MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, January 22^nd, 2003, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

WATER METERING STRATEGY
(Report:  Feb. 5/03, File No.:  6650-01) (REDMS No. 958475)

The Director, Operations, Eric Gilfillan, accompanied by the Manager, Water Services, Steve McClurg, indicated that he was available to respond to any questions from the Committee.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That a voluntary water metering program implemented over a three-year period be approved;
 

(2)

That staff be instructed to issue an RFP (Request For Proposal) for installation of water meters and other services related to the residential metering program;
 

(3)

That all existing residential dwellings with existing meters be assessed the metered rate effective June 30, 2003; and
 

(4)

That all new residential dwellings and reconstructed residential projects with a value over $50,000 have meters installed as part of the construction and be assessed the metered rate upon occupancy, effective June 30, 2003.
 

The question on the motion was not called, as information was provided that the program would be voluntary for the present time.  The Chair also noted that a water metering program had the potential to save residents money on their annual water bills, and that the City could be paying less to the GVRD both on water being piped in and discharged.

(Cllr. Derek Dang entered the meeting at 4:05 p.m., during the above discussion.)

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

3.

PURCHASE OF HYDRO EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT
(Report:  Jan. 30/03, File No.:  0735-01) (REDMS No. 953895)

Mr. Gilfillan, accompanied by the Manager, Sewerage & Drainage, Jim Young, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

In response to questions, information was provided by staff on the potential uses for the proposed equipment.  Questions were raised about whether additional staff would be required or whether the expertise was available in‑house, and advice was given that the necessary expertise to operate the equipment was available within the City.

Mr. Ian Norton, representing the Union, advised that he supported the proposal.  Speaking as a taxpayer, Mr. Norton stated that the equipment should be purchased as the benefit would be a great cost saving to the City.

During the discussion, concern was expressed about the wording of Recommendation 2, as it was felt that this wording suggested that a decision on the purchase of the equipment had already been made.  As a result, the following amended recommendation was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Union and Staff review options to decrease City costs, implement any improvements identified, and review/revise the Hydro Excavator business case upon the expiration of 6 months.
 

(2)

That consideration of the purchase of Hydro Excavation equipment be delayed to the 2004 budget subject to the business case results.

CARRIED

4.

PETITION FOR CITY INITIATED LOCAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (LIP) PROJECT ON ODLIN ROAD
(Report:  Jan. 30/03, File No.:  6190-01) (REDMS No. 954817)
 

The Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Robert Gonzales, referred to correspondence (dated February 17^th, 2003) from Jan W. Knap, of 10420 Odlin Road, in which Mr. Knap expressed concern that the City would be completing the road works in front of the church at 10380 Odlin Road.  Mr. Gonzales noted that the church property was exempt from the Local Improvement Program (LIP) as stipulated under the Local Government Act, and that in the event that Mr. Knap chose to proceed with the LIP on his property, the City would be required to provide the funding to complete the road works for the church property.

Mr. Knap came forward and spoke further on his request for road improvements to that portion of south side of Odlin Road which fronted 10380, 10420/10440, 10460 and 10480 Odlin Road.  He also expressed concern that the City would be responsible for the completion of road works in front of the church property at a cost of $10,000, when he had been advised that the cost of completing the improvements in front of his property (10420/10440 Odlin Road) would be $20,000.  In response to this concern, information was provided by Mr. Gonzales that there specific issues relating to the completion of these works in front of Mr. Knaps property which did not apply to the church property.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the request for a Council Initiated LIP for road improvements fronting 10380, 10420 / 10440, 10460, and 10480 Odlin Road be denied on the basis that the only eligible property having an unimproved frontage is 10420 / 10440 Odlin Road;
 

(2)

That the City complete roadwork improvements fronting 10380 Odlin Road, at an estimated cost of $10,000.00, should 10420 / 10440 Odlin Road follow through with a single lot LIP;
 

(3)

That the funds for roadwork improvements fronting 10380 Odlin Road be allocated from the 2002 Minor Capital account (40102); and
 

(4)

That the City recover costs for road improvements fronting 10380 Odlin Road in the future should it require rezoning for a different use.

CARRIED

5.

2003 CAPITAL PROGRAM PROJECTS FOR CONSTRUCTION BY CITY FORCES
(Report:  Feb. 7/03, File No.:  0970-05) (REDMS No. 956824)
 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That City forces be authorized to construct the 2003 Capital Projects (as listed in Appendix A of the report dated February 7, 2003 from the Director of Engineering); and
 

(2)

That $33,728 of excess funds from the 2002 Mores Watermain Replacement Capital Project (Account No. 40411) be transferred to the 2002 Bakerview Watermain Replacement Capital Project (Account No. 40408).

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

6.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK MARCH 3 7, 2003
(Report:  Jan. 27/03, File No.:  6450-09) (REDMS No. 950515)

The Manager, Transportation Planning, Victor Wei, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee, during which he advised that a community event to launch this years campaign would now be held at Grauer Elementary School on Wednesday, March 5^th, 2003, rather than at a local high school on March 3^rd.

During the brief discussion which ensued, Councillor Dang asked staff to inspect the crosswalk on Minoru Boulevard which connected the Cultural Centre with the RCMP building as he had received a complaint that this crosswalk was not very visible.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the 2003 Traffic Safety Awareness Week (March 3-7, 2003) activities initiated by the Richmond District Parents Association, and sponsored by ICBC, the Autoplan Broker Road Safety Program and the Richmond School Board with the participation of the Way to Go! School Program, be supported (as outlined in the report dated January 27^th, 2003, from the Director, Transportation), and that staff involvement as part of the City's on-going traffic safety education strategy, be endorsed.
 

(2)

That (as per Policy #7703), the installation of ICBC-sponsored street banners that promote traffic safety in various locations throughout the City be approved.

CARRIED

7.

MANAGERS REPORT

There were no reports made.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:30 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, February 19^th, 2003.

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Councillor Rob Howard
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant