The Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Robert Gonzales, introduced to the Committee, the new Manager, Engineering Planning, Mr. Sui Tse, and the new Project Engineer for Engineering & Public Works, Mr. John Irving.  He spoke briefly about the duties for which each of the gentlemen would be responsible.

The Chair then presented the Interdivisional and Interdepartmental awards to the winners of the 2002 Commuter Challenge.

Inter-Divisional Challenge Winner Urban Development with 72% participation accepted by David McLellan

3^rd place Inter-Departmental Challenge Winner Building Approvals with 82% participation accepted by Bernadette Keenan

2^nd place Inter-Departmental Challenge Winner Policy Planning with 90% participation accepted by Cathy Swan

1^st place Inter-Departmental Challenge Winner Transportation with 92% participation accepted by Joan Caravan.

Also presented by the Chair was an award to Bernadette Keenan, of Building Approvals, for the Craziest Commute.

The Chair also announced that the following individuals who were not in attendance had won awards for the following categories:

Shortest Zero Emission Distance Winner Bernice Voodrouw, RCMP Records; and

Longest Transit Distance Winner Julie Hannan, Engineering Planning.

The Chair concluded the presentation by congratulating the departments and individual winners on their participation in this years challenge.

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, August 21^st, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

AWARD OF T.1538 RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION SERVICES
(Report:  Aug. 8/02, File No.:  0775-20-T.1538) (REDMS No. 829546)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and the Manager, Emergency & Environmental Programs, Suzanne Bycraft, on the proposed recommendations.  She stated that she had estimated savings to be approximately $200,000 per year as the result of combining the various collection services into one comprehensive contract. 

Questions were raised about whether the City's bonding and insurance requirements were too stringent for todays market conditions.  Discussion ensued on this matter, during which information was provided that the City's insurance agent had indicated that bonding and insurance requirements were consistent for a contract of this magnitude. 

It was moved and seconded

( 1 )

That Contract T.1538, Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services, for the period January 1, 2003 December 31, 2007, be awarded to International Paper Industries Ltd., at the unit rates quoted, in the total tendered annual amount of $3,053,831.10.

( 2 )

That pizza boxes be added to the scope of the City's recycling collection program, at an additional annual cost of $20,340.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

3.

TRANSLINK 2003 MAJOR ROAD NETWORK (MRN) MINOR CAPITAL PROGRAM SUBMISSION
(Report:  Aug. 20/02, File No.:  6500-01) (REDMS No. 836767)

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

During the discussion which ensued, with reference to the proposed Nelson Road Widening Improvements, advice was given that the ditch infill would be a covered pipe system, similar to the system installed to the south. 

Reference was made to the potential development proposed for the Queensborough area, and a question was asked as to whether any improvements were proposed for Westminster Highway in the Hamilton area.  Information was provided by Mr. Wei on (i) a meeting to be held between City and New Westminster City staff on how to address any traffic concerns related to Westminster Highway in that area; and (ii) possible financing options which could be available. 

Councillor Kumagai advised during the discussion that he had spoke to the Director, Engineering, Gordon Chan, about the need to address pedestrian safety issues on Westminster Highway in the area of the Hamilton Fire Hall, especially if that building was used for public meeting space in the future.

It was moved and seconded

( 1 )

That the submission of the following 10 road improvement projects for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2003 Major Road Network Minor Capital Program, (as described in the report  dated August 20^th, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed:

( a )

Bridgeport Road/Knight Street Interchange Improvements;

( b )

No. 3 Road Sidewalk Improvements (Cambie Road to Sea Island Way);

( c )

Nelson Road Widening Improvements (Westminster Highway to Blundell Road);

( d )

Steveston Highway Traffic Signal Improvements (Shell Road, Gilbert Road and No. 3 Road);

( e )

Bridgeport Road/Simpson Road Traffic Signal Improvements;

( f )

No. 2 Road Traffic Signal Improvements (Francis Road and Williams Road);

( g )

No. 2 Road/Steveston Highway Traffic Signal Improvements;

( h )

Elmbridge Way/Westminster Highway Traffic Signal Improvements;

( i )

Westminster Highway/No. 4 Road Intersection Safety Improvements; and

( j )

Westminster Highway/No. 8 Road Pedestrian/Cyclist-Actuated Signal Installation.

( 2 )

That staff report to Council on the outcome of the evaluation by the Major Roads Technical Advisory Committee on the above proposed submission to the 2003 Major Road Network Capital Development Program.

CARRIED

4.

SUBMISSION TO TRANSLINK 2003 MUNICIPAL BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM EXTENSION OF SHELL ROAD BIKE ROUTE (ATHABASCA DRIVE TO HORSESHOE SLOUGH TRAIL)
(Report:  Aug. 20/02, File No.:  6360-16) (REDMS No. 837071)

Transportation Planner Joan Caravan, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.  In response to questions raised about whether the ditches would be filled in to address the narrowness of Shell Road south of Steveston Highway, advice was given that that particular section of road had limited parking activity at the curb and therefore should not be a problem for cyclists.  Further advice was given that staff intended to monitor the situation and were prepared to act accordingly. 

Questions were raised during the discussion about ridership figures, and advice was given that staff would be conducting a survey following the extension of the route to determine the number of cyclists who actually used the bicycle lane.  Further information was provided that on Provincial Cycling Network financed bicycle routes, the City was required to maintain before and after figures to ensure that ridership had increased as a result of the installation of these routes.

It was moved and seconded

( 1 )

That the proposed 3-year project to extend the Shell Road bicycle route from Athabasca Drive to Horseshoe Slough Trail, (as described in the report dated August 20^th, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed for submission for cost-sharing to TransLinks 2003 Municipal Bicycle Infrastructure Program at an estimated City cost of $250,000.

( 2 )

That the source of funding for the City's share of the above project cost, if approved by TransLink for cost-sharing, be the Major Capital Works Program for Bike Lane Improvements in 2003, 2004 and 2005 subject to Councils approval of the annual budget for these years.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGERS REPORT

(a)

Mr. Wei referred to the traffic calming measures to be installed on Albion Road and Aquila Road, and advised that as a result of the survey undertaken with area residents, the introduction of a three-way stop control and the median on Aquila Road would be deferred.  He stated that staff would monitor the situation following the completion of the Albion Road median to determine if the remaining measures were necessary.

(b)

Reference was made to the use of City-owned closed circuit television video equipment to undertaken inspections at a developers request, and staff were requested to ensure that the City remained competitive and did not subsidize its service to undercut private inspection agencies.  Staff confirmed during the brief discussion which ensued that the City's inspection rates were competitive.

(c)

Mr. Wei advised that an open house was being held at the Steveston Community Centre from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 10^th, 2002, to obtain input on the feasibility study undertaken for a Steveston off-street bus terminal.  He stated that advertisements were to be placed in local newspapers and notices of the meeting had been hand delivered to those residents whose properties fronted Chatham Street.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:35 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 Thursday, September 5^th, 2002.

_________________________________

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Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant