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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 2000-09-11PWTC\2000-09-11 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date, commencing at 9:05 a.m., Chaired by Councillor John Smola, with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr, Councillors J. Haalboom, K. Taylor-Harrison, C. Weylie and G. Lorentz. Councillors B. Vrbanovic and J. Ziegler were in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. L. Baillargeon, Ms. J. Buckingham, Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. S. Gyorffy, J. McBride, H. Gross, D. Quinn and G. Melanson. 1. PW-00-043 - REVIEW OF THE TAXI CAB STANDS IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE The Committee was in receipt of the above Traffic and Parking staff report from Mr. J. McBride, dated September 5, 2000, requesting installation of new taxi cab stands on Water Street and Francis Street to service the Inner City Night Club and Sammy's Garage. In addition, the staff report requests elimination of the existing taxi cab stand in front of the former Tom'z Catz establishment on King Street East as it is no longer required. In response to Councillor J. Haalboom, Mr. McBride advised that staff have maximized the number of spaces available for taxi cab stands and the Cab Companies are now satisfied with the addition of the two new stands. On motion by Councillor J. Haalboom - it was resolved: "That the taxi cab stand in front of the former Tom'z Catz establishment on King Street East be eliminated; and, That a taxi cab stand on the east side of Water Street from a point 39 metres north of King Street to a point 12 metres thereof be installed; and further, That a taxi cab stand on the west side of Francis Street from a point 29 metres north of King Street West to a point 18 metres north thereof be installed." 2. PW-00-044- RAYLENE DRIVE FENCING EXTENSION The Committee was in receipt of the above staff report from Mr. S. Gyorffy, dated August 31, 2000, recommending that the wooden fencing recently constructed by the City at Raylene Drive not be extended across the rear of the properties addressed as 115 and 119 Hearth Crescent. In response to Councillor G. Lorentz, Mr. S. Gyorffy advised that staff are in the process of arranging for a treatment to be applied to the wooden fence that will allow for easy removal of graffiti. Staff were requested to undertake this process as quickly as possible. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the wooden fencing recently constructed by the City at Raylene Drive not be extended across the rear of the properties addressed as 115 and 119 Hearth Crescent." PW-00-045 - ON-STREET PARKING AND ALL-WAY STOP REQUEST - ORCHARD MILL CRESCENT AND DOON VALLEY DRIVE The Committee was in receipt of the above Traffic and Parking staff report from Mr. J. McBride, dated August 31, 2000, recommending that the current parking prohibitions on Orchard Mill Crescent and Doon Valley Drive remain in effect and that an all-way stop control not be installed at this time at the intersection of Doon Valley Drive and Orchard Mill Crescent. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 - 60 - CITY OF KITCHENER PW-00-045 - ON-STREET PARKING AND ALL-WAY STOP REQUEST - ORCHARD MILL CRESCENT AND DOON VALLEY DRIVE (CONT'D) Mr. J. McBride advised that in response to a request by the Lower Doon Residents Working Group to review traffic conditions in the area of Doon Valley Drive and Orchard Mill Crescent, surveys had been conducted to determine views of residents living in the area. As a result of the surveys, it was found that the majority of residents favoured no change to the existing parking regulations and, accordingly, staff are recommending that existing regulations remain the same. In addition, he advised that staff do not support installation of an all-way stop at the intersection of Doon Valley Drive and Orchard Mill Crescent as current traffic volume does not meet established guidelines. Mr. McBride pointed out, however, that Council has approved a traffic study for the Lower Doon area and all traffic concerns will be addressed through this process. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. In response to Councillor J. Haalboom, Mr. McBride advised that it is anticipated the study will commence by mid-October. Councillor Haalboom stated that she could not support recommendation #3 as outlined in the staff report and suggested that rather than waiting for the study to be completed, the all-way stop should be installed now as a temporary measure to deter speeding. By general consent it was agreed that recommendation #3 of the staff report would be dealt with separately. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: "That the current parking prohibition on both sides of Orchard Mill Crescent, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, remain in effect; and further, That the current parking prohibitions on the north side of Doon Valley Drive from Pinnacle Drive to Old Mill Road, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, remain in effect." The Committee then entered into a brief discussion with respect to installation of the all-way stop control during which several members expressed the view that as the study was expected to be completed by early next year and the fall/winter season would bring about the natural slowing of traffic, the installation of the all-way stop should be delayed until the study is complete at which time the issue could be revisited. Councillor J. Haalboom requested to be recorded as opposed to recommendation #3 as contained in the staff report. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: "That an all-way stop control not be installed at the northerly intersection of Doon Valley Drive and Orchard Mill Crescent; and further, That staff be directed to review installation of the all-way stop control following completion of the Lower Doon Traffic Study." 4. PW-00-046 - ACCESS RAMP - END OF YORK STREET VIA CLARICA PARKING LOT The Committee was in receipt of the above staff report from Mr. H. Gross, dated August 31, 2000, recommending that the City agree to bind the Corporation to indemnify Clarica for any related claims with respect to construction of the temporary vehicular access ramp from Clarica's John Street parking lot to the dead-end portion of York Street. The proposed ramp PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 -61 - CITY OF KITCHENER is to be constructed to facilitate the reconstruction of Union Boulevard at York Street and will allow access/egress to York Street residents through Clarica's John Street parking lot. 4. PW-00-046 - ACCESS RAMP - END OF YORK STREET VIA CLARICA PARKING LOT (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That Council agree to bind the Corporation to indemnify Clarica for any related claims relating to the construction of a temporary vehicular access ramp from Clarica's John Street parking lot to the dead-end portion of York Street." PW-00-048 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY PRICE INCREASE The Committee was in receipt of the above Utilities staff report from Ms. L. Baillargeon dated September 6, 2000, recommending that the supply price for natural gas commodity be increased by 15% effective October 1, 2000. Mr. D. Quinn advised that since the last price increase earlier this year, volatility in the cost of the natural gas commodity has continued to be experienced and remains at high levels. Staff have continued to monitor the fluctuations in price and feel that the recommended 15% increase effective October 1st is necessary to maintain sustainability of the City's Utility. Mr. Quinn advised that the increase will allow total cost recovery without cross-subsidization, meeting the City's commitment to both its customers and the Ministry of Energy. He pointed out that the price, once increased, will remain constant until April 1, 2001. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. Mr. D. Quinn provided a comparison chart of prices charged by the City versus Union Gas and Enbridge and pointed out that the City will still be lower in cost by approximately 15% than its competitors. In response to questioning by Mayor C. Zehr, Ms. Baillargeon advised that companies such as Union Gas determine price by consensus forecasting, over a one year period with reviews conducted every three months. Whereas, the City looks at actual costs and existing contracts for purchase of gas. She further pointed out that there are differences in volumes between the City's Utility and its competitors and timing of gas purchases also differ. Mayor C. Zehr questioned if the differential in price was sustainable relative to Opec oil prices. Mr. Quinn advised that oil prices act as a ceiling for natural gas prices and as long as it remains so gas prices will be lower than oil. Mr. Quinn stated that the 3% posed by Opec would not be sufficient to cause consumers to change from natural gas to oil. Mr. Quinn further noted that additional price increases are anticipated for natural gas; however, as the City's portfolio is fixed and higher prices have been assumed, there is built-in protection that will sustain the Utility through to April 2001. Mayor C. Zehr expressed the opinion that a clear message must be given to gas customers so they understand that the purpose of the price increase is not to gauge consumers but rather to recover increased costs to the City in purchasing the natural gas commodity and to ensure sustainability of the commodity is being maintained. Councillor J. Haalboom expressed concern with the proposed 15% increase and questioned if the current rate were to be maintained how the City might otherwise recover the resulting 2.5 million dollar deficit. Mr. Quinn advised that the deficit would have to come from elsewhere within the City's budget; however, cautioned that this could jeopardize the City's position with the Ministry of Energy. He pointed out that any change to the City's commitment to operate the Utility without cross-subsidization could be construed by the Ministry of Energy as being anti-competitive and may result in the City's licence to operate the Utility being revoked. In PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 - 62 - CITY OF KITCHENER response to Councillor Haalboom, Mr. Quinn further advised that any lobbying in this regard would not be receptive to the Ministry of Energy and could damage the City's integrity. Councillor Haalboom enquired if any surplus realized would stay within the gas commodity or 5. PW-00-048 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY PRICE INCREASE (CONT'D) would be applied to reserves for future capital projects and Mr. Quinn advised that any surplus would remain within the gas commodity to off-set future price increases. Several members of the Committee expressed opposition to any attempt to counter the City's commitment with the Ministry of Energy not to cross-subsidize as it could result in loss of the City's licence to operate the Utility and maintained that what was needed was good communication with gas consumers to ensure the reason for the price increase is clearly relayed. Mr. S. Gyorffy suggested that the Committee may wish to consider revising the recommendation in the staff report to include that direction be given to Mr. P. Sinnott of the Communications Division to work with Mr. D. Quinn to develop a press release that will clearly communicate the price increase to gas consumers. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: "That the supply price for the natural gas commodity be increased to 16.9130 cents per cubic metre for system gas customers of the City of Kitchener effective October 1, 2000; and further, That staff of the Communications Division be directed to assist the Utilities Division in development of a press release that will clearly communicate the reason for the price increase to the City's gas customers." 6. INFORMATION ITEM The Committee was in receipt of staff report PW-00-047 from Mr. E. Kovacs, entitled "Employee Attitude Survey - Public Works Operations Division" which demonstrates an overall improvement in the division management of the Bramm Street Operations. Councillor J. Haalboom enquired how Management intends to improve staff morale and Mr. S. Gyorffy advised that as a result of this survey, a number of recommendations have been proposed by the Consultant which will be implemented by staff. Mr. Gyorffy pointed out that one of the main issues related to the impact that negative employees have on other co- workers and it is intended that Supervisors will address this issue both one on one with employees, as well as in group sessions. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the Committee adjourned at 9:55 a.m. Janet Billett Committee Administrator