April 18, 2018 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Harold Steves
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Carol Day

Absent:

Councillor Alexa Loo

Also Present:

Councillor Linda McPhail

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 March 21, 2018, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Thursday, May 24, 2018, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATION

1.

Henrik Laursen, 10340 Hogarth Place, spoke on hop on/hop off busses, a tram system in Steveston, and speeding along Steveston Highway and provided the following information:

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hop on/hop off busses would be an environmentally friendly way to transport people through Steveston Village and therefore the City should promote its use;

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hop on/hop off busses may encourage travellers with extended layovers to leave the airport and explore the City;

§   

if a hop on/hop off bus system were to be implemented it should connect to Brighouse Canada Line station to allow for easier commutes;

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Steveston Village would benefit from a tram or trolley system to run along major routes to transport people during peak seasons and events;

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a tram would aid in reducing parking issues in Steveston Village and reduce emissions from cars;

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a tram or hop on/hop off bus would benefit local businesses in the community; and

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the RCMP needs to regularly enforce speeding on Steveston Highway.

In reply to queries from Committee, Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, advised that a referral is currently underway regarding a feasibility study for a tram in Steveston Village.

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that staff have facilitated two hop on/hop off bus operators in Richmond, however due to low ridership, it was not sustainable. He then noted that the majority of traffic fines collected by the Richmond RCMP would come back to the City. Mr. Wei then noted that staff do not recommend increasing the posted speed limit on Steveston Highway as it may encourage drivers to go faster; however, the RCMP are consistently enforcing speed along that road. Also, he remarked that speed enforcement by camera is not legal in BC.

Discussion took place and it was suggested that speeding along Steveston Highway be addressed at the next Community Safety Committee meeting.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

Traffic Safety Advisory Committee – Proposed 2018 Initiatives
(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-TSAD1-01) (REDMS No. 5702321)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed 2018 initiatives for the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, as outlined in the staff report titled “Traffic Safety Advisory Committee - Proposed 2018 Initiatives” dated March 21, 2018 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

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

Integrated Rainwater Resource Management Strategy
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-03-01) (REDMS No. 5709139 v. 3)

In reply to queries from Committee, Lloyd Bie, Manager, Engineering Planning, provided the following information:

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the Urban Forestry Management Strategy addresses methods to prevent loss of tree canopies;

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green space is managed by the City for public properties;

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the use of rain barrels is not complicated and has proven successful;

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the Rain Barrel Program is advertised on the City’s website as well on utility bills; and

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rain barrels cost approximately $30 to purchase.

In reply to further queries from Committee, Mr. Bie advised that a major obstacle with launching the re-use of rainwater for toilet flushing is the BC Plumbing Code, and noted that other municipalities are facing the same challenges. Also, Mr. Bie advised that the amount of green space on private property is managed through the Planning and Development Division.

Discussion took place on the potential to present on the re-use of rainwater for toilet flushing at the next Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention to garner support, and in response, Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, advised that detailed information on the re-use of rainwater for toilet flushing may be of value to Council, and that staff can report back.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the “Integrated Rainwater Resource Management Strategy” as attached to the staff report titled “Integrated Rainwater Resource Management Strategy,” dated March 1, 2018 from the Director, Engineering be approved; and

(2)

That staff provide further information on the re-use of rainwater for toilet flushing and report back.

CARRIED

4.

Dike Master Plan - Phase 2 Report
(File Ref. No. 10-6045-09-01) (REDMS No. 5733629 v.2)

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Bie advised that funding for dike improvements will be collected through utility rates. He noted that, there is adequate funding in place to complete the project; however should the sea level rise earlier than anticipated, additional improvements will need to be implemented and therefore may affect costs.  Mr. Bie then noted that staff are part of several working groups and actively examining the potential for barrier islands at Sturgeon Banks. Also, he advised that staff can examine the potential to shut off the pump at the west dike to clean the water, and spoke of the citing of the dike, noting that the goal is to replace the dike without impacting farmland.  

Discussion took place on the City’s notification procedures in relation to works along the City’s diking system, and Mr. Gonzalez advised that despite the City’s best efforts to provide notice of such works, notice is not always given; however staff are actively improving their approach for notification by engaging and educating the public on activities taking place around the city.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the existing dike alignment in the Dike Master Plan Phase 2 study area (West Dike from Williams Road to Terra Nova and North Dike from Terra Nova to No. 6 Road) continue to be the primary flood protection dike alignment; and

(2)

That the work plan identified in the staff report titled Dike Master Plan – Phase 2 Report from the Director of Engineering, dated March 21, 2018, be endorsed.

CARRIED

5.

Brazilian Elodea Management Update: Mariner's Village (11291 - 11491 7th Ave)
(File Ref. No. 10-6160-07-07) (REDMS No. 5777004 v.2)

Chad Paulin, Manager, Environment, advised that, should the program require additional funding after the three-year period, staff will apply to the Province for further funds.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Brazilian Elodea Management Update: Mariners Village (11291 – 11491 7^th Ave)” from Director, Engineering dated March 21, 2018 be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

Annual Report 2017:  Recycling and Solid Waste Management
(File Ref. No. 10-6370-01) (REDMS No. 5773340 v.3)

In reply to queries from Committee, Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet and Environmental Programs, advised that participation in the recycling and solid waste management program is low in multi-family residences; however staff are continually providing different programs to promote recycling

It was moved and seconded

That the annual report titled, “Report 2017: Recycling and Solid Waste Management – Improving Recycling Quality” be endorsed and Attachment 1 be made available to the community through the City’s website and through various communication tools including social media channels and as part of community outreach initiatives.

CARRIED

7.

2018 National Public Works Week
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 5782043)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “2018 National Public Works Week”, dated April 18, 2018 from the Director, Public Works Operations, be received for information.

CARRIED

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

2018 Capital Projects Open House

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, highlighted that the 2018 Capital Projects Open House is currently underway in the Atrium at City Hall.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:36 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, April 18, 2018.

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Sarah Kurian
Legislative Services Coordinator