MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, June 21^st, 2006, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the following matters be added to the agenda as additional items:

(1)

Rabbits;

(2)

Zero Waste and Recycling; and

(3)

The City’s Volunteer Water Metering Program.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, July 19^th, 2006 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

PRESENTATION OF COMMUTER CHALLENGE AWARDS

The Acting Director, Transportation, Victor Wei, announced that Richmond had again won the challenge between the City and WorkSafeBC to determine which organization had the most employees using alternative and sustainable methods of transportation to get to work during the Commuter Challenge, which took place on National Clean Air Day, June 7^th, 2006.

Mr. Wei reported that 16.3% of City employees found alternative environmentally-friendly ways to get to work as compared to 3.8% of Lower Mainland-based WorkSafeBC employees.  He stated that the 253 participating employees travelled a total of 4,400 kilometres to get to work, and as a result, prevented 749.6 kilograms of emissions from polluting the atmosphere.  Of these participants, Mr. Wei advised that 153 carpooled (including the 80 year-round carpoolers in the City’s employee carpool program), 34 used transit, 34 cycled and 32 walked or ran.

At the request of Mr. Wei, Mayor Brodie then presented a certificate which acknowledged the City’s achievement to General Manager, Engineering & Public Works, Jeff Day, who accepted on behalf of the City.

Mr. Vaughan Bowser, Vice-President of Human Resources, WorkSafeBC, accepted the second place certificate and the gift of an English Oak tree from Mayor Brodie.  Information was provided that the tree had been grown from a clipping taken from the original English Oak trees which had been removed from the site of the Olympic Oval.  In turn, Mr. Bower presented the City with a small token of appreciation.

Presentations were then made to the Department and Division winners:

·            

Victor Wei accepted the award for the highest participation percentage (77%) of City employees in a Department (Planning & Development)

·            

Victor Wei accepted the award for the highest participation percentage (93%) of City employees in a Division (Transportation)

·            

Jean Lamontagne accepted the award for the second highest participation percentage (92.3%) of City employees in a Division (Development Applications)

·            

Bernadette Keenan accepted the award for the third highest participation percentage (75%) of City employees in a Division (Law and Building Approvals)

Presentations were then made to the individual staff winners:

·            

Longest commute by foot: Suzanne Carter-Huffman (Policy Planning) & Rob Braun (IT) both ran from the Kitsilano area to City Hall, a distance of 18 km.

·            

Longest bike commute: Fred Lin (Transportation) & Carlos Rocha (Major Projects) both biked from Vancouver, a distance of approximately 18 km.

·            

Longest & shortest carpool commute: Frank Amato (Stores) longest at 76 km from Mission & Carol Peckinpaugh (RCMP) shortest at 2 km from Richmond (Frank and Carol were not in attendance and Victor Wei accepted their awards on their behalf).

·            

Consistent transit commuter: Noel Larose (Minoru Aquatic Centre) at around 35 km & Bianca Buteri (RCMP) at around 15 km. (Noel and Bianca were not in attendance and Victor Wei accepted their awards on their behalf).

·            

Only Staff Person to Travel by "Other" Mode: Colleen Smith (IT) who travelled 1 km in an electric wheelchair.

In concluding the presentations, the Chair congratulated everyone who had participated in the Commuter Challenge.

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (0 ITEMS)

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DECISIONS / ACTIONS (6 ITEMS)

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

3.

NO. 3 ROAD UNDERGROUNDING PRE-DUCTING – CAMBIE ROAD TO SEA ISLAND WAY

(Report:  June 6/06, File No.:  10-6600-01) (REDMS No. 1904994, 1031004)

It was moved and seconded

That the 2005 capital funds allocated for undergrounding of foreign utilities along Gilbert Road from Granville Avenue to Westminster Highway in the amount of $600,000 be reallocated to fund pre-ducting for undergrounding of foreign utilities along No. 3 Road from Cambie Road to Sea Island Way.

CARRIED

4.

BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT

(Report:  May 30/06, File No.:  01-0157-20-REAC1-03) (REDMS No. 1898819)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That City staff participate in the GVRD’s Liquid Waste Management Sub-Committee to provide input and direction regarding the management of treatment plant biosolids in a sustainable manner.

(2)

That the strategies proposed by the GVRD in managing biosolids be supported in principle (as per the “Draft Biosolids Management Plan” attached to the report dated May 30^th, 2006, from the Director, Engineering).

CARRIED

5.

EAST RICHMOND AGRICULTURAL WATER SUPPLY STUDY

(Report:  June 5/06, File No.:  10-6650-01; xr: 10-6045-08-01) (REDMS No. 1894042)

A brief discussion ensued, with Committee members expressing their pleasure at the proposed project.  In response to questions, information was provided that there was approximately $200,000 available in possible grant funding to put towards the project.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

staff develop an implementation strategy based on the study recommendations and submit capital projects into the 2007 – 2011 Capital Program for Council consideration;

(2)

staff pursue available grants for the capital projects through Provincial and Federal Agencies; and

(3)

the General Manager of Engineering and Public Works be given the authority to sign grant agreements on behalf of City Council.

CARRIED

6.

RICHMOND SUB-AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY - STAGE 2 (BLUNDELL AND STEVESTON INTERCHANGES) AND FUTURE GEORGE MASSEY TUNNEL IMPROVEMENT

(Report:  June 7/06, File No.:  10-6350-07-07/2006 – Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1846898)

Mr. Wei, accompanied by the Acting Manager, Transportation Planning, Donna Chan, reviewed the staff recommendations to Committee.  He then introduced Mr. Pat Cruickshank, Regional Manager, Programming, Partnerships and Planning, Ministry of Transportation; Mr. Andrew Hind, Senior Transportation Engineer, Ministry of Transportation; and Mr. Hansel Wang, Acting Manager, Road and Infrastructure Planning, TransLink.

Discussion then took place among Committee members and staff regarding some of the solutions proposed by the consultant who had completed a major portion of the technical work, and whether these proposed solutions would be effective in addressing traffic issues in the area of Blundell and Steveston Interchanges on Highway 99.  Information was provided that the solutions recommended by the consultant had not yet been approved by the agencies involved, and for that reason, staff were investigating whether there were other means of resolving the problems.

Reference was made to the proposal for a traffic signal at the entrance to the freeway at the Blundell Interchange.  In response to questions as to how this would function, information was provided that the traffic light would allow for the control of traffic onto the freeway, and that an option was being considered which would completely close the ramp through the use of barricades during times of extreme traffic congestion.  Further advice was given that this option had not specifically been included in the present staff report as staff wanted to consider all options which might be available.  Advice was given that staff would report to Committee on specific measures once a decision had been made on the most appropriate solution.

Mr. Cruickshank came forward to respond to questions from the Committee.  Comments were made about the importance of the Pacific Gateway Strategy, not only to Richmond but the region as a whole, and questions were asked about whether (i) the provincial government liaised with the federal government about possible partnership projects, and (ii) the City should approach the Federal Government independently or approach the provincial government and let that government work with the Federal Government.  Advice was given that either approach would be feasible, however, it was noted that the Blundell Interchange project was not on the Provincial Government priority list at this time.  The suggestion was made that the City could approach the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Transport Canada to explain the importance of the Blundell Interchange project to the City, the region and the province, and that would initiate discussions on this proposal.

Discussion continued on the Blundell Interchange project, with information being provided about the Pacific Gateway Strategy and the Ministry of Transportation document entitled ‘Pacific Gateway Strategy Action Plan’, which had a number of projects listed which were considered to be necessary to support the Fraser Port Supply Chain Initiatives.  Reference was made to the internal review to be completed by City staff, and staff were urged to complete the review as quickly as possible to ensure that the result was a program which could be accepted by the Minister of Transportation.

Reference was then made to Part (3)(a) of the staff recommendation regarding the George Massey Tunnel, and the suggestion was made that the recommendation should be amended to substitute the words ‘concurrent with’ for the words ‘shortly after’.  With reference to Part (3)(b) of the recommendation, the suggestion was also made that the word ‘primarily’ should be inserted after the word ‘designated’ and that the word ‘but’ be deleted.

Discussion ensued among Committee members on these suggestions.  Concern was expressed that if the amendment was approved, then the tunnel project could be then connected to the Blundell Interchange project, which could result in the lack of sufficient funding to complete both projects and could result in the delay of the completion of the Blundell Interchange project.  Committee was also reminded of statements made at previous meetings that the two projects were not to be connected in any form.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report (dated June 7^th, 2006, from the Acting Director, Transportation) titled Richmond Sub-Area Transportation Study - Stage 2 (Blundell and Steveston Interchanges) and Future George Massey Tunnel Improvement, be received for information.

(2)

That staff continue to carry out joint discussions with the Ministry of Transportation and the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (GVTA) on the recommendations of the Richmond Sub-Area Transportation Study - Stage 2 study, upon completion of the respective internal review by these agencies, with a view to reaching a consensus on implementing highway improvements in the Fraserport area and negotiating the project funding and implementation arrangements.

(3)

That the City write a letter to the Provincial Government, with copy to Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority and the Corporation of Delta, requesting:

(a)

the inclusion of George Massey Tunnel crossing improvements in their capital plan for implementation concurrent with the completion of the Gateway Program;

(b)

any future expansion of the tunnel crossing capacity be designated primarily for the movement of commercial goods and services, transit, cyclists and high-occupancy vehicles, not single-occupant private automobiles; and

(c)

the timing of implementing the Blundell and Steveston interchanges or other alternative highway improvements acceptable to the City to support the Fraserport industrial area be targeted for completion no later than 2013 and not be contingent upon the timing of improving the tunnel.

(4)

That staff report to Committee periodically on the progress of pursuing the above initiatives with the Ministry of Transportation and Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority.

The question on the motion was not called, as the Chair spoke in opposition to the recommendation as it had been amended, and directed that Parts (3)(a) and (3)(b) would be dealt with separately.  Further comments were made, with it being noted that clause (3)(c) of the recommendation indicated that the completion of the Blundell and Steveston Interchanges were not be contingent upon the timing of improvements to the tunnel.

The question was then called on Parts (1), (2), (3)(c) and (4) was then called, and it was CARRIED.

The question on Part (3)(a) was then called, and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Barnes and Howard opposed.

The question on Part (3)(b) was then called, and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Barnes opposed.

7.

COMMENTS ON “GVRD RESPONSE TO THE PROVINCIAL GATEWAY PROGRAM” REPORT

(Report:  June 1/06, File No.:  01-0157-01/2006/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1884491)

Mr. Wei briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Council resolutions of May 23, 2006 and a copy of the report regarding the GVTA report entitled “Regional Transportation Implications of the Provincial Gateway Program” be forwarded to GVRD staff for inclusion in their report back to the GVRD Board.

(2)

That the GVRD be advised that the City supports the Gateway Program with incorporation of the following principles regarding the management of land use and regional utility impacts in the development and execution of the Gateway Program:

(a)

at a minimum, there should be no net loss of agricultural and Green Zone lands, including regional parks, impacted by the projects; and

(b)

funding from the Gateway Program budget for expenditures on infrastructure that is directly impacted by the Gateway Program should also include regional utilities.

(3)

That the GVRD be requested to clarify if its decisions regarding the Gateway Program will be made based on the existing 1996 LRSP or the upcoming LRSP, which will provide a land use and planning context to 2031, and to ask the Province to do the same. 

(4)

That a copy of this report be forwarded to member municipalities of the Greater Vancouver Regional District and to GVRD staff for inclusion in their report back to the GVRD Board.

CARRIED

8.

PROPOSED TERM SHEET ON NELSON ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, BETWEEN WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY AND BLUNDELL ROAD

(Report:  June 7/06, File No.:  10-6360-01/2006-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 1903987)

Mr. Wei introduced Capt. Tom Corsie, Vice President, Property Development for the Fraser River Port Authority.  Mr. Wei then spoke briefly about the rationale for the proposed ‘term sheet’, and he used a site plan to explain the proposed improvements to the Committee.

In response to questions, Capt. Corsie spoke about the project from the developer’s prospective and explained their rationale for choosing to put their resources into the improvement of Nelson Road rather than upgrading Blundell Road.  He advised that the Fraser River Port Authority supported the concept of the proposed term sheet.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff be authorized to sign-off on the proposed term sheet with the Fraser River Port Authority on the road and traffic signal improvements along Nelson Road, between Westminster Highway and Blundell Road, which would form the basis of a subsequent agreement to be established between the Authority and the City.

(2)

That, based on the above proposed term sheet, staff draft an agreement between the Fraser River Port Authority and the City on the details of commitment from both parties to the Nelson Road improvements, and report back to Council for approval prior to its execution.

CARRIED

9.

ZERO WASTE AND RECYCLING

It was moved and seconded

That the matters of ‘Zero Waste’ and Recycling be referred to City staff for comment and report on the following three issues, knowing that the Greater Vancouver Regional District is committed to working towards Zero Waste:

(1)

reducing the number of free garbage containers permitted, and including the size of the can;

(2)

including kitchen waste as a recycling program; and

(3)

including other recyclables in the City’s recycling program or other ways of moving toward Zero Waste, such as reverting back to the use of water jugs and glasses at City Hall to replace plastic water bottles.

The question on the motion was not called, as discussion took place on whether the referral motion was too specific, and should instead, direct staff to review the City’s overall recycling policies.

The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED with Mayor Brodie and Cllr. McNulty opposed.

Discussion continued briefly on the referral motion and whether a broader picture should be the focus of the resolution.

10.

RABBITS

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare an amendment to the Animal Control Bylaw to either restrict the sale of rabbits or require the sterilization of these animals upon purchase.

The question on the motion was not called, as discussion ensued on whether the referral would address the possible banning of the sale of rabbits, and the need for education programs directed at the public about the care of rabbits.  As a result of the discussion, the above motion was WITHDRAWN.

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine the issues surrounding the management of rabbits, including amendments to the Animal Control Bylaw, such as banning the sale of rabbits, or sterilization upon purchase, educational approaches and other options which might be available, for report to the Community Safety Committee.

CARRIED

11.

VOLUNTEER WATER METER PROGRAM

In response to questions raised about the status of the City’s Volunteer Water Meter Program, the following information was provided:

·            

the volunteer program would be in place until the end of 2006; a mandatory program was in place for all new residential dwelling watermain installations

·            

staff would be submitting a report to Committee in September of this year regarding the volunteer water meter program

·            

prepayment for water use was not recommended, because the homeowner would be required to pay for the amount of water which they thought they were going to use for the year, which then opened the potential for reimbursement to that owner at the end of the year; as well, quarterly meter readings supported sustainability because leaks would be obvious from the amount charged on a billing, and would also ensure that the meters were working properly

·            

each homeowner on water meters was required to pay a minimum of $20 for consumption for each quarter; the $10 additional charge was to cover the cost of inspection and maintenance of the meter

·            

information about the volunteer water meter program was on the City web site, and pamphlets and other materials were available at City Hall which could be sent out to residents.

Reference was made to the status of a request made previously that information be sent out on how much a homeowner paid as compared to what they would have paid if the homeowner still paying a flat water rate.  Information was provided that staff would be submitting a report to Committee in September on the cost of undertaking this proposal.

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (0 ITEMS)

12.

MANAGER’S REPORT

There were no Managers’ reports.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:23 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, June 21^st, 2006.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

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