lee, reported that a letter has been received from the Chair of the Vancouver Port Authority advising that adoption of a policy in respect of outfalls within its jurisdiction has been deferred for six months so that further consultation can take place.

Cllr. Kumagai requested a memo update on the status of the No. 5 Road sewer system.

(f)

The Director, Operations, Eric Gilfillan and the Manager, Sewerage and Drainage, Barrie King, asked the Committee for their direction as to proceeding with a proposal to add a second storey to the Mitchell Island pumphouse. The additional storey would provide a satellite workshop and storage area in the south side of the City which would aid in the servicing of all south side pump stations. The cost of the additional storey would be approximately $30,000. Funds for the project could be derived from the Tipping Road South pump station which came in under cost. The location is within the grounds of the BC Ferry dockyards, making it a reasonably secure site.

It was MOVED and SECONDED

That the meeting adjourn (5:40 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, July 5, 2000.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Ken Johnston

Vice-Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant