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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1998-09-28PWTC\1998-09-28 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola, with all members present. Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors G. Lorentz and J. Ziegler were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. P. Houston and Messrs. E. Kovacs, S. Gyorffy, J. McBride, D. Snow, J. Cicuttin, L. Lynch, K. Mayer, B. Musselman, J. Shivas and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:35 a.m. 1. DOPWR 98-38 - LOT NO.1 - CHARLES STREET - HOURLY & MONTHLY PARKING The Committee considered a report which recommends that the hourly parking rate in Lot No.1 - Charles Street be $1.25 per hour with a $5.00 daily maximum between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. It is also being recommended that a monthly rate of $50.00 per month plus taxes be initiated for this parking lot. Councillor J. Haalboom suggested a rate of $1.00 per hour but was advised that the rate was increased to $1.25 per hour when it became necessary to pay Provincial Sales Tax and the Goods and Services Tax. It was also noted that customers can make use of credit cards and the equipment takes all denominations of coins. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic- it was resolved: "That the hourly parking rate in Lot No.1, Charles Street, be $1.25 per hour, $5.00 daily maximum, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and further, That monthly parking be permitted in Lot No.1, Charles Street, with a monthly rate of $50.00 per month plus taxes." Mayor C. Zehr entered the meeting at this time. DOPWR 98-39 - LOT NO.19 - CENTRE IN THE SQUARE - HOURLY PARKING The Committee considered a report which recommends that an hourly rate of $1.25, with a $5.00 daily maximum, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, be established for Lot No. 19, Centre In The Square. It was noted that patrons of this lot will receive free parking after 6:00 p.m. on a daily basis, except when there is a performance taking place at the Centre In The Square. On those evenings, operators will be in attendance to collect the parking fares. When questioned by Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. J. McBride advised that there are parking meters available within the Regional Headquarters building and it is his understanding that the cost of parking at these meters is $1.25 per hour. The Committee was advised that the rate changes being recommended will have minor effects on some Library staff and/or volunteers. When questioned by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison, Mr. McBride advised that there is no charge for the parking of Police vehicles in this area and he is not aware that there have been significant problems created for Court witnesses. There were some problems with witnesses having to slip out to put more money in the meters, however, with the new daily rate maximum this problem will be overcome. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the hourly parking rate in Lot No.19, Centre In The Square, be $1.25 per hour, $5.00 daily maximum, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m." PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 - 68 - CITY OF KITCHENER DOPWR 98-40 - HALLS LANE WEST (QUEEN STREET - SEIGNOR LANE) - TWO-WAY REVERSION The Committee received a report which recommends that traffic on Halls Lane West between Queen Street and Seignor Lane be reverted to two-way. It was noted that with the reversion of Lot No.1, Charles Street, to a pay and display lot, access will be constructed to the facility off of Halls Lane. In order to better facilitate the Walper Terrace patrons, who wish to use this parking lot, the reversion to two-way traffic is recommended. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: "That Halls Lane West, from Queen Street to Seignor Lane, be reverted to two-way traffic." 4. DOPWR 98-43 - ON-STREET PARKING - LITTLEFIELD CRESCENT The Committee received a report which recommends that parking be prohibited on both sides of Littlefield Crescent from the north intersection of Williamsburg Road and the properties known municipally as 20/21 Littlefield Crescent. The Committee was advised that excessive on-street parking is created by the visitors and/or tenants of 265 Williamsburg Road and this parking impedes the free flow of two-way traffic and hampers access to existing driveways. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited on both sides of Littlefield Crescent from the north intersection of Williamsburg Road to houses #20/21 Littlefield Crescent, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 5. DOPWR 98-44 - TRAFFIC CONTROL - CLARK AVENUE The Committee was advised that the residents of Clark Avenue have expressed concern with the amount of traffic and the speed of vehicles using this street. This street is used as a shortcut from Courtland Avenue to Wilson Avenue. As a result of the concerns received it is being recommended that the speed limit on Clark Avenue, from Siebert Avenue to Wilson Avenue, be reduced to 40 km/h. On motion by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison - it was resolved: "That the speed limit on Clark Avenue, from Siebert Avenue to Wilson Avenue, be reduced to 40 km/h, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 6. WASTE COLLECTION CONTRACT TENDER CALL The Committee received a report which recommends that staff continue to investigate the merits of a co-operative tender call for waste collection services. Mr. S. Gyorffy advised the Committee that the City's current contract with Browning-Ferris Industries will expire on June 31,2000. If a different contractor should be successful, lead time will be required to attend to such things as the hiring of staff and the purchase of vehicles. In this regard, it is staff's hope that a tender can be awarded in May 1999. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 - 69 - CITY OF KITCHENER WASTE COLLECTION CONTRACT TENDER CALL (CONT'D) Staff have met with representatives from neighbouring municipalities and it would appear that there is interest for a co-operative tender from the City of Cambridge, as well as the Townships of Woolwich and Wilmot. When questioned by Mayor C. Zehr, Mr. Gyorffy advised that the existing City of Cambridge contract expires 18 months after the existing City of Kitchener contract. If a co-operative venture were pursued it would probably result in a new 7 year contract for the City of Kitchener and a contract of about 5 years for the City of Cambridge. When questioned by Councillor Jake Smola, Mr. Gyorffy advised that he had no information regarding what action the Region may take regarding future tipping fees. In this regard, Mayor C. Zehr indicated that current information would seem to indicate that there would be no increase over the next 3 years. Mr. Gyorffy advised the Committee that any savings resulting from a decrease in tipping fees or the amount of garbage taken to the landfill site would accrue directly into the City's Operating Budget. Councillor Jake Smola expressed the view that tipping fees are presently too high and advised that he is aware of a local contractor who collects commercial garbage and trucks it to Chatham or Michigan for disposal. Councillor Jake Smola suggested that this would seem to indicate that local tipping fees are excessive if a contractor can truck garbage to a remote location and still make money. Mr. Gyorffy advised the Committee that tipping fees will be included as part of an overall Regional review. Councillor John Smola noted that tipping fees are a political decision. Several members of the Committee indicated that they would be opposed to any reduction in tipping fees because they are usually kept high to encourage recycling. It was also suggested that a reduction in tipping fees will result in greater use of the existing landfill site and this will create a serious problem once the current facility has been filled. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: "That staff continue to investigate the merits of a co-operative tender for waste collection services." DOPWR 97-9 - PROPOSED SIDEWALK POLICY AND ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY POLICY The Committee received a report dealing with changes to existing policies regarding road right-of- way widths, sidewalk requirements and subdivision manual. It was noted that this report is being presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee for information purposes and will be reviewed by the Planning and Economic Development Committee at a meeting to be held on October 26, 1998. Mr. D. Snow reviewed the report as presented and advised that the Sidewalk Policy was reviewed due to difficulties encountered in establishing sidewalk locations and conflicting views as to the need for a sidewalk in a particular location. As a result of the reviews undertaken, new sidewalk requirements have been developed. These new sidewalk requirements are attached hereto and form part of these minutes. The Committee was advised that the policies being presented will provide flexibility and recognize approvals which were given some years ago but where development has not yet occurred. Councillor Jake Smola expressed the opinion that there should be a sidewalk on at least one side of every street in residential areas within the City of Kitchener. In this regard, it was noted that the new policies being presented would not require sidewalks on roads having a width of 16 7. DOPWR 97-9 - PROPOSED SIDEWALK POLICY AND ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY POLICY PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 - 70 - CITY OF KITCHENER (CONT'D) metres or less unless there were inter-connecting walkways or pedestrian connections to such things as schools, transit routes or other community facilities. Several members of the Committee agreed that problems are created when sidewalks are not provided on narrow streets and these problems are aggravated during the winter months. It was suggested that the prime consideration should be pedestrian safety and not the financial benefit to a particular developer. Mayor C. Zehr expressed the view that there may be some roads in residential areas where sidewalks are not required. In this regard, Mr. E. Kovacs pointed out that planning principles were an important consideration in the development of the Sidewalk Policy. Mr. Kovacs also noted that a sidewalk on at least one side of every street within the City will be a dramatic increase in the level of service from that which has ever been provided in the past. It will also have a serious financial impact on the taxpayers of the City. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison suggested to the Committee that there are many older areas of the City where sidewalks are required. When questioned by Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. D. Snow confirmed that as part of the site plan approval process, mall owners could be required to install sidewalks which connect to existing transit facilities. Councillor J. Haalboom expressed the view that the provision of sidewalks in business park and industrial areas should be reviewed. In this regard, Mr. K. Mayer advised that a separate review will be undertaken for industrial areas with cost projections being developed regarding the provision of sidewalks. At the request of the Committee, Ms. P. Houston agreed to find out what, if any, effect a sidewalk running across the front of a property has on the assessment of that property. It was agreed that the comments made at this meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee would be taken into account by staff and, where appropriate, options developed which can be further considered at the meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Committee to be held on Monday, October 26, 1998. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. 8. NEW SIDEWALK INSTALLATION The Committee considered a report containing a number of locations where new sidewalks may be required. Councillor J. Ziegler referred to the inclusion of King Street East, between Fairway Road and River Road, in the report and advised that he owns a property in this area and, as a result, has a pecuniary interest and would abstain from all discussion and voting in regard to this particular street. Mayor C. Zehr referred to a problem situation on Ottawa Street South in the area of Senioren Haus. This is a senior citizen facility and there are safety issues regarding the residents getting to public transit services. Mayor Zehr advised that there is no doubt that a land acquisition will be required to implement any solution to overcome the existing problem. Several members of the Committee requested staff to look at various areas in regard to the possible development of sidewalks. Some of the areas mentioned were Victoria Street, between Fischer-Hallman Road and Ira Needles Boulevard; Manitou Drive; and, Morgan Avenue, between Fairway Road and the Community Centre. 8. NEW SIDEWALK INSTALLATION (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 -71 - CITY OF KITCHENER Following further discussion and on motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: "That new sidewalks on existing streets be considered for addition to the Capital Forecast by City Council on a priority basis as detailed in the report considered by the Public Works and Transportation Committee on September 28, 1998, and further, That sidewalks be installed on existing streets as outlined in Schedule 'A' of the report presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on September 28, 1998, and further, That the funding for this work be provided in the 10 Year Capital Forecast as shown in Schedule 'B' of the report presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on September 28, 1998, and further, That new sidewalks on local streets, where they were not included as part of the original subdivision servicing, as outlined on Schedule 'C' of the report presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on September 28, 1998, be constructed under the Local Improvement Act, and further, That the practice of requiring developers to finance new sidewalk construction for subdivisions and site re-development be continued, as contained in the proposed Sidewalk Policy, and further, That the City of Kitchener prioritize sidewalk projects on Regional roads and request the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to take all appropriate action regarding any required property acquisitions." Councillor J. Ziegler owns a property on King Street East, between Fairway Road and River Road, and accordingly, declared a pecuniary interest and abstained from discussion and did not vote in regard to that particular street. 9. FUTURE DIRECTION OF TRANSIT The Committee received a report regarding the future direction of Kitchener Transit. It was agreed that this report will be considered at a public meeting to be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 1998. 10. INFORMATION ITEM The Committee received an information report entitled "Gas Supply Update". 11. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk