MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

MUNICIPAL ACCESS AGREEMENT WITH A2B FIBER INC.

(File Ref. No. 03-1000-21) (REDMS No. 3050281)

It was moved and seconded

That the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Engineering & Public Works be authorized to execute, on behalf of the City, a Municipal Access Agreement between the City and A2b Fiber Inc. containing the material terms and conditions set out in the staff report dated July 4, 2011 from the Director, Engineering.

CARRIED

2.

AWARD OF CONTRACT 4230P – DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE WIDENING OF WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY AND NELSON ROAD

(File Ref. No. 10-6340-20-P11203) (REDMS No. 3251193)

In reply to a query from Committee, Milton Chan, Senior Project Engineer, advised that the proposed contract solely addresses the procurement of design services for the widening of Westminster Highway and Nelson Road.

It was moved and seconded

That Contract 4230P – Detailed Design and Construction Services for the Widening of Westminster Highway and Nelson Road be awarded to Delcan for the amount of $775,904 plus HST.

CARRIED

3.

GILBERT TRUNK SEWER UPGRADING

(File Ref. No. 10-6060-03-01) (REDMS No. 3250070)

It was moved and seconded

That the Metro Vancouver recommended Gilbert Trunk Sewer alignment and City proposed alternative Gilbert Trunk Sewer alignment as per the staff report from the Director, Engineering dated July 6, 2011 entitled “Gilbert Trunk Sewer Upgrading” be endorsed for public consultation and design.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued and in reply to a query from Committee, Lloyd Bie, Manager, Engineering Planning, advised that Metro Vancouver, along with City staff, are reviewing the potential to utilize waste heat energy from Gilbert Trunk as part of new district energy utility opportunities.  Also, Mr. Bie noted that staff anticipate to report back on a referral regarding grease in sewer pipes in the Fall of 2011.

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

4.

2010 ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT

(File Ref. No. 10-6650-01) (REDMS No. 3248839)

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, introduced Bryan Shepherd, Asset & Inventory Technician, Water Services.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Shepherd provided the following information:

§          

in 2010, the City purchased 36.5 million cubic meters of water from Metro Vancouver, approximately 4.2% less than what was purchased in 2009;

§          

it is believed that the 4.2% decrease in water consumption is the result of the City’s Water Meter Program;

§          

the Mobile Emergency Response unit has been tested, however has not be utilized;

§          

a strong focus on staff training has been initiated and succession planning is on going, as over the next three years, up to 50% of Water Services staff currently employed by the City of Richmond will be eligible for retirement; and

§          

staff continue to upgrade dead end water mains in an effort to address concerns related to stagnant water.

Committee commented that the approximate timeline for upgrading all dead end water mains would be helpful.

Discussion ensued regarding the decrease in water consumption as a result of the City’s Water Meter Program and Committee requested that the staff forward a copy of the 2010 Annual Water Quality Report to the Metro Vancouver Water Committee. 

Discussion further ensued and Committee requested that the 2010 Annual Water Quality Report be presented at a future Council meeting.  It was requested that the presentation highlight the 4% decrease in water consumption and comment on the savings as a result of the 4% decrease in water consumption.

It was moved and seconded

That the 2010 Annual Water Quality report dated July 11, 2011 be approved for public release.

CARRIED

5A.

OTHER ITEMS

Discussion ensued regarding the following topics:

§          

the introduction of pay parking meters on three lots in Steveston owned by the Steveston Harbour Authority;

§          

public confusion regarding private parking violation tickets; and

§          

pay parking opportunities for the City in Steveston.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate and report back on:

(1)

the Steveston Harbour Authority’s plans for pay parking on their lots in Steveston;

(2)

private pay parking lots in Steveston;

(3)

an update on the City’s pay parking policy for Steveston;

(4)

City owned lots in Steveston and their potential future uses; and

(5)

pay parking on City owned lots in Steveston.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Roads & Construction Services Update

Mr. Stewart introduced Ben Dias, Manager, Roads & Construction Services, and provided background information.

Mr. Dias spoke of a pilot project whereby post-secondary students identify and check catch basins that require attention.  He highlighted the benefits of the pilot project, stating that it has improved efficiencies.

(ii)

Lansdowne Road Sanitary Sewer Update

Romeo Bicego, Manager, Sewerage and Drainage, provided background information and noted that the project is well underway.

(iii)

Toilet Rebate Program

Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, spoke of the success of the Toilet Rebate Program.  He stated that all the funds budgeted for the program have been issued in the form of a rebate credit and the program continues to be in high demand.

Discussion ensued and it was clarified that any changes to the program would not affect utility rates. 

As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff submit a report to the Monday, July 25, 2011 Regular Council meeting regarding the Toilet Rebate Program.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:41 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 20, 2011.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk