November 21, 2018 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Kelly Greene
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Michael Wolfe

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 October 17, 2018, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

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

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That Zero Waste Conference be added to the agenda as Item No. 5A and that Left Hand Turn Lanes on No. 5 Road and Cambie Road as Item No. 5B.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

Update on 2018/2019 Snow and Ice Response Preparations   
(File Ref. No. 10-6360-13) (REDMS No. 5996535 v. 3)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the Snow Angel Program is promoted through the City’s website, social media and bulletin boards in recreation centres. Also, staff noted that volunteers 14 years of age or older may participate in the Snow Angel program. Furthermore, staff commented on snow clearing bylaws, noting that residents with a disability can advise the Bylaws Department.

It was suggested that the Snow Angel program be referred to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) sharing road temperature information to other City departments, (ii) promoting the Snow Angel Program to seniors and students, and (iii) comparing the City’s snow clearing equipment with other municipalities in the region.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Update on 2018/2019 Snow and Ice Response Preparations”, dated October 10, 2018, from the Director, Public Works Operations, be received for information.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued with regard to the Snow Angel Program and Good Neighbour campaign.

As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to provide a memorandum to Council on an overview of the Snow Angel Program and the Good Neighbour campaign before the next Regular Council meeting.

2.

Non-Stormwater Discharge Process Improvements   
(File Ref. No. 10-6160-08) (REDMS No. 5999379 v. 6)

Discussion ensued with regard to procedures related to testing sites with potentially contaminated non-stormwater discharge and utilizing new technology to monitor these sites.

In reply to queries from Committee, Chad Paulin, Manager, Environment, noted that non-compliant discharge concerns are reported to the City through public complaints and that the number of complaints can vary depending on the season.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Pollution Prevention and Cleanup Bylaw No. 8475, Amendment Bylaw No. 9950, which introduces the new Non-Stormwater Discharge Permit, standards, and application fee, be introduced and given first, second, and third readings;  and

(2)

That the Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, Amendment Bylaw No. 9951, which quantifies the Non-stormwater Discharge application fee, be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

CARRIED

3.

Brazilian Elodea and Parrot’s Feather Management Update   
(File Ref. No. 10-6160-07-01) (REDMS No. 5989405 v. 7)

Discussion ensued with regard to promoting awareness of the spread of invasive plant species to residents and retailers and utilizing non-pesticide removal options.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Paulin noted that the City participates in programs that promote awareness of invasive plants such as Plant Wise.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Brazilian Elodea and Parrot’s Feather Management Update” from the Director, Engineering dated October 22, 2018 be received for information.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

4.

Update on the City Centre Transportation Plan   
(File Ref. No. 10-6500-01) (REDMS No. 6024535 v. 3)

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) improving pedestrian infrastructure and examining options for pedestrian-only areas, (ii) enhancing bicycle lane safety and updating the City Centre cycling plan, (iii) exploring alternative transportation options such as ferry service on the Fraser River, (iv) expanding bike share facilities, and (v) collaborating with cycling advocacy groups such as HUB.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that a future update of the City Centre Transportation Plan would coincide with an update of the City Centre Area Plan and would involve comprehensive community engagement.

Discussion ensued with regard to the achievements and challenges of the City Centre Transportation Plan and staff noted that a communication tool such as an information dashboard can be implemented on the City’s website to inform the public of key transportation statistics and data.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Update on the City Centre Transportation Plan” dated November 13, 2018 from the Director, Transportation, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

George Massey Tunnel – Update on Independent Technical Review   
(File Ref. No. 10-6350-05-08) (REDMS No. 6029512)

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) reviewing options to improve or replace the George Massey Tunnel and Richmond interchanges, (ii) submitting a request to the Province to maintain lights and paint in the George Massey Tunnel, and (iii) exploring short-term options to improve traffic such as express buses and restricting trucks during peak hours.

In reply to queries from Committee, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, noted that staff anticipate that the Province will provide a report reviewing Massey Tunnel replacement options by the end of the year.

It was suggested that staff prepare a memorandum to Council that lists the potential short-term improvement options to the George Massey Tunnel.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff be directed to report back upon the release of the Independent Technical Review of the George Massey Tunnel corridor with any further recommendations with a view to advancing the development and implementation of a mutually supportable solution to address congestion along the Highway 99 in a timely manner; and

(2)

That staff be directed to explore the current deficiencies related to lane markings and lighting in the George Massey Tunnel and forward those appropriate maintenance requests to the Ministry of Transportation for corrective action.

CARRIED

5A.

2018 Zero Waste Conference 
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued with regard to the 2018 Zero Waste Conference.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a report reviewing the 2018 Zero Waste Conference and report back with recommendations.

CARRIED

5B.

Left Hand Turn Lanes Along Cambie Road 
(File Ref. No.)

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate:

(1)

potential options to improve the left turn lanes in the intersections of No. 5 Road and Cambie Road and Cambie Road and Jacombs Road including cycling lanes; and

(2)

other intersections with high incident rates;

and report back.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

King Tide and Storm Season

Lloyd Bie, Manager, Engineering Planning, spoke on the upcoming King Tide and storm season that typically occurs from the end of November to the beginning of March. He noted that the dike system is sufficient to handle any potential storm surge and that Public Works staff are ready to respond to potential issues that may arise.

(ii)

WesPac Tilbury Marine Jetty Project

Peter Russell, Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy, noted that the BC Environmental Assessment Office did not accept the WesPac application. Staff will monitor the application and will continue to update Council on the matter.

(iii)

Victor Wei

It was noted that Mr. Wei will be retiring after 26 years with the City. Committee congratulated Mr. Wei on his upcoming retirement and commended him for his service to the City.

Derek Williams, on behalf of the Richmond Active Transportation Committee, congratulated Mr. Wei on his upcoming retirement and commended him for his service.

Mr. Wei announced that Lloyd Bie will be taking over his position as the Director of Transportation.

(iv)

Steveston Streetscape

Mr. Wei noted that a report on the Steveston Streetscape can be brought forward in the first quarter of 2019 following the completion of the Steveston Tram viability study.

(v)

Tracking of City Vehicles

Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, spoke on the GPS tracking of City Vehicles, noting that approximately 60 large vehicles are equipped with the GPS system and that staff can review whether the program can be expanded to accommodate other vehicles in the future. He added that City vehicles have a low accident rates and the City receives approximately three to five public complaints annually. Furthermore, he noted that the GPS systems aid in the reduction of idling and emissions.

In reply to queries from Committee regarding equipping other City vehicles with tracking systems, Mr. Gonzalez noted that staff can provide Council with information on labour regulations related to vehicle tracking.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:17 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, November 21, 2018.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator