Public Works & Transporation Committee Meeting Minutes - March 21, 2001

Date:

Wednesday, March 21^st, 2001

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Lyn Greenhill, Chair
Councillor Ken Johnston, Vice-Chair
Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Kiichi Kumagai

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, March 7^th, 2001, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

Mr. Walter Faryna, #402 - 6088 Minoru Boulevard, regarding the need for a loading zone on Minoru Boulevard for Horizons Tower A.
(File No.: 6455-02) (REDMS No. 298462, 237196)

Mr. Faryna, accompanied by Peter Lee, Vice Chair, Horizons Tower Strata Council, and Veril Strafely, Building Manager for the complex, addressed the Committee on the problems being experienced by residents of Horizons Tower A regarding the lack of a loading zone. A copy of Mr. Faryna’s submission is attached as Schedule A and forms part of these minutes.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and the delegation on their request. A question was raised about the feasibility of establishing a ‘loading zone with permit only’ zone, however, staff indicated that they were reluctant to do so because of their concern for the safety of residents, motorists and pedestrians.

A question was also asked about whether Minoru Boulevard was of sufficient width to create a loading bay by cutting away a portion of the sidewalk on the east side. Staff advised however that the right-of-way in that area was very restricted and were of the opinion that sufficient room was not available for a loading bay.

During the discussion, Mr. Lee provided the Committee with information on the history of the development of the complex as it related to the provision of visitor parking and a loading area. He indicated that the shopping centre had now implemented rules that no loading or unloading could take place between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Reference was made by the Chair to a promise made by the developer at the time of issuance of the Development Permit for the project, that space would be provided within the complex for a loading zone. She questioned whether the City could enforce a verbal promise, and in response, the General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan, suggested that it could be beneficial to have City staff address this issue with the owners of the mall.

Mr. Strafely advised that various delivery services, including Canada Post and emergency vehicles simply parked their vehicles on Minoru Boulevard in front of the tower. He referred to the lane width of Minoru Boulevard, and suggested that there was sufficient width to make the existing lanes 10 feet wide and, by taking a portion of the sidewalk area, to provide a 10 foot wide, 75 foot long emergency parking/loading area. He felt that this would provide a legal means to resolve the loading problems and would allow for the continual flow of traffic in the area.

Mr. Lee spoke further on the issue of providing visitor parking, expressing concern that for the 248 units in the tower, there was no visitor parking and residents could not move in or out during the day.

Mr. Faryna, in concluding his presentation, read aloud correspondence sent by Ms. Jackie Estabrook to the City on July 14^th, 2000, regarding the problems which she was encountering in moving into the building. A copy of this correspondence (dated July 14^th, 2000 and addressed to the Mayor) is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated March 12^th, 2001, from the Manager, Transportation), regarding a Request for Lane Closure on Minoru Boulevard for a Loading Zone by the Horizons Tower ‘A’ Strata Council, be referred to the Chief Administrative Officer for discussions with Cambridge Shopping Centres Limited on this matter.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were requested to (i) examine the feasibility of creating a ‘commercial loading zone by permit’ area, and (ii) include the delegation in the discussions on this matter.

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

REQUEST FOR LANE CLOSURE ON MINORU BOULEVARD FOR A LOADING ZONE BY HORIZONS TOWER ‘A’ STRATA COUNCIL
(Report: Mar. 12/01, File No.: 6360-01) (REDMS No. 305953)

Please see Item 2 above for action taken on this matter.

RICHMOND/AIRPORT - VANCOUVER RAPID TRANSIT STUDY (PHASE 2) - PROGRESS REPORT
(Report: Mar. 12/01, File No.: 0154-03) (REDMS No. 310986) (Delegation: Ms. Jane Bird, Project Director, Richmond/Airport - Vancouver Rapid Transit.)

The Manager, Transportation, Gordon Chan briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

Ms. Jane Bird, Project Director, Richmond/Airport - Vancouver Rapid Transit, came forward, and provided additional information on the progress of the study. She indicated that Phase 2 of the study had 3 objectives:

to compare costs and benefits of proceeding with the project in the near term, with service being implemented in 2010;

to explore the possibility of obtaining public sector funding; and

to explore the potential for private sector involvement.

Ms. Bird then elaborated and explained the rationale for the accounts created for the project, including financial, transportation user, urban development, economic, environmental and social impacts. As well, she reviewed the elements of the public consultation process and provided information on the dates of the proposed open houses.

In response to questions from the Chair about the holding of an open house in Richmond Centre Mall on a Saturday, Ms. Bird advised that discussions were still on-going with the mall representatives about expanding the March 30^th (Friday) date to include March 31^st (Saturday).

Discussion ensued briefly among Committee members and Ms. Bird on the timing of the project and the perception of the public that 2010 was too far in the future to consider, and that 2021 was inconceivable. In response, she commented that although 2010 seemed a long way off, there were many challenges which had to be resolved, including (i) the creation of a process which provide a balance between the major stakeholders and municipalities and agencies who want to feel that they have had input into the process; and (ii) funding issues.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated March 12^th, 2001 from the Manager, Transportation, and the Project Director, Richmond/Airport - Vancouver Rapid Transit Study), regarding the status of the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Study, be received for information; and that staff continue to participate actively in the project.

That staff and the Project Director provide further updates to Council on the work progress, including the conclusions and recommendations reached at the end of Phase 2 of the study.

CARRIED

IMPLEMENTATION OF #98 B-LINE - MARKETING AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
(Report: Mar. 7/01, File No.: 6480-03-01) (REDMS No. 302679)

Mr. Chan reviewed his report with Committee members, during which the Chair cautioned Mr. Chan, with reference to the distribution of the proposed brochure, to choose a local newspaper which actually delivered to all Richmond residents.

It was moved and seconded

That staff work with TransLink on its marketing and education plan to raise awareness of the new #98 B-Line service and to familiarize both motorists and transit users as to the operation and usage of the service.

That staff monitor the effectiveness of the #98 B-Line marketing and education plan in conjunction with TransLink and report to Council if further action is required.

That the efforts of TransLink to promote the #98 B-Line service through its marketing and education campaign be formally acknowledged with a letter from the Mayor, following implementation of the system.

Prior to the question being called, staff were requested to advise the Mayor and Council as soon as possible on the final details of the proposed April 6^th service pre-launch.

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

TENDER T.1525 SANITARY SEWER FORCEMAIN CONSTRUCTION ON SHELL ROAD WEST, FROM 120 METRES SOUTH OF HAMMERSMITH WAY TO WILLIAMS ROAD
(Report: Mar. 7/01, File No.: 0775-20-T.1525) (REDMS No. 304249)

The Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Steve Ono, briefly reviewed the staff report with Committee members, during which he advised that the construction project would be on Shell Road, from Williams Road to Horseshoe Slough.

In response to questions regarding the timing of the sanitary sewer forcemain project on No. 5 Road, the Manager, Engineering Planning, Paul Lee, provided information on the status of the project. He indicated that staff were still working with the consultant on the completion of design plans for the catchment area to the north of Williams Road. Mr. Lee further advised that the southerly line would connect with the Ling Yen Mountain Temple.

It was moved and seconded

That the Shell Road sanitary forcemain project which is included in the proposed 2001 Capital Program at a budgeted cost of $1,300,000 be approved for construction in advance of approval of the 2001 Capital Program.

That the City enter into a contract with Pedre Contractors Limited in accordance with Tender T.1525 - Sanitary Sewer Forcemain Construction on Shell Road West from 120 metres south of Hammersmith Way to Williams Road in the total tendered amount of $833,865 plus GST.

CARRIED

(Councillor Dang left the meeting at 5:17 p.m., and did not return.)

LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN - STAGE 3
(Report: Mar. 8/01, File No.: 0157-20-LWMP1) (REDMS No. 278063, 301781)

It was moved and seconded

That the Waste Management Plan entitled "Greater Vancouver Regional District Liquid Waste Management Plan, February, 2001", be adopted; and

That the Greater Vancouver Regional District be authorized to submit the Liquid Waste Management Plan to the Provincial Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks for approval pursuant to Section 18(1) of the British Columbia Waste Management Act.

Prior to the question being called, Mr. Lee advised in response to questions, that the financial commitments for the Sewer System Evaluation Programs and the Sewer Repair and Replacement Programs were included in the City’s operation program for sewer replacement, and were not contributions made to the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

Councillor Kumagai advised that GVRD staff were still in discussion with the Vancouver Port Authority regarding discharge outfalls, and at present, the GVRD did not know what the costs would be to undertake a cleanup.

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

MANAGER’S REPORT

The Senior Transportation Engineer, Victor Wei, advised that staff had had a meeting with Mr. Hubertus Berg, of 3011 Richmond Street, regarding the proposed expansion of a bus stop located in front of his home. Mr. Wei advised that as a result of this meeting, agreement had been reached that the bus stop would be relocated 8 to 10 feet south of its present position.

Paul Lee advised that staff had met the March 15^th, 2001 deadline for the submission of projects to the Canada/BC/Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program. He added that the list of projects included those presented to the February 19^th General Purposes Committee and those added by Council at its regular February 26^th, 2001 meeting.

The Mayor questioned the rationale for not holding a public consultation meeting on the City’s proposed Capital Plan, especially since the City was required to hold such a meeting on the proposed 5 Year Financial Plan. The Director, Engineering, Jeff Day, advised that he would review the Municipal Act requirements on this issue.

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:31 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, March 21^st, 2001.

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Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant