MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

NO. 1 ROAD NORTH DRAINAGE PUMP STATION UPGRADE

(File Ref. No. 10-6340-20-P.11314) (REDMS No. 3469687)

With the aid of artist renderings, John Irving, Director, Engineering, accompanied by Milton Chan, Senior Project Engineer, reviewed the proposed pump station upgrade.  Mr. Irving highlighted that the proposed pump station layout has been designed to keep as low a profile as possible in an effort to preserve view corridors.  He commented on the various finishes and materials that may be used to enhance the proposed pump station.  Also, Mr. Irving noted that the proposed pump station maintenance access would be appealing and complimentary to the existing trail system.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Irving and Mr. Chan provided the following information:

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the proposed pump functions at a higher efficiency and can pump higher volumes than the existing pump;

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staff are working with a landscape architect in an effort to minimize impact to the Fraser River; and

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the proposed pump station is significantly larger than the Williams Road pump station, however pump stations generally appear similar.

Discussion ensued regarding the potential to install wayfaring signage and Mr. Irving advised that interpretive signage could be accommodated.

It was moved and seconded

That the design concept for the No.1 Road North Drainage Pump Station Upgrade be endorsed.

CARRIED

2.

TOILET REBATE PROGRAM

(File Ref. No. 10-6650-02) (REDMS No. 3459822)

It was moved and seconded

That $100,000 be allocated from the water levy stabilization provision to increase total 2012 Toilet Rebate Program funding to $200,000.

CARRIED

3.

SUSTAINABLE GREEN FLEET POLICY 2020

(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 3358139)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet & Environmental Programs, reviewed the financial aspect of the proposed policy amendment, noting that a funding gap was identified in the vehicle/equipment reserve.  Staff are proposing several amendments to the Green Fleet Policy 2020 in an effort to minimize the financial impact to budgets, while simultaneously stabilizing the reserve.

Ms. Bycraft spoke of how vehicle usage is charged, noting that revenue from vehicles vary based on usage.  The proposed policy amendment would allow that any revenue generated as a result of additional use of a vehicle, be populated back to the reserve fund to help offset the cost of that vehicle.

In reply to a query from the Committee, Ms. Bycraft advised that in accordance with the City’s current Green Fleet Policy 2020, staff can review alternative acquisition strategies, such as leasing, for vehicles and equipment where it provides best value.

It was moved and seconded

ThatGreen Fleet Policy 2020 be re-named "Sustainable Green Fleet Policy 2020" and that the policy be amended by replacing the text of the current policy with the text set out in Attachment 4 of the report dated February 7, 2012 from the Director, Public Works Operations.

CARRIED

4.

PUBLIC SPACES RECYCLING PILOT PROGRAM – RESULTS

(File Ref. No. 10-6370-01) (REDMS No. 3459612)

Ms. Bycraft highlighted that this project provided Richmond with the opportunity to host the first pilot public space recycling program in British Columbia.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Bycraft advised that (i) scavenging remains an ongoing challenge as it often creates a mess, requiring additional time to tidy the area, and damages receptacles; and (ii) many receptacles have openings that can accommodate an arm reaching inside to remove something without damaging the structure.

Ms. Bycraft commented on the future of the public spaces recycling program and advised that staff are fine-tuning modifications to the containers and the instructional/promotional signage in an effort to maximize the program’s overall effectiveness.  Also, she noted that a full scale implementation of a public spaces recycling program, including both indoor and outdoor environments would have a significant financial impact, therefore a gradual implementation of the program is preferred.

Ms. Bycraft spoke of the development of a more formal recycling program for events such as easier check-in and check-out processes for event organizers.  Also, she commented on creating visual consistency of the containers, so that the containers the City lends out for events are similar in appearance to those already in the public realm.

In reply to a query from Committee, Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, advised that an update on the public spaces recycling program would be incorporated in the annual recycling initiatives update.

Discussion ensued regarding staff implications of the program and Ms. Bycraft advised that it is difficult to determine whether additional staff resources would be required as the program grows. Also, in reply to a query from Committee, Ms. Bycraft advised that findings of the program are shared with other municipalities at the Metro Vancouver Board.

Bruce Rozenhart, Richmond resident, advised that John Challinor, Director of Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Waters Canada, sends his regrets, as he could not attend the meeting.  Mr. Rozenhart highlighted that this is the first pilot public space recycling program in British Columbia and he believes it attests to Richmond’s commitment to the environment.  He commented on Encorp Pacific Canada’s future role in the program and noted that there is lots of interest in the program.

Loren Slye, Chair of the Steveston 20/20 Group (formerly the Steveston Group of 8), spoke in favour of the staff report and congratulated Nestlé Waters Canada for their generosity.  In reply to a query from the Chair, Mr. Slye remarked that the pilot program was well received by the community and by merchants in Steveston.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the pilot program model be used to further develop and expand public spaces recycling in a graduated manner to City facilities, at City events, and to other City properties, including streetscapes, open spaces and parks; and

(2)

That Nestlé Waters Canada be thanked for their sponsorship of the program and for the donation of the recycling containers to the City of Richmond.

CARRIED

5.

4252Q – AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR BATTERY-POWERED ICE RESURFACERS

(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 3442708)

Ms. Bycraft spoke of the City’s current practice for ice resurfacing, noting that one resurfacer is utilized for two sheets of ice and three resurfacers are utilized for six sheets of ice.  She highlighted that the City has been very efficient with its equipment and noted that this arrangement is unusual as typically each sheet of ice has its own designated resurfacer.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that the proposed new ice resurfacers would likely not require significant staff training.  Also, it was noted that the Richmond Arenas Community Association did not participate in the facilitation of the proposed new ice resurfacers, however an interdepartmental staff team consisting of arena and fleet operations staff were actively involved throughout the entire process.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Contract 4252Q, for the Supply and Delivery of Five Battery-Powered Ice Resurfacers, be awarded to Vimar Equipment Ltd. at a total cost of $453,430.00, plus applicable taxes and levies; and

(2)

That the additional required funding of $288,738.50 be approved with funding from the Public Works Equipment Reserve and that the 2012 Capital Budget and the 5-Year Financial Plan (2012-2016) be adjusted accordingly.

CARRIED

6A.

OTHER ITEMS

(i)

Long-Term Steveston Harbour Plan

In reply to a query from the Chair, Mr. Gonzalez provided an update on the long-term Steveston Harbour Plan, stating that staff have been actively meeting with the Steveston Harbour Authority and will be able to provide Council with an update in the upcoming months.  Also, he stated that staff would be recommending some strategies to expedite the processes.

(ii)

Memorandum of Understanding with the Steveston Harbour Authority

Mr. Gonzalez advised that a draft memorandum of understanding has been forwarded to the Steveston Harbour Authority and staff anticipate reporting on this matter in conjunction with the Long-Term Steveston Harbour Plan.

Discussion ensued regarding the pay-parking on Steveston Harbour Authority lots and the Chair advised that the Authority has agreed to defer further pay-parking measures on two of their other lots until May 1, 2012.  The Chair urged that staff act in a timely manner on this topic, along with the long-term Steveston Harbour Plan.  Also, it was noted that event parking be included in the long-term Steveston Harbour Plan.

(iii)

Fraser Basin Council

The Chair requested that staff provide Council with an update on the Fraser Basin Council’s recent activities.

(iv)

Emergency Preparedness

The Chair made reference to a letter from a Richmond resident regarding earthquake preparedness and insurance (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).  It was noted that the letter be forwarded to the Manager of Emergency Programs to provide the author of the letter with information on emergency preparedness.

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Pedestrian Safety Campaign

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that ICBC, Richmond Fire-Rescue and Richmond RCMP will be launching a pedestrian safety campaign that will target four key locations in Richmond (No. 1 Road and Blundell Road, No. 3 Road and Cambie Road, No. 3 Road and Saba Road, and Lansdowne Road and Garden City Road) in an effort to educate pedestrians on road safety.

It was noted that pedestrian safety information be forwarded to the Richmond Community Cycling Committee.

(ii)

Various Correspondence

The Chair made reference to a letter from a Richmond resident regarding the safety of the intersection at No. 4 Road and Odlin Road (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).  It was noted that information related to the road network of the West Cambie Area would be helpful.

The Chair made reference to a letter requesting a sidewalk that would run along Ash Street from Walter Lee Elementary School to Williams Road (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).  Mr. Wei advised that although this request is a high priority, it would not be possible to complete the project in 2012 due to limited funding.  However, he noted that the walkway request would be submitted for consideration as part of the 2013 capital budget process.

Discussion ensued regarding the City’s protocol related to such requests and Mr. Wei advised that staff are in the process of developing an evaluation criteria to help determine priority.

(iii)

BC Building Code Amendments

The Chair commented on the recent amendments to the BC Building Code and it was noted that staff report to a future Planning Committee meeting what those changes were and how they impact Richmond.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:55 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, February 22, 2012.

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Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Hanieh Berg

Committee Clerk