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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1997-11-17PWTC\1997-11-17 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 1997 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola, with all members present, except Councillor M. Wagner. Councillors Jake Smola and J. Ziegler were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. L. MacDonald and Messrs. D. Snow, J. McBride, D. Mansell, J. Gazzola and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:35 a.m. 1. DOPWR 97-48 - ON-STREET PARKING - HOFSTETTER AVENUE The Committee considered a report which recommends that parking be prohibited on the east side of Hofstetter Avenue from King Street East to a point 120 metres south. The Committee was advised that a request has been received from the Management Company for the condominium development located at 15 Hofstetter Avenue. At the present time, parking is permitted on both sides of Hofstetter Avenue. The parking on the east side of the street creates a visibility problem for vehicles exiting from existing driveways and impedes the safe two-way flow of traffic. Following site inspections, it is being recommended that parking be prohibited on the east side of Hofstetter Avenue. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited on the east side of Hofstetter Avenue from King Street East to a point 120 metres south thereof, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 2. DOPWR 97-49 - ON-STREET PARKING - OBERMEYER DRIVE The Committee considered a report which recommends that parking be prohibited on both sides of Obermeyer Drive from Kinzie Avenue to a point 50 metres to the west. The Committee was advised that site inspections have been undertaken and it has been noted that, when vehicles are parked on both sides of the road, the free flow of two-way traffic is obstructed. It was noted that there is a slight curve in Obermeyer Drive in this location. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited on both sides of Obermeyer Drive, from Kinzie Avenue to a point 50 metres west thereof, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 3. DOPWR 97-50 - ON-STREET PARKING - CLARENCE PLACE The Committee received a report which recommends that parking be prohibited on the east side of Clarence Place, from Lancaster Street to Gordon Avenue, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Committee was advised that site inspections indicate that the existing maximum parking limit of two consecutive hours is being utilized by other than the residents and their visitors. It is suggested that the removal of the existing two hour parking will improve the egress and ingress to and from existing driveways and also the efficiency of snow removal and emergency vehicles. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 1997 - 62 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DOPWR 97-50 - ON-STREET PARKING - CLARENCE PLACE (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, on the east side of Clarence Place, from Lancaster Street to Gordon Avenue, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 4. DOPWR 97-51 - ON-STREET PARKING - ARROWHEAD CRESCENT The Committee received a report which recommends that parking be prohibited on the inside curves of Arrowhead Crescent in the general area of 35, 45, 111 and 121 Arrowhead Crescent. The Committee was advised that numerous requests have been received to review the existing parking regulations on Arrowhead Crescent because parking in the vicinity of the curve areas impedes the free flow of two-way traffic and creates safety concerns. This same parking also narrows the travelled portion of the road during the winter months, creating near impassable conditions. Mr. D. Snow advised the Committee that, late last Friday, one of the residents who urged changes to the existing parking regulations called to indicate that she was not happy with the proposal being advanced in the report presently being considered. Mr. Snow further stated, however, that the recommendations contained in the report are, from a staff point of view, the best way to proceed to resolve the existing parking problem. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited on the north/west side of Arrowhead Crescent, from a point 213 metres south of Green Valley Drive (east intersection) to a point 265 metres west of Green Valley Drive (east intersection), and further, That parking be prohibited on the north/east side of Arrowhead Crescent, from a point 107 metres south of Green Valley Drive (west intersection to a point 156 metres east of Green Valley Drive (west intersection), and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 5. DOPWR 97-52 - 1997 SPECIAL EVENTS - TRAFFIC MAINTENANCE BUDGET The Committee considered a report which recommends that $10,000.00 be included in the 1998 Special Event Traffic Maintenance Budget to be used for on-street traffic and parking controls during special events. It was noted that the amount spent on some two day events is less than what was spent on some one day events. In this regard, Mr. D. Snow pointed out that the duration of an event is of little significance and the work required to prepare for a one day event may be greater than what is required to provide for a two day event. The budget being proposed covers the time and materials required to ensure that roads are properly closed for each event. The Committee was advised that Neighbourhood Associations are not charged to close streets for any of their events. The present report is being tabled because when this budget was approved by Council in 1997, direction was given to staff to provide a report to Council outlining the total amount of the expenses for that year. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 1997 - 63 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. DOPWR 97-52 - 1997 SPECIAL EVENTS - TRAFFIC MAINTENANCE BUDGET (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener Traffic and Parking Division continue to administer the costs for on- street traffic and parking controls for special events, and further, That the City of Kitchener Special Event Traffic Maintenance Budget (Index 950710) for 1998 be set at $10,000.00, and further, That this budgeted amount be used for required on-street traffic and parking controls only for special events." 6. CITY HALL PARKING GARAGE Councillor C. Weylie noted that when she entered the City Hall parking garage on this date there was a line-up of vehicles trying to get in, most of which were City Hall staff using their remote entrance devices. Councillor Weylie questioned why the gate could not be left open which would speed up the entrance process. In this regard, Mr. J. McBride pointed out that there are many people who use the City Hall facility to park all day and the gate must be down so that these people are forced to obtain a ticket which establishes the amount they must pay upon leaving the garage. 7. SNOW PLOUGHING Councillor G. Lorentz expressed the view that the priority for ploughing streets with no sidewalks should be reconsidered. These streets presently have a Iow priority and, since there are no sidewalks, pedestrians are forced to use the road which, during slippery conditions, creates a dangerous situation. Councillor Jake Smola entered the meeting at this time. 8. LEAF COLLECTION Councillor G. Lorentz noted that, in many areas of the City, leaves have been raked out to the street, however, they were not picked up. Due to the recent snowfall, these streets have now been ploughed and the leaves have been deposited back on the boulevard. Councillor Lorentz advised that it is his understanding that the City of Waterloo uses vacuum trucks to pick up leaves and the City is covered on a weekly basis. The City of Kitchener, however, uses street sweepers and the pick up is less frequent. Councillor Lorentz suggested that consideration should be given to our leaf collecting procedures so that, possibly, our level of service can be improved. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. It was agreed that the leaf collection process would be reviewed with Operations staff of the Department of Public Works with an E-Mail being sent out to members of Council outlining the steps that will be taken to clean up the existing leaves. The level of service presently being provided will also be reconsidered at a staff level. 9. EASEMENT - MAPLE LEAF FOODS LTD. - STRASBURG ROAD The Committee considered a report which recommends that an easement be acquired from Maple Leaf Foods Ltd. over part of their lands on the east side of Strasburg Road. This easement is required for storm sewer purposes. 9. EASEMENT - MAPLE LEAF FOODS LTD. - STRASBURG ROAD (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 1997 - 64 - CITY OF KITCHENER On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That the City acquire a registerable easement for nominal consideration from Maple Leaf Foods Ltd. over Part 2, Plan 58R-10568, for storm sewer purposes, all to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." 10. DOPWR 97-53 - FREE SATURDAY PARKING This information report was received by the Committee. 11. WATER SHUT-OFF VALVES - MAINTENANCE POLICY Councillor Jake Smola referred to this information report which indicates that a report identifying alternative means of addressing the water shut-off valve issue will be tabled with the Public Works and Transportation Committee in late January or early February 1998. Councillor Jake Smola suggested that this report should be tabled prior to the end of 1997. Councillor Jake Smola also requested information identifying the number of shut-off valves that the City of Kitchener has distributed for replacement purposes and the profits of the Water Utility over the last 10 years. 12. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk