March 20, 2019 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

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 February 21, 2019, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

April 17, 2019, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That Pedestrian Safety at Intersections be added to the Agenda as Item No. 1A.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

1A.

Julie Halfnights, City Centre resident, spoke to her recent experience as a pedestrian crossing intersections in the City Centre and cited concern with motorists for their lack of awareness of pedestrians.  Ms. Halfnights then commented on pedestrian safety practices in Hawaii whereby pedestrians utilize flags to alert drivers of their presence.

Discussion took place on densification in the City Centre and whether Richmond could benefit from different pedestrian crosswalk treatments.  Also, it was noted that this matter includes a community safety component and as such, the General Manager, Community Safety should be made aware of these happenings.  As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine pedestrian safety practices at intersections and report back.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR KELLY GREENE

1.

WARRANT STUDY FOR THE INTERSECTION AT CONSTABLE GATE AND STEVESTON HIGHWAY 
(File Ref. No.)

Councillor Greene cited concern with vehicular and pedestrian safety at Constable Gate and Steveston Highway and remarked that improvements at this intersections would be beneficial.

In reply to queries from Committee, Lloyd Bie, Director, Transportation, advised that this intersection was studied approximately two years ago and the figures collected indicate a low priority in comparison to data gathered for other intersections in the city.  Mr. Bie then stated that a second intersection study will likely not result in different findings and therefore he suggested that other solutions such as alternate access be examined in an effort to address safety concerns.  Also, Mr. Bie stated that a city-wide study on intersections will be carried out in the upcoming years as part of the Traffic Signal Master Plan.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff look at options for the intersection at Constable Gate and Steveston Highway to improve traffic and pedestrian flow coming off Constable Gate.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

TransLink Transit Network Review – Forthcoming Consultation 
(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 6125994 v. 3)

In reply to queries from Committee, Donna Chan, Manager, Transportation Planning, advised that (i) staff will liaise with TransLink staff to ensure that all affected stakeholders, including Crestwood business park, are consulted, (ii) the proposed change for Route 416 would result in an additional four-minute walk for commuters, however the Route’s frequency will be increased, (iii) staff will liaise with TransLink staff on proposed changes to Route 405 as they relate to service on Viking Way in an effort to ensure that employees in the area continue to be able to get to and from work.

Discussion took place on the proposed consultation and in response to Committee comments, Mr. Bie advised that staff will request that TransLink’s public consultation materials be provided in multiple languages.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That TransLink’s proposed transit network changes, as described in the attached report titled “TransLink Transit Network Review - Forthcoming Consultation” dated February 21, 2019 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed for the purpose of public consultation; and

(2)

That staff be directed to report back on the results of the public consultation and TransLink’s final decisions regarding the proposed service changes.

CARRIED

3.

TransLink 2019 Capital Cost-Share Program – Supplemental Applications 
(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 6125295 v. 3)

It was moved and seconded

That the submission of transit-related projects for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2019 capital cost-share programs as described in the report titled “TransLink 2019 Capital Cost-Share Program – Supplemental Applications” dated February 12, 2019 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed.

The question on the motion was not called as in reply to a query from Committee, Ms. Chan advised that staff would discuss the matter of timed stops for buses with TransLink in an effort to address sightline concerns at Seaward Gate and Steveston Highway.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

4.

Transit Circulation around Richmond-Brighouse Station 
File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 6112361 v. 4)

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Transit Circulation around Richmond-Brighouse Station” dated March 11, 2019 from the Director, Transportation be received for information.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

5.

Provincial Pesticide Use Permit Renewal Application 
(File Ref. No. 10-6160-07-01) (REDMS No. 6126419 v. 5; 6131932)

In reply to queries from Committee, Chad Paulin, Manager, Environment, provided the following information:

§   

the single cordgrass plant was removed by hand by Ducks Unlimited staff;

§   

if additional plants were found, an assessment would be carried out to determine the best removal option; and

§   

should the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development utilize herbicide to address invasive species, the City would be advised in advance and staff would work with the Ministry’s staff.

Discussion took place and it was noted the use of aquatic pesticides is more problematic than the use of other pesticides as such pesticides drift from the application site, which results in far reaching effects of the chemicals used.  As a result, it was noted that blanket pesticide applications by the Ministry be discouraged as best as possible.

It was moved and seconded

That the comments regarding a provincial Pesticide Use Permit application to manage invasive cordgrass outlined in the report titled “Provincial Pesticide Use Permit Renewal Application”, dated February 12, 2019 from the Director, Engineering, be endorsed for submission to the provincial Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

CARRIED

6.

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – CleanBC Communities Fund 
(File Ref. No. 10-6600-10-01) (REDMS No. 6123192 v. 6)

In reply to queries from Committee, Alen Postolka, Manager, District Energy, advised that (i) the CleanBC Communities Fund is in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of BC, (ii) the Oval Village District Energy Utility sewer heat recovery implementation was selected for submission as staff believe this project will be able to meet the timeline for deliverables, (iii) should the City’s grant application be unsuccessful, there would be no financial impact as this project is existing and financially planned for, and (iv) the City currently does not generate electric utility, however other utility technologies are regularly reviewed.

Discussion took place on advising local Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative assembly on the proposed submission.  As a result, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - British Columbia - Green Infrastructure - Climate Change Mitigation - CleanBC Communities Fund requesting funding of up to $6.2 million for the Oval Village DEU Sewer Heat Recovery Implementation project, as outlined in the report titled “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - CleanBC Communities Fund” dated February 20, 2019, from the Director, Engineering, be endorsed;

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to enter into funding agreements with the government for the aforementioned project should it be approved for funding, as outlined in the report titled “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - CleanBC Communities Fund” dated February 20, 2019, from the Director, Engineering;

(3)

That, upon receipt of the funding for the aforementioned project, the City transfer the full funding amount to Lulu Island Energy Company Ltd., which is wholly owned by the City of Richmond, to deliver the aforementioned project as directed by Lulu Island Energy Company Ltd. Board of Directors; and

(4)

That the submission to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - British Columbia - Green Infrastructure - Climate Change Mitigation - CleanBC Communities Fund be copied to Richmond MPs and MLAs.

CARRIED

7.

2019 Clothes Washer Rebate Program 
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 6120486 v. 4)

In reply to queries from Committee, John Irving, Director, Engineering, commented on other conservation measures funded through the Toilet and Clothes Washer Rebate program budget, noting that any unspent funds are returned annually.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City of Richmond partner with BC Hydro to the end of 2019 to offer a combined rebate of $100 for both spring and fall campaigns, equally cost shared between BC Hydro and the City, for the replacement of inefficient clothes washers with new high efficiency clothes washers; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be authorized to execute an agreement with BC Hydro to implement the Clothes Washer Rebate Program.

CARRIED

8.

Dike Master Plan – Phases 3 and 5 Report 
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 6121273 v. 6)

In response to questions from Committee, Eric Sparolin, Senior Project Engineer, and Mr. Irving provided the following information:

§   

the proposed dike design includes 0.6 freeboard to account for other factors like storms;

§   

the probability of a high water event with an earthquake is very low;

§   

managed retreat areas in the Hamilton area will be examined as part of future Capital works in the area;

§   

properties not within the City’s diking system have flood covenants;

§   

although the City’s perimeter dike was identified as a priority in 2008, staff continue to examine a mid-island dike on an opportunistic basis; and

§   

staff work closely with the City of New Westminster’s staff on diking infrastructure that interface between the two cities.

Discussion took place on the technical nature of the Dike Master Plan – Phases 3 and 5 report and staff was requested to provide a user-friendly summary of the City’s extensive diking efforts.

In reply to further queries from Committee, Mr. Paulin advised that Environmental Sustainability staff are working on a habitat banking program whereby a habitat compensation component would be included as part of Capital works; he remarked that a report on habitat banking is anticipated to be brought forward for Council consideration in late 2019.

Discussion ensued on work along the dike at the south end of Gilbert Road and Mr. Irving advised that staff would provide information regarding tree replacement and other environmental credits by way of memorandum.  Also, staff was requested to provide public notification by way of advertisement in the local newspaper regarding the works being carried out along the dike at the south end of Gilbert Road.

It was moved and seconded

That the “Dike Master Plan - Phase 3 Final Report” and “Dike Master Plan - Phase 5 Final Report” as attached in the staff report titled “Dike Master Plan – Phases 3 and 5 Report,” dated February 21, 2019 from the Director, Engineering, be endorsed for the purposes of capital project and development planning.

CARRIED

9.

Flood Protection Management Strategy 2019 – Public and Stakeholder Engagement 
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-04-01) (REDMS No. 6123036 v. 9)

It was moved and seconded

That the public and key stakeholders be engaged as identified in the staff report titled “Flood Protection Management Strategy 2019 – Public and Stakeholder Engagement” from the Director, Engineering, dated February 21, 2019.

CARRIED

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

South end of West Dike

Larry Ford, Manager, Roads and Construction Services, spoke of upcoming works on the south end of the West Dike, noting that multiple beaver burrows have been found and as a result, staff will be investigating to determine the extent of the damage.  Mr. Ford then remarked that the West Dike will remain open during staff’s examination of the dike.

(ii)

REaDY Summit

Mr. Paulin highlighted that the 2019 REaDY Summit will be held on April 8, 2019 from 8:45 am to 12:30 pm at Steveston-London Secondary School and that this year’s theme is Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Earth.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:06 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, March 20, 2019.

_________________________________

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Legislative Services Coordinator