March 19, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Derek Dang (entered at 4:04 p.m.)
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

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, February 19, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Thursday, April 24, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

Metro Vancouver Gilbert Trunk Sewer No. 2 Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-03-01) (REDMS No. 4164217)

In reply to queries from Committee, John Irving, Director, Engineering, advised that the first section of the Gilbert Trunk Sewer No. 2 (GTS 2) project is underway and scheduled to be completed in June 2014. 

Discussion ensued and Mr. Irving noted that Metro Vancouver, through their contractors, implement the project’s traffic management plan.  He commented on the number of traffic-related complaints and advised that a significant concern from a local business has been resolved.  Also, Mr. Irving advised that once the project enters its second phase, staff will liaise with Vancouver Coastal Health in an effort to ensure access to and from Richmond Hospital is not affected by works along Gilbert Road.

Cllr. Dang entered the meeting (4:04 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Metro Vancouver Gilbert Trunk Sewer No. 2 Update (dated February 25, 2014, from the Director, Engineering), be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Clothes Washer Rebate Program
(File Ref. No. 10-6650-01) (REDMS No. 4166980 v.6)

In reply to queries from Committee, Jason Ho, Project Engineer, provided background information and advised that the proposed program will be promoted on the City’s web site, in a local newspaper, and at community centres.  Also, Mr. Ho stated that, upon conclusion of the proposed program, staff will report back on the program’s outcome.

Discussion ensued regarding the proposed program’s eligibility requirements, and Mr. Ho advised that the proposed program is currently only available to residents.  Also, it was suggested that air-drying clothing be encouraged as part of the proposed program’s outreach message.

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the City partner with BC Hydro for a combined rebate program in May and October 2014, which provides a minimum $100 and maximum $200 rebate (equally shared between BC Hydro and the City) for the replacement of an efficient clothes washer;

(2)

the scope of the existing toilet rebate program be expanded to include clothes washer rebates; and

(3)

the CAO and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be authorized to enter into an agreement with BC Hydro to execute this program.

CARRIED

3.

Ageing Facility Infrastructure - Update
(File Ref. No. 06-2050-01) (REDMS No. 3788323 v.6)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Irving commented on the current facility infrastructure replacement, improvement and maintenance funding.  He noted that it is estimated that such funding be increased by approximately $1 million annually to maintain the current facility index score of 0.08. 

Discussion ensued regarding the potential to utilize casino funds to bridge the estimated $1 million annual shortfall.

In reply to a further query from Committee, Mr. Irving stated that unplanned equipment failures occur regardless of the City’s robust preventative maintenance efforts.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Ageing Facility Infrastructure – Update dated March 4, 2014 from the Director, Engineering be utilized as input in the annual capital and operating budget preparation process.

CARRIED

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

4.

iCBC/CITY OF RICHMOND ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – PROPOSED PROJECTS FOR 2014
(File Ref. No. 01-0150-20) (REDMS No. 4158403)

In reply to a query from Committee in relation to correspondence received from a Hamilton resident regarding pedestrian safety, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that it is anticipated that this pedestrian safety concern be resolved in 2014.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the list of proposed road safety improvement projects, as described in the staff report titled ICBC/City of Richmond Road Improvement Program – Proposed Projects for 2014, from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed for submission to the ICBC 2014 Road Improvement Program for consideration of cost sharing funding; and

(2)

That should the above applications be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to negotiate and execute the cost-share agreements and that the 2014 Capital Plan and 5-Year (2014-2018) Financial Plan be amended accordingly.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works, introduced Bryan Shepherd, Manager, Water Services and spoke of Mr. Shepherd’s tenure with the City.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:33 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, March 19, 2014.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk