November 19, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Absent:

Councillor Chak Au

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, October 22, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, December 17, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

Application to Conduct Annual Santa Claus Parade with Revised Date and Routing
(File Ref. No. 11-7400-01) (REDMS No. 4388840)

It was moved and seconded

That the Rotary Club of Steveston be granted approval to conduct the annual Santa Claus Parade on December 24^th of each year using the route shown in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled Application to Conduct Annual Santa Claus Parade with Revised Date and Routing, dated October 17, 2014, from the Director, Transportation.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

2.

Update on 2014/2015 Snow and Ice Response Preparations
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4390828)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Update on 2014/2015 Snow and Ice Response Preparations, dated October 24, 2014, from the Director, Public Works Operations, be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called as the Chair directed staff to correspond with the Insurance Corporation of BC with regard to the City’s ice response preparations, and in particular the use of brine on roadways as a preventative measure.

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

3.

Sustainability Progress Report
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-01) (REDMS No. 4334105)

Brendan McEwen, Manager, Sustainability, provided background information and in reply to queries from Committee, advised that the Sustainability Progress report will be promoted primarily through social media; however, he noted that it can be forwarded to other organizations as well such as the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented on the City’s continued leadership with regard to its various sustainability initiatives.  Committee then requested that staff also forward the Sustainability Progress report to the David Suzuki Foundation’s Blue Dots initiative group, and to the City’s Advisory Committee on the Environment, the Agricultural Advisory Committee, and the Economic Advisory Committee.

Discussion further took place regarding the City’s extensive sustainability initiatives and the absence of public recognition for these efforts.  As a result, Committee requested that staff present on the Sustainability Progress report at the November 24, 2014 Regular Council meeting.

As a result of the discussion the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff examine communication strategies to best relay the City’s widespread sustainability initiatives to the community and to Metro Vancouver municipalities and report back; and

(2)

That the staff report titled Sustainability Progress Report, dated October 15, 2014, from the Director, Engineering, be received for information and be forwarded to Council for its information.

CARRIED

The Chair referenced a memorandum dated October 15, 2014 from the Director, Engineering titled “2014 October Construction Program Update” (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), and spoke of the value of this information to Council but also to the public, noting that the projects listed also include a sustainable practice highlight.

As a result, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That construction program updates, including sustainable practice highlights, be made available to the public.

CARRIED

4.

Alexandra District Energy Utility Phase 3 Capital Project
(File Ref. No. 10-6600-10-02) (REDMS No. 4402488)

It was moved and seconded

That $8.0 million from unspent utility capital projects, previously approved by Council, be utilized to fund design, construction and commissioning expenditures related to the expansion of Alexandra District Energy Utility Phase 3.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Taxi Fares Originating from the Vancouver International Airport

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that the Passenger Transportation Board has approved an application by taxi companies that provide services from the airport to change from a metered service rate to a zone service rate on trips originating from the airport and terminating in Richmond or Vancouver.  Mr. Wei listed several trip flat rates, noting that in most cases, the new flat rate for trips to Richmond is more economical than the metered rate.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Wei advised that since the implementation of the zone service rate, staff have not received any complaints from users.

(ii)

Pedestrian Zone Signs at Elementary Schools

Mr. Wei provided background information with regard to pedestrian zone signs at elementary schools, and noted that staff are in the process of installing signs at Maple Lane and Anderson elementary schools.  He then stated that a speed study will be conducted in the summer to evaluate the effectiveness of the signs, and should the signs prove to be effective, it is anticipated that such signs be installed at all Richmond elementary schools.

In reply to a query from the Chair, Mr. Wei advised that staff evaluate the effectiveness of the signs by collecting traffic data such as speed before and after the installation of the signs, and by feedback provided by school principals.

(iii)

River Road Realignment

Mr. Wei spoke of the River Road realignment, noting that there are still quite a few complaints regarding excessive delays from the southbound approach.  As a result, a left-turn arrow for southbound traffic wishing to turn on Gilbert Road was recently installed; staff anticipate that this new measure will clear traffic more efficiently.  Also, he stated that staff will continue to observe traffic flow in this area and will update Council on any new measures.

(iv)

Creosote Rail Ties

The Chair referenced correspondence regarding the disposition of creosote covered rail ties from Vancouver in Richmond (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), noting that the City’s enforcement powers are limited on federal lands. 

In reply to a query from the Chair, Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, advised that infractions such as this one is listed publicly; however, staff are still investigating the situation.

The Chair requested that once staff have concluded their investigation, Council consider publicising the matter.  As a result, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the disposition of creosote covered rail ties in Richmond be referred to staff and to the Advisory Committee on the Environment and report back.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:25 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, November 19, 2014.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk