November 20, 2024 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

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 October 16, 2024, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS

It was moved and seconded

That Speed Limit for No. 3 Road Between Westminster Highway and Granville Avenue be added to the agenda as Item No. 4A.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

1.

Application to 2024/25 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program

(File Ref. No. 10-6500-01) (REDMS No. 7835948)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the submission for cost-sharing to the 2024/25 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program as described in the staff report titled “Application to 2024/25 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program” dated October 21, 2024, from the Director, Transportation be endorsed;

(2)

That, should the above application be successful, the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be authorized on behalf of the City to execute the funding agreement; and

(3)

That, should the grant application be successful, the grant amount will be included in the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2025-2029) accordingly.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to re-purposing of the westbound merge lane on Westminster Highway between No. 2 Road and Lynas Lane.

In response to queries from the Committee, staff advised (i) the project is proposing to reallocate the third merge lane that no longer is required once the channelized right turn is removed and converting that into a bi-directional bikeway, (ii) the protection barrier will be continuous along the bike lane, (iii) the existing channelized lane that allows for free flow movement coming off the No. 2 Road bridge to Westminster Highway will be replaced with a 90 degree right turn for motorists, (iv) there may be recreational cyclists that prefer to take an alternate route, but data received shows a strong desire line to connect to the Railway Greenway in Steveston and provide a connection that’s more direct for the faster cyclists out to Sea Island, (v) in the interim, with the implementation of the cycling facility, there will be connection through the Lynas neighbourhood bikeway to McCalllan Rd., and in the longer term, staff are working with the Works Yard project to facilitate the extension along Westminster Hwy. to McCallan Rd., and (vi) current and projected transportation numbers imply the intersection is able to accommodate traffic once the right hand turn lane is taken away.

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

2.

Proposed 2025 Paving Program

(File Ref. No. 10-6000-01) (REDMS No. 7791760)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled, “Proposed 2025 Paving Program,” dated October 23, 2024, from the Director, Engineering be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Update on 2024/2025 Snow and Ice Response Preparations
(File Ref. No. 10-6000-00) (REDMS No. 7772103)

Staff noted an La Niña weather pattern is anticipated for the 2024/25 winter season which may result in experiencing a longer winter season overall.

Public access to the City’s GPS technology, available for viewing various road conditions/routes throughout the city (time delay of approx. 15 minutes), was highlighted.

Evan Dunfee, Richmond resident, spoke in support the City’s GPS system coming online for the public, and to ask for an update regarding smaller snowploughs capable of clearing some of the delineated bike lanes as well as the downtown pedestrian crosswalks.

In response to the delegation, staff reported there will be link available for residents to view the priority routes and location of snowploughs as they are working during snow events clearing roadways and City facilities, as well as the ability to select traffic and intersection cameras so that residents and motorists can plan their route throughout the city.

In response to queries from Committee, staff noted (i) during storm events additional staff are brought on to clear bus stops and wheelchair let-downs at which time they are also clearing catch basins in advance of the warming weather and melting snow and these efforts continue as the weather warms, however, as priority is the roadway often the snow piles up from the ploughs that pile the snow, but every effort is made to shift to drainage mode as soon as the weather warms up and the snow stops falling, then staff can address any critical water pooling areas calls received, and (ii) a pilot for snow and ice service on pathways and greenways determined it could not be in the service level at this time as all resources currently are needed to focus on first priorities.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Update on 2024/2025 Snow and Ice Response Preparations,” dated October 23, 2024, from the Director of Public Works Operations, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network – Direct Current Fast Charging Expansion

(File Ref. No. 10-6125-01) (REDMS No. 7738808)

In response to a query from the Committee, staff noted the City’s EV charging fees at City facilities are in line with fees charged in other municipalities, which is evaluated regularly.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled “Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network – Direct Current Fast Charging Expansion”, from the Director, Climate & Environment and Director, Public Works Operations, dated October 24, 2024, be endorsed, and

(2)

That a capital submission for the Electric Vehicle DC Fast Charging Station Installations be submitted for Council’s consideration as part of the 2025 budget process.

CARRIED

4A.

Speed Limit for No. 3 Road Between Westminster Highway and Granville Avenue

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

Councillor Heed provided the rationale to consider reducing the speed limit on No. 3 Road between Westminster Highway and Granville Avenue from 50 km/h to 30 km/h as a preventative view to ensuring pedestrian safety.  As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff undergo a traffic study to consider a reduction in the motor vehicle speed limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h on No. 3 Road between Westminster Highway and Granville Avenue.

CARRIED
Opposed:  Cllr. Loo

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Update:  Steveston Area Speed Limit

Staff provided an update regarding the lowering of speed limits in the Steveston neighbourhood from 50 km/h to 30 km/h, noting that the associated signage has now been implemented to reinforce the new speed limit and since the signage has gone up staff have received significant positive feedback from residents, citing appreciation for the City and that they feel safer walking and cycling in their neighbourhood.  It was noted that no negative correspondence has been received.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:40 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, November 20, 2024.

_________________________________

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Councillor Carol Day
Chair

Lorraine Anderson
Legislative Services Associate