Public Works and Transportation Committee
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Date:
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Tuesday, October 19, 2021
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Place:
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Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall
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Present:
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Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Linda McPhail (by teleconference)
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)
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Also Present:
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Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Bill McNulty
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Call to Order:
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
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It was moved and seconded
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee held on September 21, 2021, be adopted as circulated.
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CARRIED
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NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE
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November 16, 2021, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers
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AGENDA ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
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It was moved and seconded
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(1)
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That Garden City Lands Update be added to the agenda in Item 7;
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(2)
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That Sani-Dump Facilities be added to the agenda in Item 7; and;
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(3)
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That Small Gas-Powered Engines be added to the agenda in Item 7.
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CARRIED
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1.
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Mr. van den Hemel, Director of Communications for KABU-Ride Inc, (KABU) noted (i) the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) completed its review of KABU and does not support cancelling KABU’s license, (ii) the August 31, 2021 letter informing of the PTB’s decision was provided to staff, (iii) KABU has lived up to its commitment to operate in a legal and ethical manner, (iv) KABU’s decision to unplug its app on September 16, 2019 resulted in illegal ride-hailing operators, who are not properly insured or licensed, providing more than 1,000 illegal trips daily in Richmond and the Lower Mainland, putting young international students at risk; (v) off-shore illegal ride-hailing operators do not contribute to the community or the economy, and (vi) suggestion that a communications campaign be undertaken to raise public awareness about the dangers of illegal ride-hailing platforms.
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In reply to queries from the Committee, Mr. van den Hemel advised (i) the City and school district can collaborate on an information campaign about the dangers of illegal ride-hailing companies and enforcement, (ii) prior to September 16, 2021, KABU provided approximately 3,000 rides daily in Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam, (iii) KABU is able to provide service to children five years of age or older, (iv) KABU requires criminal record checks and vehicle inspections and provides employees with training and commercial insurance, (v) international students are unable to use Uber or Lyft due to age restrictions, and (vi) barriers to the RCMP taking enforcement action against illegal ride-hailing operators providing service to international students.
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In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised that the PTB is responsible for enforcement actions and business license staff, along with the RCMP, continue to participate in joint operations.
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Discussion ensued with regard to (i) suggestion to involve the Ministry of Education in the information campaign, (ii) concern that international students are both users and operators for KABU, and (iii) suggestion to advise other school districts and private schools about the safety issue.
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As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:
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It was moved and seconded
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THAT the presentation from KABU-Ride Inc. be shared with the School Board Liaison Committee and the Community Safety Committee for further discussions.
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CARRIED
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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
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1.
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Cycling Network Plan Update – Proposed Phase 2 Engagement
(File Ref. No. 02-0775-50-6708) (REDMS No. 6737359)
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Staff led the review of a presentation titled, “Cycling Network Plan” and highlighted (i) Phase 1 engagement is complete and there was a high level of participation in the study, (ii) areas of need identified were safety, protection of cross ways, connectivity and a cycling tournament, (iii) projects identified in Phase 1 engagement will be prioritized through the Phase 2 engagement which will commence in November 2021, and (vi) the final report is expected in spring 2022.
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In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) any implementation of provincial government regulations, such as mandatory bicycle passing distances, will be included in Phase 3 of the project, (ii) signage for cyclists and vehicle road sharing is the responsibility of construction sites, (iii) data related to families are amalgamated into the general population data, (iv) the connectivity of Shell Road was identified as a potential project, and (v) education and training will be targeted in the next phase of the project.
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Discussion ensued with regard to (i) suggestion that Phase 2 engagement include discussion on signage improvements in construction areas where road sharing is required, and (ii) direct staff to forward a copy of the report to appropriate bodies and stakeholders.
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It was moved and seconded
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That the proposed Phase 2 engagement activities to support the update of the Cycling Network Plan, as described in the report titled “Cycling Network Plan Update - Proposed Phase 2 Engagement,” dated September 2, 2021 from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed for implementation.
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CARRIED
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It was moved and seconded
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(1)
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That Contract 7256P – “Traffic Signal System Maintenance, Upgrading and Installation” for an initial three-year term estimated at $6,878,728.86 excluding contingency and taxes, with an option to renew for one further two-year term for a maximum of five years, be awarded to Cobra Electric Services Limited. Staff request to award the contract for $6,878,728.86 and issue change orders up to an additional $687,873.00 excluding taxes, for a maximum value of$7,566,601.86 to Cobra Electric Services Limited;
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(2)
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That staff be authorized to extend the contract for the final two years of the five-year contract; and
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(3)
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That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development, be authorized to execute the above contract.
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CARRIED
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ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION
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3.
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Change Order Approval – Contract 6509P – Mattress and Upholstered Furniture Recycling Services
(File Ref. No. 10-6370-04-01) (REDMS No. 6702698)
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In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) factors that led to the increase in the number of items being dropped off at the recycling depot, (ii) revenue received from the large item pick up program is credited to the cost of the recycling depot, (iii) estimated cost savings of $50,000 are achieved by keeping items out of landfill, (v) factors that led to the selection of the successful proponent, and (vi) the vender provides a per unit cost for furniture and mattresses.
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It was moved and seconded
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(1)
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That staff be authorized to issue a change order to increase the value of the current contract between the City of Richmond and Canadian Mattress Recycling Inc. as detailed in the staff report titled “Change Order Approval – Contract 6509P – Mattress and Upholstered Furniture Recycling Services” dated September 9, 2021, from the Interim Director, Public Works Operation, by $1,270,815, bringing the new contract value to $2.3 million over the maximum available term of five years; and
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(2)
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That the Chief Administration Officer and the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to execute a contract amendment with Canadian Mattress Recycling Inc. to reflect the increase in predicted usage of services over the five-year term.
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CARRIED
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4.
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Pesticide Reduction and Invasive Species Management – 2021 Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6160-07-01) (REDMS No. 6742142)
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In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) the initiative has been presented to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) on several occasions and no provincial action has been taken, and (ii) eight priority species are identified in the action plan.
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Discussion ensued with regard to (i) suggestion to provide funding to collect additional data on invasive species, and (ii) a new position or budget item could address the invasive species concerns.
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As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:
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It was moved and seconded
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THAT staff be directed to include an additional staff resource for the Pesticide Reduction and Invasive Species Management Initiative in the upcoming budgetary process.
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CARRIED
Opposed: Cllrs. Loo
McPhail
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It was moved and seconded
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(1)
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That key achievements related to the City’s Enhancement Pesticide Management Program and Invasive Species Action Plan, as outlined in the staff report titled “Pesticide Reduction and Invasive Species Management – 2021 Update” dated September 22, 2021, from the Director of Sustainability and District Energy be received for information; and
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(2)
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That staff be directed to write letters to the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the provincial Ministry of Environment, requesting that a review of the existing policies that allow for the importation and sale of invasive species be conducted.
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CARRIED
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5.
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Grant Funded Flood Protection Program Update and 2021 Submissions to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 6749947)
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In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) environmental scans of the area would be required to determine habitat compensation and mitigation, (ii) opportunities to maintain the existing habitat to the furthest extent possible will be considered, regardless of whether federal funding is provided, and (iii) planned consultation with the Steveston Harbour Authority and other stakeholders.
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It was moved and seconded
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(1)
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That the submissions of the dike improvement and drainage pump station upgrade projects and the commitment to the funding over the project term to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), as outlined in the staff report titled “Grant Funded Flood Protection Program Update and 2021 Submissions to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund,” dated September 21, 2021 from the Director, Engineering be endorsed;
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(2)
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That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to negotiate, modify and execute the funding agreements with the Government of Canada for the above-mentioned projects should they be approved for funding.
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(3)
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That, should the above mentioned projects be approved for funding by the Government of Canada, the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2022-2026) be updated accordingly; and
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(4)
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That the construction of the No. 2 Road South Drainage Pump Station project be removed from the work scope of the 2016 Flood Protection Program capital project.
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CARRIED
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7.
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MANAGER’S REPORT
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(i)
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Garden City Lands Update
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In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised that the need to protect the area of stagnant moss in the Garden City Lands could be referred to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee.
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(ii)
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Sani-Dump Facilities
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In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised that consideration has been given to creating sani-dump facilities for recreational vehicles and it has been determined that it is not feasible.
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Discussion ensued with regard to the need to have sani-dump facilities in Richmond.
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As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:
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It was moved and seconded
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THAT staff be advised to report on three potential sani-dump sites for the committee to consider and report back.
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DEFEATED
Opposed: Cllrs. Au
Day
Loo
McPhail
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(iii)
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Small Gas-Powered Engines
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Discussion ensued on California’s ban of small gas-powered engines that will take effect in 2024.
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(iv)
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Rainfall Received
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Staff advised that the City of Richmond experienced a rainfall event which lasted for six hours on October 16, 2021. No significant issues were reported, and the drainage system performed well and water levels around Richmond remained low.
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(v)
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Traffic Calming on Fundy Drive
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The traffic calming project was substantially completed before school opened in September 2021 and positive feedback has been received from residents.
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It was moved and seconded
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That the meeting adjourn (5:27 p.m.).
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CARRIED
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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, October 19, 2021.
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_________________________________
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_________________________________
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Councillor Chak Au
Chair
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Debbie Reimer
Recording Secretary
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