MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

WILLIAMS ROAD DRAINAGE PUMP STATION

(File Ref. No. 10-6340-20-P.11301) (REDMS No. 3417598)

With the aid of artist renderings, Jim Young, Manager, Engineering Design and Construction, reviewed the proposed layout of the Williams Road drainage pump station upgrade.  Also, Mr. Young distributed a revised Attachment 1 to the staff report dated November 25, 2011 (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1).

Mr. Young provided background information and highlighted the following information:

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the proposed pump station layout has been designed to keep as low a profile as possible in order to preserve view corridors;

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the proposed pump station wall that faces Williams Road would be relatively prominent and present an opportunity for beatification; and

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the proposed pump station is also incorporated into the highly utilized west dike trail system, as such the maintenance access roads are visualized to be appealing and complimentary to the existing trails.

Also, Mr. Young advised that the current elevation of the dike is approximately 3.3 metres geodetic, while the proposed upgrade would raise the elevation to 4.7 metres geodetic, which is consistent with the City’s Long Term Flood Management Strategy.  It was noted that the upgrades would not negatively impact accessibility.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Young advised the following:

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it is anticipated that the entire proposed upgrade be completed by September 2012;

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it is important to upgrade drainage pump stations as these systems prevent the City from flooding and many of them are old and pose risk to the City;

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the City has 39 drainage pump stations in total, all of which are included in a comprehensive report that includes assessments for each of their conditions and prioritizes them accordingly for future upgrades; and

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feedback from residents who reside adjacent to the pump station has been positive.

Discussion ensued regarding the extent of the proposed drainage pump station upgrade.  Mr. Young advised that much of the costs associated with the proposed upgrade are related to core engineering services, and that all other costs are marginal. 

Staff was requested to provide a memorandum detailing the order of magnitude of a lesser pump station upgrade prior to the next Council meeting.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Young stated that (i) staff have applied for grants for the proposed Williams Road drainage pump station upgrade; and (ii) designs for drainage pump station upgrades are site specific.

It was moved and seconded

That the concept for the Williams Road Drainage Pump Station be endorsed.

CARRIED

2.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Snow Removal

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, advised that in the event of significant snow fall, the City is well prepared for snow removal.

(ii)

Onni Development in Steveston

John Irving, Director, Engineering, provided background information and advised that the cracks along the Steveston boardwalk are being monitored daily.  He stated that the situation is stable and staff are working with Onni personnel to find an ultimate solution and to repair the dike.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Irving stated that a geotechnical report is required to identify the extent of the damage to the dike and to provide a technical solution to repair or upgrade the dike.  Mr. Irving commented that the City has the final say on whatever technical solution is brought forth from the geotechnical report.  Also, Mr. Irving commented on Onni’s position regarding the damage.

(iii)

Delta Hotel Request

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, spoke of a request from the Delta Hotel regarding the current bus exchange situation adjacent to the hotel.  Mr. Wei noted that the hotel wishes to (i) increase its visibility, (ii) provide easier access in and out of the hotel, and (iii) improve transit service for its clients.  He noted that staff would initiate discussion with the Vancouver Airport Authority as this area is within their jurisdiction.

Discussion ensued regarding the bus exchange at south end of the Arthur Laing Bridge, and it was noted that future discussions related to the bus exchange should also acknowledge the lack of proper public transportation for Burkeville residents.

(iv)

No. 1 Road and Moncton Street Intersection

Mr. Wei spoke of the opening of the upgraded No. 1 Road and Moncton Street intersection.

Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, advised that staff are aware of the narrow sidewalk abutting the intersection and intend to address this concern by widening the sidewalk.

Discussion ensued regarding the No. 1 Road and Moncton Street intersection upgrades and it was noted that this intersection received many upgrades, such as the installation of a traffic light.  Also, it was noted that signage explaining all the various upgrades may be helpful, in particular for those utilizing the pedestrian scramble crossing.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:45 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, December 14, 2011.

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Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk