September 21, 2022 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Harold Steves (by teleconference)

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:35 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, 2022, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PLANING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Kittiwake Drive – Traffic Calming Update
(File Ref. No. 10-6450-09-01) (REDMS No. 6925519)

In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) numerous traffic calming devices are available for use in this location, (ii) an assessment of the effectiveness of the speed cushions will be undertaken following the six-month trial period to determine if it is a viable permanent solution, (iii) temporary traffic circles could be installed for a trial period at a higher cost, (iv) additional speed cushions have been procured for use in other locations that have speeding issues if the trial proves successful, (v) the installation of flashing pedestrian crossing signals are prioritized at locations throughout the City, (vi) a small solar powered pedestrian crossing signal could be installed at the intersection if directed to do so by Council, and (vii) the design of the speed cushions allow emergency vehicles to pass without reducing their speed.

It was moved and seconded

That Option 3 to implement a pilot project for the temporary installation of two speed cushions on Kittiwake Drive for a trial period of six months, as described in the staff report titled “Kittiwake Drive – Traffic Calming Update”, dated September 6, 2022, from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed.

CARRIED

2.

Removal of Channelized Right-Turn Islands to Improve Road Safety
(File Ref. No. 10-6460-01) (REDMS No. 6942248)

In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) the criteria used to identify the intersections requiring further study, and (ii) the timeframe for future studies to be undertaken is one to two years.

It was moved and seconded

That the City request the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Vancouver Airport Authority review channelized right-turn island locations in Richmond that are within their jurisdictions to improve road safety at these intersections.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

Award of Contract: 8058P – Garbage and Cardboard Containers and Collection Services at City Facilities
(File Ref. No. 10-6370-01) (REDMS No. 6936833)

In reply to a query from the Committee, staff advised that the contractor has confirmed that it is a living wage employer.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Contract 8058P – Garbage and Cardboard Containers and Collection Services at City Facilities be awarded for a three-year term, commencing November 1, 2022 to Super Save Group of Companies at an estimated total contract value of $383,672.74, as described in the report titled “Award of Contract: 8058P – Garbage and Cardboard Containers and Collection Services at City Facilities”, dated August 11, 2022, from the Director, Public Works Operations; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to extend the initial three-year term, up to the maximum total term of five years, for the maximum total amount of $665,714.80, as described in the report titled “Award of Contract: 8058P – Garbage and Cardboard Containers and Collection Services at City Facilities”, dated August 11, 2022, from the Director, Public Works Operations.

CARRIED

4.

Fraser River Freshet and Flood Protection Update  2022
(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 6916829)

In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) the temporary Horseshoe Slough drainage pump station will be installed at Steveston Highway and Shell Road, (ii) the majority of drainage pump stations are equipped with fueled back-up generators that can be deployed in the event of an emergency, (iii) staff proactively inspects and promptly rectifies issues with the dikes throughout the City, (iv) there has not been direct communication with businesses about the planned flood protection upgrades, (v) there is no process to enable businesses to be involved in expediting the installation of a drainage pump station, and (vi) the service plan process can be utilized by businesses and residents who wish to contribute to the cost of installing drainage pump stations.

Discussion ensued regarding the suggestion to seek grant funding for flood protection from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Fraser River Freshet and Flood Protection Update 2022”, dated August 10, 2022, from the Director, Engineering be received for information.

CARRIED

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff be requested to provide a copy of the report to the Metro Vancouver Flood Committee.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Transportation

Staff reported (i) the traffic signal at the intersection of No. 1 Road and Francis Road has been upgraded with an eastbound left turn arrow to improve traffic safety at the intersection, and (ii) a pop-up engagement event will be held at City Centre to gather data for the design of the Capstan Station integration strategy.

In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) information will be provided on the estimated duration of the closure of the north westbound lane of the Cambie Overpass, and (ii) the LED lights on Graybar Road may have failed, which may be the cause of the blue colouring of the lights.

COUNCILLOR MICHAEL WOLFE

6.

Safety measures for heavy trucks
(File Ref. No.)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City of Richmond owned and contracted heavy trucks are mandated to have side guards;

(2)

That we encourage the installation of additional blind spot side mirrors and the use of back up cameras;

(3)

That we review bike lanes in terms of turning conflicts and mitigate to reduce risk to vulnerable road users;

(4)

That we advocate with regional, provincial and federal authorities to create consistent framework for truck operators; and

(5)

That we advocate to ICBC and truck-driving associations to deliver increased driver education to better inform of the responsibilities regarding vulnerable road users.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued.

In reply to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) investigations into the cost, engineering and operational impacts of installing side-guards on City-owned and contracted heavy trucks to enhance safety are underway, and (ii) a report on the feasibility of installing side guards can be provided to the Committee in the first quarter of 2023.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the need to install side-guards on City fleet vehicles to prevent a fatality, similar to that which occurred in Vancouver in July 2022, and (ii) suggestion to request the RCMP raise the issue with the BC Traffic Safety Committee of the BC Chiefs of Police.

Jesse Li expressed concern with the safety of cycling on Richmond streets and recommended that the City’s actions align with the City of Vancouver’s requirement for side guards to be installed on heavy trucks.

Donna Kwan provided information from a report that concludes that the number of fatalities and serious injuries among pedestrians and cyclist could be reduced in certain types of collisions with the installation of well-designed side guards on all trucks.

As a result of the discussion, the following amendment was introduced.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Item 1 be amended to “That staff investigate and report back on the implications of the City of Richmond owned and contracted heavy trucks to be mandated to have side guards”; and

(2)

That Item 6 be added as follows “That staff report back on any immediate actions that can be taken to improve cyclist safety”.

CARRIED

The question on the main motion, as amended to a referral motion which reads as follows, was then called:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff investigate and report back on the implications of the City of Richmond owned and contracted heavy trucks to be mandated to have side guards;

(2)

That we encourage the installation of additional blind spot side mirrors and the use of back up cameras;

(3)

That we review bike lanes in terms of turning conflicts and mitigate to reduce risk to vulnerable road users;

(4)

That we advocate with regional, provincial and federal authorities to create consistent framework for truck operators;

(5)

That we advocate to ICBC and truck-driving associations to deliver increased driver education to better inform of the responsibilities regarding vulnerable road users; and

(6)

That staff report back on any immediate actions that can be taken to improve cyclist safety.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:45 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 21, 2022.

_________________________________

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Carol Lee
Recording Secretary