The Manager, Engineering Planning, Siu Tse, introduced the new Project Engineer, Engineering Planning, Lloyd Bie, to the Committee.  The Chair welcomed him to the City.

The Chair advised that the agenda would be varied to reverse the order of Items 4 and 5.

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

RICHMOND TRANSIT AND TRAFFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE FINAL REPORT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE #98 B-LINE, LOCAL TRANSIT ISSUES AND CITY CENTRE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
(Report:  Aug. 27/02, File No.:  0100-20-RTTA1-01) (REDMS No. 841563)

The Director, Transportation, Gordon Chan introduced to the Committee, Mr. Gary Cohen, a member of the Richmond Transit and Traffic Advisory Committee (RTTAC).

Mr. Chan then reviewed the report with the Committee, following which Mr. Cohen spoke about the membership of the RTTAC, its purpose, the six recommendations proposed by the RTTAC (contained in Attachment 1 to the staff report), and the issues from which these recommendations were developed, including overcrowding on the #98 B-Line and the loss of direct transit service.  Mr. Cohen noted during his presentation, that the RTTAC supported the staff recommendations. 

Mr. Cohen also spoke about the need to re-examine the feasibility of introducing u-turns for northbound traffic on No. 3 Road and Sea Island Way, and requested that consideration be given to retaining the Committee to deal with issues on an as needed basis. 

Discussion then ensued among Committee members, the delegation and staff on such matters as:

whether the recently implemented #488 and #492 transit service would be cancelled due to low ridership (advice was given that these routes would remain in service and that ridership was steadily increasing)

the status of the completion of the installation of the Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology

the waiting time for passengers disembarking from the #98 B-Line and transfering to other buses (advice was given that (i) changes were being implemented to ensure that there would be a continuous arrival of local buses to connect with the #98 B-Line service; and (ii) a transit supervisor would be dispatched to ensure that the operation was functioning correctly).

During the discussion, reference was made to the request to allow u-turns at the No. 3 Road/Sea Island Way intersection, and advice was given that the Vancouver International Airport Authority had retained an independent traffic safety engineer to re-assess the safety implications.  Mr. Chan stated that City staff did not support the proposal because of the safety issues.

The Chair spoke briefly about the structure of the RTTAC and questioned whether the membership should be changed to deal with such upcoming projects as the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.  She indicated that she would pursue the matter with the Chair of the RTTAC.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Council formally acknowledge the co-operation and assistance of TransLink and Coast Mountain Bus Company to enhance the #98 B-Line service and to address other Richmond-related transit issues.
 

(2)

That Council endorse the recommendations of the Richmond Transit and Traffic Advisory Committee, (as described in Attachment 1 of the report dated August 27^th, 2002, from the Director, Transportation), and formally acknowledge the contributions of the Richmond Transit and Traffic Advisory Committee towards improving transit service and traffic conditions in Richmond.
 

(3)

That the recommendations of the Richmond Transit and Traffic Advisory Committee be forwarded to the Chair of the TransLink Board of Directors.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

CONTRACT T.1536 WATERMAIN CONSTRUCTION ON WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY, FROM NO. 2 ROAD TO GILBERT ROAD
(Report:  Aug. 27/02, File No.:  0775-20-T.1536) (REDMS No. 836812)

The Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Robert Gonzales, stated that the report was self-explanatory and that he was available to answer questions.  He advised that staff would apply for funds from the Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Program following completion of the project, and that these funds, when received, would be returned to the Water Utility Account.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City enter into a contract with Pedre Contractors Limited in accordance with Contract T.1536 Watermain Construction on Westminster Highway, from No. 2 Road to Gilbert Road in the total tendered amount of $402,330 plus GST.
 

(2)

That an additional $119,870.00 from completed 2001 watermain replacement capital projects, (detailed in Appendix A to the report dated August 27^th, 2002, from the Director, Engineering & Public Works), be allocated to Westminster Highway Watermain Construction from No. 2 Road to Gilbert Road.

CARRIED

5.

WATER METERING AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
(Report:  Sept. 10/02, File No.:  6650-14) (REDMS No. 849539)

The General Manager, Engineering & Public Works, Jeff Day, accompanied by the Manager, Water Services, Steve McClurg, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

Discussion then took place among Committee members and staff on:

whether the cost of water consumption would be based on the amount used, and whether this rate would be applied to both residential and commercial businesses

whether those businesses which required water to operate, such as nurseries, etc., would be given a special rate for water consumption

whether any consideration had been given to recovering water used for watering gardens, etc., for other purposes, such as irrigation.

It was moved and seconded

That a Water Metering & Demand Management Strategy (as recommended in the report dated September 10^th, 2002 from the Acting Director of Operations) be endorsed for implementation.

CARRIED

4.

PROJECT WET (WATER SERVICES SCHOOL PROGRAM)
(Report:  Apr. 19/02, File No.:  6650-01) (REDMS No. 694946)

The Manager, Divisional Programs, Shawn Issel, accompanied by Steve McClurg, introduced to the Committee, Associate Superintendent Bruce Beairsto and the teachers who had participated in the pilot project.  Ms. Issel then briefly reported to the Committee on the proposed program, during which she noted that both City staff and the children had taken a great deal of pride in their work

During the brief discussion which took place, support was given for the program, it being noted that it was important to teach children now about managing sustainable resources, as sustainability was life long.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff implement the Project WET (Water Services School Program) in Spring, 2003 and
 

(2)

That this report (dated April 19^th, 2002, from the Manager, Water Services and the Manager, Divisional Programs), regarding Project WET (Water Services School Program), be referred to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee for information.

CARRIED

5.

WATER METERING AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
(Report:  Sept. 10/02, File No.:  6650-14) (REDMS No. 849539)

See Page 3 of these minutes for action taken on this matter.

6.

AGEING FACILITY INFRASTRUCTURE LIFE CYCLE MAINTENANCE
(Report:  Sept. 9/02, File No.:  2050-01) (REDMS No. 680226)

The Manager, Facilities Planning & Construction, David Naysmith, introduced the Co-ordinator Facility Planning, Odd Bell, and Maintenance Planner Peter Jansen.  Mr. Naysmith then reviewed the report with the Committee.  

Discussion took place among Committee members and staff on (i) the funding currently allocated by the City for building maintenance and replacement; (ii) whether the assumptions referred to in the staff report would have an impact on the figures provided; and (iii) the program being used by staff to monitor the status of the City's buildings.

During the discussion, staff were asked to provide examples on a cross-section of the City's building inventory of those facilities which were in the most need of maintenance, the type of maintenance required, the cost of such maintenance, and the impact if this maintenance work was not carried out. 

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated September 9^th, 2002, from the Director, Engineering), regarding the Ageing Facility Infrastructure Life Cycle Maintenance), be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

MANAGERS REPORT

(a)

Mr. Chan reported that cost-sharing contracts had been entered into with ICBC and TransLink, to an amount of approximately $1.5 Million for capital works projects which involved both agencies.  He added that the City would also be receiving $1.2 Million for work on the City's Major Road Network.
 

Mr. Chan also reported that although the Road Development Cost Charge projected figures were encouraging over the next five years, he was afraid that there would not be sufficient funds in the future to take full advantage of outside funding opportunities.  He spoke further on this matter, noting that there were a number of measures which could be considered, which would protect basic programs and allow the City to pursue funding opportunities with external agencies.
 

Councillor Howard referred to correspondence received regarding concerns about the pedestrian crossing from Minoru Gate to Courtyard Gardens, and he asked if staff would attend a meeting of the Seniors Centre Board to discuss the problems.  Mr. Chan stated that his staff would attend such a meeting, and asked that he be advised when the arrangements were made.
 

(b)

Mr. Tse reported that the City had received a $10,000 Local Government Grant for water model calibration, and that these funds would be used to advance the City's program.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:51 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, September 18^th, 2002.

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Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant