It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated September 16^th, 2005, from the Director, Engineering), regarding Emergency Repairs to the Interior and Exterior Piping for the Geothermal System at the Thompson Community Centre, be added to the agenda as an additional item.

CARRIED

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, August 31^st, 2005, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (0 ITEMS)

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DECISIONS / ACTIONS (5 ITEMS)

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

HVAC ENERGY SAVINGS AT WATERMANIA

(Report:  Aug. 16/05, File No.:  06-2052-20-WAT/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1598171)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the 2004 capital project relating to the installation of solar energy panels at Watermania (project ID # 40057) be cancelled and City project funding totalling $83,000 be reallocated to a new HVAC energy saving project at Watermania.

(2)

That staff pursue the opportunity to supplement the City contribution through a revised submission to the Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Program to reallocate existing grant funding totalling $67,000 towards this project.

CARRIED

3.

AWARD OF TENDER NO. 05-066 – SUPPLY AND COLLECTION OF GARBAGE CONTAINERS

(Report:  Aug. 9/05, File No.:  10-6405-07-01/2005 – Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1630671)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Vancouver Regional Co-Operative Purchasing Group Tender No. 05-066 for the Supply and Collection of Garbage Containers, for the period November 1, 2005 – October 31, 2008, be awarded as follows:

(a)

Waste Services (CA) Inc. Items 1 and 2 – Corrugated Cardboard and Garbage Containers in the total annual tendered amount of $62,355.68; and

(b)

Supersave Group Items 3 and 4 – Rental and Roll Off Containers in the total annual tendered amount of $29,968.56.

(2)

That a letter be sent to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Purchasing Department confirming the award of Tender No. 05-066.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

4.

(Report:  Sept. 8/05, File No.:  6360-16-01) (REDMS No. 1614799)

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed project to improve the Garden City Road bicycle route from Capstan Way to Cambie Road, (as described in the report dated September 8^th, 2005, from the Acting Director, Transportation), be endorsed at an estimated City cost of $93,000.

(2)

That the source of funding for the City’s share of the above project cost be the remaining funds in the 2004 Westminster Highway Bike Route-Phase 2 Project Account No. 40325 ($53,000), and 2004 Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program Account No. 40245 ($40,000).

Prior to the question on the motion being called, information was provided in response to questions, that the Provincial Government would soon be making an announcement regarding a 2006 program.  Further information was provided that TransLink ‘Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost-Sharing Program’ was undertaken on an annual basis.

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

5.

TRANSLINK 2006 CAPITAL PROGRAM COST-SHARING SUBMISSIONS - MAJOR ROAD NETWORK, BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM AND TRANSIT-RELATED ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

(Report:  Sept. 8/05, File No.:  10-6500-01/2005-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1641957)

Mr. Wei reviewed the report with the Committee, and discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on the rationalization for recommending the widening of Gilbert Road from Lansdowne Road to the Dinsmore Bridge.  Information was provided that the widening would achieve efficiency in moving traffic through signalized intersections along this section of the road.  As well, reference was made to the future signalized intersection at Lansdowne Road and Gilbert Road, and the Chair stated that this would be key to connecting the Garden City area to the Town Centre and to the Oval site. 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission of the following road improvement projects for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2006 Major Road Network Minor Capital Program, (as described in the report dated September 8^th, 2005, from the Acting Director, Transportation), be endorsed:

(a)

No. 3 Road Restoration;

(b)

Westminster Highway Widening (Nelson Road to Hamilton Interchange); and

(c)

Gilbert Road Widening (Lansdowne Road to Dinsmore Bridge).

(2)

That the submission to construct bike lanes on Westminster Highway from No. 8 Road to Nelson Road for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2006 Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost-Sharing Program, (as described in the report dated September 8^th, 2005, from the Acting Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

(3)

That the submission of various transit facility improvements for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2006 Transit-Related Road Infrastructure Program, (as described in the report dated September 8^th, 2005, from the Acting Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

CARRIED

6.

ICBC COMMUNITY CRASH REDUCTION CHALLENGE – OCTOBER 2005
(Report:  September 8^th, 2005, File No.:  10-6450-09-01) (REDMS No. 1651537)

Alex Lee, Regional Coordinator, Loss Prevention, Fraser Valley Region (Richmond), spoke briefly about the upcoming Crash Reduction Challenge, stating that the challenge was being undertaken in October because statistics had shown that motor vehicle crashes increase in the last quarter of the year.  He advised that based on the previous five-year average for the period October 1^st to 31^st, Richmond’s crash prediction would be 1,557 crashes at a rate of 90.8 (per 10,000 population).

Mr. Lee further advised that the community within its population category which showed the greatest reduction in their crash rate would win a $35,000 road safety grant.  He added that there would also be prizes for individuals who participated in the challenge.  Mr. Lee concluded his presentation by inviting the City to take part in the challenge and to issue a proclamation to that effect.

A brief discussion ensued among Committee members, staff and the delegation on the upcoming challenge.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City endorse and participate in ICBC’s Community Crash Reduction Challenge during October 2005, (as described in the report dated September 8, 2005 from the Acting Director, Transportation), to help reduce vehicle crashes and road-related harm in the community.

(2)

That a proclamation be issued to indicate that Richmond will be an official participant in the Community Crash Reduction Challenge.

(3)

That the Challenge be referred to various community groups and City-related organizations.

CARRIED

7.

EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PIPING FOR THE GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM AT THOMPSON COMMUNITY CENTRE

(Report:  Sept. 16/05, File No.:  2052-20-TCC/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1658239)

The Manager, Facilities Operations and Maintenance, Phil Hogg, reviewed the report with the Committee, and provided information on the history of the geothermal system.

In response to questions, information was given that the system had been in place at the Thompson Community Centre for ten years; that regular maintenance had been undertaken, however the chemicals used to maintain the inside of the pipes had not been effective; and that the replacement system would be constructed using current technology which should not require replacement in ten year’s time. 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That emergency repairs to the interior and exterior piping of the geothermal system at Thompson Community Centre proceed immediately; and

(2)

That funding in the amount of $115,500 for the repairs be sourced from the Capital Equipment account 4225-10-615-00000-0000.

CARRIED

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (0 ITEMS)

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8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

The Manager, Facilities Planning & Construction, David Naysmith, reported that on September 20^th, 2005, staff had made a presentation to the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs at their Trade & Education Symposium, on the subject of ‘sustainable green environmental’ issues.

In response to questions, information was provided by Mr. Naysmith that the construction of the new fire halls should be completed in early 2006, with commissioning of the new facilities to take place in March.

Mr. Wei then reported that the closure of River Road in the area of the Olympic Oval site was scheduled to be put into place on October 4^th, 2005.  He advised that signs would be erected the week prior to the planned closure on River Road in both directions, and on major commuter roads leading to River Road.  As well, a media briefing session would be held with a media release being provided and advertisements being placed in the local newspapers.

Mr. Wei further advised that River Road would reopen to the public in the new year, and that the traffic pattern would be such that the diverted traffic would not have to stop before accessing the new portion of the road.  He added that the traffic exiting off No. 2 Road at River Road would still be required to stop.  In response to further questions, Mr. Wei advised that River Road would be closed for approximately three months, and that traffic would be diverted until late spring or early summer of 2006.  As well, he stated that two types of signs would be used (white board with orange construction signs, and large read-o-graph signs) to get the attention of the motorists about the impending road closure.

In concluding the discussion on this matter, staff were asked to provide all members of Council with copies of the media material prior to the media briefing session.

Discussion then ensued on the trees being removed from the Olympic Oval site and the steps being taken by staff to (i) take cuttings from the old oak trees to grow new trees, and (ii) remove the wood from the site so that it could be reused in other projects.

Reference was made to the upcoming construction of the Richmond component of the RAV line, and advice was given that construction would begin in January of 2006, and would initially deal with utility work in the middle of No. 3 Road in the present bus lanes.  A brief discussion ensued on the feasibility of being able to salvage as many of the trees and landscaping, and other beautification materials as possible.

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 21^st, 2005.

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Councillor Rob Howard
Chair

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