January 22, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

Councillor Laura Gillanders (entered the meeting at 4:03 p.m.)

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 December 18, 2024, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITIONS

The Chair advised that No. 1 Road and Francis Road Intersection will be considered as Item No. 2A and that Plastic Pollution will be considered as Item No. 2B.

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area

(File Ref. No. 10-6450-15-01) (REDMS No. 7859884)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Option 2 to reduce the posted speed limit on Dyke Road from 50 km/h to 30 km/h as described in the staff report titled “Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area”, dated December 12, 2024 from the Director, Transportation be endorsed;

(2)

That Option 3 to implement the physical traffic calming measures as described in the staff report titled “Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area”, dated December 12, 2024 from the Director, Transportation be endorsed; and

(3)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10623, to revise the posted speed limit be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

The question on the motion was not called as in response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) area residents were in support of the speed reduction, (ii) the proposed speed reduction is from the section of Dyke Road that extends from No. 2 Road and No. 3 Road as well as the Princess Lane area, and (iii) area residents requested the 30 km/h reduction in the neighbourhood in addition to Dyke Road.  

Discussion took place on (i) 30 km/h being too slow for Dyke Road, (ii) examining reducing the speed limit to 40 km/h on non-neighbourhood roads, and (iii) reducing speeds along the whole length of Dyke Road.

As a result of the discussion the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That Part (1) be amended to read as follows: 

That the posted speed limit be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h on London Road, Princess Lane, Princess Street and the section of Dyke Road from London Road to the proposed eastern speed cushion, as described in the staff report titled “Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area”, dated December 12, 2024 from the Director, Transportation.

The question on the amendment motion was not called as in reply to further queries from Committee staff noted that (i) there is no time sensitivity to these proposed changes, (ii) there have been no safety concerns in the area,
(iii) proposed signage and traffic calming measures would be permanent, and (iv) residents prefer 30 km/h over 40 km/h to be consistent with other speed limits in the neighbourhood.

The question on the amendment motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Au opposed.

 The question on the main motion, as amended, which reads as follows:

(1)

That the posted speed limit be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h on London Road, Princess Lane, Princess Street and the section of Dyke Road from London Road to the proposed eastern speed cushion, as described in the staff report titled “Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area”, dated December 12, 2024 from the Director, Transportation;

(2)

That Option 3 to implement the physical traffic calming measures as described in the staff report titled “Proposed Speed Mitigation Measures on Dyke Road and London/Princess Area”, dated December 12, 2024 from the Director, Transportation be endorsed; and

(3)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10623, to revise the posted speed limit be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Au and Loo opposed.

2.

Trash Skimming Device Pilot Project Update

(File Ref. No. 10-6370-01) (REDMS No. 7907814)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the device was not capable of handling the river environments of Richmond, (ii) waste prevention and waste disposal initiatives will be encouraged to reduce garbage within the community, (iii) they will be working with the region to explore other ways to target and reduce garbage production, (iv) the City has a Partners for Beautification program where organization groups can adopt streets and shorelines to help maintain and beautify this areas, and (v) as other devices become available, they will be brought forward for Council consideration. 

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled, “Trash Skimming Device Pilot Project Update,” dated January 3, 2025, from the Director, Public Works Operations be received for information.

CARRIED

2A.

no. 1 road and Francis Road INTERSECTION

(File Ref. No.)

Discussion took place on left turn signals at various intersections in Richmond without a dedicated left turn lane, and it was noted left turning lights that do not go on at the same time cause traffic build up.

In reply to queries staff advised that (i) certain intersections do not have the capability for both directions to turn left at the same time and in those instances the left turn signal alternates, and (ii) no complaints have been received regarding this situation.

Committee requested that signage be put up to advise drivers of the signal operation.

2B.

Plastic pollution

(File Ref. No.)

Materials were distributed (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1) and discussion took place on plastic pollution within the City. 

It was moved and seconded

That staff be directed to research the feasibility of implementing the use of reusable food containers at restaurants and large events to accelerate the reduction of plastic pollution, and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as in response to queries from Committee, staff advised, that (i) the City has a ban on certain plastics but does not address reusing plastic containers, (ii) communications with businesses, restaurants, and residents with regards to reusables have taken place, and (iii) within Richmond there are some initiatives for reusable containers that are underway. 

Discussion took place on leading the way in this type of initiative, costs and uptake.

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

3.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Steveston Multi-Use Pathway update

Staff provided an update on the Steveston Multi-Use Pathway and highlighted that (i) the section on the east end from Shell Road to No. 3 Road is completed and open to the public, (ii) the section going west from No. 3 Road to Gilbert Road is complete and open to the public but there will be some minor landscaping work occurring, (iii) the section between Gilbert and No. 2 Road is currently being constructed and anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of this year, and (iv) construction of the next section from No. 2 Road to Railway Avenue will begin in February and anticipated to be completed in early summer.

(ii)

Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Project

Staff highlighted that the Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Project is well underway, and City staff have been assisting Ducks Unlimited with the project by delivering project notification in local neighbourhoods, coordinating projects signs and leading technical reviews. Staff noted that Ducks Unlimited will be reviewing effects of the project and a final placement will take place in the fall of 2025. 

(iii)

Lest We Forget Remembrance crosswalk

Staff advised that a report is forthcoming in June with regards to the Lest We Forget Remembrance crosswalk.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:00 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, January 22, 2025.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Carol Day
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Associate