MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Thursday, July 4^th, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

2.

Mr. Pat Young, of 3380 Georgia Street, accompanied by his wife Liea, spoke about the frustration being faced by residents forced to deal with redevelopment taking place within existing subdivisions, and about their perception that bylaws regulating such matters as the removal of trees and noise were not being enforced.  He then provided information about events which taken place with respect to the demolition of two dwellings on properties located adjacent to his home. 

Mr. Young advised that a tree located on the City boulevard had been removed; that demolition of the two dwellings in question had begun at 4:00 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon with no attempt being made to (i) notify adjacent residents thereby placing the residents at risk; (ii) remove gypsum board and other materials prior to the demolition taking place; and (iii) control the resulting dust and debris to prevent this material from ending up in their backyard; and that because of the lack of on-site portable washrooms, the demolition crews urinated and defecated in full view of the residents. 

Mrs. Young expressed concern about the early starting and late quitting times of the work crews, especially on the weekends, and the negative impact which this was having on the ability of her and her husband to enjoy their backyard.  She suggested that the appropriate City's bylaws should be reviewed as she felt that residents should not have to deal with construction noise seven days a week and on holidays.

Discussion ensued among Committee members, the delegation and staff on the concerns of Mr. and Mrs. Young. The Supervisor, Community Bylaws, Bob Lang advised that the delegation should contact the RCMP about the inappropriate behaviour of the work crews as charges could be laid for causing public mischief, and that noise regulations were enforced by the City's Public Health Department.  Discussion centred around the problems created by the redevelopment of Richmond's older subdivisions and the impact of such developments on adjacent residents.

Questions were raised about, and discussion ensued on, the issuance of demolition permits for the two properties, the City's responsibility and the agency responsible for inspections with regard to the removal of gypsum board.  Concern was expressed about the demolition of the buildings occurring on a weekend when inspectors were not available, and the failure to remove gypsum board and other materials prior to such demolition. 

Also discussed was the issue of the hours of construction during the week, on weekends and on holidays, and the removal of trees and shrubs whether or not this landscaping had been within the property lines of the subject properties.  Mr. Young suggested that the City should employ a bylaw marshall to oversee any demolition project from the time that demolition was commenced until the final inspection had taken place, and that guidelines should be in place for such work. 

(Cllr. Kumagai left the meeting 4:34 p.m.)

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff report to the Public Works & Transportation Committee on:

( 1 )

the feasibility of allowing building demolitions to occur only from Monday to Friday;

( 2 )

the hours during which construction is permitted to occur on weekends;

( 3 )

the removal of trees and shrubs from outside property lines and whether developers could be fined for the illegal removal of such landscaping; and

( 4 )

requiring developers to place portable washrooms on development properties.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

3.

KINGFISHER DRIVE PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES (WESTWIND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL)
(Report:  July 2/02, File No.:  6450-01) (REDMS No. 717997)

The Manager, Transportation Planning, Victor Wei, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

(Cllr. Kumagai entered the meeting at 4:37 p.m.)

Susan Robertson and Diana Lindenthaler, residents of the Kingfisher Drive area, spoke in support of the proposed traffic calming measures.  Ms. Robertson spoke about the speed of motorists who travelled along Kingfisher Drive and the concern which she had for the safety of children crossing the street to reach the school.  She stated that the implementation of the traffic calming measures should help to reduce the speed of these motorists. 

A brief discussion ensued, during which information was provided that the City did not have a regular program to monitor the speed of motorists travelling through school speed zones.  Further information was provided that staff had found that traffic calming measures installed in other areas of Richmond had resulted in a significant reduction in the speed of motorists who travelled through school zones.

In concluding the presentation, Ms. Lindenthaler added that the traffic calming measures would help to control speeding motorists on weekends and evenings.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed traffic calming measures on Kingfisher Drive in front of Westwind Elementary School to enhance traffic and pedestrian safety, (as described in the report dated July 2^nd, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

CARRIED

4.

MCNEELY DRIVE AT MCNEELY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES
(Report:  July 2/02, File No.:  6450-01) (REDMS No. 731294)

Mr. Wei briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

Ms. Darlene Dueckman, a resident of the McNeely School area, circulated a letter from Sherri G. Oshowy, of 11900 Woodhead Road, who wrote in support of the proposed traffic calming measures.  A copy of the correspondence is on file in the City Clerks Office.  Ms. Dueckman also expressed support for the proposed measures, and spoke about the excessive speed of motorists who travelled along McNeely Drive and Woodhead Road.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed traffic calming measures on McNeely Drive in front of McNeely Elementary School, (as recommended in the report dated July 2^nd, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

CARRIED

5.

ALBION ROAD AND AQUILA ROAD PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES
(Report:  July 3/02, File No.:  6450-01) (REDMS No. 782022)

Mr. Wei briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

Mr. Tony Hill, a resident of Albion Road, expressed support for the proposed measures, noting that traffic issues in the area had been on-going for a number of years.  Mr. Gill, also an area resident, provided information on a speed related accident which resulted in the driver crashing into his home.  Mr. Ray Woodard, Pastor of the Towers Baptist Church, also spoke about the current traffic problems.  He urged the City to make the filling in of the ditch on the south side of Albion Road and the construction of extruded curb a priority.

In response to a question from the Chair, advice was given that the south side Albion Road ditch was proposed to submitted as a project as part of the 2003 Capital budget.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed traffic calming measures on Albion Road and Aquila Road to enhance traffic and pedestrian safety, (as described in the report dated July 3^rd, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

CARRIED

6.

FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES ON LANEWAY AT 5000 BLOCK MINORU BOULEVARD - RESULTS OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION
(Report:  July 5/02, File No.:  6450-01) (REDMS No. 772058)

Mr. Wei briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed traffic calming measures on the laneway at 5000 block of Minoru Boulevard, (as recommended in the report dated July 5^th, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed for implementation.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare for report to the Public Works & Transportation Committee, an administrative procedure to deal with future traffic calming measures which would eliminate the need for reports to Council on the implementation of such measures unless necessary.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were asked to keep Council apprised of such projects through a memorandum.

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

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

7.

PILOT PROGRAM - HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES
(Report:  July 5/02, File No.:   0780-01) (REDMS No. 675618)

Discussion ensued among Committee members on the rationale for recommending that the report be received for information, when advice had been given that staff intended to utilize the hybrid electric technology.  As a result of the discussion, the following amended motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed Pilot Program for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (as outlined in the report dated July 5^th, 2002, from the Acting Director, Public Works), be endorsed.

CARRIED

8.

FEASIBILITY OF CHARGING PRIVATE LANDOWNERS FOR SERVICES CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY THE CITY FREE OF CHARGE
(Report:  June 25/02, File No.:  1070-03-02) (REDMS No. 750588)

It was moved and seconded

( 1 )

That the report on the feasibility of charging private landowners for services currently provided by the City free of charge be integrated into the budget process for 2003; and

( 2 )

That staff amend/develop the appropriate Bylaws and Procedures for implementing these rate changes.

CARRIED

9.

FEASIBILITY OF EXTENDING DITCH CLEANING TIME FROM FIVE TO SIX YEARS
(Report:  July 2/02, File No.:  6045-07-01) (REDMS No. 778070)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on the feasibility of extending ditch cleaning times, during which questions were raised about the possibility of establishing a different cleaning schedule for canals and ditches in agricultural areas.  Staff were also warned that the current ditch cleaning schedule could be reviewed as part of the 2003 budget review process.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated July 2^nd, 2002, from the Manager, Sewerage & Drainage), regarding the Feasibility of Extending Ditch Cleaning Time from Five to Six Years , be received for information.

CARRIED

10.

LOCAL IMPROVEMENT CONSTRUCTION GEORGIA STREET, BYLAW NO. 7399
(Report:  July 5/02, File No.:  8060-20-7399) (REDMS No. 725517, 782085)

It was moved and seconded

( 1 )

That the Local Improvement Project for Basic Ditch Elimination on 3320, 3340 and 3346 Georgia Street be adopted in accordance with Section 635(2) of the Local Government Act; and

( 2 )

That Bylaw No. 7399, which authorizes local improvement construction at 3320, 3340 and 3346 Georgia Street, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

J

11.

9060 BRIDGEPORT ROAD MOHAWK GAS STATION ROAD EXCHANGE
(Report:  July 11/02, File No.:  8060-20-7394) (REDMS No. 811020, 810960)

It was moved and seconded

That Road Exchange Bylaw 7394 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:07 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, July 17^th, 2002.

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Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant