January 18, 2017 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Harold Steves, Vice-Chair
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Alexa Loo

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 November 23, 2016, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

February 22, 2017, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Traffic Safety Advisory Committee – Proposed 2017 Initiatives
(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-TSAD1-01) (REDMS No. 5222032)

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, in reply to questions on the Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) pilot project, provided the following information: (i) the pilot project will gather information from the City Centre area, (ii) when accommodating seniors, longer durations for walk timers and centre island refuge intersections are being considered, and (iii) if proven to be effective, infrared technologies being tested by neighbouring municipalities can be implemented.  Mr. Wei confirmed that the Project Swoop statistics will be made available.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed 2017 initiatives for the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, as outlined in the staff report titled “Traffic Safety Advisory Committee - Proposed 2017 Initiatives” dated November 22, 2016 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed; and

(2)

That a copy of the above staff report be forwarded to the Richmond Council-School Board Liaison Committee for information.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Active Transportation Committee – Proposed 2017 Initiatives
(File Ref. No. 01-0100-20-RCYC1) (REDMS No. 5227687 v. 2)

In response to queries, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, noted that the Cycling and Trails Map is being redesigned into a portable, pocket-sized form and that the electronic document will also be made available on the City’s website.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed 2017 initiatives of the Richmond Active Transportation Committee, as outlined in the staff report titled “Richmond Active Transportation Committee - Proposed 2017 Initiatives” dated December 15, 2016 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

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

Dike Master Plan - Phase 2
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 5178299 v. 3)

Lloyd Bie, Manager, Engineering Planning, responded to questions regarding potential situations which could be encountered by Richmond’s dikes.  Mr. Bie noted scientific predictions on crest heights are being monitored and that plans can be amended accordingly in response to these predictions.  Comments were made by the Committee regarding the use of agricultural soil on the barrier islands.

It was moved and seconded

That the public and key external stakeholders be consulted to provide feedback on the medium and long term dike improvements required for part of Richmond’s West Dike (between Williams Road and Terra Nova Rural Park) and part of the North Dike (between Terra Nova Rural Park to No. 6 Road) as identified in the staff report titled “Dike Master Plan – Phase 2” from the Director of Engineering, dated December 6, 2016.

CARRIED

4.

DCC Reserve Fund Expenditure (4000 May Drive) Bylaw No. 9643
(File Ref. No. 03-1000-08-030) (REDMS No. 5203346 v. 5)

The Committee concurred that the wording of the report did not clearly state the source and rationale of the funding for the project.  Lloyd Bie, Manager, Engineering Planning, stated that further clarification would be added to the report prior to approval by Council.

It was moved and seconded

That DCC Reserve Fund Expenditure (4000 May Drive) Bylaw No. 9643 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

5.

Water Shortage Response Plan – Proposed Changes
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 5268702 v. 3)

Discussion ensued on the watering hours for residents and the possibility of changing the permitted hours.  Robert Gonzalez, Deputy CAO and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, explained that keeping the watering hours standardized with Metro Vancouver would simplify enforcement.  Mr. Gonzalez also noted that convenience to residents was taken into account by Metro Vancouver when determining the permitted watering hours.

It was moved and seconded

That the comments on Metro Vancouver’s proposed changes to the Water Shortage Response Plan, as summarized in the staff report titled “Water Shortage Response Plan – Proposed Changes,” dated January 3, 2017, from the Director, Engineering be submitted to Metro Vancouver.

CARRIED

6.

T.5651 - 2016 Paving Program (Lafarge Canada Inc.) Contract Extension and Change Order for 2017 Paving Program
(File Ref. No. 10-6340-20-P.16207) (REDMS No. 5267595)

It was moved and seconded

That Contract T.5651 – 2016 Paving Program with Lafarge Canada Inc. be extended to include the 2017 Paving Program, and that a Change Order be issued to increase the value of this Contract by $2,700,000.

CARRIED

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Snow and Ice Responses and Ongoing Preparations

Ben Dias, Manager, Roads and Construction Services, briefed the Committee on the recent weather, noting that: (i) a total of 27 centimetres of snow fell in Richmond during the months of December to January, nearly double what was expected, (ii) a total of 2600 tonnes of salt was used during this period, and (iii) 500-800 tonnes of salt is what is what is usually budgeted.  Staff advised that Works Yard currently has 500 tonnes of salt on hand. 

Mr. Dias noted that the unfavorable conditions of snow, followed by freezing temperatures, resulted in a longer than normal duration of the snow.  In response to questions, Mr. Dias noted that the financial impact of the weather conditions will not cause an overall increase in the total roads and construction budget and that, although some residents did come to the Works Yard, the City of Richmond did not formally distribute salt.

(ii)

High Tide Storm Predictions

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, informed the Committee that at 10:09 a.m. there was prediction that high tides in the Britannia area could result in toppling; however, there was no reports of such occurrences.

(iii)

Annual Capital Projects Open House

John Irving, Director, Engineering, noted that the proposed date for the Annual Capital Projects Open House will be April 20, 2017.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:39 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, January 18, 2017.

_________________________________

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Shaun Divecha
Legislative Services Coordinator