MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, June 5^th, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

STEVESTON SALMON FESTIVAL PARADE JULY 1^ST, 2002
(Report:  June 3/02, File No.:  7400-20-SSFE1) (REDMS No. 727023)

It was moved and seconded

That the Steveston Community Society be granted approval to conduct the 57th annual Steveston Salmon Festival Parade at 10:00 a.m., Canada Day, Sunday, July 1, 2002.

CARRIED

3.

RICHMOND TALL SHIPS 2002 TRANSPORTATION PLAN
(Report:  May 27/02, File No.:  7400-20-TALL1) (REDMS No. 668844)

The Director, Transportation, Gordon Chan, reviewed the report with the Committee.  Discussion then ensued among Committee members and Mr. Chan during which Traffic Department staff were congratulated on their excellent work in preparing the transportation plan for the event.  In response to questions, the following information was provided:

a formal request had been submitted to TransLink to provide free bus passes for the volunteers to the event, and that request was denied; however, Mr. Chan was still pursuing the matter 

staff had been working with businesses throughout Richmond about road closures during the Tall Ships event, and had responded to a number of concerns which had been raised; arrangements had been made for delivery trucks, etc., to have access; an open house would be held in the Steveston Village area to provide information about the road closures and transportation plan

the shuttle service, consisting of a minimum of two buses, would operate non-stop every 10 to 15 minutes

the drivers of the shuttle buses would have to hold Class 4 licences and be at least 18 years of age

a 350 stall park and ride would be established at the Lansdowne Shopping Centre

visitors to the Tall Ships event who used transit would not be required to pay for parking at park and ride locations; in turn, those visitors who paid for parking would not be required to pay for transit to the event.

A suggestion was made during the discussion that staff contact the Steveston office of Tourism Richmond about advising the public of the transportation plan.

It was moved and seconded

( 1 )

That the proposed transportation plan (as described in the report dated May 27^th, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), to support the Richmond Tall Ships 2002 event, be endorsed.

( 2 )

That the assistance and co-operation of TransLink and Coast Mountain Bus Company in the provision of transit service to support the Richmond Tall Ships 2002 event be formally acknowledged.

CARRIED

4.

TRANSLINK THREE YEAR TRANSIT PLAN (2002 2004) BUS COMPONENT
(Report:  May 31/02, File No.:  6480-03-01) (REDMS No. 726632)

Mr. Chan reviewed the report with the Committee.

(Cllr. Howard left the meeting at 4:12 p.m.)

Discussion ensued on the proposed transit plan, during which in response to questions, Mr. Chan confirmed that the Richmond Committee on Disability had been advised about the increase in hours of the HandyDART service.  He further advised that staff would be submitting a report to the Committee which would address the disabled transportation needs, including HandyDART, audio signals, etc.

Discussion continued, during which Mr. Chan commented briefly on the possible establishment of a community bus service, and provided information on the proposal to implement shared-ride taxi trips in conjunction with HandyDART.

It was moved and seconded

That the 2002-2004 Three-Year Transit Plan for bus service proposed by TransLink, (as described in the report dated May 31^st, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

CARRIED

5.

FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON THE ARTERIAL CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
(Report:  May 31/02, File No.:  6450-17-01) (REDMS No. 667520)

The Manager, Transportation Planning, Victor Wei, reviewed the report with the Committee.  Discussion then ensued among Committee members and Mr. Wei about the upgraded pedestrian crossings which functioned with amber flashers and pushbuttons, and the need to properly educate pedestrians and motorists alike to ensure that motorists complied when the lights were flashing and that pedestrians used these crosswalks in a safe manner.  During the discussion, Mr. Wei provided information on steps being taken by staff to deal with this issue.

(Cllr. Howard returned to the meeting at 4:18 p.m., during the above discussion.)

During the discussion, in response to questions, Mr. Wei advised that the Richmond RCMP were supportive of the initiative, however, because of the crime related issues which the Detachment was currently dealing with, they could not spare the manpower to commit to regular enforcement at these crosswalks.  In response, the suggestion was made that perhaps auxiliary officers or members of the Speed Watch program would be able to provide enforcement.

Cllr. Barnes referred to a previous request to staff that they review the crosswalk and the bus stop location on Chatham Street, specifically in the area of Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue, and the danger posed to pedestrians trying to cross Chatham Street in that area. 

During the discussion which ensued on this issue, information was provided about the possible establishment by TransLink of an off-street bus exchange on Chatham Street.  Advice was given that staff would be working with TransLink to develop an overall crosswalk integration program.  Mr. Wei stated that staff would be submitting a report to Committee which would address the proposed bus exchange and crosswalk issue.  In response, Cllr. Barnes asked that consideration be given to an interim measure in the event that the project would take longer than 6 months to conclude.

Discussion continued briefly, during which information was provided on advertising to be initiated about the new crosswalks, and staff were asked to pursue the use of auxiliary police officers to enforce the crosswalk regulations with Supt. Clapham.

It was moved and seconded

( 1 )

That the proposed locations for crosswalk upgrades on arterial roads, (as presented in the report dated May 31^st, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), be included as candidate projects in the Annual Arterial Crosswalk Improvement Program to be reviewed as part of the next submission of the Five-Year Major Capital Works Program.

( 2 )

That the proposed engineering, education and enforcement initiatives to promote traffic safety at amber flasher-controlled crosswalks on arterial roads be endorsed.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

6.

LOCAL IMPROVEMENT CONSTRUCTION 2^ND AVENUE, BYLAW NO. 7356
(Report:  May 29/02, File No.:  8060-20-7356) (REDMS No. 725511, 665091)

It was moved and seconded

( 1 )

That the Local Improvement Project for Basic Ditch Elimination on 2nd Avenue east side from south side of Steveston Highway to south side of Hunt Street; Hunt Street north side from east side of 2nd Avenue to lane; Regent Street north side from east side of 2nd Avenue to lane; Georgia Street frontage of 3671 to east side of 2nd Avenue and frontage of 11451 2nd Avenue, (Attachment 1 to the report dated May 29^th, 2002, from the Director, Engineering) be adopted in accordance with Section 635(2) of the Local Government Act; and

( 2 )

That Bylaw No. 7356, which authorizes local improvement construction at 2nd Avenue east side from south side of Steveston Highway to south side of Hunt Street; Hunt Street north side from east side of 2nd Avenue to lane; Regent Street north side from east side of 2nd Avenue to lane; Georgia Street frontage of 3671 to east side of 2nd Avenue and frontage of 11451 2nd Avenue, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

7.

APPROVAL FOR ADDITIONAL AGEING SEWER PIPE ASSESSMENT WORK
(Report:  June 3/02, File No.:  6400-01) (REDMS No. 677882)

The Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Robert Gonzales, responded to questions about why the Hamilton/Fraser Sewage area was being included for assessment even though this area had only recently been developed.  He advised that the soil conditions in East Richmond were different than the west side of the City, and that because of high maintenance issues, staff were wanting to undertake a more comprehensive examination of that particular system.

It was moved and seconded

That $428,000 of excess sewer utility funding from the 2000 Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Rehabilitation capital project (#45606) be allocated for assessment of an additional 50 kilometres of ageing sanitary sewer in the Fraser and City Centre sewerage areas in 2002 and 2003.

CARRIED

8.

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC W0RKS DIVISION LEVELS OF SERVICE 2002
(Report:  June 10/02, File No.:  0340-20-PWOR1) (REDMS No. 729913)

The General Manager, Engineering & Public Works, Jeff Day, noted that the current level of service being provided by his Division provided a fine balance between providing effective service and maximizing the lifespan of infrastructure, reducing complaints and providing long term planning.

The Manager, Roads & Construction Services, Tony Hillan introduced Senior Supervisor Peter Bergsma, who had been acting as Manager during Mr. Hillans secondment.  Mr. Hillan then reviewed the current levels of service and budget which comprised Roads and Construction, and responded to questions from the Committee.  A copy of their submission is attached as Schedule A forms part of these minutes.

During the discussion, reference was made to:

dyke maintenance and the threat of flooding due to the current high water levels of the Fraser River advice was given that the City monitored flood reports on a daily basis and paid attention to the measurements given for the Fraser River at Mission; the water level would determine the level of service to be provided by the City; unless there was a major change in weather patterns over the next few days, Richmond residents had nothing to fear about flooding;

the greenwaste disposal program, and whether it should be continued, especially when the City provided curb side collection of garden waste advice was given that this matter would be reviewed, however, advice was also given that in addition to garden waste, this program also included the pickup of garbage found on the streets and in ditches and road right-of-ways.

In concluding the presentation, Mr. Hillan spoke about how his Department measured efficiencies, advising that comparisons were obtained for the provision of similar services from private businesses and other municipalities to obtain a benchmark cost for the service provided by the City.  He stated that the goal of his Department was to have a benchmark for every area of service.

The Manager, Fleet Operations, Ken Fryer, then reviewed and responded to questions from the Committee on the 2002 budget and service levels for his Department.  A copy of his submission is attached as Schedule B and forms part of these minutes.

During the presentation, reference was made to the feasibility of leasing vehicles rather than purchasing.  Advice was given that staff were currently preparing an RFP call to determine if leasing would be more beneficial, and a report would be submitted to Committee on the results.

Reference was also made to training expenses, and advice was given that training was a fringe overhead; any cost which was not charged against a particular program, was accounted for through this overhead.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated June 10, 2002 from the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works), regarding Engineering & Public Works Levels of service for Roads and Fleet programs be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called, as managers were challenged to find areas where there could be room for improvement.  Discussion ensued, during which information was provided on the steps being taken by staff to extend the life of City vehicles.  

Mr. Day spoke further on the challenge, advising that the benchmarks now in place were comparable to those of other municipalities and the private sector and were very efficient.  He stated that any cost savings would be minimal and could have a negative impact if a reduction, such as in the number of times street lines were painted, was found to be the cause of a resulting accident.

Discussion continued, during which the opinion was expressed that any further possible reductions should wait until the entire budget was being considered by Council.  

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

9.

MANAGERS REPORT

Concern was expressed about the recent change to the left turn lane on Cooney Road at Granville Avenue as a result of the Cooney Road widening, and the hazard which this change now posed to motorists.  The Chair indicated that she would contact Mr. Chan on this issue.   

Cllr. Barnes expressed thanks for her recent tour of the City Works Yard, which she found to be interesting and informative. 

Reference was made to the City drainage program, and advice was given that a report on the matter would be considered at the July 17^th, 2002 meeting of the Committee.

Mr. Day advised that in order to reduce the amount of the overtime budget at the Works Yard with respect to standby and night time responses, an afternoon shift had now been implemented which would be responsible for scheduled maintenance work and response to watermain breaks.  He stated that significant cost savings of $35,000 to $40,000 over 2001 were anticipated.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:51 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 20^th, 2002.

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Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant