December 21, 2022 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Carol Day, Chair
Councillor Michael Wolfe
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Alexa Loo

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Also Present:

Councillor Laura Gillanders

Councillor Andy Hobbs

Councillor Bill McNulty

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee held on November 23, 2022, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

January 25, 2023, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers

DELEGATION

A.

Les Kiss, Richmond Resident, read from his submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1), and expressed concern with the City Proposed Bike/Pedestrian Pathway for South Side of Steveston Highway.

Discussion took place on (i) alternate locations for the proposed bike path, (ii) concerns with Steveston Highway traffic and safety, and (iii) receiving input from the cycling community.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the delegation material be referred back to staff to further examine any projected pedestrian pathways or bike lanes being constructed on Steveston Highway and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as further discussion took place on (i) the geometry of the proposed bike path, (ii) slowing down traffic, and (iii) costs for alternate routes.

The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Loo opposed.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

CAPSTAN STATION – CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

(File Ref. No. 10-6500-01) (REDMS No. 7049567)

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Capstan Station – Construction Update” dated November 18, 2022 from the Director, Transportation be received for information.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

BC FLOOD STRATEGY INTENTIONS PAPER

(File Ref. No. 10-6060-01) (REDMS No. 7057991)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) safe flooding would be for other municipalities outside of the dike system, (ii) the fourth recommendation examines an established resource where the Province can help coordinate multiple organizations, and environmental permitting would be included, (iii) the centralised model will help with expediting permitting and approvals process, and (iv) the City of Richmond owns and maintains the dikes.

It was moved and seconded

That the following be endorsed as the City's position on regional flood protection management and be included in the City's comments to the Province on the BC Flood Strategy Intentions Paper:

(a)

That flood protection continue to be evaluated and managed at the local government level, currently through the Diking Authority model, with additional support from senior levels of government;

(b)

That dedicated funding for flood protection be established at the Provincial and Federal level, to be used by Diking Authorities, which include local governments, for flood management projects;

(c)

That the Province require Diking Authorities, which include local governments, to develop and maintain flood risk management plans and strategies for their respective areas so that regional objectives are met; and

(d)

That a co-ordinated and fully resourced process be established at the Provincial level to provide a single point of contact for Diking Authorities to seek Provincial and Federal approvals for flood protection projects.

CARRIED

3.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Crosswalk at Vanhorne Way and River Drive

Staff advised that the existing crosswalk at Vanhorne Way and River Drive was upgraded to a pedestrian activated special crosswalk to provide connectivity from the multi-use to the Canada Line bikeway.

(ii)

E-Waste

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that electronics collected at the recycling depot is the responsibility of the product steward for various agencies, however, re-use and re-purposing can be explored for City repair fairs. 

(iii)

Freezing and Paving

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that when paving is adhered to temperature and weather standards, and in deteriorating weather paving is stopped.   

(iv)

Priority Snow Removal

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) Council approved priority routes are completed first, (ii) during the current snow event maximum resources of 16 plows are on the road, (iii) every event operational responses are updated, (iv) a tracking system is being explored so the public can track the location of plows, (v)  property owners are required to clear the sidewalk in front of their properties, and (vi) traffic camera locations can be provided on the City’s website.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:48 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, December 21, 2022.

_________________________________

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Councillor Carol Day
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Associate