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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1998-05-11PWTC\1998-05-11 MAY 11, 1998 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola with all members present. Councillors K. Taylor-Harrison, J. Haalboom, J. Ziegler, B. Vrbanovic and G. Lorentz were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. P. Houston and Messrs. D. Snow, S. Gyorffy, E. Kovacs, T. Clancy, J. Gazzola and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:30 a.m. without a quorum in attendance. 1. LEAF COLLECTION PROGRAM The Committee received a report recommending that the following options be added to the City's Leaf Collection Program, namely: · collection period to be reduced to 6 weeks from 8 weeks; · two additional drop-off sites; · the rental of one garbage packer truck to be used for the collection of bagged leaves during the six week collection period; and, · the addition of $20,000.00 to the 1998 Operating Budget to be used for leaf collection. It is being recommended that the program be reduced by two weeks since there is little activity during the first two weeks. While this action may be viewed as a reduction of service, it was noted that the same quantity of leaves will be picked up but during a shorter time period. Mr. S. Gyorffy advised the Committee that the addition of two additional drop-off sites will prove beneficial as long as they are only used for leaves. If they should be used for regular garbage there could be problems because this would be contrary to existing Ministry of the Environment regulations. The possibility of renting a garbage packer track from Browning Ferris Industries is being reviewed. This course of action would allow more leaves to be loaded into one truck and, accordingly, costs would be reduced. * Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison entered the meeting at this time and a quorum was now in attendance. Mayor C. Zehr suggested that the report recommends certain efficiencies for the Leaf Collection Program but questioned why these efficiencies will result in an additional budget requirement of $20,000.00 for 1998. * Councillors J. Haalboom, J. Ziegler, B. Vrbanovic and G. Lorentz entered the meeting at this time. In response to Mayor Zehr, Mr. S. Gyorffy pointed out that in 1997 there was an over-expenditure of $100,000.00 regarding the Leaf Collection Program. The savings identified in the present report amount to $80,000.00 and, accordingly, it is being requested that $20,000.00 be added to the 1998 Operating Budget to make up for this cost over-run. Councillor Jake Smola noted that the City of Kitchener has a Leaf Collection Program which has a unit cost of $121.02 per tonne. The City of Waterloo picks up both leaves and yard wastes at a unit cost of $93.20 per tonne, which includes a $30.00 tip fee. Councillor Jake Smola questioned what the City of Waterloo is doing differently to make their unit cost lower. In this regard, Mr. S. Gyorffy pointed out that the City of Waterloo makes use of packer trucks and, accordingly, they can increase their volume per load. The City of Waterloo also makes use of leaf blowers to pick-up loose leaves and this also results in cost efficiencies. Mr. S. Gyorffy noted that the recommendations contained in the report presently being considered will have the effect of reducing the City of Kitchener's unit costs. LEAF COLLECTION PROGRAM (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 11, 1998 - 36 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor J. Haalboom expressed concern about budget increases and suggested that it was important to convey to the public that services provided by the City have an associated cost which may result in a tax increase. Councillor Haalboom suggested that it is important to impress upon the tax paying public the steps they can take to keep leaf collection costs to a minimum. When questioned by Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. T. Clancy advised that staff look at five year averages but there is no accurate way of predicting when the majority of leaves will fall. Mayor C. Zehr noted that the expenditures for the 1997 Leaf Collection Program were approximately $100,000.00 over budget. Efficiencies amounting to approximately $80,000.00 are being recommended, however, it was his view that $20,000.00 should not be included in the 1998 Operating Budget. Mayor Zehr suggested that he would prefer to wait and see what happens during 1998 and any budget over-run could be considered in the 1999 Operating Budget. Councillor Jake Smola noted that it has been agreed that a second shift will be added to remove leaves and suggested that complaints may be received when work is undertaken on residential streets between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. In this regard, Mr. S. Gyorffy acknowledged that complaints are possible but noted that the late shifts will only be used when they are required. This may be for only one or two weeks during the leaf collection process. When questioned by Councillor Jake Smola, Mr. S. Gyorffy advised that, to the best of his knowledge, leaves being raked out onto the street in 1997 did not create any major concerns with regard to grate blockages or the storm sewer system. Councillor G. Lorentz expressed the opinion that the public will appreciate the concentrated effort to have leaves removed in a shorter period of time. Mr. T. Clancy suggested to the Committee that, notwithstanding the improvements being recommended to the Leaf Collection Program, residents must still be encouraged to undertake mulching and composting. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That City Council approve the following additional options to improve the existing scheduled Leaf Collection Program, namely: · the collection period be reduced from 8 weeks to six weeks; · two additional drop-off sites be provided for a total of six; and, · the rental of one garbage packer truck for the collection of bagged leaves for the six week period be investigate." 2. LACKNER BOULEVARD AND OTTAWA STREET - TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS The Committee received an information report indicating that the estimated cost to install traffic control signals at the intersection of Lackner Boulevard and Ottawa Street North is $78,639.45. It was further noted that this intersection does not meet the warrants to have the Region install signals at this time. When questioned by Councillor Jake Smola, Mr. D. Snow pointed out that only preventable accidents are taken into consideration when an intersection is being reviewed to determine whether the warrants exist to support the installation of traffic signals. Councillor Jake Smola advised that he is very concerned about the major road network which has been installed in this area of the City but without the necessary signals in place to ensure public safety. In this regard, Councillor Smola asked about other intersections which may have been 2. LACKNER BOULEVARD AND OTTAWA STREET - TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 11, 1998 - 37 - CITY OF KITCHENER signalized prior to them meeting warrant requirements. Mr. D. Snow advised that, in 1998, signalization will be installed at the intersection of Ottawa Street North and Midland Drive, however, the required monies have been included in the City of Kitchener's 1998 Budget. In the past, signals were installed at the intersection of Westheights Drive and Driftwood Drive because of pedestrian activities in this particular area. Following further discussion, Councillor Jake Smola indicated his intention to introduce a motion which, if approved, would request the Region to install signalization at the intersection of Ottawa Street North and Lackner Boulevard with the City of Kitchener front-ending the costs involved. When the warrants are met the City would then recover some of this money based on existing Regional policies. Councillor B. Vrbanovic indicated that he also has concern with this intersection and noted that the information utilized by the Region is six months out-of-date. In this regard, Mr. D. Snow advised that the Region has been asked to update their data but suggested that there will still likely be a problem with this intersection meeting warrant requirements, particularly during the off-peak hours. Mr. Snow advised the Committee that the Region will update their documentation during either May or June of this year. Councillor John Smola suggested that the Committee has received an information report, however, the spending of any money is a budget matter. The members of the Committee agreed that any further deliberation regarding the signalization of the intersection of Lackner Boulevard and Ottawa Street North should take place at the budget meeting to be held on Friday, May 15, 1998. Mr. D. Snow was asked to prepare a list of signals to be installed and those under consideration and present this information to City Council at the May 15th budget meeting. DOPWR 98-13 - TRAIL BIKE PROGRAM The Committee received this information report. When questioned by Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. T. Clancy advised that the Trail Bike Officers will maintain daily records which will be used to review such things as damage caused by cyclists in Monarch Woods. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk