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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1996-03-04PWTC\1996-03-04 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 4, 1996 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 Jake Smola. Councillor J. Ziegler was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Messrs. R. Schirm, D. Snow, S. Gyorffy, T. McKay, B. Arnot, J. McBride and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:40 a.m. 1. DOPWR 96-9 - SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY - DRIFTWOOD DRIVE AND DRIFTWOOD PLACE The Committee was advised that a request has been received from parents in the Forest Heights Subdivision to have an adult crossing guard, located at the intersection of Driftwood Drive and Driftwood Place, to provide assistance for students attending Driftwood Park Public School. It was noted that an adult crossing guard is presently located at the intersection of Yellow Birch Drive and Driftwood Drive. Ms. Wendy Galloway and Ms. Colleen Seibert appeared before the Committee representing the parents in the affected area. Ms. Karen Burkett appeared as the Principal of Driftwood Park Public School. Ms. Galloway advised the Committee that approximately 10 to 15 students utilize the services offered by the existing adult crossing guard at the intersection of Yellow Birch Drive and Driftwood Drive at the present time. On a daily basis, approximately 50 to 75 students cross Driftwood Drive at Driftwood Place which is presently an unsupervised crossing. It was noted that there is a potential for approximately 150 students to cross at this intersection, however, this figure is reduced because many parents presently drive their children to school because of what they deem to be a dangerous situation. It was suggested to the Committee that it would seem to be appropriate to locate an adult crossing guard at the intersection of Driftwood Drive and Driftwood Place. It was noted that Driftwood Park Public School accommodates Kindergarten to Grade 5 and all of the students utilizing this facility are 10 years of age and younger. The parents feel that a dangerous situation is created because of speeding on the street, existing bus stops and traffic volumes. It was noted that several options have been considered and rejected. A student safety patrol is not felt to be appropriate because the crossing cannot be viewed from the Public School. It is also felt to be too far from the school should it be necessary for a student to go for help in the case of an emergency. It was suggested to the Committee that approximately 6 years ago an adult crossing guard was established at the intersection of Yellow Birch Drive and Driftwood Drive even though the warrants did not justify this course of action. The crossing guard was established due to the circumstances at that time. Ms. Galloway suggested to the Committee that circumstances in the area have now changed and it is appropriate to locate an adult crossing guard in a location which will service the majority of the children attending Driftwood Park Public School. When questioned by Councillor C. Weylie, Ms. Burkett noted that the crossing at Yellow Birch Drive is the established route for students attending Driftwood Park Public School, however, the students feel that this is not the most direct route and, accordingly, it is not used. Mr. R. Schirm advised that a trail link will be developed from the intersection of Driftwood Drive and Yellow Birch Drive leading directly to the school. This trail link will be completed by August of 1996. Mrs. Galloway expressed the opinion that the students will not use this route even when the trail link is completed. It is also felt that a link along Driftwood Place is safer because of its proximity to existing residential development. Ms. Burkett pointed out to the Committee that there are a number of schools within the Region which offer Kindgergarten to Grade 5 programs and make use of student patrols. It was also 1.DOPWR 96-9 - SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY - DRIFTWOOD DRIVE AND DRIFTWOOD PLACE PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 4, 1996 - 16 - CITY OF KITCHENER (CONT'D) noted, however, that in most of these cases the circumstances are quite different because the crossing location is located right in front of the school. Councillor B. Vrbanovic expressed concern that approving a second adult crossing guard in this area would set a dangerous precedent and result in additional costs. In this regard, Councillor Vrbanovic questioned whether or not any volunteer programs have been considered. Mrs. Galloway advised that volunteer programs have been considered but, in many cases, both parents work or the mother must remain in the home because of younger children. It was also noted that a co-operative program utilizing the senior students at Westheights Public School was considered but found to be unworkable because of different bell times. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. Mr. R. Schirm advised the Committee that the existing adult crossing guard at Yellow Birch Drive is only 97 metres away from the location presently being suggested. There are many locations across the City where students are asked to walk a little bit farther in order for them to make use of an existing adult crossing guard. Mr. Schirm made use of a video to show the conditions in the area in question. When questioned by Councillor K. Redman, Mr. Schirm advised that the adult crossing guard at Yellow Birch Drive has been confirmed by the Board of Education as an acceptable school route. It was suggested to the Committee that the crossing at Driftwood Place has become a matter of convenience for a number of students and the traffic volumes and conditions in the area do not make this crossing all that inconvenient. Councillor K. Redman suggested that the Board of Education schools are only half of the issue and the needs of the Separate Schools must also be kept in mind. It was suggested by Councillor Redman that signs advising motorists to watch for pedesterians would seem to be appropriate for this area. Councillor J. Ziegler also suggested that erecting oversized speed limit signs might also improve the existing situation. Councillor G. Lorentz indicated that he has been actively involved with this problem for quite some time and introduced the following resolution: "That an adult crossing guard facility be established at Driftwood Drive and Driftwood Place, and further, That the crossing guard facility presently located at Yellow Birch Drive and Driftwood Drive remain in its present location." Several members of the Committee expressed their opposition to the motion as introduced by Councillor Lorentz because it would have the effect of establishing an adult crossing guard facility at a location where such a service is not warranted. It was felt that it was appropriate to ask students to walk an additional 97 metres to reach a crossing point which is presently fully serviced. Councillor Lorentz indicated that he would withdraw his motion, but requested that staff monitor the situation and provide an updated report in the Fall of 1996. Councillor J. Ziegler then introduced the following motion: "That an adult crossing guard facility not be established at Driftwood Drive and Driftwood Place, and further, That the crossing guard facility presently located at Yellow Birch Drive and Driftwood Drive remain in its present location, and further, 1.DOPWR 96-9 - SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY - DRIFTWOOD DRIVE AND DRIFTWOOD PLACE (CONT'D) That staff monitor the activities in this area and provide a further report in January 1997." PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 4, 1996 - 17 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor G. Lorentz introduced an amendment to the motion introduced by Councillor Ziegler, which would require a further staff report regarding this matter by October/November 1996. The amendment, as introduced by Councillor Lorentz, was voted on and Carried. The following motion introduced by Councillor Ziegler, as amended, was then adopted: "That an adult crossing guard facility not be established at Driftwood Drive and Driftwood Place, and further, That the crossing guard facility presently located at Yellow Birch Drive and Driftwood Drive remain in its present location, and further, That staff monitor the activities in this area and provide a further report in October/November 1996." The motion, as amended, was voted on and Carried. 2. DOPWR 96-10 - TRAFFIC CONDITIONS - PLEASANT AVENUE The Committee received a report which recommends that parking be prohibited on the south side of Pleasant Avenue, from Glen Road to Binscarth Avenue. It was noted that, presently, parking is prohibited at any time on the south side of Pleasant Avenue from Queen's Boulevard to Binscarth Avenue, and the proposal is to extend this prohibition by 1 additional block. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited at any time on the south side of Pleasant Avenue from Glen Road to Binscarth Avenue, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 3. DOPWR 96-12 - SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY - AD HOC STUDENT SAFETY PATROL REVIEW COMMITTEE The Committee considered a report which indicates that the Student Safety Patrol Program has been a cost effective partnership between the School Boards, the Regional Police, the Canadian Automobile Association and the Cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. The report, as presented, recommends that the program be continued with the current levels of funding and that participation incentive programs include the distribution of swimming and/or skating passes. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the Student Safety Patrol Program in the Region of Waterloo be maintained, and further, That the specific recommendations as outlined: including that municipal funding be maintained at current levels; and, that municipal participation in the Incentives Program include the distribution of swimming/skating passes; be adopted effective immediately." 4.CHANGES TO GARBAGE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION SCHEDULE This information report was provided to the Committee. The members of the Committee agreed that the proposed changes should be forwarded to affected Neighbourhood Associations so that they can include notification to the area residents in their quarterly newsletters. 5.ADJOURNMENT PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 4, 1996 -18- CITY OF KITCHENER On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk