Date:

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair

Councillor Chak Au, Vice-Chair

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Linda McPhail

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

TRAFFIC BYLAW AMENDMENT TO REFLECT REVISED FORMAT OF ANNUAL PARADES
(File Ref. No. 10-6450-19-03) (REDMS No. 3654348)

It was moved and seconded

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 8955 (Attachment 1) be introduced and given first, second and third reading to ensure conformance with the changes approved in December 2011 to the format of the annual Steveston Santa Claus Parade.

CARRIED

2.

REQUEST FOR PILOT INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE SPECIAL PUBLIC ACCESS TO STAFF WASHROOMS IN THE RICHMOND-BRIGHOUSE CANADA LINE STATION
(File Ref. No. 01-0154-00) (REDMS No. 3654479 v.2)

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, circulated a letter from TransLink written to the Richmond Seniors Network, indicating that TransLink is unable to endorse the Network’s suggested pilot program due to existing policies and other concerns.  A copy of the letter is attached as Schedule 1 and forms part of these minutes.

A discussion ensued about: (i) how TransLink has not made adequate provisions for public washrooms on the Canada Line or the original Sky Train; and (ii) requesting TransLink to reconsider the position that has been indicated in the letter to the Richmond Senior’s Network.

Hans Havis, Richmond Seniors Advisory Council and Richmond Seniors Network, spoke about how important it is to have washrooms made available  for Canada Line users and made reference to several incidents where members of the public were unable to access washrooms when they needed.  Mr. Havas also talked about the City of Vancouver’s free-standing portable washrooms, believing that the City of Richmond would benefit from a similar solution.  

Aileen McCormack, 1291 Railway Avenue, advised the Committee that she has been lobbying TransLink to allow the public full access to the washrooms on the Canada Line.  She stated that other municipalities that have the Sky Train as part of their Transit system, are also in support of public access to the washrooms, and requested the City of Richmond to request TransLink to reconsider their position on the issue.    

A discussion then ensued among Committee members and Mr. Wei about:

·          

future re-development along Buswell Street that may provide opportunities to install public washrooms;

·          

TransLink’s recent Board release indicating a shortage of funds;

·          

other alternatives that would provide public washroom opportunities, including a proposal for washrooms at No. 3 Road and Cook Street;

·          

the need to request TransLink to reconsider its position on public access to washrooms, and discuss TransLink’s concerns on the matter; and

·          

the feasibility of having the City of Richmond install and maintain free-standing portable public washrooms, particularly at the Brighouse Station.

Peter Mitchell, 6271 Nanika Crescent, made the following three points in connection to Richmond’s Canada Line Stations:     

      i.         

the map at the Brighouse Station is located on the south side and is oriented towards the north, creating confusion for transit users who as a result, end up going in the wrong direction when exiting off the Canada Line;

     ii.         

Richmond High is labelled as Richmond Elementary on the map at Brighouse Station; and

    iii.         

the vines on the columns along the Canada Line route are not aesthetically pleasing as they are not healthy.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Richmond City Council send a letter to TransLink advising of its support for the implementation of the pilot initiative proposed by the Richmond Seniors Network; and

(2)

That Translink be requested to reconsider its current policy on access to washrooms for this pilot project.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

3.

Update on the Enhanced Pesticide Management Program
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-04-01) (REDMS No. 3656638 v. 5)

A discussion ensued among members of the Committee, Lesley Douglas, Manager, Environmental Sustainability, and Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works about: (i) the management of noxious weed infestations in the City of Richmond; and (ii) the current process for enforcement of the Enhanced Pesticide Management Program.   

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report dated September 25, 2012 titled Update on the Enhanced Pesticide Management Program from the Interim Director, Sustainability and District Energy be received for information.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

4.

Sanitary Dump Station
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 3666898)

Lisa Novak, 7451 Montana Road, noted that she has been writing to the City of Richmond since the 2010 Winter Olympics regarding the need for a sanitary dump station in Richmond to service avid campers.  She spoke about previous locations that have closed their sanitary dump stations due to a lack of profits, and suggested that one be considered in a location such as McDonald Beach. 

Romeo Bicego, Manager, Sewerage & Drainage, advised that currently there are sanitary dump stations along the Trans Canada Highway, however, none are close to the City of Richmond.  Mr. Bicego further advised that the reasons for closures of the sanitation dump stations in Richmond included vandalism and a shortage of profits.

Peter Mitchell, 6271 Nanika Crescent, indicated that he acted as the coordinator for recreational vehicle parks for the City of Richmond during the Seniors Games and the 2010 Olympics.  Mr. Mitchell spoke about how he assisted in the organization of approximately 100 recreational vehicles at various locations, and resulted in a profit of approximately $3000.  He further noted that he still receives about five emails per year inquiring about a sanitation dump station in Richmond.

A Richmond resident suggested that consideration be given to placing a sanitation dump station at the City’s worksyard on Lynas Lane, believing that the station could be maintained by the staff at the works yard.  The delegation further noted that placing the station at a City owned site may be the solution to prevent vandalism and misuse of the station.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

an Expression of Interest for Sanitary Dump Station service within the City of Richmond be issued; and

(2)

staff report back with recommendations based on the results of the Expression of Interest to Council for consideration.

CARRIED

5.

Steveston Harbour Long Term Development Concept Update 2012
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-00) (REDMS No. 3666736)

John Irving, Director, Engineering, and Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks were available to answer questions.  A discussion took place about:

·          

some of the proposed non-native plant species.  It was noted that the area requires native species in order to thrive, and that the plants listed in the report are part of a preliminary design which may be changed as required;

·          

acquiring adequate compensation for habitat creation at the foot of No. 2 Road, and the urgency for removing the red zone on Lot H;

·          

the feasibility of the City acquiring its own dredging equipment;  

·          

the importance of reconfiguring the harbour and maintaining a proper depth;  and

·          

the various stakeholders involved in the proposed project, which include the City of Richmond, the Steveston Harbour Authority, Port Metro Vancouver, and Small Craft Harbours.

Lorne Slye, 11911 – 3^rd Avenue, accompanied by Bruce Rozenhart, 11171 Barkentine Place, spoke about the work that has been done in an effort to re-create native gardens.  Mr. Slye also spoke about how he has taken many elected officials including members of Council, MLAs, and MPs on tours of the harbour during low tides to reveal how disastrous the situation is becoming. 

Mr. Rozenhart spoke about the need to preserve the heritage and working aspect of the Steveston Harbour, and stated that the staff report in connection to this matter presents a long term solution. 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That no greater than $2.0M in funding from utility provisions be approved as the City’s proportionate share for the dredging of the Steveston Channel, which will only be expended upon the approval and commitment by senior governments of matching grants; and

(2)

That Council forward a letter to the Richmond MLAs, MPs, Port Metro Vancouver, Small Craft Harbors and the Steveston Harbour Authority seeking financial support for the future dredging of the Local Area channel in Steveston Harbour; and

(3)

That Richmond’s portion of the funding be applied towards supporting the filling of Lot H, including compensation credits for the red zone.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

South Fraser Perimeter Road

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, made reference to his memo regarding the South Fraser Perimeter Road, and explained the key interchanges and connections.  A copy of Mr. Wei’s memo is attached as Schedule 2, and forms part of these minutes.

Dyke Damage at Bayview

John Irving, Director, Engineering, advised that the City of Richmond has now entered into a service agreement with Onni regarding the damage and repair work on the walkway and dyke. 

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:23 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, October 17, 2012.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Shanan Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office