Public Works & Transporation Committee Meeting Minutes - June 06, 2001

Date:

Wednesday, June 6, 2001

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Lyn Greenhill, Chair

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Kiichi Kumagai

Absent:

Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston, Vice-Chair

Also Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes

Call to Order:

The 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 Thursday, May 24, 2001, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

FRASER BASIN COUNCIL REGARDING THE FRASER RIVER DEBRIS TRAP

Mr. Bob Purday, Regional Coordinator for the Greater Vancouver Squamish Pemberton Region, representing the Fraser Basin Council, gave a Power Point presentation to the Committee. A copy of the information provided is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes.

A discussion ensued on the need to broaden the funding the Debris Trap receives. It was requested that the City provide, in recognition of the ongoing role of the Fraser River Debris Trap, a letter of support for the program being maintained and also to consider a financial contribution.

It was moved and seconded

That the request for funding be referred to staff for identification of i) funding options, and ii) other groups that could provide support to the project.

CARRIED

(Report: May 15/01, File No.: 6455-04) (REDMS No. 301205)

The Manager, Roads & Construction Services, Tony Hillan, accompanied by Mr. McCloud, Street Sweeper Operator, provided a brief review of the report and an example of the intended signage.

It was suggested that the signs provide the reason for the parking restrictions. Clarification of the source of funds for the project was identified.

It was moved and seconded

That a pilot program of installing permanent "Temporary No Parking" signs at an estimated cost of $2,280 in the Azure Boulevard area, be endorsed, and that staff report to Committee with the results of the pilot program.

CARRIED

(Report: May 28/00, File No.: 0140-20-FRHA1) (REDMS No. 380877)

The General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, Jeff Day, reviewed the report.

Mr. Al Mitton, Fraser River Port Authority, noted that development of the site would benefit the City by providing a serviced area, tax generation and the Blundell corridor, and said that two major tenants had recently come forth to negotiate with the Port..

A letter from Allen Domaas, PPM, Acting President and CEO of the Fraser Port Authority, is attached as Schedule 2.

An article on the Fraser River Debris Trap is attached as Schedule 3.

Councillor Greenhill stated that she appreciated that the work was not being done in isolation of the City but rather was Fraser Port and the City working in cooperation. The planned phase in of the project, due to the expense involved, was noted.

In response to a question from Councillor Kumagai on Area IV, the General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan provided the information that there was an interest in the land for development of a waterfront system, although a report as yet had not been received.

It was moved and seconded

That:

The "Fraser-Richmond Servicing Report" (dated May 2001) be endorsed.

Staff be authorized to commence negotiations with the Fraser River Port Authority in the attempt to establish a signed Accord and to develop detailed servicing agreements for each development phase that will follow the servicing strategy endorsed in the Fraser-Richmond Servicing Report.

CARRIED

(Report: May 23/01, File No.: 6500-01) (REDMS No. 138781)

Victor Wei, Senior Transportation Engineer, reviewed the report, and introduced Mr. John Lanahan, Project Manager/Vancouver Airport Authority.

A discussion ensued on various aspects of the HOV/HPV lane which included access points and signage. Mr. Wei provided clarification of the use of the HOV/HPV lane and the enforcement thereof.

It was moved and seconded

That the provision of a northbound high priority / high occupancy vehicle (HPV/HOV) lane on Russ Baker Way, between the Dinsmore Bridge and the Arthur Laing Bridge, for use by vehicles destined for the airport or with three occupants or more, as proposed by the Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR), be supported in principle on a trial basis for a period of nine months to a year, subject to the following commitments by YVR:

That a non-permanent barrier delineation, to be reviewed by City staff before installation, is used between the general traffic lane and the proposed HPV/HOV lane;

That YVR undertake public consultation with respect to the proposal; and

That the proposed HPV/HOV lane be implemented in conjunction with, but not before, the completion of the Airport Connector project.

That staff report to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on the outcome of the trial implementation of the HPV/HOV lane.

That staff work with YVR to monitor the traffic conditions and report on the outcome after the trial period.

That the above recommendations be conveyed to the YVR Board of Directors.

CARRIED

Councillor Barnes left the meeting.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Senior Transportation Engineer, Victor Wei, in reference to a newly created brochure on U-turn procedures, stated the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia had committed to a contribution of 50% of the cost of the brochures. The distribution of the brochures was to begin soon by way of hand-drop to all merchants on No. 3 Road as well as the major centres, including the Motor Vehicle Branch, ICBC, and the RCMP. It was requested that all inquiries/comments be directed to Mr. Wei. Mr. Wei confirmed that traffic police would be enforcing the U-turn policy in conjunction with the distribution of the brochure.

Mr. Wei announced that Sunday, June 10, was the Island City by Bike event. The Richmond Cycling Committee was commended for their organization of the event.

Mr. Wei advised that a grant in the amount of $938,000 had been received from TransLink for the 2001 MRN Minor Capital Improvement Program - Garden City extension.

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:38 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, June 6, 2001.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Lyn Greenhill

Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant