June 22, 2021 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

It was moved and seconded

That:

§   

Blackberry Trimming Along City Pathways and Trails be added to the agenda as Item No. 10A; and

§   

Public Washroom Signage be added to the agenda as Item No. 10B.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee held on May 18, 2021, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

July 20, 2021, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

REPORT BACK ON TRAFFIC BYLAW NO. 5870 AMENDMENTS - ENGINE BRAKES AND CYCLIST CROSSWALK REGULATIONS
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-02-01) (REDMS No. 6668527)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) engine brake enforcement is done from a stationary set-up, and (ii) engine brake restriction signage has been installed.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Report Back on Traffic Bylaw No. 5870 Amendments - Engine Brakes and Cyclist Crosswalk Regulations” dated April 30, 2021, from the Director, Transportation, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Proposed E-Scooter Pilot Project
(File Ref. No. 02-0745-01) (REDMS No. 6161753)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) they are working with TransLink to establish an e-scooter policy, (ii) a maximum speed limit of 20 km/h has been used in other municipalities, (iii) the law requires helmet use for any e-scooter rider, (iv) e-scooters would only be allowed to operate if the pathway has been signed as a shared facility, (v) selected shared use pathways will be monitored for challenges, (vi) rules of the roadway will apply to all e-scooter riders, (vii) under new provincial regulations, the minimum age of 16 years old applies to anyone operating an e-scooter, (viii) the project launch is dependent on approval from the provincial government, and (ix) the item will be added to a provincial cabinet meeting with an anticipated meeting date of July.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the E-Scooter Pilot Project (the Project) as described in the staff report titled “Proposed E-Scooter Pilot Project” dated May 18, 2021 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed;

(2)

That should the Province of BC approve the Project and designate Richmond as a pilot community within the Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project Regulations, staff implement the Project;

(3)

That the following Amendment Bylaws to allow the use and enforcement of e-scooters in Richmond during the Project be introduced and given first, second and third reading:

(a)

Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10272,

(b)

Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation Bylaw No. 8771, Amendment Bylaw No. 10274,

(c)

Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 7321, Amendment Bylaw No. 10275; and

(d)

Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, Amendment Bylaw No. 10276.

CARRIED

3.

UPDATE ON GEORGE MASSEY CROSSING PROJECT
(File Ref. No. 10-6350-06-03) (REDMS No. 6682130)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the province issued a request for quotation on June 22, 2021, and anticipate issuing a request for proposal in the fall, (ii) their current understanding is that the old overpass will be demolished once the new one is operational, (iii) the configuration hasn’t been discussed in detail but will raise Committee concerns with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, (iv) The Gardens will not be affected, (v) the Bridgeport on-ramp will improve transit in the area and fits with the City’s transit oriented future planning, (vi) Committee will be provided with periodic updates, (vii) the project will not impact the intersection of Steveston Highway and Number 5 Road, and (viii) they are in regular communication with the project team.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Update on George Massey Crossing Project” dated June 7, 2021 from the Director, Transportation be received for information.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

4.

ANNUAL REPORT 2020: RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT – SAFE AND SEAMLESS SERVICE DELIVERY
(File Ref. No. 10-6370-01) (REDMS No. 6653817)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) sea bins are a new technology that the City is looking into, (ii) the complete disaster debris plan is a broad scale plan for managing debris in the event of a disaster,
(iii) volunteer numbers are lower than usual due to the pandemic,
(iv) current protocols do not allow for items to be taken from the recycling depot, (v) they will look into the possibility of adding signage to encourage the public to donate still-functioning appliances, and (vi) multi-family homes are a challenge due to garbage being collected by a private contractor and contamination levels in recycling being high.

It was moved and seconded

That the annual report titled, “Annual Report 2020: Recycling and Solid Waste Management – Safe and Seamless Service Delivery” dated June 7, 2021, from the Interim Director, Public Works Operations, be endorsed and be made available to the community on the City’s website and through various communication tools including social media channels and as part of community outreach initiatives.

CARRIED

5.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION - YOUTH OUTREACH INITIATIVE
(File Ref. No. 02-0780-01) (REDMS No. 6652879)

It was noted that it would be worthwhile to report back next year on the uptake, participation rates, and any feedback from users.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled ‘Electric Vehicle Adoption - Youth Outreach Initiative’, from the Interim Director, Public Works Operations, dated June 7, 2021, be received for information; and

(2)

That staff report back with an update on the program in 12 months.

CARRIED

6.

HELP CITIES LEAD INITIATIVE
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-02) (REDMS No. 6664795)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the key ask is for the province to provide a mechanism to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings, (ii) the strategy is to establish greenhouse gas emission intensity limits for new buildings, (iii) there are currently no direct incentives in place to build more efficiently, and (iv) having good momentum with local government support is a hopeful sign. 

It was moved and seconded

That, as described in the report titled ‘Help Cities Lead Initiative’ from the Director, Sustainability & District Energy, letters be sent to Metro Vancouver; the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy; the Ministry of Municipal Affairs; the Attorney General’s Office; the Ministry Responsible for Housing; the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation; and the Ministry of Finance, asking them to expand regulatory and program tools that local governments can adopt to facilitate greenhouse gas emission reductions.

CARRIED

7.

HABITAT ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIKE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
(File Ref. No. 10-6150-00) (REDMS No. 6397282)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) a provincial policy for habitat enhancement and a Department of Fisheries and Oceans Fisheries Act for enhancement was enacted for authorization to remove riparian trees,
(ii) a program will be established for the City to have the ability to accrue credits for future works, (iii) credits from a fish habitat bank are intended to replace the habitat that will be displaced, (iv) the level of funding would be a reliable City-funded source, (v) this will be included on the public stakeholder engagement program, (vi) staff are qualified to provide ongoing habitat enhancement support, and (vii) the Port of Vancouver operates a fish habitat bank.

It was moved and seconded

That, as described in the staff report titled ‘Habitat Enhancement Opportunities for Dike Improvement Projects’, dated May 19, 2021, from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy and Director, Engineering:

(a)

An agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to establish a Fish Habitat Bank be endorsed;

(b)

A public communication plan and stakeholder consultation program be developed; and

(c)

The impacts to service levels and the capacity of existing resources to absorb these activities be monitored and should there be a need for additional staffing resources, staff submit the request for consideration in the annual budget process.

CARRIED

8.

DIKE MASTER PLAN PHASE 4 – PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 6429884)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the consideration of the Northeast Bog Forest becoming a tidally influenced slough has not been reviewed, (ii) the Phase 4 video is new and will be circulated to Council,
(iii) specific details of the dike upgrades will be discussed as the project progresses, and (iv) dike upgrade projects present the opportunity to look into gaining environmental features and public amenities.

It was moved and seconded

That, as outlined in the staff report titled “Dike Master Plan Phase 4 – Public and Stakeholder Engagement”, dated May 20, 2021, from the Director, Engineering, the public and stakeholder engagement program be endorsed.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR ALEXA LOO

9.

SPECIALTY CROSSWALKS
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

Discussion ensued with regard to the request for specialty crosswalks, and as a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

That staff provide options for a policy for approving, funding, consultation, design, and installation of specialty crosswalks.

CARRIED

10A.

Blackberry Trimming Along City Pathways and Trails
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) vegetation is typically pruned to the property line, (ii) the Boulevard Maintenance bylaw indicates that property owners are responsible for keeping the boulevard free of brush, and (iii) if homeowners do not comply, City crews will facilitate cleanup and bill the property owner.

10B.

public washroom signage
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No.)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that signage on public washrooms is being adjusted to include more accessible access.

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Traffic Calming Measures on Shell Road South of Williams Road

Staff highlighted that the construction of two raised crosswalks and one new speed hump will begin this week in response to a petition received last year from residents in the neighbourhood. 

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) construction notices for the traffic signals were sent out the week of June 14, 2021,
(ii) the City is working with CN Rail to install railway gates and flashing lights, (iii) the project is expected to be completed by March 2022, and
(iv) the traffic signal construction will begin in Summer 2021.

(ii)

Traffic Intersection Cameras

Staff highlighted that (i) four new traffic intersection cameras were installed, bringing the total to 116, and (ii) this begins Phase 3 of the project, which is anticipated to proceed for multiple years in conjunction with the expansion of the fibre optic cable network.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:41 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, June 22, 2021.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Shannon Unrau
Legislative Services Associate