May 17, 2023 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

Councillor Andy Hobbs

Councillor Bill McNulty

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 April 19, 2023, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITION

The Chair advised that Reduction of Speed in Hamilton Area will be considered as Item No. 3A.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

ICBC-CITY OF RICHMOND ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND INTERSECTION SAFETY CAMERA PROGRAM – 2023 UPDATE

(File Ref. No. 10-6460-01) (REDMS No. 7159425)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) a report regarding improvements to Hamilton area sidewalks and walkways is forthcoming,
(ii) the installation of traffic video cameras at No. 5 Road and Cambie Road is a separate project from the intersection improvement project, and (iii) speed violations have significantly decreased since the implementation of the Province's Intersection Safety Camera Program in 2019.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed road safety improvement projects, as described in Attachment 2 of the staff report titled “ICBC-City of Richmond Road Improvement Program and Intersection Safety Camera Program – 2023 Update,” dated April 18, 2023 from the Director, Transportation be endorsed for submission to the ICBC 2023 Road Improvement Program for consideration of cost-share funding; and

(2)

That should the above applications be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Planning and Development be authorized to execute the cost-share agreements on behalf of the City, and that the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2023-2027) be amended accordingly.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

SNOW REMOVAL FROM PRIORITY MULTI-USE PATHWAY CORRIDORS - SUMMARY OF PILOT INITIATIVES

(File Ref. No. 10-6360-13) (REDMS No. 7178265)

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) a single snow removal pass over multi-use pathways (MUPs) is not recommended as it could create a more hazardous condition for users, (ii) the City of Vancouver has six Holder municipal sidewalk tractors to maintain a steady pattern of treatment on MUPs, (iii) non-delineated bike lanes are cleared by the regular plow and brine treatment, (iv) the City did not receive any complaints from bike lane users during the 2022-2023 winter season, (v) the procurement process for a mini sweeper with attachments is underway and once acquired, will be licensed and able to go on roadways, and (vi) property owners are not required to clear MUPs under Traffic Control and Regulation Bylaw No. 5870, and a review of the Bylaw is underway.

Discussion then ensued with regard to the costs related to snow removal on MUPs and potential budget implications and staff were requested to provide additional information on the cost and timeline to implement the proposed initiatives.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Snow Removal from Priority Multi-Use Pathway Corridors – Summary of Pilot Initiatives” dated April 17, 2023, from the Director, Public Works Operations be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

2023 SUBMISSION TO THE DISASTER MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION FUND – RICHMOND FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAM

(File Ref. No. 10-6060-04-01) (REDMS No. 7215498)

In response to a query from Committee, staff noted that the 4.6 kilometers of dike to be upgraded includes multiple sections and a map showing locations will be provided to Council.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund ̶ Richmond Flood Protection Program requesting funding for up to 40% of the project cost, for a total of $35,600,000 to upgrade approximately 4.6 kilometers of dike and the No. 6 Road North Drainage Pump Station be endorsed;

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to enter into funding agreements with the Government of Canada for the above mentioned project should it be approved for funding by the Government of Canada; and

(3)

That, should the above mentioned project be approved for funding by the Government of Canada, the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2023-2027) be amended accordingly.

CARRIED

3A

REDUCTION OF SPEED IN HAMILTON AREA                                   (File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued regarding potential traffic calming measures and the need for speed reduction in the Hamilton area. As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate reducing the speed limit in the entire Hamilton area, and report back.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllr. Heed

Discussion ensued regarding traffic calming measures and improvements in the Hamilton area. As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to provide a memorandum, cataloguing traffic calming measures in the Hamilton area.

Discussion then ensued with regard to road safety concerns near the Cranberry Children's Centre in Hamilton. As a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff study the speed limit in the area near Cranberry Children’s Centre on Westminster Highway, and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as staff provided further advice, and as a result there was agreement from the mover, the seconder and all members present to withdraw the referral motion, and the referral motion was WITHDRAWN.

Further discussion took place on traffic calming along the area near Cranberry Children’s Centre, and as a result, staff were directed to staff were directed to conduct a speed limit study in the area near Cranberry Children’s Centre on Westminster Highway.

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Upcoming Cycling Events

Staff highlighted upcoming cycling events, including HUB Cycling’s Go by Bike Week (May 29-June 4, 2023), a Celebration Station sponsored by the City of Richmond on June 2 at the Canada Line Bikeway at River Drive, Bike to School week (May 29 to June 2, 2023), and the 21^st annual Island City Bike Tour on June 11, 2023.

(ii)

Public Works Open House

Staff highlighted that in honour of National Public Works Week, the City held the Public Works Open House on May 13, 2023, in-person for the first time since 2019. The event was very successful with approximately 4000 attendees and over 350 volunteers.

In response to a query from Committee, staff noted that the virtual program will launch on Sunday, May 21 and will direct residents to the Capital Projects Highlights website and include information regarding various construction projects that are underway.

(iii)

Roadworks Construction 11000 Block of Steveston Highway

Staff noted that the curb replacement work currently underway will be completed by the end of the week, and repaving is scheduled for the summer and will take place during evening to limit traffic disruption to the public.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:08 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, May 17, 2023.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Carol Day
Chair

Shannon Unrau
Legislative Services Associate