July 22, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Harold Steves
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Alexa Loo
Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Absent:

Councillor Derek Dang

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

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 and Transportation Committee held on June 17, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

September 23, 2015, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Southwest Area Transport Plan – Structure and Process
(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 4573211 v. 2)

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, provided background information and in reply to queries from Committee commented on the value of having a member of Council participate in the Southwest Area Transport Plan Senior Advisory Committee.  Also, he advised that input regarding the Plan will be sought from stakeholders as well as the general public.

Discussion took place on selecting a member of Council to represent the City at the Southwest Area Transport Plan Senior Advisory Committee and it was noted that the Chair of the Public Works and Transportation Committee has traditionally filled this role.  As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That Councillor Chak Au be appointed to TransLink’s Southwest Area Transport Plan Senior Advisory Committee to provide input into the development of the Southwest Area Transport Plan.

CARRIED

2.

Update on George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project
(File Ref. No. 01-0150-20-THIG1) (REDMS No. 4595519 v. 3)

Mr. Wei commented on the relocation of the BC Hydro transmission line as part of the proposed decommissioning of the George Massey Tunnel (GMT).  He advised that although BC Hydro has indicated an overhead crossing as their preferred option, they have indicated that they remain committed to a public consultation anticipated for fall 2015, following which a final decision will be made on the relocation of the transmission line.

Discussion took place on a new configuration to the existing interchange at Steveston Highway and Highway 99, and Committee expressed concern with current fill activities at said interchange.  Mr. Wei advised that staff would follow up with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) regarding these activities.

An article titled “B.C. auditor general adds dozens of items to her to-do list” from the Vancouver Sun dated July 22, 2015 (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) was referenced and it was noted that Carol Bellringer, Auditor General for British Columbia, anticipates reviewing the need to replace the GMT; it was suggested that a letter be sent to her outlining the City’s concerns with respect to the project.

Discussion took place on the MoTI’s position on decommissioning the GMT, and it was noted that, at a luncheon earlier this month, Minister Todd Stone advised that a decision on the matter had not been made.  It was suggested that the letter to the Auditor General make reference to the aforementioned discussion.

Discussion then took place on transportation alternatives to alleviate traffic along the Highway 99 corridor and reference was made to past alternatives such as a new bridge to Vancouver across the Boundary Road right-of-way.  Also, suggestions regarding a light rail transit corridor adjacent to the GMT w discussed.

In reply to query from the Chair, Mr. Wei advised that if there are a number of other transportation related concerns Council wishes to pursue, a staff referral on the matter would be suitable.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Update on George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project” dated July 10, 2015 from the Director, Transportation, be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure’s George Massey Tunnel Replacement project team for consideration in the development of the Project Definition Report;

(2)

That a letter be sent to BC Hydro, advising that, should the George Massey Tunnel be decommissioned, the City’s preferred options for the relocation of the BC Hydro transmission line from the tunnel would be either an underground crossing of the Fraser River or attached to the new bridge; and

(3)

That a letter be sent to the Auditor General for British Columbia outlining Council’s concerns with respect to the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

Pilot Multifamily Condominium Energy Advisor Program
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-02) (REDMS No. 4600669 v. 4)

It was moved and seconded

That the development and implementation of a Pilot Multifamily Condominium Energy Advisor Program, as outlined in the staff report dated June 22, 2015, from the Director, Engineering, be endorsed.

CARRIED

4.

Ageing Infrastructure Planning – 2015 Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-04-01) (REDMS No. 4582509 v. 6)

In reply to a query from Committee, John Irving, Director, Engineering, spoke on infrastructure replacement funding levels, noting that the City’s strategy of gradual rate increases to close the indentified funding gaps has substantially addressed the issue.

It was moved and seconded

That staff utilize the attached “Ageing Infrastructure Planning – 2015 Update” report dated June 26, 2015 from the Director, Engineering as input in the annual utility rate review and capital program process.

CARRIED

5.

Ageing Facility Infrastructure – Update
(File Ref. No. 06-2050-01) (REDMS No. 4578048 v. 7)

It was moved and seconded

That staff utilize the attached “Ageing Facility Infrastructure – Update” report dated June 15, 2015 from the Director, Engineering, as input in the annual capital and operating budget preparation process.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Stage 3 Water Restrictions

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, spoke on the stage 3 water restrictions now in effect, and commented on interdepartmental efforts to manage the restrictions.  In reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Stewart advised that a low snow pack resulted in lower than usual water levels in reservoirs.

(ii)

Asia-Pacific Gateway Corridor Initiative

Mr. Wei provided background information regarding proposed road improvement projects as part of the Asia-Pacific Gateway Corridor Initiative and highlighted that the City’s submitted projects have been approved in principle.  He advised that a memorandum to Council with additional details is forthcoming.

(iii)

McArthurGlen Mall

In reply to a query from the Chair, Mr. Wei advised that since the opening weekend of the McArthurGlen Mall, staff have not received any traffic complaints.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:41 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.

_________________________________

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk