September 21, 2021 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Harold Steeves (by teleconference)

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:13 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee held on July 20, 2021, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

October 19, 2021, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers

AGENDA ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Item 4: Applications to 2021/22 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program be removed from the agenda;

(2)

That Bike/Car Road Sharing Signage be added to the agenda as Item 6A, and;

(3)

That Alderbridge Way Multiuse Path Project be added to the agenda as Item 6B.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

1.

Marko Dekovic, Vice President Public Affairs, GCT Global Container Terminals, to present on the Deltaport Berth Four Expansion Project.

Mr. Dekovic led the review of a presentation titled “Deltaport Expansion Berth Four Project (DP4)” and highlighted:

·         The increase in container volumes is expected to continue;

·         The project proposal includes an addition of a fourth short sea shipping berth and a Tsawwassen First Nation’s marina;

·         Incremental capacity growth is economically and environmentally viable and is required to stay competitive with U.S. Ports;

·         Feedback is requested from City of Richmond;

·         Terminals are assessed a fee to support investments for road and rail traffic avenues;

·         Deltaport does not handle tanker traffic.

In reply to queries from the Committee, Mr. Dekovic advised (i) the presented information is a public report and can be shared, (ii) the Port is currently open 24 hours and night gates are operated to accommodate demand, (iii) statistics around truck movements can be provided, (iv) Fairview Terminal in Prince Rupert has seen larger growth than the Deltaport facility, (v) Prince Rupert is a gateway port, whereas Vancouver has a significant local market, (vi) the project is entering the environmental impact phase, (vii) a short sea shipping berth will provide options for customers, (viii) an incremental approach to development is economical and allows for flexibility, and (ix) costs may be adjusted after the impact assessment.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

recommendation to award contract 7181q - supply and installation of conduits and water service pipes using trenchless techology and other related civil works
(File Ref. No. 02-0775-50-7181) (REDMS No. 6713641)

In reply to a query from the Committee, staff advised the City does not possess the equipment to perform the proposed contract work.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Contract 7181Q – “Supply and Installation of Conduits and Water Service Pipes using Trenchless Technology and Other Related Civil Works” for an initial three year term estimated at $4,548,000 exclusive of taxes, with an option to renew for one further two-year term for a maximum of five years, be awarded to Ulmer Contracting Limited;

(2)

That staff be authorized to extend the contract for the final two years of the five year contract; and

(3)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development, be authorized to execute the above contract.

CARRIED

3.

e-scooter pilot project-recommendation to award contract for shared system
(File Ref. No. 02-0775-50-7204) (REDMS No. 6678187)

In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) staff attend meetings with TransLink and municipalities regarding community emission plans, (ii) e-bicycles are included in the pilot project, (iii) safety concerns have been mitigated by bylaw amendments, (iv) e-bicycles and e-scooters are identifiable and are equipped with geolocators to provide pertinent information in the event of an accident, and (v) staff will provide information regarding accountability in the event of accident or injury.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Public Works and Transportation Committee write a letter to the Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, requesting a review of the legislation that excludes people under the age of 18 from renting e-scooters and e-bicycles and having access to alternate forms of transportation within the City of Richmond.

CARRIED

Staff advised that (i) the minimum age of 18 to enter a rental agreement for an
e-scooter or e-bicycle is consistent across North America, and (ii) the establishment of a minimum age of 18 is a business decision made by the proponent.

4.

Applications to 2021/22 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program
(File Ref. No. 01-0150-20-THIG1) (REDMS No. 6711538)

Please see Page 1 for action on this item.

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

5.

Sanitary Sewer Repairs – 8000 Block Capstan Way
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 6676069)

It was moved and seconded

That funding of $800,000 from the Sanitary Sewer Reserve Fund for the sanitary sewer repairs in the 8000 Block of Capstan Way be approved and that the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2021-2025) be amended accordingly.

CARRIED

6.

Green Fleet Action Plan - 2020 Progress Report
(File Ref. No. 01-0340-03-01) (REDMS No. 6710838)

In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) electric equipment is purchased for use by parks but electric equipment is often unable to cope with commercial use, and (ii) hydrogen vehicles are limited by the lack of infrastructure, but improvements can be addressed through grant funding offered by the provincial and federal governments.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Green Fleet Action Plan-2020 Progress Report” dated August 19, 2021, from the Interim Director, Public Works Operations, be endorsed; and

(2)

That the City join the West Coast Electric Fleets Diamond Lane pledge, thereby allowing application for additional funding opportunities from the Province of British Columbia’s Go Electric Fleets program.

CARRIED

7a.

Bike/Car Road Sharing signage

Discussion ensued on (i) the inadequacy of signage for cyclists and drivers in construction areas when cyclists are required to utilize the roadways, (ii) the Province is considering safe passing distance regulations, and (iii) September 27 to October 10, 2021 is Fall Go By Bike Week.

In reply to a query from the Committee, staff reported they will work with the Transportation Department to seek improvements and options from the cyclist’s perspective and report back.

7b.

AlderbridGe Way multi-use pathway

Discussion ensued on the requirement to remove 40 trees to construct the Alderbridge Way Multi-Use Pathway.

In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) the project was approved by Council, and (ii) upgrades such as safety lights and retaining walls require the removal of trees.

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Applications to 2021/22 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program (Item 4)

Staff advised that the funding application for this item was unsuccessful as the program was oversubscribed. The City was invited to reapply next year.

(ii)

Storm, September 19, 2021

Staff advised that only ten service requests were received.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:23 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, September 21, 2021.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Debbie Reimer
Legislative Services Associate