(Cllr. Howard entered the meeting – 4:02 p.m.)

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, June 20^th, 2007, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Wednesday, September 19^th, 2007 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

DELEGATION

3.

Jane Bird, Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc. (CLCO), Norm Fraser, Coast Mountain Bus Company, and Mike O’Connor, SNC-Lavalin to discuss temporary removal of bus service along No. 3 Road due to the Canada Line construction. (File No.:  6480-03-01)

Ms. Bird, accompanied by Norm Fraser and Mike O’Connor (arrived at 4:10 p.m.) referred to her memorandum (dated July 13^th, 2007), which provided information to Committee on the temporary rerouting of bus service from that portion of No. 3 Road between Cook Road and Ackroyd Road.  A copy of this memorandum is attached as Schedule A and forms part of these minutes.  She noted that the safety of the motorists, safety of the workers on the line and the public in general, as well as potential liability issues with respect to bus travel time and schedule reliability, were factors which helped to support the rationale for detouring the bus service during construction of the Canada Line in this area of No. 3 Road.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and the delegation on:

§            

the timing of the implementation and completion of the detour – advice was given that the detour would commence on August 13^th and should be completed by mid to late November; further advice was given that the City would be advised in advance if the timing of the detour changed in any way

§            

the need for effective communication to the public and to local businesses along the route about the impending detour and the possible disruption to business; how this communication would be implemented; the need to give as much advance warning as possible to bus patrons about the change in service; the need to advise residents along Cooney Road of the change in bus service along this roadway and the anticipated timeframe of the detour

§            

motorists initiating left turns at specific intersections on No. 3 Road even though left turns were no longer permitted, and the rationale for using traffic cones to prohibit left turns rather than temporary barriers; the delays and traffic congestion which were being caused as a result of motorists making these illegal left turns; whether this situation was similar to the manner in which traffic was dealt with on Cambie Street in Vancouver and why those traffic initiatives could not be implemented on No. 3 Road

§            

the feasibility of erecting advance warning signs to alert motorists travelling along No. 3 Road in the area of the Canada Line construction that to access a particular business, they must turn at a certain location

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the feasibility of using the “I Shop The Line” billboards to advertise the change in bus service

§            

whether there was any policy in place regarding the payment of compensation to those businesses which were being impacted by the construction of the Canada Line

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whether, in addition to the changes to the No. 3 Road bus route, motorists could expect to experience any additional restrictions on left turns on No. 3 Road at major intersections.

During the discussion, reference was made to the fact that construction was now slightly ahead of schedule, and comments were made that unless the weather remained rainy for the rest of the summer, construction on the Canada Line should continue to progress well. 

Reference was also made to the signage which was to be placed at each bus stop where service was to be temporarily discontinued.  The request was made that these signs be of sufficient size and placed in prominent locations to ensure that anyone waiting at the bus stop would be immediately aware that transit service was not being provided at that site.  Advice was given during the discussion that in the past, when transit service had been changed, Coast Mountain Bus Company had staff standing at the affected bus stops to direct transit users to the proper stops, and the comment was made that perhaps this option could be put in place for the affected No. 3 Road bus stops.

The Chair thanked the delegation for their presentation, and they then left the meeting.

POLICIES / STRATEGIES (0 ITEMS)

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DECISIONS / ACTIONS (4 ITEMS)

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

4.

AWARD OF T.2988 – RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING COLLECTION SERVICES

(Report:  June 27/07, File No.:  03-1000-20-T.2988) (REDMS No. 2250613)

It was moved and seconded

That Contract T.2988, Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services, for the period January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2012, be awarded to Sierra Waste Services Ltd., at the unit rates quoted, in the total annual tendered amount of $3,351,915.27.

CARRIED

5.

FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT BYLAW

(Report:  June 28/07, File No.:  12-8060-02-01; xr: 10-6045-11-01) (REDMS No. 2249501)

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a Floodplain Management Bylaw for Council’s consideration (as outlined in the report dated June 28^th, 2007, from the Director, Engineering).

The question on the motion was not called, as discussion ensued with the Manager, Engineering Planning, Siu Tse, on the recommended flood elevation of 2.6 metres, as compared to the City’s current elevation of 0.9 metres.  Questions were raised about the aesthetic appearance of a new home constructed with a height elevation of 2.6 metres in relation to an adjacent existing home constructed on a elevation of 0.9 metres.  In response, information was provided by Mr. Tse about the feasibility of allowing flexibility and possible exemptions to ensure that a major difference in height did not occur. 

Also addressed were such issues as:

(1)

requiring the installation of perimeter drainage

(2)

the feasibility of constructing parking and non-habitable uses within that area of a building which would be below the minimum 2.6 metre elevation;

(3)

the options and various scenarios being considered by staff to address height elevation; and

(4)

the impact of the higher elevation for newly developed properties on the perimeter drainage of adjacent, older homes.

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

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

6.

PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY FOR ENHANCED ACCESSIBLE INTERSECTIONS, SPECIAL CROSSWALKS AND PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS

(Report:  June 8/07, File No.:  10-6450-07-03/2007-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2242980)

The Director, Transportation, Victor Wei, indicated that the staff report now being considered had been prepared as a result of a resolution adopted by City Council in March of this year, to develop an implementation strategy for enhanced accessible features at signalized intersections and crosswalks in the City. 

Mr. Wei acknowledge the hard work of City staff and the Richmond Committee on Disability (RCD) in developing the strategy now being considered.  He then thanked Donna Chan, Joan Caravan and Steve Matheson for their efforts, noting that the strategy would help to prepare the City for the future as the population aged and physical challenges increased.

A brief discussion ensued, during which, in response to the illuminated street signs, information was provided that although staff were recommending the use of LED (light emitting diodes) to illuminate the street name signs, other options could still be considered, including the use of solar power.  Information was also provided that City staff would be evaluating all potential suppliers in consultation with the RCD to ensure that the desired features for local applications were put in place.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the establishment of an annual program for the installation of enhanced accessible pedestrian features at signalized intersections, special crosswalks and pedestrian signals (as described in the report dated June 8^th, 2007, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed subject to Council’s further consideration of the associated costs as part of the City’s capital and operating budget approval processes starting with the 2008 programs.

(2)

That staff examine the feasibility of establishing an annual program to install illuminated street name signs in place of existing ones at signalized intersections throughout the City and report back on the recommended implementation strategy and associated costs.

CARRIED

7.

STEVESTON VILLAGE PARKING IMPROVEMENTS – DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

(Report:  June 29/07, File No.:  10-6455-01/2007-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2012704)

Discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on the possible use of a traffic control person or an RCMP officer to direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic at the No. 1 Road and Moncton Street intersection during peak periods, such as summer weekends.  Also addressed was Draft Recommendation No. 12, Continue to monitor developments in the Steveston Village area for potential City-private partnership opportunities, including the SHA site on Chatham Street, to facilitate the construction of a joint development that incorporates public parking and is located outside the Village core, and whether discussions had been entered into with the Steveston Harbour Authority to use the property on Chatham Street to provide additional parking.

Reference was made to Draft Recommendation No. 11, City staff to explore the potential for establishing a Steveston Business Improvement Area (BIA) with local business and property owners, and advice was given that staff would be entering into discussions with stakeholders in the area about this proposal following the receipt of feedback from the public on the proposed parking improvements.  The matter of providing parking for oversized vehicles was also addressed, during which the comment was made that RV and oversize vehicle parking should be incorporated into the proposed strategy.

As a result of the discussion relating to the possible use of Steveston Harbour Authority property on Chatham Street to provide additional parking, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be sent through the Mayor to the Board of the Steveston Harbour Authority, indicating City Council’s desire to utilize the Authority’s Chatham Street property as a parking lot.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the proposed draft recommendations for parking improvements in the Steveston Village area, (as described in the report dated June 29^th, 2007, from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed, subject to Draft Recommendation No. 9 – “Construct angle parking on the north side of Bayview Street when sufficient funds are available in the Steveston Off-Street Parking Reserve Fund”, being deleted from the list of proposed draft recommendations.

The question on the motion was not called, as discussion ensued on how angle parking would be provided on Bayview Street.  Also discussed was the possible use of Bayview Street to provide a route for the Steveston Tram at some time in the future.  As a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That Draft Recommendation No. 9 - Construct angle parking on the north side of Bayview Street when sufficient funds are available in the Steveston Off-Street Parking Reserve Fund, be referred to staff for further consideration in conjunction with discussions relating to the future of the Steveston Tram.

CARRIED

The question on the main motion, as amended to refer Draft Recommendation No. 9 to staff, was then called, and it was CARRIED.

It was moved and seconded

That staff carry out public consultation on the above draft recommendations and report back on the outcome, along with the implementation and funding strategy for the improvements.

CARRIED

8.

ENFORCEMENT OF MINIMUM STANDARDS BYLAW

Reference was made by Councillor McNulty to correspondence received from the residents of 6311 and 6511 Gilbert Road, which indicated that the residents had been denied heat since the latter part of June, 2007.  As a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the correspondence (dated July 9^th, 2007, from the residents of 6311 and 6511 Gilbert Road, regarding the lost of heat at the two buildings, be referred to staff for follow-up and enforcement of the regulations contained in the City’s Rental Premises Standards Of Maintenance Bylaw No. 8159.

CARRIED

9.

FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE

Reference was made by the Chair to correspondence received regarding a new program implemented by the Provincial Ministry of Health entitled “The FPs4BC –Family Physicians for BC Program”, which is intended to attract new physicians to provide full medical service in communities throughout British Columbia.  He noted that Richmond was not one of the communities included in the program.  As a result, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be written on behalf of Richmond City Council, through the Mayor, to the Ministry of Health, strongly objecting to Richmond’s omission from the “FPs4BC –Family Physicians for BC Program”.

CARRIED

10.

TABLE SCRAPS FOR RECYCLING

Reference was made by Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt to an article which had appeared in today’s edition of The Vancouver Sun on recent legislation which had been adopted, which required the recycling of all table scraps. 

A brief discussion ensued, during which advice was given that staff were already examining this proposal as part of a referral to staff in conjunction with the concept of ‘zero waste’.  Information was provided on a pilot project being implemented at the Vancouver landfill and advice was given that staff would be thoroughly monitoring the program.

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INFORMATION / AWARENESS (0 ITEMS)

11.

MANAGER’S REPORT

The Director of Parks and Public Works Operations, Dave Semple, introduced the new Manager, Sewerage & Drainage, Tom Stewart, to the Committee.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:10 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, July 18^th, 2007.

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Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

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