Public Works & Transporation Committee Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2002
Public Works & Transportation Committee
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Date: |
Wednesday, March 6th, 2002 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Lyn Greenhill, Chair |
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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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1. |
It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, February 20th, 2002, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION |
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2. |
RICHMOND/AIRPORT-VANCOUVER RAPID TRANSIT STUDY CONCLUSIONS OF PHASE 2 EXTENSION AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GVRD LIVEABLE REGION STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITIES |
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The General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan, introduced Ms. Jane Bird, Project Director, Richmond/Airport Vancouver Rapid Transit. Mr. McLellan then spoke about transportation issues as they related to Richmond, the City of Vancouver, the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) and TransLink. |
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Reference was also made to a staff report submitted to the Vancouver City Council at its last meeting on proposed transit improvements for Vancouver and the region, and Mr. McLellan commented on the challenges which these recommendations would have to address. |
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Discussion then ensued among Committee members, the delegation and staff on: |
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the next steps to be followed with respect to the Richmond/Airport Vancouver Rapid Transit Study, which included examining the project in detail, and dealing with the challenges, i.e. can the project be completed at a reasonable cost, can the project be financed, and a hybrid mechanism developed for governance |
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cost containment with respect to an elevated or at-grade (or a combination of the two) rapid transit system, and the advantages and disadvantages of these two systems |
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whether the street car system being proposed by the City of Vancouver along the Arbutus Corridor would be compatible with Richmond's trams |
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the proactive approach now being taken by the City of Vancouver with respect to transportation issues |
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the rationale for recommending that the GVRD be requested to revise the Liveable Region Strategic Plan to reflect that the Intermediate Capacity Transit System for the Richmond-Vancouver corridor would mean a rail transit system, and whether the GVRD should be requested to support this system as a separate item, without any connection to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games bid |
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whether the City of Vancouver had to be formally requested to support the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver link as a priority for the region, and asked for their co-operation on that alignment |
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the recommendations contained in the recent staff report considered by Vancouver City Council on transportation initiatives for the City and the region |
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the feasibility of a public/private partnership to fund the project, and the availability of federal funding |
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the type of rapid transit system being considered, i.e. electric and whether the power would be provided as part of the track system or overhead; and the associated issue of sustainability |
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the timing of the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit system and whether construction and implementation would be completed prior to 2010 |
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the need for political leadership and co-operation to ensure that the proposed timeframe for construction of the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit system was met. |
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During the discussion, reference was made to the numerous studies which had been prepared over the past years on the feasibility of using Cambie Street as an underground transportation corridor, and the suggestion was made that these reports should be reviewed. Cllr. Kumagai commented that he believed that there were a number of problems connected with this particular proposal. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following amended motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the Greater Vancouver Regional District be requested to revise the Liveable Region Strategic Plan by: |
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(a) |
defining the Intermediate Capacity Transit System for the Richmond-Vancouver corridor to mean a rail transit system; and |
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(b) |
amending the "bus lane" designation to Sea Island from this corridor as an integral part of this rail transit system. |
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(2) |
That the Greater Vancouver Regional District Board be requested to rescind Resolution 8.3.2 of June 2, 1995, which identified priorities for regional rapid transit facilities; and that planning for and implementation of a rail transit system for the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver corridor not be tied to the completion or operation of other rail transit systems in the Greater Vancouver area, and not be tied solely to the Olympic bid. |
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(3) |
That staff continue co-operating with all potential stakeholders in the early implementation of a rail transit system serving the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver corridor. |
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(4) |
That the above recommendations be conveyed to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Board of Directors, the TransLink Board of Directors, and other agencies participating in the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Study. |
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CARRIED |
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(Mayor Brodie left the meeting at 4:50 p.m., and did not return.) |
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3. |
TRANSLINK EMPLOYER BUS PASS PROGRAM |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the transportation demand management goals of TransLinks Employer Bus Pass Program to encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation, and to reduce the number of commuters travelling in single occupancy vehicles, be endorsed. |
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(2) |
That City participation in TransLinks Employer Bus Pass Program, should the minimum requirement of 25 staff willing to commit to the program for at least one year be achieved, be endorsed. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVES PACEMORE AVENUE |
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Ms. Terry Tinkley, a resident of the Pacemore Avenue area, advised that she worked at the local school and walked to this school along with the children. She expressed support for the proposed initiatives, stating that the sidewalk or barrier would help to protect the children from motor vehicles travelling along this street. |
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In response to concerns expressed by Ms. Tinkley about road widths, the Manager, Transportation Planning, Victor Wei, advised that the road shoulders on Pacemore Avenue would be widened to accommodate the proposed improvements. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the proposed measures, (as described in the report dated February 15th, 2002 from the Director, Transportation), to enhance traffic and pedestrian safety on Pacemore Avenue in the vicinity of Gilmore School, be endorsed. |
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(2) |
That the proposed traffic and pedestrian safety enhancement measures be funded from the 2001 Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program. |
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(3) |
That staff advise area residents of the City's intention to proceed with this project and ensure that public feedback is incorporated into the final design. |
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CARRIED |
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ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION |
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5. |
STEVESTON TOWNSITE DRIVEWAYS |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the report (dated February 18th, 2002, from the Director, Engineering), regarding Steveston Townsite Driveways, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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6. |
MANAGERS REPORT |
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(a) |
The Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Robert Gonzales, advised that staff were again proposing the holding of a public open house to explain the proposed civic construction program to Richmond residents. Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that the open house would be held on Thursday, April 18th, 2002, commencing at 4:00 p.m. |
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(b) |
The Director, Transportation, Gordon Chan reported that: |
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ICBC would be continuing to support the Joint Road Safety Program; that $10 Million was available for funding; and that changes had been made to the guidelines for the program with the result that projects would be considered solely on its own merits and not on geographic location. |
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with regard to a recent delegation to the Public Works & Transportation Committee on the closure of the eastbound left turn bay on Westminster Highway in the area of the Gulf & Fraser Credit Union, Onni Development Corporation had agreed to enter into a cross access agreement with the Credit Union and the City to allow access to the Gulf & Fraser Credit Union through the Onni property from Firbridge Avenue. |
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the newly created Richmond Transit & Traffic Advisory Committee would be holding its first meeting at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 13th, 2002, at City Hall. |
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(c) |
The Manager, Engineering Planning, Paul Lee, reported that the City had been awarded a grant from BC Hydro for the undergrounding of No. 3 Road, from Cambie Road to Sea Island Way. He noted that this grant was the fourth such grant received by the City from by the BC Hydro Board of Directors, and he questioned whether it would be appropriate to send a letter, signed by the Mayor, thanking the Board for its generosity. Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that the Board should be thanked for its continued support. |
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(d) |
A number of issues were raised by Committee members on: |
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whether the new Oak Street transit route would be one-way or two-way service Mr. Wei was asked to contact TransLink on this issue and advise the Committee members accordingly. |
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Garry Point Park, and in particular, the number of vehicles being parked along side the access into the parking lot, along the shoulder of the roadway leading up to Scotch Pond, even though there were spaces available in the parking lot staff were asked to consider whether a barrier should be installed to prevent parking in the area of the entrance |
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the lack of baby changing tables in the Women's washroom at Garry Point Park the Acting Director, Public Works, Dave Semple advised that he would forward the concerns on to the Manager, Parks Administration & Programs, Mike Redpath. |
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the unsuitable location of the hand dryers in the Garry Point washrooms, and the suggestion was made that they be located further away from the counter Mr. Semple advised that he would also pass this issue on to Mr. Redpath. |
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(e) |
Councillor Howard referred to a memorandum which provided an update on the 2001 Construction Program, and questioned the process which was followed for any monies not spent on a particular project. Advice was given that any remaining monies from a completed project were returned to the funding source, and in some cases, a recommendation made to Council on spending the remaining funds on another project. |
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Councillor Howard referred to the watermain replacement program now being completed, questioned whether any consideration had been given to selling the City's innovating techniques to other municipalities as a revenue generator. Mr. Ono responded, explaining exactly what these innovations dealt with. |
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Councillor Howard also referred to the proposed construction of a satellite Works Yard, and Mr. Ono provided information on the benefits which the location of a works yard on Sidaway Road would provide to the City. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:09 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 Public Works & Transportation Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, March 6th, 2002. |
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_________________________________ |
_________________________________ |
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Councillor Lyn Greenhill |
Fran J. Ashton |