MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Thursday, May 23^rd, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES LANEWAY AT 5000 BLOCK OF MINORU BOULEVARD
(Report:  May 22/02, File No.:  6450-01) (REDMS No. 718190)

It was moved and seconded

( 1 )

That the proposed traffic calming measures on the laneway at 5000 block of Minoru Boulevard at an estimated cost of $6,000, (as recommended in the report dated May 22^nd, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed in principle.

( 2 )

That staff initiate consultation with the adjacent businesses on the above recommended traffic calming measures and report on the outcome prior to Councils further consideration of the improvements.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, in response to questions, advice was given by the Manager, Transportation Planning, Victor Wei that consultation with adjacent businesses would take place following adoption of the recommendation by Council.  He further advised that there had not been any feedback from the public following the implementation of the speed humps on the laneway south of Alderbridge Way and east of Minoru Boulevard.

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

3.

FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON TRANSLINKS 2002 MAJOR ROAD NETWORK (MRN) MINOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
(Report:  May 22/02, File No.:  6500-01) (REDMS No. 714304)

Mr. Wei briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

(Mayor Brodie entered the meeting at 4:07 p.m.)

A brief discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on the proposal, during which in response to questions, advice was given that there would be sufficient funds available to complete other projects which were not part of the Major Road Network Minor Capital Improvement Program. 

Reference was made to the proposed construction of a bicycle lane on No. 8 Road and a discussion ensued on whether cyclists would have access to No. 8 Road now that that road was being closed to traffic.  Mr. Wei stated that although the road was being closed to general traffic, it was quite likely that cyclists could still have access.  He also confirmed that two of the projects, Westminster Highway Eastbound Left-Turn Lane (between No. 8 Road and Nelson Road and Steveston Highway/No. 5 Road Intersection Improvement (northbound to eastbound right-turn lane), would each be fully funded by the respective developers.

It was moved and seconded

That the various proposed road and traffic improvements in Richmond, (as presented in the report dated May 22^nd, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed for 50/50 cost-sharing between the City and TransLink as part of the TransLink 2002 Major Road Network Minor Capital Improvement Program.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

4.

WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENTS AT NO. 1 ROAD SOUTH DRAINAGE PUMP STATION
(Report:  May 21/02, File No.:  6340-20-P.02303) (REDMS No. 722024)

It was moved and seconded

That up to $100,000 be allocated from the 2002 Waterfront Improvement Program capital project for waterfront upgrades to the No. 1 Road south drainage pump station.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, in response to questions, advice was given by the Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Robert Gonzalez, that:

the intention was to construct a two tiered platform on the roof of the pump station

transparent glass was being proposed for two of the walls rather than concrete or brick, because in the event of vandalism occurring, the type of glass being proposed could be cleaned more easily than concrete or brick

the transparent walls would allow the public to view the generator inside the pump station, as well as providing those people walking along the dyke with a view of the waterfront

because of the custom work involved to complete the tiered platform, only the pump station structure would be completed prior to the Tall Ships event

consideration of the possible incorporation of a public art project at the site would be delayed until the completion of the building design and would not be implemented until after the Tall Ships event

the trees proposed for planting in the area of the pump station would be Japanese Cherry in consultation with the BC Wakayama Kenjin Kai.

During the discussion, staff were encouraged to find other projects which would benefit from the type of construction now being proposed.

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

At the request of the Chair, the Acting Director, Public Works, Dave Semple, provided information to the Committee on the status of the 2002 Spring Freshet.  A copy of this memorandum is attached as Schedule A and forms part of these minutes.

5.

LEVELS OF SERVICE - 2002
(Report:  May 9/02, File No.:   0340-20-PWOR1) (REDMS No. 692960)

The General Manager, Community Safety, Chuck Gale, (representing the General Manager, Engineering & Public Works, Jeff Day), advised that staff were present today to respond to any questions which the Committee might have on the service levels now being provided.  He stated that for those areas which the Committee would like to have explored in greater detail, staff would like to have the opportunity to report to the Committee on the implications of any proposed changes.

The Manager, Water Services, Steve McClurg, then reviewed the 2002 budget and services levels for the Water Services Department, during which he responded to questions from Committee on a number of issues. 

The Manager, Sewerage & Drainage, Jim Young, reviewed the 2002 budget and services levels for the Sewerage & Drainage Department, during which he also responded to questions from Committee on a number of issues.  A copy of the PowerPoint presentation made by Mr. McClurg and Mr. Young is attached as Schedule B and forms part of these minutes.

As a result of the discussion which took place during the PowerPoint presentation, staff were requested to provide information to the Committee on:

the feasibility of charging private land owners for cleaning of perimeter drains and other services currently provided by the City free of charge

the feasibility of extending the cleaning time for ditches from 5 years to 6 years, the impact which this could have on ditch hydraulics and stability (the report is to identify those ditches which serve agricultural areas);

the feasibility of incorporating the Storm Sewer section into the Utilities Budget as a means of applying for increased infrastructure funding

alternative structures for drainage other than closed box culverts

the control of grease discharged by restaurants through the City's drainage system, (report should review the bylaw adopted by the GVRD); whether the Plumbing Code could be used to deal with this issue

new regulations for low flush toilets, and options which would be available if these regulations could not be applied in Richmond

the installation of water metres in the City, and the cost benefits resulting from this installation.

Staff were also requested to provide double-sided copies of the PowerPoint presentation to the Committee, and to include in future Public Works & Transportation Committee agendas, a status sheet on the items listed above, including recommendations and the strategy used to reach the recommended solution.  Advice was also given that a report:

on the Infrastructure Replacement Strategy would be presented to Committee in 2003 to address the master infrastructure plan

would soon be presented to the Finance Select Committee on recommended values for capital reserve accounts; and

should be presented to the Committee in July for funding dyke and drainage works.

6.

MANAGERS REPORT

The Director, Engineering, Steve Ono, extended an invitation to Committee members to attend the upcoming Enviro Fair to be held Saturday, June 8^th, 2002, hosted by the Environmental Sustainability Committee as part of the City-wide celebrations for Environment Week.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:55 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 5^th, 2002.

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Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant