July 18, 2018 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Harold Steves
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Alexa Loo

Absent:

Councillor Derek Dang

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 June 20, 2018, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

September 19, 2018, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Public Bike Share Pilot Program - Recommendation to Award Contract
(File Ref. No. 02-0775-50-6286) (REDMS No. 5867201 v. 4)

In reply to queries from Committee, Sonali Hingorani, Transportation Engineer, advised that it is proposed that the Public Bike Share Pilot Program initially be launched on a small scale and gradually expand as demand increases; this will allow adjustments to the Program in an effort to address any issues that may arise. She noted that, as a theft prevention measure, a Smartphone must be utilized to unlock a bicycle, and 19 years of age is commonly set for public bike share programs; however the potential for parents or guardians to grant permission to children to use the bicycles can be examined.  

Raviv Litman, Operations Manager, U-bicycle, commented on the rationale for age minimums, noting there is liability comes to renting bicycles.

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, noted that although the issue of children not being able to rent bicycles has not been addressed currently, he advised that staff can work with the proponent on changes to the software. Mr. Wei noted that the Program is a pilot program and changes to ameliorate it can be accommodated.

In reply to further queries from Committee, Ms. Hingorani advised that most operations for a bike share pilot program start in the down season to test the program on a small scale and to allow for changes to be made to ensure a strong and safe program during the peak months.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City establish a service of a public bike share system as a pilot project;

(2)

That a contract up to 18 months in length with U-bicycle North America Inc. (U-bicycle), based on the terms as outlined in the staff report titled “Public Bike Share Pilot Program – Recommendation to Award Contract” dated June 28, 2018 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed;

(3)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development, be authorized to execute the above contract; and

(4)

That staff be directed to report back on the outcome of the pilot program following its completion.

CARRIED

2.

Proposed Amendment to the Official Community Plan – Removal of Highway 99 Interchange at Blundell Road and Extension of Blundell Road
(File Ref. No. 08-4050-08) (REDMS No. 5877251)

In reply to queries from Committee, Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, noted that external agencies as well as the Blundell Road Business Consortium were consulted with regard to the City’s decisions on removing the Highway 99-Blundell Road interchange and the extension of Blundell Road as it provided no benefit to the City. Ms. Chan then advised that the funds allotted for this project will remain in the City’s Roads Development Cost Charges Program.

In reply to further queries from Committee, Mr. Wei advised that as there is no physical road between No. 6 Road and Savage Road, and therefore it was not recommended to show a cycling route that would never have a road.  He noted that improvements to the Westminster Highway bike route and other bike routes in the area would accommodate for this change. Mr. Wei then remarked that notification of the Public Hearing will be provided as per the Local Government Act.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 9901, to remove reference to a new interchange at Highway 99 and Blundell Road and the extension of Blundell Road west of Savage Road, be introduced and given first, second and third readings;

(2)

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 9901, having been considered in accordance with Official Community Plan Bylaw Preparation Consultation Policy 5043 is hereby found not to require further consultation; and

(3)

That the City request the Port of Vancouver to undertake at its sole cost the timely implementation of proposed interim road improvements within the Fraser Richmond Port Lands to support continued growth in the area, as outlined in Table 1 of the report, regardless of the outcome of its application for cost-share funding to the Government of Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund

CARRIED
Opposed: Cllr. Loo

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

Sturgeon Banks Assessment and Enhancement Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6160-01) (REDMS No. 5885241 v. 2)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised (i) that the intention of the South Arm Jetty Tidal Marsh Project is to create a bank for habitat loss in other projects, (ii) an application has been submitted to the Province for land tenure, and once approved a stakeholder consultation will be carried out, and (iii) that through the dike master planning process, staff are examining how to implement seaburns along the dike.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Sturgeon Banks Assessment and Enhancement Update” dated June 21, 2018, from the Senior Manager, Sustainability & District Energy, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Fraser River Freshet and Flood Protection Update 2018
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 5863056)

Discussion took place on the information contained in the staff report, and it was noted that a hardcopy and electronic brochure would be valuable.   

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Fraser River Freshet and Flood Protection Update 2018” dated July 9, 2018 from the Acting Director, Engineering be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Riparian Response Strategy Phase One
(File Ref. No. 10-6160-08; 12-8060-20-009871/9882/9883/9884/9885/9881) (REDMS No. 5842647 v. 10; 5838315; 5842645; 5842646; 5843567; 5843328; 5842641)

In reply to queries from Committee regarding the West Dike, it was noted that staff are working to assess options for noxious weeds as there has been positive results managing the Brazilian Elodea issue. Also, staff commented that it is proposed that the Construction Environmental Management Plan requirement for single-family development sites with Riparian Management Areas be replaced with a permit review fee to streamline the process.  

In reply to a further query from Committee, staff spoke to the proposed timeline, noting that it allows for implementation and notification to homeowners and builders of the proposed changes.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 9871, which adds Riparian Management Area setbacks as adopted by Council in 2006, be introduced and given first reading;

(2)

That Watercourse Protection and Crossing Bylaw No. 8441, Amendment Bylaw No. 9882, which establishes a riparian review fee for the single family building permit process, and inspection and ticketing authority, be introduced and given first, second, and third readings;

(3)

That Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, Amendment Bylaw No. 9883, which quantifies the riparian permit review and inspection fees established in the Watercourse Protection and Crossing Bylaw No. 8441, be introduced and given first, second, and third readings;

(4)

That Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 7321, Amendment Bylaw No. 9884, which defines fines for non-compliance with the Watercourse Protection and Crossing Bylaw, be introduced and given first, second, and third readings;

(5)

That Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 9885, which defines fines for non-compliance with the Watercourse Protection and Crossing Bylaw, be introduced and given first, second, and third readings;

(6)

That Boulevard Maintenance Regulation Bylaw No.7174, Amendment Bylaw No. 9881, which amends content to authorize enhancement of a riparian management area, be introduced and given first, second, and third readings; and

(7)

That the 5 Year Financial Plan (2018-2022) be amended to include the costs for the new Environmental Coordinator position, which will be recovered through the collection of permit fees.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:29 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 18, 2018.

_________________________________

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Coordinator