July 17, 2024 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Carol Day, Chair

Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Kash Heed (entered the meeting at 4:05 p.m.)
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)
Mayor Malcolm Brodie (entered the meeting at 4:14 p.m.)

Also Present:

Councillor Chak Au

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 June 19, 2024, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITIONS

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That “Vision Zero Strategies” be added to the agenda as Item No. 4A; and

(2)

That “River Road Traffic” be added to the agenda as Item No. 4B.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Springfield Drive – Traffic Calming

(File Ref. No. 10-6480-03-01) (REDMS No. 7709842)

In response to queries from the Committee, staff noted speed limits of 50 km/h within residential areas are under the jurisdiction of the Province and the Motor Vehicle Act and speed limits can be adjusted by the City through bylaw amendments.

It was moved and seconded

That the implementation of two speed cushions on Springfield Drive, as described in the staff report titled “Springfield Drive - Traffic Calming”, dated June 17, 2024, from the Director, Transportation, be endorsed.

CARRIED

2.

Steveston Village Lane Parking

(File Ref. No. 0-6500-01) (REDMS No. 7720646)

In response to queries from the Committee, staff noted that (i) staff are recommending the program be made available to all businesses in the Steveston townsite area, and then those who have a permit can have access to any of the established spots, (ii) it is not possible to establish spots in front of every business, (iii) the program pertains to spots on City lands only that may be adjacent to business properties, (iv) uptake on the program in the area is unknown at this time, (v) permits would only be available for businesses in the area, not for residential units, and (vi) staff’s recommendation for Option 3 is that there is no cap on the number of permits issued which will give staff the opportunity to assess and should the demand not meet supply, then capping the number of permits could be brought back for consideration.

A brief discussion ensued with respect to parking concerns in other areas of Richmond. Staff noted with the introduction of Bill 44, permit parking will likely be required in other areas will be brought forward accordingly.

It was noted that some public paid parking spots available in Steveston are often overlooked. Staff will review through the wayfinding strategy for signage opportunities.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That parking be established in lanes within Steveston Village as outlined in the report titled “Steveston Village Lane Parking”, dated June 26, 2024 from the Director, Transportation;

(2)

That a permit parking pilot program be implemented as outlined in Option 3 in the report titled “Steveston Village Lane Parking”, dated June 26, 2024, from the Director, Transportation;

(3)

That Traffic Bylaw No. 5870, Amendment Bylaw No. 10585, be given first, second and third readings; and

(4)

That lanes between Chatham Street and Bayview Street be established as a permit zone in accordance with Traffic Bylaw No. 5870.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

3.

Fraser River Freshet and Flood Protection Update 2024

(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 7616287)

In response to a queries from the Committee, staff noted (i) staff are exploring compensation opportunities to seek assistance from the Province for debris removal, and (ii) the majority of the debris appears to come from fallen trees and timber upstream.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Fraser River Freshet and Flood Protection Update 2024”, dated June 12, 2024, from the Director, Engineering be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Award of Contract 8321NOITC – Mattress and Upholstered Furniture Recycling Services

(File Ref. No. 10-6370-01) (REDMS No. 7678576)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Contract 8321NOITC – Mattress and Upholstered Furniture Recycling Services, be awarded to Pacific Mattress Recycling Inc. at an estimated total contract value of $1,961,629.39 over a maximum five-year term;

(2)

That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, Engineering & Public Works, be authorized to negotiate and execute a service contract with Pacific Mattress Recycling Inc. incorporating the key terms outlined in the staff report dated June 12, 2024; and

(3)

That a Change Order for contract 6205P – Residential Solid Waste Collection and Recycling Services with Sierra Waste Services Ltd. be issued to include cross-docking and transportation fees for mattresses and upholstered furniture at the unit prices quoted at an additional annual estimated cost of $203,938.85.

The question on the motion was not called as a brief discussion ensued with respect to the bidding process and alternative mattress and upholstered furniture recycling options.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the motion be amended to add:

(4)

That, in alignment with the Richmond Circular City Strategy, a letter be written to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, to request the establishment of an extended producer responsibility program for upholstered furniture and acceleration of the planned extended producer responsibility program for mattresses and mattress foundations in British Columbia.

The question on the amendment motion was not called as further discussion ensued with respect to the merit of the amendment.

In response to queries from the Committee, staff noted (i) Richmond residents pay into recycling mattresses as part of the large item pick up program, which is funded (built-in) through the garbage utility fees, and (ii) some recycling facilities have a fee associated with mattress recycling.

There was agreement to deal with Parts (1) through (3), and Part (4) separately.

The question on Parts (1) through (3) was then called and it was CARRIED.

The question on Part (4) was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Au and Loo opposed.

4A.

Vision Zero strategies

Discussion ensued with regard to the Vision Zero strategies pedestrian safety presentation to Council on July 8, 2024 and discussion at the July 9, 2024 Community Safety Committee. It was noted that there is a referral for staff to review the matter.

4B.

River Road Traffic

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

John McKendry, 23271 Westminster Highway, spoke to the heavy vehicle traffic, safety concerns and enforcement along Westminster Highway and River Road.

In response to queries from the Committee, staff noted (i) plans for traffic calming in the area were previously proposed but were not implemented as a result of community feedback, and (ii) alternative solutions are being sought.

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

It was moved and seconded

That the presentation from John McKendry regarding traffic safety along River Road and Westminster Highway be referred to transportation and community safety staff to review the situation as it currently stands, including enforcement and possible other steps for improvement, especially from a safety point of view.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Sanitary Sewer Operations Update

Victor Ma, recently appointed Manager, Sanitary Sewers and Public Works Operations, was introduced and provided a brief update on fatbergs on the Metro Vancouver line. In particular, the ongoing grease related situation along the existing Gilbert Road trunk sewer line and the Lulu Island wastewater treatment plant was discussed, noting that as of last week, the presence of fatbergs has stopped and Metro Vancouver is in the process of identifying the originating source through a full length inspection of the existing Gilbert Road trunk sewer.  In coordination, Metro Vancouver and City staff are continuing to work on source control by identifying high grease producing businesses and residences to provide targeted grease disposal education.

(ii)

Chevron Gas Station at No. 2 Road and Westminster Highway

Staff advised they are preparing a memorandum to Council in response to concerns raised at the June 19, 2024 Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting and noted that staff have spoken with the business owner, placed signage and have also looked at video data, however other alternative solutions may be explored.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:43 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, July 17, 2024.

_________________________________

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Councillor Carol Day
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate