September 19, 2018 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Alexa Loo

Absent:

Councillor Harold Steves

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 July 18, 2018, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

October 17, 2018, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That Other Flexible Plastic Packaging Initiative be added to the agenda as Item No. 4A.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

TransLink 2019 Capital Program Cost-Share Applications
(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 5915775 v. 4)

In reply to queries from Committee, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that the standard for safety at intersections for cyclists is a combination of special pavement markings and diversions to deter cyclists from speeding into the crosswalk. He noted that the ultimate standard is combination of various safety measures that will be gradually applied to all intersections. Mr. Wei then noted that the public will be made aware of these changes through an onsite presentation, through the City’s website and the City’s cycling page.  

In response to further queries from Committee, Mr. Wei advised that due to Council’s endorsement and staff’s efforts the City consistently secures funding for these projects.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission of pedestrian, bicycle and transit facility improvement projects for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2019 capital cost-share programs as described in the report titled, “TransLink 2019 Capital Program Cost-Share Applications” dated August 24, 2018 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed; and

(2)

That, should the above submissions be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to execute the funding agreements and the 2019 Capital Budget and the consolidated 5-Year Financial Plan (2019-2023) be updated accordingly.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

No. 7 Road South Drainage Pump Station Design Concept
(File Ref. No. 10-6050-01) (REDMS No. 5900126)

It was moved and seconded

That the design concept for the No. 7 Road South Drainage Pump Station, as detailed in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled “No. 7 Road South Drainage Pump Station Design Concept” and dated August 22, 2018, from the Acting Director, Engineering be endorsed.

CARRIED

3.

City of Richmond’s Response to the Canadian National Railway Company’s Development of a Five Year Pest Management Plan
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-00) (REDMS No. 5955939)

Discussion ensued with regard to engaging and strengthening communications with the Canadian National Railway Company with regard to their five year pest management plan. 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City’s feedback on the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) proposed Five Year Pest Management, outlined in the report titled “City of Richmond’s Response to the Canadian National Railway Company’s Development of a Five Year Pest Management Plan” from the Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy dated August 28, 2018, be endorsed and sent to CN as part of their 5 year Pest Management Plan; and

(2)

That staff report back in one year on the progress of Canadian National Railway Company’s pest management plan.

CARRIED

4.

Cultural Centre Equipment Renewal and GHG Emissions Reduction Project
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-05-01) (REDMS No. 5838860 v. 22)

In reply to queries from Committee, Levi Higgs, Corporate Energy Manager, noted that the original project plan consisted of minor capital projects; however the enhanced project plan allows for more comprehensive improvements with funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.  

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the equipment renewal and upgrade at the Cultural Centre, as described in the report title “Cultural Centre Equipment Renewal and GHG Emissions Reduction Project” from the Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy dated August 24, 2018 be endorsed;

(2)

That the funding of $500,000 from the Carbon Tax Provision and $170,000 from the Energy Operating Provision be approved for use to support the completion of the Cultural Centre equipment renewal project, and that the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2018-2022) Bylaw be amended accordingly; and

(3)

That if incentive funding applications to Fortis BC and/or BC Hydro are successful, the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2018-2022) Bylaw be amended accordingly and, if applicable, the corresponding internal City funding sources be returned to their source funds.

CARRIED

4A.

Other Flexible Plastic Packaging Initiative
(File Ref. No.)

The staff memorandum titled “City’s Recycling Depot to Begin Accepting Other Flexible Plastic Packaging Commencing September 1, 2018” dated August 27, 2018 was referenced (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office). Discussion took place and it was noted that the City’s recycling depot is accepting Other Flexible Plastic Packaging (OFPP) on a trial basis as a collector to Recycle BC and there may be an opportunity to involve Richmond students in this new initiative. 

In reply to queries from Committee, Suzanne Bycraft, Manager, Fleet and Environmental Programs, advised that the City currently partners with the Richmond School District on a number of environmental educational outreach initiatives and staff can examine adding the pilot program on OFPP.

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

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff work with the Richmond School District on an awareness-raising campaign regarding the Other Flexible Plastic Packaging initiative;

(2)

That a contest or prize incentive financial award of $2,500 be allocated as a component of the Other Flexible Plastic Packaging awareness-raising initiative; and

(3)

That an Other Flexible Plastic Packaging awareness-raising initiative be referred to the Council / School Board Liaison Committee;

and report back.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

2018 Project of the Year Award

Milton Chan, Manager, Engineering Design and Construction, highlighted that the City has won the 2018 Project of the Year Award from the Public Works Association of BC for the No. 2 Road North Drainage Pump Station.

(ii)

Public Works Ambassador Award

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, highlighted that Nicole Trotter has be awarded the Public Works Ambassador Award.

(iii)

Highway 91 S-Curve

Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, advised that in a previous staff report provided to Council there were some safety measures recommended for consideration by the Ministry of Transportation and feedback was provided. She then noted that when a final response is received from the Ministry of Transportation staff will report back to Council.  

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Chan advised that staff can speak with the Ministry of Transportation with regard to Emergency Vehicle access along the S-Curve and provide a staff memorandum with an update.

(iv)

City Centre Transportation Plan

Discussion took place on a proposed development in the City Centre and concerns were raised with regard to traffic congestion in the area and ways to improve traffic flow.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Wei advised that staff can update Council on the City Centre Transportation Plan. He noted that the anticipated increase in density in the City Centre has been accounted for in future transportation plans as part of the City Centre Area Plan and OCP and therefore, road widening of No. 3 Road or Minoru Boulevard for cars are neither necessary nor recommended. Mr. Wei then stated that other modes of transportation such as public transit, walking and cycling should be promoted in an effort to keep vehicles off the road. Also, Mr. Wei advised that in light of the existing Canada Line and a TransLink community shuttle bus already serving the area, an additional free shuttle bus within the City Centre is currently not feasible, however should a demand arise, staff can explore this further with TransLink.

Discussion further ensued and staff advised that an overall framework and an update of the City Centre Transportation Plan would be circulated to the new Council in November 2018.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff provide an update on the City Centre Transportation Plan and its progress to Council.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:40 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, September 19, 2018.

_________________________________

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Coordinator