December 17, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

Councillor Laura Gillanders

Councillor Andy Hobbs

Councillor Bill McNulty

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee held on November 19, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITION

The Chair advised that Issues Arising From the December 15 Public Hearing Regarding Traffic on Garry Street be added to the agenda as Item No. 1A.

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

TransLink 2026 Cost-Share Funding Applications – Transportation Projects

(File Ref. No. 01-0154-04) (REDMS No. 8180311)

Nathan Davidowicz spoke to (i) the TransLink Cost-Share Program, including Bus Speed and Reliability (BSR) Program, (ii) infrastructure at bus stops, and (iii) ridership levels.

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the report presents the City’s applications to TransLink's 2026 transportation related cost-share programs, (ii) the BSR Program, initiated by TransLink based on travel time studies, provides competitive funding for feasibility studies and capital projects that support improved bus speed reliability, (iii) TransLink provides ridership levels as they operate and manage the transit systems and programs, and (iv) the deadline for the applications was October 31, 2025, with City staff preparing and submitting applications to TransLink by the deadline, and projects that are awarded funding will be confirmed and communicated to local governments in April 2026.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) Express Bus routes as determined by TransLink, (ii) Infrastructure Programs recommended for funding, such as the Special Crosswalk Program, included in the Council-approved 2026 Capital Budget, (iii) the forthcoming intersection improvement project at Alderbridge Way & No. 4 Road, which was identified in the Top 20 Collision Prone Intersections, (iv) construction sequencing for multiple roadwork projects, and (v) cycling enhancement as part of dike upgrades between No. 2 Road and Lynas Lane on River Road. 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission of transportation projects as part of the TransLink 2026 Cost-Share Programs, as described in the report titled “TransLink 2026 Cost-Share Funding Applications – Transportation Projects”, dated November 18, 2025, from the Director, Transportation be approved; and

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works be authorized to execute the successful funding agreements.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR BILL MCNULTY

2.

Issues Arising From the December 15 Public hearing regarding traffic on garry street

(File Ref. No. ) (REDMS No.)

The following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff:

(a)

investigate reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h on Garry Street between No. 1 Road and Railway Avenue and installing appropriate signage;

(b)

take appropriate action to establish additional traffic calming measures on Garry Street between No. 1 Road and Railway Avenue;

(c)

investigate the possibility of installing raised sidewalks or crosswalks in the area of Garry St. between No. 1 Road and Railway Ave; and

(d)

review the parking on Garry Street, including possible time limits,

while consulting with residents on Garry Street, and report back; and

(2)

That staff consult with Richmond School District No. 38 regarding the traffic patterns around McMath Secondary School.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding lowering speed limits on roads that do not have a centre line. As a result of the discussion, an amendment motion to look at slower speeds in residential areas in Richmond that do not have a centre line was introduced, but failed to receive a seconder.

Further discussion ensued regarding congestion near McMath Secondary School and encouraging students to take public transportation or alternative modes of transportation rather than driving, including the possibility of consulting with Richmond School District No. 38.

The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

The following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff look at the possibility of reducing speed limits on non-arterial roads to 30 km/h.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding speed limits as stated by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and the Motor Vehicle Act, with any speed limit changes requiring a bylaw amendment.

The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

3.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Metro Vancouver Pipe Failure on Gilbert Road

Staff advised that Metro Vancouver investigations confirmed that the old Gilbert trunk sewer caused a sinkhole in the roadway at Woodwards Road. Metro Vancouver is currently developing a repair strategy, with the area secured with fencing, a temporary containment berm, regular monitoring, and full-time security guard on location.

A brief discussion ensued regarding (i) the effects of heavy rain on Metro Vancouver’s sewer system and (ii) the size of the sinkhole.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:31 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 17, 2025.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Carol Day
Chair

Shannon Unrau
Legislative Services Associate