Date:

Wednesday, January 18^th, 2006

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair
Councillor Derek Dang, Vice Chair

Councillor Cynthia Chen

Councillor Rob Howard
Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Harold Steves

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie 

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

It was moved and seconded

That the following matters be added to the agenda of the Public Works & Transportation Committee meeting as additional items:

(1)

The traffic accident at the intersection of No. 7 Road and Cambie Road; and

(2)

A TransLink update.

CARRIED

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, December  14^th, 2005, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, February 15^th, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (0 ITEMS)

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DECISIONS / ACTIONS (7 ITEMS)

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

3.

CANADA LINE – RICHMOND SECTION, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT STRATEGY(Report:  Jan. 6/06, File No.:  10-6520-02-01/2006-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1729304)

The Director, Major Projects, Greg Scott, accompanied by RAV Project – Urban Design Coordinator Brian Guzzi, and Project Manager, Major Projects, Joyce Chang, advised that one change was being suggested to the construction schedule.

Mr. Scott referred to the upcoming relocation of utilities along the No. 3 Road corridor, from Granville Avenue to Westminster Highway, which was to have been undertaken during the day, and advised that RAVCO and TransLink were now proposing to do some of this work at night to reduce the impact to the travelling public and to businesses along the route.  He stated that under the provisions of the Noise Regulations contained in the Public Health Protection Bylaw, staff had the authority to approve the work, which staff were seriously considering with some conditions, i.e. the impact to residents in the area would be monitored; and a proviso of a one month window or possibly, a one week non-negotiable stipulation to revert to daytime construction if this proved to be necessary.  Mr. Scott noted that relocation of the utilities at night would reduce the impact to the businesses located in this area and to motorists using No. 3 Road during the construction period.  He added that the overall construction window would be completed sooner rather than later.

Ms. Chang then reviewed the staff report with the Committee, and discussion ensued with Committee members on:

§            

the need for clear and concise signage of the changes in traffic patterns; and the need to have the ability to make changes in reaction to any problems which might arise

§            

the need to have the names and telephone numbers of people who could be contacted by City staff or members of the public in the event that problems did occur

§            

the proposal to relocate the utilities at night rather than during the day

§            

the number of lanes which would be open to traffic during construction of the Canada Line.

During the discussion, information was provided that the existing dedicated bus lanes on No. 3 Road would be eliminated when the relocation of the utilities commenced on February 6, 2006.  Information was also provided that the public interest groups affected by the Canada Line construction were well aware of the proposed traffic management strategy.

It was moved and seconded

That the Traffic Management Strategy for 2006 construction works (as proposed by InTransitBC in the strategy document dated December 5, 2005 and outlined in the report dated January 6^th, 2006, from the Director, Major Projects), be approved.

CARRIED

4.

CANADA LINE UPDATE – DECEMBER 2005/JANUARY 2006(Report:  January 13^th, 2006, File No.:  10-6520-02-01) (REDMS No. 1732761)

Mr. Scott referred to questions which had been raised about whether bicycle lanes would be included in the No. 3 Road Canada Line corridor, and advised that staff would like to have the opportunity to explore the feasibility of locating a bicycle lane on the east side of No. 3 Road.  He noted that this amenity was not included in the City’s Official Community Plan or the Bicycle Network Plan, however, transportation advisory groups were being encouraged to discuss and test this idea.  Mr. Scott indicated that as long as there was support from the community for this amenity, the proposal would be put forward to the Committee.

Mr. Guzzi then reviewed the summary of results, and provided an update on the twelve guiding principles identified during the initial phase of the ‘Streetscape Study’.  He advised that staff were exploring the feasibility of creating street front parking or expanded pedestrian zones in certain sections of No. 3 Road under the guideway.

Mr. Guzzi also addressed the provision of retail space in the Canada Line stations, stating that it was the belief of staff that the provision of retail space was one of the important components of successful stations.  He added that kiosks were encouraged as a way of providing security, but staff did not want visibility impeded by larger retail establishments which could create ‘blind spots’ in the station.  Mr. Guzzi advised that InTransitBC, based on the interest shown by Richmond and RAVCO, had engaged the services of a consultant to determine the economic feasibility of introducing retail services at Canada Line stations.

Mr. Scott briefly reviewed the outstanding issues which had to be resolved with RAVCO.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on:

§            

the benefits of including the requirement for the provision of bicycle lanes along No. 3 Road in the City’s Official Community Plan; and the importance of including bicycle lanes along the guideway path, especially as the bridge crossing would have a bicycle lane, and as a way to encourage motorists to try alternate forms of transportation rather than using vehicles which have high emissions

§            

the No. 3 Road Streetscape Study

§            

whether the name on the final Canada Line station would be “Brighouse”

§            

the issue of gates at the Canada Line stations, and the feasibility of using ‘smart card’ technology.

Reference was made to the benefits of including retail space in the Canada Line stations, and considerable discussion ensued on this issue.  The comment was made that the provision of retail space was a critical component, and if provision for this space was not made during construction, then it would be very expensive or impossible after the fact to install the required infrastructure.  Also addressed was whether InTransitBC could be required to install the infrastructure for retail space.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a strong letter to RAVCO, InTransitBC and TransLink regarding the need for retail space at Richmond Canada Line stations.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were directed to include in the correspondence, statements relating to the economic viability, community safety, etc., which would be offered by the inclusion of retail space at the Canada Line stations.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the December 2005 and January 2006 Canada Line Project update be received for information.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

5.

WILLIAMS ROAD AREA DEVELOPMENT MORATORIUM REMOVAL

(Report:  Dec. 19/05, File No.:  10-6000-01/2005-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1723796, 669207, 640676, 667489)

It was moved and seconded

That the hold on rezoning applications in the 10,000 and 11,000 block of Williams Road, the 10,000 block of Shell Road and the 10,000 block of No. 4 Road (as approved by Council according to the March 21, 2002 report), be removed.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, the Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Jim Young commented on the complexity of the issues which arose as a result of the investigation undertaken by staff of the sanitary and drainage infrastructure in the Horseshoe area.  He advised that callouts to this area had been drastically reduced since the dredging of Horseshoe Slough.

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

6.

2006 CAPITAL PROGRAM PROJECT BY CITY FORCES
(Report:  Dec. 23/05, File No.:  6340-20-P.04401) (REDMS No. 1724590)

It was moved and seconded

That City forces be authorized to construct the 2006 Broadmoor Watermain Replacement Project with the approved 2006 Capital Budget of $812,000.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, discussion ensued on the rationale for having City works crews and private contractors split the work, rather than giving all the work to the City crews.  Advice was given that dividing the work between the two provided the opportunity for the appropriate ‘checks and balances’. 

Reference was made to the construction of the Oval facility, and questions were raised about whether City works crews would be involved with any of the various components of the construction work.  Advice was given that as the projects occur, consideration would be given to using City works crews.  The comment was made that it was important that the works crews knew that they were capable of doing this work.

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

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

7.

TRAFFIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – PROPOSED 2006 INITIATIVES
(Report:  Jan. 4/06, File No.:  0100-20-TSAD1-01; xr 6450-09-01) (REDMS No. 1721233)

The Acting Director, Transportation, Victor Wei, reported that Transportation Planner Joan Caravan and Alex Lee of ICBC were instrumental in the development of the Safer Traffic Around Richmond Schools (STARS) project.  He advised that a report on this project would be submitted to the February meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee.

Information was provided about the positive reception which the project received at the Council/School Board Liaison Committee meeting on January 17^th, 2006, and discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on how this proposal would address the on-going parking and traffic issues at local schools.  Information was provided during the discussion that the program would be officially launched on March 6, in conjunction with a number of School District initiatives.

(Mayor Brodie left the meeting at 5:05 p.m., and did not return to the open meeting.)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed 2006 initiatives for the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, (as outlined in the report dated January 4^th, 2006, from the Acting Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

(2)

That staff report further on the Safer Traffic Around Richmond Schools (STARS) project to be implemented as part of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee’s 2006 initiatives.

CARRIED

The Chair acknowledged the efforts of Joan Caravan and Alex Lee in developing the Safer Traffic Around Richmond Schools (STARS) project.

8.

PROPOSED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SURTAX ON IMPORTED BICYCLES
(Report:  Dec. 12/05, File No.:  03-1240-03-01/2005-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1719100)

Mr. Wei, in response to questions, advised that the surtax, if approved, would be applied to any bicycle with an export cost of $250.  He advised that this tax would have a negative impact on those people who wanted to find an alternate mode of transportation.

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be sent to the federal government Ministers of Environment, Health, International Trade, Finance, Transport, Sport, and Public Health to advise that Richmond City Council opposes the imposition of the proposed surtax on imported bicycles.

CARRIED

9.

RICHMOND COMMUNITY CYCLING COMMITTEE – PROPOSED 2006 INITIATIVES(Report:  Jan. 4/06, File No.:  01-0100-20-RCYC1/2005- Vol 01; xr 10-6460-01) (REDMS No. 1721232)

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed 2006 initiatives of the Richmond Community Cycling Committee regarding cycling-related engineering and education activities, (as described in the report dated January 4^th, 2006, from the Acting Director, Transportation), be endorsed.

CARRIED

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (0 ITEMS)

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10.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT THE INTERSECTION OF NO. 7 ROAD AND CAMBIE ROAD

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff review the details of the recent motor vehicle accident which occurred at the intersection of No. 7 Road and Cambie Road to determine if:

(a)

any action should be taken to improve No. 7 Road; and

(b)

any safety mechanisms, such as upgraded signage and safety initiatives, and possible improved  street lighting, should be implemented; and

(2)

That staff provide information on the safety of the ditches in the area of No. 7 Road and Cambie Road,

for report to the Community Safety Committee.

CARRIED

11.

TRANSLINK UPDATE

It was moved and seconded

That congratulations be extended to Mayor Malcolm Brodie on his election as Chair of the Board of Directors of TransLink.

CARRIED

12.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Mr. Young reported that:

(1)

the Seacote local area services program had been completed by City works crews, on schedule and under budget;

(2)

the City had been successful in increasing the amount of a grant which had been obtained last year for the completion of dyke work at the south end of Gilbert Road, from $31,000 to $105,000, which would allow the completion of the work which had originally been planned for the area

(3)

the innovative methods and techniques used by the City with respect to the sink hole located in the area of No. 3 Road and Cook Road had been recognized by the BC Water & Waste Association, and advised that staff would be making a presentation on this matter to that organization in April.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:15 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 18^th, 2006.

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_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

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