MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

2.

“GO GREEN” COMMUNITY EVENTS – MAY AND JUNE 2008

(Report:  May 5, 2008, File No.:  11-7400-01) (REDMS No. 2433405)

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the overall objectives of the 2008 Bike to Work Week, Bike Month and Commuter Challenge campaigns, as outlined in the report (dated May 5, 2008 from the Director, Transportation), be endorsed;

(2)

the City of Richmond continue to participate in various regional and local activities associated with the above annual campaigns to encourage sustainable transportation options that will contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and

(3)

the report (dated May 5, 2008 from the Director, Transportation) and all information on event activities be forwarded to the Richmond School Board for their information.

CARRIED

3.

REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF FEDERAL VEHICLE DESIGN REGULATIONS AND SUPPORTING MEASURES TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY IN CANADA
(Report:  April 28, 2008, File No.:  10-6450-09-01) (REDMS No. 2351731)

Thang Vu, 4560 Bond Street, Burnaby, asked the Committee to pass a motion to authorize City Council to write to the Minister of Transportation and the Government of Canada to convene public hearings to create a national discussion on the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) and the Motor Vehicle Transport Act (MVTA).  In reply to a query, Mr. Vu stated that vehicle weight was his primary concern.

Discussion ensued and Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that staff consulted with the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and the Richmond Community Cycling Committee and both Committees unanimously supported staff recommendations.

Staff was directed to discuss with Mr. Vu a list of his concerns.

It was moved and seconded

That Council send a letter and a copy of the attached report to:

(1)

the federal Minister of Transport requesting consideration of the appropriate legislative changes to vehicle design regulations with a view to enhancing road safety for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, on urban roadways in light of the current collective efforts by all levels of government in encouraging sustainable transportation;

(2)

the provincial Minister of Transportation and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia requesting greater driver training and education for all road users of how to safely share the road, greater enforcement of and penalties for aggressive driving, and greater ease for municipalities to implement speed limits on local minor streets;

(3)

the Transportation Association of Canada requesting a review of the vehicle design dimensions used in developing roadway design standards, particularly for densely populated urban environments; and

(4)

the MLAs and MPs for Richmond.

CARRIED

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Roeland Zwaag, Acting Manager Engineering Design and Construction, advised that with the aid of grants, approximately $600,000 has been secured to perform drainage and irrigation improvements in east Richmond.

Mr. Zwaag also introduced Fiona Lee as the City’s new summer engineering co-op student.

Councillor Harold Steves referred to a letter from the District of Maple Ridge, dated April 23, 2008 (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), regarding the use of bio fuels in British Columbia.

It was moved and seconded

That the following be referred to staff for review:

WHEREAS the provincial government has recently tabled legislation requiring that a percentage of all fuel in British Columbia be “bio fuel”; and

WHEREAS many bio fuel products are derived from food crops; and

WHEREAS the increased use of food crops as bio fuel has led to the increased price of essential grains to the detriment of the food supplies of the citizens of the world’s poorest nations.

(1)

THEREFORE be it resolved that the provincial government prohibit in British Columbia the use of bio fuels made from food grains in consideration of the poorest people on our planet; and

(2)

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Richmond eliminate the use of bio fuel and bio diesel made from food grains and other foods, and purchase only fuels that do not contain additives from food sources, except from waste materials.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:28 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, May 22, 2008.

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Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Hanieh Floujeh
Committee Clerk