MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, August 25th, 2004, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (0 ITEMS)

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DECISIONS / ACTIONS (2 ITEMS)

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

TRANSLINK 2005 CAPITAL PROGRAM COST-SHARING SUBMISSIONS - MAJOR ROAD NETWORK, BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM AND TRANSIT-RELATED ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
(Report:  Sept. 9/04, File No.:  10-6500-01/2004-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1331794)

The Acting Director, Transportation, Victor Wei, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

Reference was made to the City’s efforts to make bus stops wheelchair accessible, and to the fact that the City had become a regional leader in the proportion of bus stops which are now accessible, and the comment was made that this information should be announced to the public.  As well, it was felt that the City should be publicizing the fact that, if the proposed projects were approved by TransLink, the City would recover 50% of the construction and land costs, to a total amount of $780,000.

A brief discussion ensued with Mr. Wei on this matter, during which the suggestion was made that the information could be publicized in an upcoming issue of the City Notice Board.  Mr. Wei confirmed that he would pursue the matter further.

Reference was made to the Major Road Network program, and information was provided that the City had been successful in the past in receiving between 85% and 95% of its eligible funding.  However it was noted that staff did not anticipate reaching that level this year because there were fewer major roads which required improvements.

Reference was then made to the lack of a centre left turning lane on Steveston Highway, east of No. 2 Road, and questions were raised about the eligibility of this project.  Information was provided that while such a project would be eligible for funding, City funding also had to be considered, and with respect to priorities, the widening of Steveston Highway east of No. 2 Road was not a high priority because of projects which had a higher priority, such as the Browngate Road extension and the widening of Westminster Highway in East Richmond.

Reference was made to the project -‘Installation of Central Traffic Signal Control System’, and advice was provided that this system would allow City staff to synchronize the operation of every traffic signal with other traffic signals throughout Richmond.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission of the following four improvement projects for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2005 Major Road Network Minor Capital Program, (as described in the report dated September 9^th, 2004, from the Acting Director, Transportation), be endorsed:

(a)

No. 3 Road / Browngate Road Traffic Signal Modification;

(b)

Installation of Central Traffic Signal Control System;

(c)

Gilbert Road Widening (north of Elmbridge Way) and Gilbert Road / Lansdowne Road Traffic Signal Installation; and

(d)

Westminster Highway / No. 4 Road Left-Turn Lane Improvement.
 

(2)

That the submission to extend the Shell Road bicycle route from Athabasca Drive to Horseshoe Slough Trail for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2005 Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost-Sharing Program (Year 3 of a 3-year accrued funding application), (as described in the report dated September 9^th, 2004, from the Acting Director, Transportation), be endorsed.
 

(3)

That the submission of various transit facility improvements for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2005 Transit-Related Road Infrastructure Program, (as described in the report dated September 9^th, 2004, from the Acting Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

CARRIED

Discussion continued briefly on the above matter, during which the Chair warned staff to be aware of the timeline for completion of the 2005 Capital Budget process.

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION

3.

CONTRACT T.1570 - POND/WETLAND CONSTRUCTION GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY PARK - GARDEN CITY ROAD, FROM GRANVILLE AVENUE TO ALBERTA ROAD
(Report:  Sept. 15/04, File No.:  7200-01; 02-1000-20-T.1570) (REDMS No. 1330947)

The Manager, Parks – Programs, Planning & Design, Mike Redpath, accompanied by the Director of Parks Operations, Dave Semple, and Park Planner Clarence Sihoe, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

In response to questions about the project, advice was given that:

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while the Parks Department had not worked directly with the recommended company, reference checks had been undertaken and good responses had been received from other municipalities about the company

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consideration had been given to having the work completed in-house, however, because the scope of the work was more than City staff could handle at the present time, the decision was made to tender out the work because the project was time sensitive with only a six week period in which to excavate the area in question; as well there was a considerable amount of fill material which had to be removed.
 

Mr. Redpath used a site plan to explain the park plan to the Committee.  Advice was given during the review of the plan (which had been approved a number of years ago) that sustainability was an important part of the park plan and that steps were being taken to ensure that the lake water could be used as a secondary source of water.

It was moved and seconded

That the City of Richmond enter into a contract with C.A.P. Ventures, in accordance with Contract T.1570 – Pond/Wetland Construction, for the total amount of $1,263,500.00.

CARRIED

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (0 ITEMS)

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

The Manager, Fleet Operations, Ken Fryer, accompanied by the Director of Operations, Eric Gilfillan, provided information on a pilot project being initiated to encourage staff to reduce the number of idling vehicles.  Signage was displayed which was to be erected in front of certain buildings to discourage idling vehicles, and advice was given that certain vehicles had been targeted as part of the project.
 

A brief discussion ensued on vehicles which should not be turned off, and a suggestion was made that some kind of notice should be placed on those vehicles which had to have their engines running to alert the public to the situation.  The suggestion was also made that an information package or brochure should be prepared to advise the public of the positive action being taken by the City.
 

(b)

The Director, Engineering Robert Gonzalez reported to the Committee on the flooding which had occurred at W & A Farms, advising that the flooding had resulted from the release of water from the cranberry farms to the north of the farm.  He added that the future co-operation of the cranberry farmers had been requested prior to discharging water to avoid recurring flooding.
 

Mr. Gonzalez also commented briefly on the flooding which had occurred in the roadways in the area of No. 3 Road and Blundell Road as a result of the extremely heavy rainfall experienced during the past weekend. 

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:28 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 22^nd, 2004.

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Councillor Kiichi Kumagai
Vice Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office