February 20, 2013 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair
Councillor Chak Au, Vice-Chair
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Absent:

Councillor Derek Dang

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, January 23, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

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

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

RICHMOND COMMUNITY CYCLING COMMITTEE – PROPOSED 2013 INITIATIVES

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-20-RCYC1/2012) (REDMS No. 3642537 v7)

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, introduced Larry Pamer, Chair, Richmond Community Cycling Committee, who then spoke about the Committee’s initiatives and creating a more robust community with more accessible transit options.  Mr. Pamer also stated that the Committee’s main purpose is to support and advise the City of Richmond.

A discussion ensued between staff, the delegation and members of Committee about:

safety, accident and injury prevention.  It was noted that much of the research that has been available in the past on the subject has been derived from statistics from the late 1980’s, and that today’s research indicates that the benefits of cycling outweigh the risk of associated injury; 

how the City promotes the use of helmets starting at the elementary school level.  It was noted that there are very limited resources in terms of enforcing the use of helmets;

how the Richmond Community Cycling Committee has a maximum of 12 members, and since it is an informal committee with an Informal Terms of Reference, Committee members are not appointed by City Council; and

how the use of skateboards, scooters, and other similar devices is prohibited on public roadways.  It was noted that the Committee is reviewing the City’s Traffic Bylaw to advise the City regarding amendments that may be appropriate in the future.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed 2013 initiatives of the renamed Richmond Active Transportation Committee, as described in the staff report dated January 18, 2013 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

2.

Deltaport Expansion – Potential Traffic Impacts to Richmond

(File Ref. No. 01-0153-04-04) (REDMS No. 3690210 v6)

Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation was available to answer questions. A discussion ensued about:

the feasibility of the Deltaport expanding its hours of operation to 24 hours a day.  This would allow truck drivers to load their trucks during the night and early morning hours, resulting in a reduction of truck traffic congestion during the day;

the concept of relocating the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to Iona Island.  It was noted that this concept was first brought forward to City Council in the 1970’s. Staff was requested to research City records for historical documentation related to the concept;

the concept of tubing the George Massey Tunnel;

forwarding the following “Proposed Truck Congestion Reduction Measures”, presented in part 2.5 of the staff report, to the appropriate Metro Vancouver Committees and affected municipalities:

reducing truck trips in peak periods by encouraging truck drivers and companies to shift their pickup and delivery to off-peak delivery times;

implementing a dispatch system to reduce the number of empty trips (trips to or from the terminal with no container) in co-operation with trucking associations and companies;

utilizing GPS or other tracking technology in co-operation with trucking associations and companies to locate and contact vehicles on a real-time basis in order to anticipate travelling conditions for individual vehicles, thereby creating better arrival and departure strategies; and

providing designated sites in the vicinity of Deltaport for waiting trucks; and

how a potential new Fraser River crossing at No. 8 Road and east Richmond is being considered by various agencies to replace the Pattullo Bridge in the vicinity of Tree Island.  It was noted that the City of Richmond should formally register its opposition to any proposal for a crossing at Tree Island, as the crossing has never been a part of Richmond’s Official Community Plan (OCP).

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Port Metro Vancouver be advised of the City’s concerns regarding the forecast magnitude of port-related truck traffic growth in Richmond and the need to plan for the timely implementation of any future road improvements needed to accommodate the traffic growth, including municipal roads in the Fraser Port area;

(2)

That Port Metro Vancouver be strongly encouraged to implement in a timely manner its proposed measures to reduce container truck traffic through the George Massey Tunnel, including working with Tsawwassen First Nations regarding its plans for the development of port-related uses on its land adjacent to Deltaport Way as described in the attached report;

(3)

That staff liaise with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding its plans to accommodate the area traffic impacts generated by the Deltaport expansion and other potential significant developments in Delta, such as Southlands and the Tsawwassen First Nation lands;

(4)

That a letter be sent to TransLink advising of the City’s opposition to the consideration of a new Fraser River crossing in the vicinity of Tree Island as part of any option to replace or upgrade the Pattullo Bridge; and

(5)

That the “Proposed Truck Congestion Reduction Measures”, presented in part 2.5 of the staff report, be forwarded to the appropriate Metro Vancouver Committees and affected municipalities.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

3.

Organics Recycling/Large Item Collection Program Implementation Update

(File Ref. No. 10-6370-10-05/2013) (REDMS No. 3790646)

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet & Environmental Programs, provided an overview and update on various aspects of the Green Cart Program.  A copy of the presentation is attached as Schedule 1 and forms part of these minutes.

A discussion then took place about:

the frequency of garbage/recycling collection services, as the City of Surrey implemented a similar program with bi-weekly collection cycle.  It was noted that no such changes are anticipated for the immediate future in the City of Richmond, however, the concept of bi-weekly pick-up services may be investigated in the future;

cart size options for single-family homes in comparison to the smaller carts provided to townhouse residents.  It was noted that by default residents of townhouses receive smaller carts due to decreased storage options, however, a townhouse resident may request a larger cart;

a model bylaw which has been developed by Metro Vancouver to require recycling and appropriate disposal of waste generated through demolition and construction activities.  It was noted that staff would review the bylaw for potential implementation in Richmond and would be reporting back to Council at a future date with recommendations;

if residents find that the green cans provided by the City are insufficient, they may supplement what the City provides with their own additional cans; and

addressing the challenges related to successfully implementing the program at multi-family and small business complexes.

The Chair suggested that staff provide a presentation to Council on the program to increase public awareness. 

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report dated January 30, 2013 from the Director, Public Works Operations titled Organics Recycling/Large Item Collection Program Implementation Update be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

2013 Paving Program

(File Ref. No. 10-6340-20-P.13201) (REDMS No. 3794070)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report dated January 25, 2013 from the Director, Engineering titled 2013 Paving Program be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Excess and Extended Services and Latecomer Charges Administrative Procedure
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-8982/8983) (REDMS No. 3698579 v2)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Development Application Fees Bylaw No. 8951, Amendment Bylaw 8982 be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and

(2)

That Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, Amendment Bylaw 8983 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Staffing Reductions / Regulatory Changes at Fisheries and Oceans Canada and effect on City Operations

Lesley Douglas, Manager, Environmental Sustainability, made reference to her memo regarding the impact on City operations as a result of staffing reductions and regulatory changes at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and noted that further updates will be provided as the situation is better understood.  A copy of Ms. Douglas’ memo is on file, City Clerk’s Office.

Capital Projects Open House

A discussion ensued between John Irving, Director, Engineering, and members of Committee about securing a date for the Capital Projects Open House, and Wednesday, April 17, 2013 was agreed upon.

Lot H

A discussion took place about a filling Lot H with concrete fill prior to the end of March, 2013.  As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate a plan to add concrete fill to Lot H before the end of March, 2013.

CARRIED

New Hybrid Articulated Buses

Reference was made to a memo from Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, about the new hybrid articulated buses that will be received by the Richmond Transit Centre.  A copy of Mr. Wei’s memo is on file, City Clerk’s Office.

Bridgeport Station Drop Off Area

A discussion took place about a complaint made by a Richmond resident relating to the time allowed for pick-ups and drop-offs at the Bridgeport Station, and the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate whether the time permitted for pick-ups and drop-offs at the Bridgeport Station is sufficient. 

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:01 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 20, 2013.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Shanan Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office