November 23, 2022 - Minutes


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City of Richmond Meeting Minutes

 

Public Works and Transportation Committee

 

 

Date:

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Carol Day, Chair
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Alexa Loo

Also Present:

Councillor Laura Gillanders (by teleconference)

Councillor Andy Hobbs

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 October 19, 2022, be adopted as circulated.

 

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

AGENDA ADDITION

 

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

(1)

That “Traffic Pattern Changes for River Road, Cedarbridge Way to Hollybridge Way” be added to the agenda as Item No. 6A; and

 

 

(2)

That “Additional Welcome Signs to the City of Richmond” be added to the agenda as Item No. 6B.

 

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

 

 

1.

APPLICATION TO 2022/23 BC ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM

(File Ref. No. 10-6500-01/2022-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 7018776 v. 6)

 

 

Staff outlined the requirements for the grant funding eligibility, noting the project be active transportation related, secured and constructed within a specific window, and that maintenance related for existing infrastructure is not permitted funding.

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

(1)

That the submission for cost-sharing to the 2022/23 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program as described in the staff report titled “Application to 2022/23 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program” dated October 31, 2022, from the Director, Transportation be endorsed;

 

 

(2)

That, should the above application be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Planning and Development, be authorized on behalf of the City to execute the funding agreement; and

 

 

(3)

That the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2023-2027) be amended accordingly.

 

 

CARRIED

 

 

2.

TRANSLINK 2023 COST-SHARE FUNDING APPLICATIONS – TRANSPORTATION CAPITAL PROJECTS

(File Ref. No. 10-6460-01/2022-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 6999951 v. 18)

 

 

In response to queries from the Committee, staff reported that a few of the projects are at the conceptual design phase, and that the scope of the work predominantly includes removing channelized right turns to improve road safety for cyclists and motorists.

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

That as described in the report titled “TransLink 2023 Cost-Share Funding Applications” dated October 24, 2022 from the Director, Transportation:

 

 

 

(a)

the submission of road, pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects as part of the TransLink 2023 cost-share programs be endorsed and the information be considered in the 2023 Capital Budget process; and

 

 

 

(b)

the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to execute the successful funding agreements.

 

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

 

 

3.

TRANSLINK 2023 COST-SHARE FUNDING APPLICATIONS – TRANSPORTATION CAPITAL PROJECTS

(File Ref. No. 02-0775-50-8074/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 6990176 v.3)

 

 

In response to queries from the Committee, staff reported West Coast Elevator Services Ltd. advised they are a living wage employer.

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

(1)

That Contract 8074Q – On-Call Elevator Contractor be awarded to West Coast Elevator Services Ltd., in the amount of $408,000.00 for a three-year term as described in the report titled “Award of Contract 8074Q – On-Call Elevator Contractor”, dated October 19, 2022, from the Director, Facilities and Project Development;

 

 

(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 $701,000.00 as described in the report titled “Award of Contract 8074Q – On-Call Elevator Contractor”, dated October 19, 2022, from the Director, Facilities and Project Development; and

 

 

(3)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to execute the contract and all related documentation with West Coast Elevator Services Ltd.

 

 

CARRIED

 

 

4.

AWARD OF CONTRACT 8077P – ON-CALL HVAC SERVICE PROVIDER

(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01/2022-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 6975490 v. 3A)

 

 

In response to queries from the Committee, staff reported (i) the Award of Contract is for maintenance and repairs for all City facilities (ii) contractors may also be used for some minor projects, (iii) the contractors advised they are paying a living wage, (iv) the RFP proposal stated the work would be shared between the contractors, which was fully understood and there were no concerns expressed by the contractors with respect to the percentage of work shared, and (v) as the City has many facilities and HVAC assets, the benefit of having external contractors provide HVAC service is that they stay updated with the latest technologies, parts, standards and protocols, to provide best quality maintenance operations for all HVAC equipment.

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

(1)

That Contract 8077P – On-Call HVAC Service Provider be awarded to three contractors, for an aggregate contract value of $3,750,00.00 for a three-year term, to Entity Mechanical Ltd., Airon Heating and Air Conditioning Ltd. and Kern BSG Management Ltd. (formally Pacific Mechanical Ltd.) as described in the report titled “Award of Contract 8077P – On-Call HVAC Service Provider”, dated October 6, 2022, from the Director, Facilities and Project Development;

 

 

(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 $6,250,000.00, as described in the report titled “Award of Contract 8077P – On-Call HVAC Service Provider”, dated October 6, 2022, from the Director, Facilities and Project Development; and

 

 

(3)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to execute the contracts and all related documentation with Entity Mechanical Ltd., Airon Heating and Air Conditioning Ltd. and Kern BSG Management Ltd.

 

 

CARRIED

 

 

5.

OPTIONS FOR SNOW REMOVAL FROM PRIORITY PEDESTRIAN CORRIDORS — REFERRAL RESPONSE

(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01/2022-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 6905146 v. 12)

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

That, as outlined in the staff report titled “Options for Snow Removal from Priority Pedestrian Corridors — Referral Response”, dated October 20, 2022, from the Director, Public Works Operations:

 

 

(a)

The operational response practices relating to bus stops, wheelchair let downs and City facilities be endorsed; and.

 

 

(b)

Staff conduct pilot initiatives during the 2022/2023 winter season to undertake snow clearing from non-delineated bike routes and five kilometres of multi-use pathways along Railway Avenue and Alderbridge Way within 72 hours after the snowfall has ended for each snow event.

 

 

Discussion ensued with respect to the 2022/2023 snow removal pilot initiatives, locations and the challenges in clearing and maintaining sidewalks and pathways.  Staff noted that the City’s Traffic Bylaw (Bylaw 5870) is currently being reviewed to strengthen and address some of the concerns raised.

 

 

As a result of the discussion, the following amendment motion, to add item (c), was introduced:

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

That the prioritized walk friendly snow removal routes, for $502,800 as summarized in Attachment 1, be added to provide proper snow removal in City Centre, Steveston Village, Ironwood and the other locations identified in the report.

 

 

The question on the amendment motion was not called as further discussion ensued with respect to (i) restricted pedestrian mobility during a snowfall event, (ii) the responsibilities of property owners under Bylaw 5870, (iii) equipment funding requirements, and (iv) implementation, noting the additional snow and ice response could not be in place for the current season.

 

 

The question on the amendment motion was then called, and it was DEFEATED with Cllrs. Day, Heed and Wolfe opposed.

 

 

It was then requested that staff provide a memorandum on other available multi-use vehicles that could also provide snow removal, and why the Kubota was chosen.

 

 

The question on the main motion was then called and CARRIED.

 

 

6.

UPDATE ON 2022/2023 SNOW AND ICE RESPONSE PREPARATIONS

(File Ref. No. 10-6000-00/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 6994877 v. 2)

 

 

A brief discussion ensued with respect to the vehicles listed in the report.  Staff noted that none of the vehicles are electric vehicles and that the Ford F150 Lightening vehicles on order will not be suitable for brine tanks and snow plows.

 

 

It was requested that staff provide all members of Council with the online link to the sensors located at key intersections and the traffic cameras link, to share with the public.

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

That the staff report titled “Update on 2022/2023 Snow and Ice Response Preparations”, dated October 20, 2022, from the Director, Public Works Operations, be received for information.

 

 

CARRIED

 

 

6A.

TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES FOR RIVER ROAD, CEDARBRIDGE WAY TO HOLLYBRIDGE WAY

(File Ref. No. Councillor Heed)

 

 

Councillor Heed questioned the need for the dedicated right hand lanes while driving east on River Road, approaching Hollybridge Way, Gilbert Road through to Cedarbridge Way, noting the lanes are seldom utilized and causing significant congestion for the vehicles that are not turning.  Staff advised that as the area has developed, it would be a good time to undergo a traffic study to review alignment and lane utilization and report back to the Committee.

 

 

6B.

ADDITIONAL WELCOME SIGNS TO THE CITY OF RICHMOND

(File Ref. No. Councillor Heed)

 

 

Councillor Heed noted the existing welcome signs at particular entrances to Richmond and the need for similar signs elsewhere in the city, and requested that staff review and identify opportunities for additional signs to recognize and welcome entering Richmond, and report back to the Committee.

 

 

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

 

 

(i)

Transportation Update

 

 

§   

The Highway 99 tunnel program, transit only connection from Bridgeport Road to Highway 99, opened to buses on November 7, 2022.

 

 

§   

A new traffic signal was activated at the 8100 block of Cooke Road and City centre, mid block on Cooke Road and CityCentre, between No. 3 Road and Buswell Streets (Keltic development site access).

 

 

 

(ii)

Transportation Update

 

 

§   

The Highway 99 tunnel program, transit only connection from Bridgeport Road to Highway 99, opened to buses on November 7, 2022.

 

 

§   

A new traffic signal was activated at the 8100 block of Cooke Road and City centre, mid block on Cooke Road and CityCentre, between No. 3 Road and Buswell Streets (Keltic development site access).

 

 

(ii)

Public Works Operations Update

 

 

Staff advised that Council will be receiving a memorandum as a result of the significant 2021 atmospheric river event, noting that a communication for residents, “Getting Ready for Rain”, was put together and that staff will be sending out a letter to those residents in areas that where it may not be built to current flood protection levels and may have experienced flooding in the prior year.  The communication will also include tips for some of the things residents can do to protect their properties, as well as highlight the work that the City has done.  Staff further noted that if there should be a significant event again, that in addition to the Works Yard, four additional locations have been identified where residents of low lying areas could get sandbags made up (i) Hugh Boyd soccer field parking lot, (ii) South Arm Community Centre parking lot, (iii) King George Park parking lot, and (iv) the Hamilton Community Centre parking lot.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

 

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

That the meeting adjourn (4:41 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 Wednesday, November 23, 2022.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate