MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, February 21, 2007, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 18^th, 2007 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (1 ITEM)

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

3.

2006/2007 REPORT ON FROST AND SNOW CONDITIONS

(Report:  Feb. 21/07, File No.:  10-6360-13-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2073322, 2071832)

The Manager, Fleet & Environmental Programs, Suzanne Bycraft, accompanied by the Director – Parks and Public Works Operations, Dave Semple, reviewed her report with the Committee.

A brief discussion took place among Committee members and staff, during which, in response to questions, information was provided that:

·            

additional temperature sensors would be installed within four areas of the City, in the Steveston area; and in the area of No. 4 Road and Steveston Highway; the location of the two remaining temperatures sensors would be determined after reviewing the City’s “Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition” (SCADA) system

·            

the retention of a meteorologist service for four months would be more economical for the City, because the Vancouver International Airport charged a fee for providing weather reports; also, due to the variations in temperature throughout the City, a meteorologist service would allow the City to provide a quicker response

·            

staff had prepared a capital plan which would result in the replacement of the existing single axle trucks and in the purchase of rubber blade equipment; approval of the staff recommendations would result in additional capacity to handle the issues currently being experienced as two additional pieces of equipment would be purchased.

During the discussion, comments were made about the possible need for additional temperature sensors in such areas as the No. 2 Road Bridge and the Knight Street Bridge because it was felt that those areas were the most impacted by commuters.

Discussion continued, with the suggestion being made that for future snow storms a press release should be issued to Richmond residents and business owners to remind them of their responsibility to keep the sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses clear of snow. 

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

Current service levels, as per Policy 7013, be maintained.

(2)

Staff be authorized to proceed with the acquisition of equipment and resources, as outlined in the staff report from the Manager – Fleet & Environmental Programs, dated February 21, 2007, to support current service levels for salting and snow removal operations, with funding from prior years’ capital programs.

(3)

Annual operating impacts and proposed 2008 capital cost items be included in the applicable 2008 budget submissions.

CARRIED

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DECISIONS / ACTIONS (5 ITEMS)

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

4.

ENFORCEMENT OF GREASE DISCHARGES TO CITY SEWERS

(Report:  Feb. 22/07, File No.:  10-6400-01/2007-Vol 01; xr 12-8060-20-7551/7321; 05-1810-01) (REDMS No. 2083733)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and the Manager, Engineering Design & Construction, Jim Young, on the matter of grease collection.  Information was provided, in response to questions, that at the present time, grease collected from grease traps was disposed of in local landfills. 

Further information was also provided that an organization in North Vancouver was researching the conversion of grease into biodiesel fuel, and that there were companies in the United States which were already converting grease into biodiesel fuel.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That recommended Option 2 (as outlined in the report dated February 22^nd, 2007, from the Director, Engineering), be adopted; and that staff:

(a)

Amend Sanitary Sewer System and Drainage System Bylaw No. 7551 to specifically identify the discharge of grease into the sewer system as being illegal and subject to fines under the Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321;

(b)

Amend Municipal Ticket Information (MTI) Authorization Bylaw 7321 to specifically identify a fine associated with a violation of a bylaw requirement to dispose of grease other than into a sewer system;

(c)

Hire a part time bylaw enforcement staff person to complete grease discharge enforcement of the updated Bylaws 7551 and 7321 including business inspections, issuing of fines and coordination with Business Licences;

(d)

Complete a communication program.

(2)

That staff send a letter to the GVRD requesting that they complete their sewer inspection and cleaning program in the City by the end of 2009.

CARRIED

5.

SEISMIC UPGRADES TO FIRE HALL #2 – STEVESTON, AND FIRE HALL #6 - SHELLMONT

(Report:  Mar. 3/07, File No.:  06-2050-20-F2/Vol 01; xr: 06-2050-20-F6) (REDMS No. 2087713)

Questions were raised with Project Manager, Mary Brunet, on the rationale for seeking another site within the No. 2 Road/Steveston Highway area for a new fire hall rather than constructing a new facility at the existing location, with the comment being made that because this area was fully developed, it might prove difficult to find a larger site.  In response, information was provided that the lack of manoeuvrability made it difficult to turn fire trucks around, and that the present site did not provide sufficient parking for staff.  A brief discussion then ensued on the feasibility of designing a facility for fire trucks only with no administrative space, etc., and with perhaps one or two parking stalls, and staff were requested to consider that option during their review.

With reference to the No. 6 Shellmont Fire Hall, information was provided that the current funding available (if the transfer of funds was not approved) for the seismic upgrades to the building was inadequate to complete the upgrade, and a request would have to be made for additional funding.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the current approved funding for seismic upgrades for Fire Hall #2 - Steveston be transferred and added to Fire Hall #6 - Shellmont.

(2)

That a new capital project be submitted to the 2008 Capital Program for a new Fire Hall to replace Fire Hall #2- Steveston including investigation of alternative locations.

CARRIED

6.

WATER SERVICES SECTION BENCHMARKING FINDINGS / LEVEL OF SERVICE REVIEW

(Report:  Mar. 6/07, File No.:  10-6650-01) (REDMS No. 2070151, 2062557)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Water Service Section’s operations and maintenance levels of service be revised to reflect the National Water/Wastewater Benchmarking Initiative; and

(2)

That $361,200 savings resulting from the revised service level adjustment be transferred to the Water Utility’s replacement reserve in future water utility budgets.

CARRIED

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

7.

ICBC/CITY OF RICHMOND ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – PROPOSED PROJECTS FOR 2007

(Report:  Feb. 21/07, File No.:  0150-20-ICBC1-01) (REDMS No. 2082643)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the list of proposed road safety improvement projects, (as described in the report dated February 21, 2007, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed for submission to the ICBC 2007 Road Safety Improvement Program.

(2)

That should the above applications be successful, the Director of Transportation be authorized to execute the cost-share agreements.

CARRIED

8.

ENHANCED ACCESSIBLE INTERSECTIONS AND CROSSWALKS INITIATIVE

(Report:  Feb. 27/07, File No.:  10-6450-07-03/2007-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2081045)

The Director, Transportation, Victor Wei, introduced those members of the Richmond Committee on Disability who were in attendance to show their support for the proposed recommendation.

Mr. Vince Miele, Chair of the Richmond Committee on Disability, advised that the Committee was in total support of the report and its recommendations.  He further advised that the Committee had had the opportunity to review the report and to provide input.   Mr. Miele added that the need for enhanced accessible intersections and crosswalks was an issue which was long overdue, and he expressed the hope that the Committee would support the recommendations put forward by staff.

In response to questions about the most critical intersections which should be addressed, Mr. Rob Sleath, representing the visually impaired and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, advised that there were two categories which were the most challenging for people with vision loss.  He stated that any intersection with advance left turn lane traffic control patterns which changed based on the vehicles waiting to turn left caused problems for the visually impaired who found it difficult to gauge when to cross the intersection.  Mr. Sleath stated that the second matter dealt with overhead flashing amber pedestrian crosswalks which were problematic for people with no vision as they had difficulties in activating these lights.

A brief discussion ensued regarding the overhead light pedestrian crossings and whether it would be feasible to delay the activation of the light by five seconds to provide motorists approaching these particular crossings with a longer opportunity to stop.  Information was provided during the discussion that staff were in the process of implementing a number of enhancements to these particular crossings, including the painting of the word “look” at the edge of the sidewalk to remind pedestrians to look left before entering the crosswalk.  Also being considered was the installation of an audible notification device to alert pedestrians as to when it was safe to cross.  Advice was given that staff were committed to working with Mr. Sleath and others to obtain and install equipment which had the proper technology to assist the visually impaired.

Discussion then took place on whether the Committee and Council would have the opportunity to examine the different technologies which were available.  Cllr. Evelina Halsey-Brandt indicated that she would like to have the chance to consider the various technologies available and to consult with the users to determine which would be the most user friendly.  The comment was made that this review would give Council the opportunity to become more aware of those in the community who had special needs to ensure that they were receiving the same level of service as able-bodied residents.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on the need (i) for the development of national standards for accessible signals, and (ii) to ensure that the equipment chosen by the City was equipment which was recommended by the users of the product.

The discussion concluded with the Chair congratulating staff and the members of the Richmond Committee on Disability on the preparation of an excellent report.  He stated that it was most helpful when those who would be the most affected by the decision had input into the development of the report.  Mr. Sleath added that this issue had been on-going for many years and that it was only within the last two or three months that action was initiated to deal with the problem, and he thanked Mr. Wei for his quick response and the tone of his report.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That an implementation strategy be developed for enhanced accessible features at signalized intersections and crosswalks in Richmond (as described in the report dated February 27, 2007, from the Director, Transportation).

(2)

That staff report on the outcome of the above work in time for Council’s consideration as part of the City’s 2008 capital budget approval process.

CARRIED

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (1 ITEM)

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

9.

AWARD OF 2007 PAVING CONTRACT T.2994

(Report:  Mar. 6/07, File No.:  03-1000-20-T.2994) (REDMS No. 2083144)

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated March 6^th, 2007, from the Director, Engineering), regarding the award of Contract T.2994 – 2007 Asphaltic Concrete Paving to the lowest bidder, Columbia Bitulithic Limited, be received for information.

CARRIED

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Mr. Young advised that the project for the No. 1 Road laneway upgrade between Francis Road and Williams Road had recently been awarded, and that the recent open house held to review the project had been well attended.

Mr. Young also reminded Committee of the upcoming Public Works Capital Projects Open House to be held at City Hall on Thursday, March 29^th, 2007.

Mr. Young advised that the Provincial Government had recently announced a considerable dyke funding program, and that as a result, the City had submitted almost $3 Million in grant requests.  He advised that the provincial program required a quick turn-around, with all approved projects completed by May 15^th of this year.  Mr. Young also advised that the selected projects had been chosen through the City’s proactive monitoring and capital programs and would enhance the City’s current dyke defence system.  He then spoke briefly about the public’s perception that Richmond could face the same flooding problems which had been encountered in New Orleans and other low lying areas.

Discussion then took place among Committee members and staff on the current status of Richmond’s dykes and whether any areas of the dyke would require shoring up.  Information was provided during the discussion that:

·            

the City had a proactive program with four different gauging areas

·            

the snow pack was the fifth highest since 1970 and staff did not expect any flooding to occur

·            

the upcoming freshet was expected to last for a period of five weeks and staff would be continually monitoring the situation; an emergency response plan was also in place in the event that flooding did occur

·            

staff were meeting every two weeks to update the response plan as needed; dyke inspections were on-going

·            

staff were concerned about debris accumulating in the Fraser River and if steps were not taken by the Provincial Government to address the problem, staff were considering the removal of debris from specific areas of the river

·            

staff did not anticipate a breach of the City’s dyke system.

Reference was made by the Chair to a recent newspaper article about dredging.  In response, staff advised that:

·            

dredging had very little impact on flooding in the City, as any flooding which did occur would be a result of a combination of winter storms and extremely high tide

·            

any dredging which took place was in support of the transportation channels.

Information was provided by the Chair about discussions which the Seniors Advisory Committee had had about street signs and in particular, the lack of illumination of street signs at some intersections; the inconsistent placement of these signs, and the size of the print, which was felt to be too small.

In response, staff provided information on testing which was currently taking place on a new type of street sign which was self-illuminating.  Advice was given that if these new signs were acceptable, staff would be submitting a report to Committee regarding the establishment of these signs as the City’s new street sign standard.  Information was provided on the locations of the test signs - Granville Avenue and Gilbert Road, and Granville Avenue and No. 3 Road (soon to be installed).  Advice was provided in response to questions that the final signs (after approval by Council), would include block numbers.

The General Manager, Engineering & Public Works Department, Jeff Day, reported on the status of the opening of River Road.  He advised that due to the recent period of extreme weather conditions, the opening of River Road had now been delayed to mid to late April.  Mr. Day explained due to the recent deluge of rain, some of the work had to be redone.

During the brief discussion which took place, staff were congratulated for doing a good job in maintaining the City’s roads.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:45 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, March 21^st, 2007.

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_________________________________

Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

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