May 18, 2021 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Alexa Loo (by teleconference)
Councillor Linda McPhail (by teleconference)
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)

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 April 20, 2021, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

June 22, 2021, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

The Chair noted that Item No. 5 – 2020 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program and Corporate Carbon Neutral Progress Report, was pulled from the agenda.

It was moved and seconded

That:

§   

Hamilton Traffic Calming be added to the agenda as item No. 6A;

§   

Light Fixtures on Roads be added to the agenda as item No. 6B;

§   

Road Improvements at Shell Road and Williams Road be added to the agenda as item No. 6C; and

§   

Garbage Pickup Around the City be added to the agenda as item No. 6D.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

CYCLING NETWORK PLAN UPDATE - PROPOSED PHASE 1 ENGAGEMENT
(File Ref. No. 02-0775-50-6708) (REDMS No. 6669210)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) images of new bike path designs can be provided, (ii) a survey will be made available to students in all grades, (iii) the survey captures changes in cycling trends during the pandemic, (iv) bike facility designs include various materials, and (v) the proposed public engagement activities will coincide with Bike Month in June.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed Phase 1 engagement activities to support the update of the Cycling Network Plan, as described in the report titled “Cycling Network Plan Update – Proposed Phase 1 Engagement,” dated April 1, 2021 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed for implementation; and

(2)

That staff be directed to report back on the results of the Phase 1 engagement.

CARRIED

2.

TRANSLINK 2021 COST-SHARE PROGRAMS - SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION
(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 6643926)

It was moved and seconded

That as described in the report titled “TransLink 2021 Cost-Share Programs – Supplemental Application” dated April 1, 2021 from the Director, Transportation:

(a)

the cycling-related project recommended for cost-sharing as part of the TransLink 2021 BICCS Recovery Program be endorsed;

(b)

should the above project receive final approval from TransLink, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to execute the funding agreements and the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) be updated accordingly; and

(c)

staff be directed to implement the project approved by TransLink and report back as part of the City’s proposed applications to TransLink’s 2022 Cost-Share Programs.

CARRIED

3.

SIDEWALK WIDTH STANDARDS FOR MAJOR AND MINOR ARTERIAL ROADS
(File Ref. No. 10-6360-03-01) (REDMS No. 6641372)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) various treatments, depending on site conditions are used when completing sidewalks, (ii) the City’s proposed recommendations are in range of other municipal requirements, (iii) the development industry will be informed of changes pending Council approval, and (iv) public consultation is not recommended.

It was moved and seconded

That staff be directed to update the City of Richmond's Engineering Design Specifications to increase the sidewalk width from 1.5m to 2.0m on arterial roadways, as described in the report titled "Sidewalk Width Standards for Major and Minor Arterial Roads" dated April 6, 2021 from the Director, Transportation.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

4.

MULTI-FAMILY WATER METER PROGRAM AND WATER CONSERVATION INITIATIVES UPDATE
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-02-01) (REDMS No. 6664046)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) statistics on leak detection is tracked and communicated to property owners in a timely manner, (ii) there is no trend in strata complexes that have not saved money, and (iii) there is no noticeable difference between strata complexes with pools versus without.

It was moved and seconded

That staff bring forward options and recommendations for a mandatory Multi-Family Water Meter Program for consideration as part of the 2022 Utility Budgets and Rates report.

CARRIED

5.

2020 CLIMATE ACTION REVENUE INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND CORPORATE CARBON NEUTRAL PROGRESS REPORT
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-00) (REDMS No. 6675703)

Please see page 1 for action on this item.

6A

Hamilton Traffic CALMING
(File Ref. No.)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that information on past traffic calming surveys conducted in the area can be provided.

6B

Light Fixtures on ROADS
(File Ref. No.)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) discussions are taking place with BC Hydro regarding options for less bright lights, (ii) back shades can be installed on lights to prevent light trespassing, (iii) the City follows standards set by the Illuminating Engineering Society and American Medical Association, (iv) generally lights on power poles are BC Hydro owned and aluminum lamp posts are City-owned, and (v) a memo will be provided to Council outlining more detailed lighting options.

6C

Road Improvements at Shell Road and Williams ROAD
(File Ref. No.)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the construction of traffic signals is expected to begin in summer 2021, with an expected completion date of March 2022.

6D

Garbage Pickup Around the City
(File Ref. No.)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) there has been an increase in park use and litter creation in the past year, (ii) the City has taken measures to adjust to the increased litter volume, and (iii) the City is adapting its service and standards to keep up with increase in park use due to the pandemic.

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Peak Freshet Season

Staff noted that (i) snow pack levels in the Fraser Basin as of May 1, 2021 were at 109% of normal for this time of year, (ii) current stream flows are normal, (iii) current peak flow forecast is 9000 cubic metres per second, and (iv) staff will continue to monitor and provide committee with a summary report at the end of the freshet season.

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that the City’s flood protection systems handled the May 17, 2021 heavy rainfall event well, with no known significant issues arising.

(ii)

Closure of George Massey Tunnel

Staff noted that the Province plans to close the George Massey Tunnel in both directions for two nights from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. on Friday, May 28, 2021, and Saturday, May 29, 2021 for scheduled maintenance. Staff advised that signage will be set up in advance to notify drivers of the closure.

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that the purpose of the closure is to test the tunnel’s fire suppression system and overhead lane control signals.

In response to further queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) there is no update on the George Massey Tunnel replacement project, and (ii) regular updates have not been provided by the Ministry of Transportation.

Discussion ensued with regard to an update on the status of the tunnel replacement project, and as a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff provide an update on the George Massey Tunnel replacement project at the June 22, 2021 Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting.

CARRIED

(iii)

Intersection Cameras Update

Staff highlighted that as of May 18, 2021, the City has activated all 110 traffic intersection cameras as part of the approved phase 1 and 2 of the Intersection Traffic Camera Program.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:46 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 Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Shannon Unrau
Legislative Services Associate