MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

2.

AWARD OF CONTRACT 3099P - SANITARY SEWER ASSESSMENT FOR THE STEVESTON STUDY AREA(Report:  February 20, 2008, File No.:  03-1000-20-3099P-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2346441)

It was moved and seconded

That Contract 3099P – Sanitary Sewer Assessment for the Steveston Study Area be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder Earth Tech (Canada) Inc. for the full project scope amount of $648,263, exclusive of GST.

CARRIED

3.

Municipal Access Agreement with TELUS Communications Company(Report:  March 4, 2008, File No.:  03-1000-21-003) (REDMS No. 2296879, 2352637, & 2351822)

Siu Tse, Manager, Engineering Planning, advised that this agreement is the first one of its kind in British Columbia.  The agreement will benefit the City by offsetting administration costs, and by establishing costs upfront.  Currently, in the event the City has to relocate TELUS infrastructure, the City covers all costs.  However, with the new agreement, costs will be shared and the City may recover causal costs such as inspection and permit fees.

It was moved and seconded

That the General Manager, Engineering & Public Works be authorized to enter into and execute the attached Municipal Access Agreement between the City of Richmond and TELUS Communications Company.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

4.

ICBC/CITY OF RICHMOND ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – PROPOSED PROJECTS FOR 2008

(Report:  February 28, 2008, File No.:  0150-20-ICBC1-01) (REDMS No. 2349603)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the list of proposed road safety improvement projects, as described in the attached report, be endorsed for submission to the ICBC 2008 Road Safety Improvement Program; and

(2)

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

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Update on Traffic Safety Awareness Week.

Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, advised that the pilot operation of two V-Calm driver awareness units that electronically detect a vehicle’s speed, were placed outside a local elementary school and it was successful and well received by parents.

(b)

Update on Solid Waste and Liquid Waste Plans for Metro Vancouver.

Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works advised that the Liquid Waste Plan is an update to the old plan, whereby it fills in gaps and addresses items that are no longer relevant. 

An item of the proposal suggests that municipalities investigate ways to have private sewer systems upgraded in order to reduce the amount of infiltration of ground water that gets into private systems, which then has to be treated.  This proposal creates an extensive capital cost to individual homeowners of town homes and similar properties with substantial infrastructure than a typical residential home.

The Solid Waste Plan proposes waste energy as the most sought after solution.  This proposal aligns with Solid Waste Plans brought before Council by staff a couple of years ago.  However, costs are unknown.  Metro Vancouver staff have been asked to work with municipal staff to better articulate costs. 

On April 15, 2008, Metro Vancouver will be hosting a public meeting at the Richmond Cultural Centre to seek the public’s feedback. 

In reply to a query, Mr. Gonzalez advised that monitoring water levels and water flows at pump stations is a good indicator of where leaks are.

(c)

Update on Annual Capital Works Open House.

Jim Young, Manager, Engineering Design and Construction advised that the Annual Capital Works Open House is scheduled for April 3, 2008 in the Galleria at Richmond City Hall from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m..

Mr. Young informed Committee that staff received a letter with 26 signatures from residents voicing their concerns about the West dyke between Francis Road and Blundell Road.  The primary concern is related to the ditch’s water level adjacent to the dyke, following the recent upgrades to the Francis Road drainage pump station and its impact on aquatic biodiversity and wildlife.  They are asking the City to raise the water level.  Staff are investigating the opportunity to accommodate the residents’ request.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:15 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, March 19, 2008.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Hanieh Floujeh
Committee Clerk