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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1998-11-09PWTC\1998-11-09 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 1998 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola, with all members present except Councillors J. Haalboom and Jake Smola. Councillor J. Ziegler was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Messrs. E. Kovacs, S. Gyorffy, D. Snow, J. McBride, J. Cicuttin, J. Gazzola and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:35 a.m. 1. DOPWR 98-46 - THEATRE PARKING RATE This matter was originally considered by the Public Works and Transportation Committee on October 26, 1998. At that time it was recommended that a parking fee of $3.00 per vehicle be established for spaces in the Provincial Court House garage and the Regional Headquarters garage during performances at the Centre In The Square. A further recommendation was that a fee of $5.00 per vehicle be established for all City operated surface parking lots for this same period of time. Finalization of this matter was deferred to allow staff to further review the situation. At this meeting the Committee was advised that Messrs. J. Gazzola and D. Snow had attended the Centre In The Square on Friday, October 30, 1998 to observe the parking operations prior to an Opera presentation. At that time it was observed that the attendants for the Court House and Regional parking facilities were not actively aggressive in directing motorists into these facilities. It is suggested that having the attendants become more aggressive, and reducing the fee to $3.00 per vehicle, will attract more users to these facilities. It is also suggested that, by providing reduced rates in the parking garages, there may be more surface spaces available for the patrons who arrive late for performances. The Committee was advised that staff are of the opinion that the rate changes, as originally proposed, including reduced rates for the garages and a change in parking strategy will improve the parking operation for the Centre In The Square. The Committee was advised that, at the present time, the Court House and Regional parking garages have not been open for every performance but were only open based on expected attendance provided by the Centre In The Square Management. With the changes being proposed, it is intended that the garage facilities will be open for all future performances. The Committee was advised that the Management of the Centre In The Square agree with the recommendations as presented. In reply to Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. D. Snow advised that staff will look at the possibility of providing assistance to people trying to get out of the underground parking facilities following performances. It was noted, however, that directing traffic out onto a public street is a Regional Police function. Mr. Snow also advised that adjustments to traffic signals in the area may provide better traffic gaps which could assist the patrons exiting the garage facilities. Mr. D. Snow indicated to the Committee that staff will be kept on duty for a longer period of time following the conclusion of a theatre performance which will hopefully eliminate the patrons reluctance to use the underground parking facilities. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. Mayor C. Zehr suggested that better use of the underground facilities will assist in alleviating the existing parking problems but suggested that relocating signs directing patrons to parking facilities would also be beneficial. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 1998 - 86 - CITY OF KITCHENER DOPWR 98-46 - THEATRE PARKING RATE (CONT'D) Councillor J. Ziegler questioned whether or not a type of discount coupon could be provided to someone who was willing to park in one of the underground facilities only to find that they were full. In this regard, Mr. D. Snow agreed to review the matter but indicated some concern in providing any form of discount for someone who was arriving just before show time. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic- it was resolved: "That, effective January 1, 1999, the parking fee for performances at the Centre In The Square be $3.00 per vehicle for the Provincial Court House garage and the Regional Headquarters garage, and $5.00 per vehicle for all City operated surface parking adjacent to the Centre In The Square." DOPWR 98-48 - NOISE BY-LAW EXEMPTION - BETHANY EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH - 160 LANCASTER STREET EAST The Committee considered a request from the Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church for an exemption from the City's Noise By-law so that they could use a radio, amplifier and public address system during their 1998 Christmas Pageant. This pageant will be presented from December 9th to December 12th, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: "That the Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church be exempt from the provisions of Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener's Municipal Code, Article 7 (Radio, Amplifier, Public Address System), during their 1998 Christmas Pageant being held December 9 through 12, 1998, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m." DOPWR 98-49 - AUTHORIZED REQUESTOR AGREEMENT - II This matter was originally considered by the Public Works and Transportation Committee on October 26, 1998. At that time, the Committee had been asked to approve entering into an agreement with the Ministry of Transportation to obtain residential address information so that legal proceedings could be commenced in regard to parking infractions. Staff had been instructed to contact the Regional Police to determine whether or not the Police could provide the necessary information which would allow a $9.00 Provincial surcharge to be avoided. Mr. J. McBride appeared before the Committee at this time and advised that the Regional Police were contacted and have advised that they cannot provide the information needed to meet the City's obligations regarding the sending out of Notice of Impending Convictions and Notices of Fine and Due Date. It was noted that personal information is involved and, accordingly, there are Freedom of Information regulations which apply. The Committee was also advised that, if a vehicle owner decided to request a trial, a certified ownership sticker is required by the Courts and this must be issued by the Ministry of Transportation. It was also noted that, regardless of how the municipality were to obtain their information, they would still be obliged to collect the $9.00 surcharge and submit $8.75 for each ticket to the Province. The Committee was advised that other municipalities have been contacted and most have indicated that they will be working with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in an attempt to get a better cost sharing arrangement with the Ministry of Transportation. In this regard, it is being recommended that the City enter into the required agreement with the Ministry of Transportation but that any funds collected on behalf of the Ministry be held In Trust until such time as the petition to the A.M.O. has been considered. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 1998 - 87 - CITY OF KITCHENER DOPWR 98-49 - AUTHORIZED REQUESTOR AGREEMENT - II (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler- it was resolved: "That the City enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Transportation to access residential address information for the purpose of commencing a legal proceeding against a registered license plate holder who has committed a parking infraction in contravention of a municipal parking by-law, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, and further, That any additional funds collected by the municipality on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation be held In Trust until such time as a more equitable cost sharing arrangement to reflect the true costs of maintaining the ownership databases, and obtaining and processing the data for Court purposes, can be negotiated, either directly with the Ministry of Transportation or through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario." DOPWR 98-50 - TRAFFIC CONTROL - BANKSIDE DRIVE AT EASTFOREST/WESTFOREST TRAIL The Committee considered a report which recommends that all-way stop controls be installed at the intersections of Bankside Drive and Eastforest Trail, and Bankside Drive and Westforest Trail. It is felt that the introduction of all-way stops at these intersections, along with pavement markings to define bike lanes, parking and left-turn lanes, will assist in alleviating the speeding concerns which have been raised by the area residents. When questioned by Councillor G. Lorentz, Mr. D. Snow advised that the installation of these all- way stops is viewed, at this time, as being a permanent traffic control measure. Mr. Snow advised the Committee that, during the subdivision planning process, traffic controls are reviewed. It was acknowledged that there are some down sides to all-way stops and these are considered before this type of traffic control is recommended. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That all-way stop controls be installed at both the intersections of Bankside Drive and Eastforest Trail, and Bankside Drive and Westforest Trail, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." DOPWR 98-51 - TRAFFIC CONTROL - HOLBORN DRIVE AT OLD CHICOPEE DRIVE The Committee considered a report which recommends that an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of Holborn Drive and Old Chicopee Drive. This traffic control measure is being recommended due to existing operational problems at this intersection, significant pedestrian activity and the closeness of schools, parks and shopping facilities. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic- it was resolved: "That an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of Holborn Drive and Old Chicopee Drive, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." DOPWR 98-52 - ON-STREET PARKING - HOLBORN COURT The Committee considered a report which recommends that parking be prohibited on the south side of Holborn Court from Holborn Drive to the end of the Court. This parking prohibition is being recommended to improve visibility for pedestrians. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 1998 - 88 - CITY OF KITCHENER DOPWR 98-52 - ON-STREET PARKING - HOLBORN COURT (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic- it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited on the south side of Holborn Court, from Holborn Drive to the end of the Court, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." DOPWR 98-53 - TRAFFIC CONTROL/CALMING - CLIFTON ROAD BETWEEN ARNOLD STREET AND LANCASTER STREET The Committee considered a report which recommends that Clifton Road, from Arnold Street to Lancaster Street, be converted from two-way traffic to one-way traffic westbound. The report further recommends that the turning radius on Clifton Road at Lancaster Street, and on Clifton Road at Arnold Street, be reduced by means of temporary node extensions. The Committee was advised that these recommendations are as a result of requests received from Clifton Road residents who are concerned with existing traffic conditions, specifically, the volume of heavy truck traffic and speeding. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That Clifton Road, from Arnold Street to Lancaster Street, be converted from two-way traffic to one-way traffic westbound, and further, That the turning radius on Clifton Road at Lancaster Street, and on Clifton Road at Arnold Street, be reduced by means of temporary node extensions, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." DOPWR 98-54- FREE SATURDAY PARKING The Committee was advised that the Kitchener Downtown Business Association has requested that free parking be provided in all City parking facilities from November 21st through the Christmas season. It has been estimated that the cost of providing this program will be $30,000.00 in lost parking revenue. On motion by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison - it was resolved: "That free parking be provided in all City operated parking lots on Saturdays commencing on November 21st and extending through the Christmas season, as requested by the Kitchener Downtown Business Association." TRANSIT- EVENING SERVICE REDUCTIONS The Committee considered a report recommending certain reductions in evening Transit service. On Route 2 - Forest Hill and Route 3 - Idlewood, it is being recommended that the last trip from the Downtown Terminal be moved to 6:45 p.m. from the present 10:30 p.m. These changes would be in effect Monday through Saturday. On Route 6 - Bridgeport and Route 15 - Frederick, it is being recommended that the last trip from the Downtown Terminal be moved to 10:30 p.m. from the present 12:00 midnight. Mr. J. Cicuttin pointed out that the recommended changes are in accordance with the Transit Division Corporate Plan, whereby the level of service on Iow performing sub-routes is to be reduced with cost reductions being allocated towards the provision of new service to areas that presently lack, but are deemed to justify, transit service. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 1998 - 89 - CITY OF KITCHENER 9. TRANSIT- EVENING SERVICE REDUCTIONS (CONT'D) Mr. Cicuttin advised the Committee that the changes, as proposed, would result in an annual saving of 2,642 hours and reduce costs by $103,550.00. When taking into account lost revenues, the net savings will be $68,300.00 per year. Councillor J. Ziegler indicated his support for the recommendation, as presented, but expressed the view that one half of the savings should be used to reduce the cost of transit, with the other half of the savings being used to provide for service improvements. Mr. E. Kovacs advised the Committee that there are many things going on in Transit at the present time, and the area of labour relations is an important aspect which will have to be resolved. Mr. Kovacs also pointed out that extending transit service to the Pioneer TowedSportsworld Drive area will be a costly undertaking. In this regard, Mr. Kovacs suggested to the Committee that it may be premature to adopt a policy such as that suggested by Councillor Ziegler. This course of action at this time may magnify future problems. Councillor G. Lorentz referred to Route 2 - Forest Hill and indicated his support for the recommendation, as presented, but questioned whether or not the possibility of any route changes had been considered. In this regard, Mr. Kovacs advised that no route changes are being considered and it is felt by staff that this matter should be brought to a close so that residents finally know what is going on in this area. Mayor C. Zehr referred to paragraph 2 of the proposed recommendation and suggested that it be re-worded to read as follows: "That the service hours saved from the evening service reductions be held in abeyance until a policy regarding this type of savings has been determined." On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: "That the following evening service reductions be implemented, effective March 8, 1999: Last Trip from Downtown Terminal - Monday to Saturday Route 2 - Forest Hill 6:45 p.m. Route 3 - Idlewood 6:45 p.m. Route 6 - Bridgeport 10:30 p.m. Route 15 - Frederick 10:30 p.m. and further, That the service hours saved from the evening service reductions be held in abeyance until a policy regarding this type of savings has been determined." 10. INFORMATION ITEM The Committee received the following information report: Water Meter Shop - Cost/Benefit Analysis of Repair/Replace Decision. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 1998 - 90 - CITY OF KITCHENER 11. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk