MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

2012 PAVING PROGRAM

(File Ref. No. 10-6340-20-P.12201) (REDMS No. 3435271)

Jim Young, Manager, Engineering Design and Construction, provided background information and commented on the City’s early tendering process that has resulted in the City receiving highly competitive rates.  Also, Mr. Young stated that the 3000-block of Moncton Street should be included on Attachment 1 of the staff report entitled ‘2012 Paving Program.’

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Young advised that the City’s paving contractor is committed to utilizing sustainable methodologies, practices and materials as per the provisions of the contract.  He mentioned that the City monitors the paving program to ensure the contractor is meeting the terms of the contract.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report regarding the 2012 Paving Program be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

FUEL PURCHASES AGREEMENT – BC PETROLEUM PRODUCTS BUYING GROUP

(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01/2011) (REDMS No. 3424005)

In reply to queries from Committee, Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet & Environmental Programs, provided the following information:

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the 2011 over-expenditure was partly due to increased fuel consumption as a result of additional receivables-based operations work, but it is primarily due to fuel price increases;

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the City does not have a specific policy on the source of the renewable content of fuels its fleet utilizes; and

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the City observes savings on fuel consumption on many of its passenger vehicles that utilize alternative fuel/hybrid vehicles.

Discussion ensued regarding the source of the alternative fuel the City’s fleet utilizes.  Ms. Bycraft advised that the City’s Green Fleet Policy addresses a wide-range of factors from acquisition to maintenance of City fleet, however it does not specifically address the source of the alternative fuel purchased.  The Green Fleet Policy does outline maximum fuel efficiency of vehicles as a key factor in the City’s vehicle acquisition process. 

Discussion further ensued regarding the use of food crops to produce biofuels and it was noted that the Richmond School District has a policy regarding the types of biofuels its fleet utilize.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff review the School District’s policy on biofuels and report back on the feasibility of a similar policy for the City of Richmond.

CARRIED

In reply to a query from the Chair, Ms. Bycraft advised that the City is a member of the British Columbia Petroleum Products Buying Group, and as such commented that this would limit the City's ability to independently choose or restrict the source of its biofuels.

It was moved and seconded

That the City participate in the BC Petroleum Products Buying Group fuel purchases contract with Chevron Canada Ltd., commencing December 14, 2011 for a three-year period, with the option to renew for two additional one year periods, to a maximum of five years.

CARRIED

3.

ADVANCE CAPITAL BUDGET APPROVAL – 2012 LULU WEST WATERWORKS AREA (WILLIAMS ROAD)

(File Ref. No. 10-6050-01) (REDMS No. 3438433)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Young advised that (i) a main goal of the waterworks capital program is to replace ageing infrastructure prior to failure and to improve fire protection by locally increasing the system supply capacity; and (ii) an operating budget impact is anticipated as there will be a marginal increase in operating costs for the proposed new watermain.

Discussion ensued regarding the proposed watermain’s financial implications on utility rates.  John Irving, Director, Engineering, advised Council adopted the 2012 Utility Budgets and Rates in December 2011 and funding for the proposed project is available within the annual funding limits; therefore, the proposed watermain would not impact the 2012 utility rates.

It was moved and seconded

That 2012 Capital Project Submission 4719 (Lulu West Waterworks Area) as detailed in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated January 5, 2012 from the Director, Engineering be approved for expenditure and commencement of work.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

4.

RICHMOND COMMUNITY CYCLING COMMITTEE – PROPOSED 2012 INITIATIVES

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-20-RCYC1/2012) (REDMS No. 3414787)

Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, introduced Larry Pamer, Chair of the Richmond Community Cycling Committee.

Discussion ensued regarding the various different types of active transportation, and in reply to a query from Committee Mr. Pamer advised that the Committee would consider broadening its mandate to include other wheeled devices, if the need arose.  Mr. Pamer commented that painted bike lanes are great enhancements and noted that there was precedence in Richmond for blue bike lanes.  Staff was directed to examine painted bike lanes.

It was noted that a copy of the staff report should be forwarded to Vancouver Coastal Health for their information as many of the initiatives outlined in the staff may be of interest to them.

Discussion ensued regarding an upcoming staff report anticipated to go to the next Community Safety Committee meeting and the Chair requested that staff comment on cycling education and safety when that report comes forward.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed 2012 initiatives of the Richmond Community Cycling Committee regarding cycling-related engineering and education activities, as described in the report from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed; and

(2)

That a copy of the report from the Director, Transportation entitled “Richmond Community Cycling Committee - Proposed 2012 Initiatives” be provided to the Council School Board Liaison Committee and Vancouver Coastal Health for information.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine the possibility of expanding the Richmond Community Cycling Committee beyond cycling.

CARRIED

5.

TRAFFIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – PROPOSED 2012 INITIATIVES

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-20-TSAD1-01) (REDMS No. 3410268)

In reply to a query from Committee, Ms. Chan commented on how staff measure the success of traffic safety initiatives and it was suggested that staff collect more feedback.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed 2012 initiatives for the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, as outlined in the report from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed; and

(2)

That a copy of the above report be forwarded to the Richmond Council-School Board Liaison Committee for information.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Accessible Bus Stops

Ms. Chan referenced a letter from TransLink’s Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee requesting that Richmond increase its number of accessible bus stops.  It was noted that of Richmond’s 711 bus stops, approximately 402 are wheelchair and scooter accessible.  Ms. Chan noted that since TransLink’s letter, Richmond has commenced the installation of two more accessible bus stops (Garden City Road at Ferndale Road, and Railway Avenue at Woodwards Road) and relocated another (Moncton Street at Steveston Community Centre).

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Chan stated that the City typically budgets for four to six accessible bus stops a year and the cost of an accessible bus stop ranges significantly depending on the scope of the project. 

(ii)

No. 1 Road and Moncton Street Intersection

Ms. Chan stated that staff have received lots of positive feedback from residents and businesses regarding the newly upgraded intersection at No. 1 Road and Moncton Street.

(iii)

Steveston Highway Interchange

Ms. Chan referenced a memorandum dated January 10, 2012 from the Director, Transportation (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1). She spoke of a recent meeting with the Honourable Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding the Steveston Highway-Highway 99 Interchange and noted that Minister Lekstrom committed to directing his staff to work with City staff to address current traffic deficiencies.

(iv)

Speed Along Garry Street

Discussion ensued regarding speeding along Garry Street and Ms. Chan advised that a speed study was forthcoming.

(v)

Snow Update

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, advised that the City was able to pre-salt many routes in anticipation of the snowfall.  Also, he commented on 12-hour shifts, noting that they ensure 24-hour coverage.  The Chair requested that staff provide an update on the implementation of 12-hour shifts at the conclusion of the snow season.

Cllr. Au left the meeting (4:48 p.m.).

(vi)

2012 Capital Projects Open House

Mr. Irving spoke of the 2012 Capital Projects Open House, noting that it is tentatively scheduled for April 4, 2012.

Cllr. Au returned to the meeting (4:49 p.m.).

(vii)

Signage for the new RCMP Detachment

Discussion ensued regarding the lack of signage for the new RCMP detachment located at 11411 No. 5 Road.  Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, noted that staff would address the lack of signage.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:51 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, January 18, 2012.

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Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk