MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, May 19, 2010 (tentative date) at 4:30 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

DELEGATIONS

Ms. Hilda Bechler, Sustainable Community Development Services, was to delegate on Sustainable Waste Management but was not present at the meeting. The Chair directed staff to forward to Metro Vancouver a copy of Ms. Bechler’s e-mail, a copy of which is attached to these minutes as Schedule 1.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

TRANSLINK 2010 CAPITAL PROGRAM COST-SHARING SUBMISSIONS - MAJOR ROAD NETWORK, BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSIT-RELATED ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

(File Ref. No.:  01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 2774719)

Victor Wei, Director of Transportation, in response to queries from Committee advised the following:

·          

an update in the Richmond Area Transit Plan (ATP), jointly developed by TransLink and the City, and approved in September 2000, is overdue. TransLink has not committed to a start date for updating this Plan;

·          

Richmond will be receiving 50% less annual funding allocation (from the current $1.8 million to $0.9 million) from TransLink starting in 2011 due to the recently approved TransLink 10-Year Plan; and

·          

short-term, smaller scale improvements to the intersection at Granville Avenue and Garden City Road will proceed, focusing on the safety of cyclists and pedestrians;  the larger scale, long-term plans involve reconfiguring the intersection but are not anticipated within the next 5 years due to budget constraints.

Discussion ensued and Committee proposed the following changes to the staff recommendations noted in the report:

·          

the words “ in 2011 or sooner” be added to recommendation (3); and

·          

that an additional recommendation (5) be included that directs staff to send copies of the staff report and recommendations to all Richmond MLAs and MPs.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission of:

(a)

road and traffic signal improvement projects for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2010 Major Road Network (MRN) Minor Capital Program;

(b)

bicycle facility improvements for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2010 Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost-Sharing Program; and

(c)

transit facility improvements for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2010 Transit-Related Road Infrastructure Program;

as described in the staff report dated March 26, 2010 from the Director of Transportation, entitled “Translink 2010 Capital Program Cost-Sharing Submissions - Major Road Network, Bicycle Infrastructure And Transit-Related Road Infrastructure”, be endorsed.

(2)

That should the above submissions be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to execute the funding agreements.

(3)

That the City send a letter to TransLink requesting that the update of the Richmond Area Transit Plan commence in 2011 or sooner to help guide the City’s planning and implementation of transit-related infrastructure improvements.

(4)

That the additional funds required to construct the Minoru Boulevard Bike Lanes project be sourced from surplus funds in Project No. 41207 (Canada Line Bridge Cycling Connections).

(5)

That copies of the staff report and recommendations be sent to all Richmond MLAs and MPs.

CARRIED

2.

ICBC/CITY OF RICHMOND ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – PROPOSED PROJECTS FOR 2010

(File Ref. No.:  01-0150-20-ICBC1-01) (REDMS No. 2861294)

Victor Wei introduced ICBC Road Safety Coordinator, Karon Trenaman, and thanked ICBC for their assistance in a number of road projects.

Mr. Wei remarked that the 2010 Richmond Road Safety Improvement Projects proposed in section three of the staff report will proceed regardless of whether or not ICBC provides financial assistance, as funding sources for the City’s portion of the costs of these projects have been previously approved or endorsed by Council. 

Discussion ensued and Committee recognized the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Road Improvements Program, and praised the program as well as the amicable working relationship between City staff and ICBC.

It was moved and seconded

That:

the list of proposed road safety improvement projects, as described in the  staff report dated March 26, 2010 from the Director of Transportation entitled “ICBC/City Of Richmond Road Improvement Program – Proposed Projects For 2010”, be endorsed for submission to the ICBC 2010 Road Improvement Program for cost sharing;

(2)

should the above applications be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to negotiate and execute the cost-share agreements.; and

(3)

in recognition of the Road Improvement Program’s upcoming 20th anniversary, the Mayor send a letter to ICBC to express the City’s appreciation of past funding support and desire for the continuation of the program.

CARRIED

3.

PROPOSED ON-STREET PARKING RESTRICTIONS IN BURKEVILLE

(File Ref. No.:  10-6450-09-01) (REDMS No. 2872195)

Victor Wei was available to answer queries and advised the following:

·          

in the table on page 2 of the staff report (PWT-34), the amount for “Student Lot with E-Permit - Daily” should read $5.50, not $5.85;

·          

the City will request that BCIT assist in communicating to students the impending changes to parking regulations in Burkeville;

·          

formal letters will be mailed to residents regarding parking restrictions and potential roles they may have in assisting with the new parking regulations in Burkeville;

·          

the current parking lot at BCIT has ample room to accommodate student cars;

·          

there will likely be a grace period where warning tickets only will be issued;

·          

four major stakeholders on Sea Island - Burkeville residents, BCIT, Delta Hotel, and International Aviation Terminals (IAT) – have identified public transit service gaps. The City hopes to facilitate Translink in adjusting the current transit system in order to make it more efficient; and

·          

YVR sets the fees for the BCIT parking lot as a majority of the parking spaces are located on YVR property.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that perhaps the parking fees set by YVR are too high, causing students to find parking elsewhere. Further, it was noted that the City must communicate to BCIT the need for that facility to (i) contain student parking; (ii) communicate to students the impending parking restrictions; and (iii) provide education on alternative modes of transportation, such as car pooling and transit.  

Committee amended the staff recommendations with the addition of recommendations (3a) and (3b) noted as follows:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 1, as described in the staff report dated March 29, 2010, from the Director, Transportation, entitled “Proposed On-Street Parking Restrictions in Burkeville”, to address traffic safety and street parking concerns in the Burkeville area be approved and staff be directed to proceed with its immediate implementation.

(2)

That per Option 4, as described in the staff report dated March 29, 2010, from the Director, Transportation, entitled “Proposed On-Street Parking Restrictions in Burkeville”, staff be directed to work with Coast Mountain Bus Company to re-introduce bus service to Burkeville and that the use of Airport Road (southbound only) for such service be endorsed.

(3)

(a)

That staff communicate to BCIT and YVR the need for cars to be contained on BCIT premises, and that a copy of this communication be sent to the City’s YVR nominee;  and

(b)

That staff communicate to BCIT the need to educate students on the impending parking regulations, as well as alternative transportation options.

CARRIED

4.

CITY-WIDE STREET FURNITURE PROGRAM – REPORT BACK ON ADDING STREET FURNITURE ELEMENTS

(File Ref. No.:  10-6360-03-01) (REDMS No. 2762173)

Victor Wei was available to answer queries.

The Chair expressed frustration in the delay of moving forward with the recycling aspect of this program due to cost factors.  Staff advised that this report does not preclude the possibility to expand recycling opportunities over the next couple of years.

In response to queries, Suzanne Bycraft, Manager of Fleet and Environmental Programs advised that the recycling containers used during the 2010 Winter Olympics have been deployed to City parks and other locations.  Additional recycling containers are being added to areas of higher profile and where warranted by material volumes.  Future expansion is dependent on resource  requirements,  which will be evaluated along with the effectiveness of these containers within the community.  Additionally, Ms. Bycraft advised that staff is exploring potential opportunities to partner with private companies that would provide the containers at no cost, which the City would maintain.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the City continue to pursue the provision of new street furniture without advertising at selected locations as part of new development requirements and special streetscape enhancement projects through to the expiry of the forthcoming 5-year contract with Pattison Outdoor for the provision of selected street furniture elements; and

(2)

as part of a revised street furniture strategy to be developed near the expiry of the forthcoming contract with Pattison Outdoor, staff include the option of the City purchasing street furniture without advertising as an alternative to involving the third party provision of street furniture in return for advertising rights in the public realm.

CARRIED

5.

PROPOSED DEMONSTRATION WIND TURBINE REVIEW

(File Ref. No.: 01-0370-01) (REDMS No. 2875075)

John Irving, Director of Engineering, and Mark Roozbahani, Energy Manager were available to answer queries.  Staff advised the following:

·          

should Council agree to adopt the recommendations outlined in the staff report, further site-specific socio-environmental considerations would be conducted prior to any implementation;

·          

companies selling second-hand wind turbines have approached the City;

·          

bird mortality rates associated with wind turbines is dependent on many factors, including geographical location and bird migration habits;

·          

noise generated by a wind turbine is dependent upon on the turbine size and model;  newer generations of wind turbines tend to be quieter; and

·          

the current zoning bylaw allows wind turbines to be situated in residential areas but they are subject to height restrictions.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the concept of installing a wind turbine at a City owned site in Richmond be endorsed subject to external funding and further site-specific review; and

(2)

the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to sign:

(a)

grant application(s) as required for the UBCM Innovation Fund and other applicable funds;  and

(b)

applications and agreements as required for BC Hydro’s Net Metering program;

for supporting the wind turbine study and implementation.

CARRIED

6A.

NEW BUSINESS

(i)

Traffic Calming - Seafair

A member of Committee referred to an e-mail dated April 12, 2010 from a Seafair resident regarding drivers speeding through the neighbourhood, and the ineffectiveness of the traffic circle at Seafair Drive and Fairbrook Crescent in slowing them down.  Accordingly, the following referral was introduced: 

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate alternative traffic calming options for the Seafair neighbourhood.

CARRIED

(ii)

Hamilton Fire Hall

A member of Committee commented on the cement footings that remain from the old Hamilton Fire Hall, and the following referral was introduced: 

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate the removal of the cement footings that remain from the demolished Hamilton Fire Hall.

CARRIED

6B.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Organics Collection Program

Suzanne Bycraft provided an update on the program, stating that it was going well with approximately 50% of residents putting out green cans.  Ms. Bycraft highlighted the public education measures undertaken by the department which include information on the City website, fliers and media coverage events.  The City will stop collecting clear plastic bags of yard trimmings on May 1, 2010, but there will be some flexibility regarding this as residents become familiar with the program and additional direct education to residents will be provided.

In response to a query from Committee, Ms. Bycraft advised that containers have not be provided to residents as this would necessitate the transition to larger wheeled carts which would result in considerable capital cost.  In addition, alternate style collection vehicles would be required and given current contract obligations, this transition is not feasible at this time.  However, this possibility will be assessed in the future.

(ii)

Capital Projects Open House

Robert Gonzalez, General Manager of Engineering and Public Works, advised that the 2010 Capital Construction Projects Open House will take place April 22, 2010 at City Hall between 3 and 7 p.m. and will showcase a number of major capital projects currently underway. 

(iii)

Richmond featured in YDIG Magazine

Mr. Gonzalez referred to an article in YDIG, BC’s magazine for trenchless construction, which highlighted the electrical work done in the O-Zone Celebration Site during the 2010 Winter Olympics by City of Richmond staff.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:30 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, April 21, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Susan Steeves

Committee Clerk