MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, March 22^nd, 2006, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, May 17^th, 2006 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (0 ITEMS)

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DECISIONS / ACTIONS (2 ITEM)

3.

TRANSLINK GOVERNANCE REVIEW PANEL – SUBMISSION FROM CITY OF RICHMOND

(Report:  Apr. 18/06, File No.:  01-1054-00/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1803292)

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

Discussion then ensued among Committee members, with concern being expressed about the lack of time being given to review the report prior to making a decision.  Information was provided that the deadline for submissions to TransLink is April 30^th, 2006, after which time the comments received from municipalities would be reviewed and incorporated into a document to be presented to the Minister of Transportation in September.

During the discussion, the suggestion was made that the report could be received for information, and a special meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Monday, April 24^th, 2006 to deal with this matter.  As a result, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated April 18^th, 2006, from the Acting Director, Transportation), regarding the TransLink Governance Review Panel – Submission from City of Richmond, be received for information.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were requested to provide to the Committee, information on (i) what other parameters were being considered; and (ii) the composition of the TransLink Board and whether the members should be elected or appointed.

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

It was moved and seconded

That an open Public Works & Transportation Committee meeting be held on Monday, April 24^th, 2006, immediately following the conclusion of the Regular (closed) Council Meeting.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were requested to provide to this meeting, background material on the information contained in the report.

It was noted during the discussion that staff had not had a great deal of time to prepare the report, and the Chair expressed her appreciation to Mr. Wei for his efforts.

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

At the request of the Chair, Mayor Brodie provided an update to Committee on the status of the TransLink Parking Tax.  He reviewed the history of the parking tax, advising that a bylaw had been prepared which would have resulted in the tax being reduced from $1.02 to $.78, however, a motion was adopted by the TransLink Board to defer that reduction for one year.  He further advised that TransLink was working with the Provincial Governments to determine if there could be any provincial source of funding which could be used to take the place of the current parking tax.

A brief discussion then took place among Committee members and Mayor Brodie on the parking tax imposed by TransLink, and whether a parking stall or parking area tax was the way to proceed.  Information was provided by Mayor Brodie during the discussion that the funds generated by the parking tax were used to support TransLink’s capital projects.  Also addressed during the discussion was the impact which the parking tax was having on small, family-owned and operated businesses.

Mayor Brodie then left the meeting (4:40 p.m.), and did not return.

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

4.

CONTRACT T.2714 – CITY CENTRE, BRIDGEPORT AND BURKEVILLE SANITARY SEWER REHABILITATION

(Report:  Mar. 22/06, File No.:  03-1000-20-T.2714) (REDMS No. 1790509)

The Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Jim Young, provided information on the sanitary sewer inspection program which had been undertaken by the City with the use of Closed Circuit Television.  He advised that these inspections would increase the life expectancy of the City’s sewer system.  With reference to the proposal now being considered Mr. Young stated that if the repair work was not completed, the sewer would collapse and health issues created for area residents.

It was moved and seconded

That the City enter into a contract with the lowest bidder Mar-Tech Underground Services Ltd. for Contract T.2714 City Centre, Bridgeport and Burkeville Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation for the total tendered amount of $455,253.

CARRIED

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (1 ITEM)

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

5.

REVIEW OF FREEDOM TO MOVE AND GATEWAY PROGRAM DOCUMENTS - IMPLICATIONS ON HIGHWAY 99-BLUNDELL ROAD INTERCHANGE AND GEORGE MASSEY TUNNEL IMPROVEMENT PLANS

(Report:  Apr. 3/06, File No.:  10-6460-01/2006-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1726383)

Mr. Wei, accompanied by Acting Manager, Transportation Planning Donna Chan, advised in response to questions, that the cost estimates shown on page six of the report, which related to the proposed Blundell Road interchange, were 2005 figures.

Discussion took place briefly on the proposed Blundell Road interchange and whether there would be any correlation between the interchange and the Delta South Perimeter Road.  Advice was given that there would be a limited correlation, and Mr. Wei used a site plan to explain this correlation.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated April 3^rd, 2006, from the Acting Director, Transportation) regarding a Review of Freedom to Move and Gateway Program Documents - Implications on Highway 99-Blundell Road Interchange and George Massey Tunnel Improvement Plans, be received for information. 

CARRIED

6.

NEED FOR ADDITIONAL CROSSING CAPACITY AT THE GEORGE MASSEY TUNNEL

Copies of the resolution prepared by Councillor Howard were circulated to all members of the Committee.

It was moved and seconded

That the City write a letter to the Provincial Government requesting the crossing capacity of the George Massey Tunnel be expanded, and direct staff to pursue the project and report to the Public Works & Transportation Committee on a periodic basis.

The question on the motion was not called, as discussion ensued on the proposed resolution.  Advice was given by Cllr. Howard that he wanted to make an official request to the Provincial Minister of Transportation to expand the crossing capacity of the George Massey Tunnel.

Questions were raised about whether there would be an impact on any further land use for the area surrounding the tunnel.  In response, information was provided by Mr. Wei that it would be reasonable to expect that an additional road right-of-way would be required.  He stated that it was difficult to comment on the amount of additional land which might be required when it was not known whether the tunnel would be expanded to six or eight lanes.  He also expressed concern about whether an expansion of the tunnel would resolve the existing traffic problems in the area.

In speaking further to the matter, Mr. Wei suggested that as part of any support given for the proposed expansion of the tunnel, that consultation be required as part of the planning process with TransLink and the affected cities to arrive at an appropriate expansion plan.

Discussion continued, during which the suggestion was made that rather than supporting the motion at this time, that the proposal be referred to staff for review and comment.  Reference was made to matters relating to the tunnel, including expansion of the tunnel, the impact on the surrounding area, and the movement of goods through this area.  As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the following resolution proposed by Councillor Howard regarding the need for additional capacity at the George Massey Tunnel:

“That the City write a letter to the Provincial Government requesting the crossing capacity of the George Massey Tunnel be expanded, and direct staff to pursue the project and report to the Public Works & Transportation Committee on a periodic basis,”

be referred to staff for the preparation of a discussion paper on the proposal.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were requested to include in the discussion paper, information on the minimum and maximum impact which the proposed resolution could have on the City. 

Concern was voiced about whether staff had the time to prepare such a paper, and information was provided on reports currently being prepared by staff on the Blundell Road interchange and the Steveston Highway for submission to the Committee at the next two meetings.  Advice was given that the information requested on the proposed expansion of the George Massey Tunnel could be incorporated into one of those reports. 

Cllr. Howard, in concluding the discussion, cautioned staff that he did not wish to have the proposed expansion of the George Massey Tunnel connected with either the Blundell Road interchange or Steveston Highway interchange projects, for fear that these two projects could be delayed even more.

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

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

There were no reports given.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:48 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 Thursday, April 20^th, 2006.

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Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

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