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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 2000-06-12PWTC\2000-06-12 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 2000 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date, Chaired by Councillor John Smola, commencing at 9:15 a.m., with the following members present: Councillors C. Weylie, J. Haalboom, G. Lorentz, J. Ziegler and B. Vrbanovic. Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison were in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. L. Korabo and Messrs. J. Gazzola, E. Kovacs, S. Gyorffy, D. Quinn, G. Melanson, and K. Carmichael. 1. INTRODUCTION - SUPERVISOR OF TRAFFIC AND PARKING DIVISION Mr. J. McBride, Director of Traffic and Parking, introduced Mr. K. Carmichael and advised that Mr. Carmichael had recently been appointed Supervisor of Traffic and Parking. He noted Mr. Carmichael's 13 years of service and his wealth of knowledge noting that he will make an excellent addition to the management team. Councillor John Smola congratulated Mr. Carmichael on behalf of the Committee. 2. PW-00-013 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY PRICE INCREASE The Committee was in receipt of the above Public Works Department report from Mr. D. Quinn, dated June 7, 2000, requesting permission for a two-stage price increase for gas system customers. Mr. Quinn advised that the current volatile price of natural gas has necessitated the request to introduce a two-stage price increase. The first increase would be July 1,2000, and it is hoped that by deferring the final price setting until October, 2000, a more stable price can be obtained for natural gas customers. In response to Committee questions, Mr. Quinn stated that the City's share of the residential gas market is 75-80% but noted that many large industrial users purchase their gas supply directly from alternate suppliers. He expressed the opinion that there is still an opportunity for the City to pursue additional customer base in this area. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison entered the meeting at this time. Mr. E. Kovacs confirmed that industrial customers had gone to alternate gas suppliers a long time ago but pointed out that margin gains still applied to the distribution side and the City was still distributing gas to these users. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That effective July 1, 2000, the supply price for the natural gas commodity be increased to 14.7070 cents per cubic meter for system gas customers of the City of Kitchener; and further, That the supply price be monitored and managed with a follow-up report for price resetting to be provided to the Public Works and Transportation Committee prior to October 1, 2000." 3. CONESTOGA EXPRESSWAY NOISE BARRIER - CONNAUGHT PLACE Councillor J. Ziegler advised that residents of Connaught Place had contacted him concerning a gap in the noise attenuation barrier along the Conestoga Expressway in the vicinity of their homes. Ms. K. Witmer appeared on behalf of residents of Connaught Place and advised that general traffic noise and the use of truck engine brakes make it difficult to sleep and impossible to open windows in their homes. She advised that the Ministry of Transportation was contacted in this regard but she was advised that their criteria for erecting a noise barrier, at this location, had not PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES J U N E 12, 2000 - 43 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. CONESTOGA EXPRESSWAY NOISE BARRIER - CONNAUGHT PLACE (CONT'D) been met. Ms. Witmer submitted a petition signed by 17 residents of Connaught Place requesting the City's support to have the sound barriers erected in front of their homes. In response to questions from the Committee, Ms. Witmer advised that the Ministry's criteria is based on the construction of the complex versus the existence of the highway. She further noted that there are 50 units on Connaught Place that were built approximately 10 years ago but that there are homes located on Second Avenue directly behind Connaught Place, built in 1945 that would meet the Ministry's criteria for the erection of sound barriers. Mr. S. Gyorffy made a brief presentation utilizing the Visualizer and showed detailed maps indicating the location of the gap in the noise barrier and noting that the distance is 21 Om. He had contacted Ministry of Transportation officials concerning their policies for noise barrier construction and was provided with the same information quoted by Ms. Witmer and also observed that there are several areas along the Expressway where the barrier wall is missing. Mr. Gyorffy stated that a review of development conditions relating to the Connaught Place site indicated a comment by the Ministry of Transportation advising that sound barriers may be required; however, this was not included as a condition of development. He also pointed out that the current highway widening will not significantly increase noise levels as lane widenings are toward the middle of the highway as opposed to widening outward toward residential properties. Councillor J. Ziegler commented that the City should have required the developer to either erect a noise barrier or provide funds for the barrier to be erected at a later date. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that staff review the entire Conestoga Expressway and include information concerning filling in all the current gaps in their report. Councillor Ziegler accepted this as a friendly amendment. Mayor C. Zehr entered the meeting at this time. Councillor J. Haalboom expressed the opinion that developers should be responsible for ensuring that individuals who purchase their properties are aware of situations such as this and should not knowingly overlook the importance of making purchasers aware of their surroundings. Councillor John Smola questioned staff as to a reasonable time frame to undertake this investigation and report back to the Public Works and Transportation Committee and Mr. Gyorffy noted that staff would appreciate the opportunity to meet with Ministry of Transportation officials prior to preparation of their report. Councillor John Smola requested that staff bring the report forward at the August 21, 2000 meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee. Councillor Ziegler requested a verbal update on the progress of the staff report at the July 4, 2000 meeting of City Council. Councillor C. Weylie asked that staff request the Ministry of Transportation to erect signage prohibiting the use of truck engine brakes in the vicinity of Connaught Place. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That Public Works Department staff prepare a report for consideration at the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting scheduled for August 21, 2000, indicating those portions along the length of the Conestoga Expressway that do not presently have noise attenuation barriers in place, an estimated cost to erect such barriers, and also a proposal for funding these installations; and further, That the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario be requested to erect signs prohibiting the use of truck engine brakes in the vicinity of the interchange adjacent to Connaught Place." PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES J U N E 12, 2000 - 44 - CITY OF KITCHENER PW-00-011 - INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS - KING STREET EAST AT SPORTSWORLD DRIVE - NOISE BY-LAW EXEMPTION The Committee was in receipt of the above Public Works Department report from Mr. J. McBride, dated June 5, 2000, advising of a request from the Region of Waterloo for a Noise By-law exemption under Chapter 450 of the Municipal Code relating to roadway improvements along King Street East between Sportsworld Drive and the Highway 8 overpass. Councillor J. Haalboom requested that notice of this exemption be provided to the President of the Pinegrove Community Association. On motion by Councillor J. Haalboom - it was resolved: "That the Region of Waterloo and its Contractor(s) be exempt from the provisions of Article 6 (Construction Work) of Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, during the roadway improvements along King Street East between Sportsworld Drive and the Highway 8 overpass, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the period July 24 to October 31, 2000, along with a 24-hour exemption for a maximum of five (5) nights, tentatively expected to occur in September or October; and further, That the President of the Pinegrove Community Association be advised of this exemption." PW-00-014 - SPEED ADVISORY PROGRAM The Committee was in receipt of the above Public Works Department report from Mr. J. McBride, dated June 7, 2000, requesting approval of an over expenditure to hire a summer student to undertake a Speed Advisory Program during the summer of 2000. Mr. J. McBride advised that the City's Speed Advisory Program has been in effect for approximately 4 years and has been well received; however, a problem has been experienced getting community groups to make use of the radar unit and conduct speed advisory studies in the community. Councillor J. Haalboom questioned the apparent lack of interest on behalf of the Law & Security Program at Conestoga College and requested clarification from staff. Mr. McBride noted that initially the College had been in favour of providing students to operate one unit as part of their program to gain experience and receive a credit for volunteer service; however, scheduling problems have hampered this commitment and there has been no ongoing support from Conestoga College. Mayor C. Zehr questioned the source of funding for the $3,000.00 over expenditure and Mr. Kovacs noted that while there were a few options his preference would be to leave this amount as an over expenditure and not take unbudgeted funds from any other account. Mr. McBride suggested that the Traffic Administration account could be charged with this over expenditure; however, Mr. J. Gazzola noted that when Council approved the current budget they had requested staff find savings of $300,000.00 - $400,000.00 during 2000 and that taking funds from established accounts would not assist staff in reaching this stated goal of Council. He noted this is a new program and he would prefer to see it remain an over expenditure. In response to this information, Mayor Zehr requested an update on staff's progress toward determining the savings directed by Council. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That a summer student be hired to undertake the Speed Advisory Program for the months of July and August at an unbudgeted cost not to exceed $3,000.00." PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES J U N E 12, 2000 - 45 - CITY OF KITCHENER PW-00-012 - SUPERVISORY TRAINING - OPERATIONS DIVISION The Committee was in receipt of the above Public Works Department report from Mr. E. Kovacs, General Manager of Public Works, dated June 1, 2000, providing the Committee with an update pertaining to leadership training and development initiatives in the Public Works Department Operations Division. Mr. Kovacs summarized his report and highlighted several key actions taken to date as well as noting actions still pending. A brief discussion took place following which Mr. Kovacs advised that a second 'Employee Attitude Survey' will be undertaken to track the Division's improvements through the eyes of its employees. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the Committee adjourned at 10:05 a.m. Linda Korabo Executive Assistant