Date:

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Vice-Chair
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

Mayor Malcolm Brodie (4:40 p.m.)

Absent:

Councillor Linda Barnes

Call to Order:

The Vice-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, November 21, 2012, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, February 20, 2013, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

waterworks and water rates bylaw amendment

(File Ref. No. 10-6060-00; 12-8060-20-5637/8909) (REDMS No. 3654517)

John Irving, Director, Engineering, noted that the rates in Schedules B and C to Bylaw No. 5637 as presented in the staff report required updating, and circulated revised versions of both Schedules which are attached as Schedule 1, and form part of these minutes. 

A brief discussion ensued about the various recommended changes to the existing bylaw, during which Mr. Irving noted that the amendments result in more clarity and easier administration of the bylaw.

It was moved and seconded

That Waterworks and Water Rates Bylaw No. 5637, Amendment Bylaw No. 8909 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

2.

Greater Vancouver Regional District Bylaw to Repeal the Mosquito Control Administration and Coordination Service (Bylaw No. 1179, 2012)

(File Ref. No. 10-6125-04-14) (REDMS No. 3742450)

Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet & Environmental Programs, introduced Dalton Cross, Environmental Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health. 

A discussion then ensued and the following was noted:

·        

surveillance relating to the West Nile Virus has been conducted for several years, which included collecting and testing of mosquitos for the virus;

·        

the results of the surveillance have been monitored by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), and it has been determined that it is unlikely that the West Nile Virus would appear in Richmond to the extent that would cause public health concerns;

·        

if the virus does appear in Richmond, there will be enough lead time to respond and get the program running before there is a substantial outbreak of the virus; and

·        

members of the public with any concerns related to the West Nile Virus are encouraged to contact the Richmond Health Department.

It was moved and seconded

The City of Richmond consents to the repeal of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Mosquito Control Administration and Coordination Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1034, 2005 and consents to the adoption of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Bylaw to Repeal the Mosquito Control Administration and Coordination Service (Bylaw No. 1179, 2012).

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

3.

NO. 1 ROAD AND MONCTON STREET INTERSECTION – REPORT BACK ON "PEDESTRIAN SCRAMBLE" FEATURE

(File Ref. No. 10-6450-07-03/2012) (REDMS No. 3718261)

Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, was available to answer questions.  A discussion took place, during which the following was noted:

·        

in an effort to alleviate some of the traffic delays, the no right-turn-on-red restriction and the associated warning signs will be removed;

·        

people with visual impairments rely on traffic movement as well as the “cuckoo” and “chirp” sounds made by the traffic lights as they indicate when it’s safe to cross the street in a particular direction.  It was further noted that the scramble feature creates confusion for those with guide dogs;

·        

the scramble feature has been well received by pedestrians;

·        

the scramble feature has received some negative feedback from drivers, especially with the existing parking concerns in that area; 

·        

the lines on the pavement at the intersection are confusing; and

·        

staff will provide periodic updates on the matter.

It was moved and seconded

That the report on the operation of the pedestrian scramble feature at the intersection of No. 1 Road and Moncton Street be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called, as a member of the public requested an opportunity to speak to Committee.

Ralph Turner, Steveston resident, expressed concerns related to the confusion between drivers and pedestrians as a result of the scramble feature.  Mr. Turner suggested that (i) the traffic lights at the intersection be programmed to not allow pedestrians in the intersection at the same time as vehicles; and (ii) consideration be given to removing the parking spots on both sides of the intersection. 

In response to Mr. Turner’s suggestions and concerns, staff advised that programming the traffic lights to not allow pedestrians in the intersection simultaneously with vehicles is difficult as those with visual impairments rely on the traffic cues to cross the intersection. 

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

4.

STEVESTON VILLAGE PARKING STRATEGY – REPORT BACK ON TRIAL IMPLEMENTATION (JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2012)

(File Ref. No. 10-6455-01/2012) (REDMS No. 3706046)

 Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, circulated a revised version of page 7 to the staff report, which is attached as Schedule 2, and forms part of these minutes. 

A discussion then ensued about:

·        

the need for additional parking in Steveston, as well as the need to improve parking along No. 1 Road; 

·        

the benefits associated with increasing the time limit from two to three hours for both on- and off-street parking spaces;

·        

how the Steveston Conservation Strategy recommends that the streetscape in Steveston be kept simple, which includes minimizing  signage;

·        

how the addition of angled parking on Chatham Street would increase the parking capacity in the area by approximately 80 or 90 spots;  and

·        

two reports that are anticipated to be presented to Committee in late February or early March, 2013.  It was noted that one of the reports will address the streetscape in Steveston, and the other report will be in connection to the Steveston Conservation Strategy.

Ralph Turner, Steveston resident, stated that the parking problem in Steveston is not a simple issue to address as Steveston’s demographics have significantly changed.  He also expressed concerns related to vehicles speeding along Chatham Street, and the “holiday mode” mindset of people when they visit Steveston.  In conclusion, Mr. Turner noted that overzealous bylaw enforcement makes people feel unwelcome to Steveston, and suggested that consideration be given to issuing a warning to first-time violators.  He also requested the City not to approve any reductions in parking requirements for new developments in Steveston.

Mayor Brodie entered the meeting (4:40 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

That the following proposed measures to improve City management of free on- and off-street public parking in the Steveston Village area, as described in the staff report dated January 9, 2013 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed:

(1)

Community Bylaws provide regular patrols of the Village area as part of city-wide activities;

(2)

the time limit for free public parking spaces be increased from two to three hours;

(3)

operation of the lanes revert back to the status quo that was in effect prior to the trial; and

(4)

parking-related signage and pavement markings be improved prior to the start of the peak summer period in 2013.

CARRIED

5.

METRO VANCOUVER BOARD REQUEST – PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FUND

(File Ref. No. 01-0157-00) (REDMS No. 3718056)

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be sent to all Richmond Members of Parliament, with a copy to the Metro Vancouver Board, seeking the designation of cycling infrastructure as an eligible project under the federal Strategic Priorities Fund.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None. 

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:48 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 23, 2013.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Chak Au
Vice-Chair

Shanan Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office