September 18, 2019 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

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 (entered the meeting at 4:02 p.m.)
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 17, 2019, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That Diabetes Canada and York University National Textile Diversion Research and Pilot Program for the City of Richmond be added to the agenda as Item No. 3A, Parking at Bayview Street and 1^st Avenue be added to the agenda as Item No. 3B and Nelson Road and Blundell Road traffic light be added to the agenda as Item No. 3C.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

October 23, 2019, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Transport 2050 - Phase 1 Consultation
(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 6236611 v. 10)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that all options noted in the staff report are ideas being presented to TransLink for consideration as part of its phase 1 consultation for the development of Transport 2050.

Councillor Day entered the meeting (4:02 p.m.)

Materials were distributed (Copy on File, City Clerk’s Office) and discussion ensued with regard to outstanding referrals related to transit exchange at Steveston Community Park, rapid transit link to Steveston, rapid transit to Steveston and Ladner/White Rock via an LRT Tunnel at Massey tunnel, and urban centre and FTDA policy review background paper, and it was suggested that Committee consider the staff recommendation once staff report back on the referrals.  It was also suggested that the option for a rail-based transit along No. 1 Road be removed from the report.

In response to the discussion staff noted that the recommendation for a rail-based transit along No. 1 Road can be excluded from the report. Staff stated that the intent was to have rapid transit all the way to Steveston Village; however it’s a matter of designating a rail station.

Staff further noted that (i) should Committee refer this report back to staff, the opportunity for input will be missed, (ii) the outstanding referrals will take time before staff can report back as they are complex, and (iii) Council approved a certain type of density along Railway Avenue.

Discussion further took place on (i) changing the Brighouse Station name to Richmond City Centre Station, (ii) the potential for express buses at peak times, (iii) electrifying the bus fleet, and (iv) more washroom facilities at transit stops.

In reply to the discussion staff noted that many of those concerns are already in TransLinks plan and those that are not can be forwarded to them for their consideration.

Discussion then took place on the timing of the staff report and it was suggested for future consultations that Council be provided more time to consider the options and be more involved.

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) should Council wish to be more involved in consultations it can be arranged, (ii) an extension can be requested; however there is no guarantee it will be granted, (iii) the rest of the consultation will allow for opportunities for discussion and workshops, (iv) TransLink will review all suggestions and integrate them into one cohesive plan, (v) recommendations will be forwarded to the Mayors Council, and (vi) this is a high level exercise that will eventually form the 2050 plan.

Discussion ensued regarding removing reference to No. 1 Road from the staff report and as result of the discussion the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the attached report titled “Transport 2050 – Phase 1 Consultation” dated August 22, 2019 from the Director, Transportation be forwarded to TransLink for consideration as part of its Phase 1 consultation for the development of Transport 2050; and

(2)

That No. 1 Road be removed as an option for rapid transit as outlined in the staff report titled “Transport 2050 – Phase 1 Consultation” dated August 22, 2019 from the Director, Transportation.

CARRIED

2.

Amendment to Traffic Bylaw No. 5870 to Establish a Fee for Issuance of Permits related to Use of City Streets
(File Ref. No. 10-6450-19-01) (REDMS No. 6247261)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10076, to establish a fee for the issuance of permits to external agencies for the processing of traffic management plans and lane closure requests, be introduced and given first, second and third reading.

(2)

That Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, Amendment Bylaw No. 10079, which quantifies the fee for the issuance of various permits established in Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, be introduced and given first, second and third reading.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

Ageing Utility and Road Infrastructure Planning – 2019 Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 6203674)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) as part of the flood protection management strategy staff are exploring higher density along the waterfront to help fund dike management with no additional cost to the taxpayers, (ii) the long-term requirements looks at a 100-year horizon depending on the asset and their various life expectancies, (iii) annual funding is looking at replacement values and the expected life of the assets, (iv) currently the City’s drainage system allows for farmers to draw water from the ditches to irrigate their land; however to due high costs of infrastructure it is not currently available to all properties, and (v) this funding will be reviewed through the Utilities Rates process. 

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled, “Ageing Utility and Road Infrastructure Planning – 2019 Update”, dated August 16, 2019, from the Manager, Engineering Planning be utilized as input in the annual utility rate review and budget process.

CARRIED

3A.

diabetes Canada and York university national textile diversion research and pilot program for the city of richmond
(File Ref. No.)

Materials were distributed (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1) and discussion took place on ways to divert items from going into waste.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine the Diabetes Canada and York University National Textile Diversion Research and Pilot Program and report back.

CARRIED

3B.

parking at bayview Street and 1st avenue
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion took place on the parking lot at Bayview Street and 1^st Avenue noting that signage is not clear to inform individuals where the pay parking begins and ends.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine clarifying signage for the City parking lot on Bayview Street and 1^st Avenue and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion took place on moving the parking meter to the other side of the driveway and staff noted that the private property owner advised that the meter was moved due to the solar panel for the meter and additional signage was installed to inform individuals about the pay parking. It was suggested that the City install additional markings on the parking lot to avoid confusion.

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

3C.

Nelson Road and Blundell Road traffic light
(File Ref. No.)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that CN Rail has installed some of their infrastructure; however it is in a location that is different from the approved drawings and now conflict with the City’s signals. Staff then advised that they are in the process of a re-design which requires the approval of CN Rail and are looking to expedite the process. 

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Manager of Facility Services

Jim V. Young, Acting Director, Facilities, introduced Jeff Lee as the new Manager of Facility Services.

(ii)

Update on Speed Camera at Garden City Road and Cambie Road

Lloyd Bie, Director, Transportation, advised that the speed camera was estimated to be operational this summer; however, due to an overload of ICBC’s servers it has been delayed. He noted that it should be operational within the next 6 months.

(iii)

Granville Avenue Construction

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that Metro Vancouver has scheduled the completion of construction for 2020; however, no definitive date has been set.

(iv)

Bike Lane on Westminster Highway

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that to widen the road at the Railway line requires various approvals and that staff are working with CN Rail.

(v)

Bowen Island Smartphone App Pilot Program

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the program involves an app that helps people book a seat on the on-demand shuttles servicing the island and that staff will report back to Committee once the results have been compiled.

(vi)

Street Cleaning on Iona Drive

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that they will speak with YVR to determine who is responsible for that area on Iona Drive with regard to maintenance and resolve the issue.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:58 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 18, 2019.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Coordinator