MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, December 17^th, 2003, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

2.

Sara Smith, representing the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance (CNGVA), regarding the use of natural gas in vehicles.  (File No.:  0665-01)
 

Ms. Smith reviewed the material circulated to the Committee, a copy of which is in file in the City Clerks Office.
 

In concluding her presentation, Ms. Smith indicated that the CNGVA was interested in partnering with the City and Terasen to undertake a demonstration project with a large vehicle, such as a garbage or dump truck, to show the benefits of operating vehicles on natural gas.  The suggestion was also made that the City consider offering public access to its natural gas outlet at the Works Yard.
 

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and the delegation on the use of natural gas to fuel vehicles, during which the following comments were made in response to questions:

●          

as to why the natural gas buses owned by TransLink were not in operation at the present time advice was given that costs for operating the buses was higher at that time (1995 when the buses were first delivered) and the buses themselves were not as reliable as diesel fuelled buses

●          

increasingly demanding emission standards would require diesel engines to have additional technology applied to them to meet the new regulations; these additions would decrease the reliability of the engines and add to the costs of operation; at the same time, natural gas technology was improving and costs were lower

●          

propane and other alternative fuels were not linked to natural gas; propane was only available in limited areas of North America where there was significant oil production

●          

the cost of replacing the engines and transmissions of the existing natural gas buses owned by TransLink, estimated to be $75,000 per bus, was less than purchasing new buses

●          

the demonstration project being proposed would be a good public relation story for the City.

During the discussions, questions were raised about the effectiveness of the natural gas vehicles purchased by the City.  Information was provided in response, that the vehicles in question were running without any problems, and that in fact, the City of Richmond was the only municipal jurisdiction which was not having any problems with natural gas fuelled vehicles.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the possible use of natural gas as fuel in City-owned vehicles be referred to staff for a report on:
 

(1)

the history of the use of natural gas in the City;

(2)

the City's current situation;

(3)

whether staff could foresee natural gas being used for all vehicles in the City's fleet; and

(4)

whether there were any possible revenue opportunities for the City to pursue, such as allowing public access to the natural gas outlet located at the Works Yard.

CARRIED

DECISIONS / ACTIONS (THREE ITEMS)

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

AMENDMENTS TO WATER UTILITY BYLAW NO. 5637
(Report:  Jan. 7/04, File No.:  8060-20-7646) (REDMS No. 1111101, 1111389)

The Manager, Water Services, Steve McClurg, advised that he had nothing further to add.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7646, which amends Waterworks & Water Rates Bylaw No. 5637 to set the water rate for YVR, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

4.

RICHMOND COMMUNITY CYCLING COMMITTEE
(Report:  Jan. 7/04, File No.:  0100-20-RCYC1) (REDMS No. 1104559)

The Manager, Transportation Planning, Victor Wei, advised that he had nothing further to add to the report.  He then acknowledged Transportation Planner Joan Caravan and introduced Mr. Tony Adema, a member of the Community Cycling Committee.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed 2004 initiatives of the Richmond Community Cycling Committee regarding various cycling-related engineering and education activities, (as described in the report dated January 7^th, 2004, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

CARRIED

5.

TRAFFIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(Report:  Jan. 7/04, File No.:  0100-20-TSAD1-01) (REDMS No. 1098636)

Mr. Wei reported that he had nothing further to add.  He then introduced Mr. Alex Lee, representing ICBC, and a member of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members, Mr. Lee and staff on:

●          

the potential application of no drive zones around schools, and how this was going to be undertaken advice was given that a number of approaches were being considered such as simply asking the parents not to drive into this zone, or, alternatively, going to the extreme measure of enforcement; the intent was to encourage parents not to drive their children to the front of their schools

●          

how the no drive zone message would be passed onto the parents advice was given about the formation of a subcommittee to find a solution

●          

the concerns of parents about traffic congestion in front of schools and their fears for their children's safety

●          

the proposed TravelSmart Pilot Project advice was given that this was a joint program developed between the City and TransLink to promote alternate travel, and would be targeted towards households and individuals who lived and/or worked within the City Centre area to encourage them to commute rather than drive.

Reference was made to the two resolutions adopted by the Richmond School Board with respect to the inclusion of road safety as part of the education program, and working with ICBC and driving instructor organizations to offer a credit course to students relating to road safety and defensive driving.

Discussion ensued among Committee members and Mr. Lee about these resolutions and whether meetings had been held with the School Board about drivers in Grades 11 and 12 and the use of ICBC programs to teach these students about safe driving habits. 

Reference was made to the proposed no drive zones and to problems experienced in the past with the overflow parking impacting on adjacent homes.  Information was provided that very few complaints were now being received and the opinion was expressed that it was because of the frequent contact of City staff with residents to resolve any problems which arose; as well as applying more flexibility to reflect the wishes of the residents.  However, it was noted that problems with parents dropping their children off and picking them still remained a problem.

Reference was made to the need to inspect bus stops and approaches with regard to making these areas more useable and comfortable for transit users.  The comment was made that everything possible should be done to encourage motorists to get out of their vehicles and into buses, and the request was made that the TSAC consider doing this as part of their work plan.

Further reference was to the proposed no drive zone in front of schools, and the comment was made that consideration had to be given whether the school in question was servicing only the immediate neighbourhood or provided education to a larger area (i.e. French Immersion).  Questions were raised about whether any consideration had been given to talking to staff about the impact which this change could have on the neighbourhood.

Discussion continued briefly, with it being noted that a major concern of parents dealt with the safety of their children and the perception that safety meant dropping their children off and picking them up in front of the school entrance.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed 2004 initiatives for the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, (as outlined in the report dated January 7^th, 2004, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

CARRIED

***********************************

INFORMATION / AWARENESS (1 ITEM)

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

6.

RICHMOND LONG RANGE DRINKING WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN:  VOLUNTEER WATER METER PROGRAM UPDATE
(Report:  Jan. 12/04, File No.:  6650-02) (REDMS No. 1110680)

Public Works Liaison, Sandy Webster, accompanied by Project Engineer, Lloyd Bie, were in attendance.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on the water meter program, during which, in response to questions, the following information was provided:

●          

the installation of water meters could begin as early as Monday, January 26th

●          

residents did not have to be at home to have the meters installed

●          

residents were guaranteed that they would not pay any more for water consumption for the first year of metered water than they would have paid if their water use was not metered.
 

During the discussion, reference was made to the fact that a reduction in water usage would also result in a reduction of sewer utility charges, and the suggestion was made that this fact should be included in the Five Reasons to Consider a Water Meter information sheet.

With reference to advertising of the program, advice was given that Neptune had a comprehensive advertising campaign commencing with the official launch of the program at the end of February, and would include the insertion of an information bulletin with the City's utility bills in March.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated January 12^th, 2004, from the Director, Engineering), regarding the Richmond Long Range Drinking Water Management Plan:  Volunteer Water Meter Program Update, be received for information.

CARRIED

(Cllr. McNulty left the meeting at 4:53 p.m., and did not return.)

7.

MANAGERS REPORT

The Manager, Engineering Planning, Siu Tse, reported on the implementation of a new Integrated Servicing Drawing Package which would reduce the overall processing time for Servicing Agreement Drawing approvals.  He stated that with the new system, private utility drawings (hydro, gas cable and telephone) would now be reviewed as part of the approval process instead after the drawings had been approved for construction.  Mr. Tse added that two developers had agreed to participate in a pilot project and that following the completion of the project, staff would review the results to determine if this process could be adopted as a standard.

Mr. Tse indicated that he would be forwarding a memorandum to all members of Council on Thursday, January 21^st, advising of the new project.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:56 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, January 21^st, 2004.

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Councillor Rob Howard
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerks Office