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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1996-02-19PWTC\1996-02-19 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 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 His Worship Mayor R. Christy. Councillors G. Lorentz, and B. Vrbanovic were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Councillor T. Galloway, Messrs. S. Gyorffy, D. Snow, W. Beck, J. Cicuttin, D. Allen, T. McKay, E. Kovacs, T. McCabe, T. Clancy and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:35 a.m. 1. BELLEVIEW/BECKER TRANSIT SERVICE The Committee was advised that prior to January 16, 1995, the residents of the Belleview/Becker area received transit service which operated Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to midnight and on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to midnight. A presentation was made to the Public Works and Transportation Committee and as a result transit service in this area was operated only during rush hours from Monday to Friday and on a limited basis on Saturdays and Sundays. This action increased the number of households which were located outside of the walk standard of 450 metres which is used for transit service. As directed by the Public Works and Transportation Committee and City Council, staff have undertaken a survey and the results received indicate that there has been a negative impact on the riders in the area and they support the return to normal service. Councillor J. Ziegler pointed out that there was only a 27% response to the survey and only 50% of those responding indicated that they use the transit service. Councillor Ziegler suggested that these figures could be interpreted to mean that only 13.5% of the people in the area use the transit service. Councillor G. Lorentz entered the meeting at this time. Mr. W. Beck questioned the conclusion reached by Councillor Ziegler. However, Councillor Ziegler noted that staff have used the survey results to justify the return of transit service to Belleview Avenue. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. When questioned by Councillor K. Redman, Mr. Beck pointed out that a 400 to 450 metre walk distance is a standard figure used by public transit in establishing service areas. Councillor Jake Smola referred to decreases in ridership and suggested that some of these may be attributed to a fare increase, free parking in the downtown area as well as reduced service in the Belleview area. In this regard, Mr. J. Cicuttin noted that Route 1 has had a decrease in ridership of approximately 8% while there has been a decrease in ridership of approximately 44% in the Belleview area. This decrease in the Belleview area was determined by comparing figures from March and April 1995 to figures obtained in 1993. Mr. G. Sawatzki appeared before the Committee as a resident of Belleview Avenue and indicated concerns with noise and safety problems created by additional bus traffic on the street. Ms. K. Ens advised the Committee that she feels that the results obtained from the most recent survey are biased and self-serving Ms. Ens indicated that she has studied various transit statistics and has reached the conclusion that the change in the route around Belleview Avenue has had little affect on the overall operation of Route 1. Ms. Ens also expressed the view that the restoration of full service to Belleview Avenue will have little affect on increasing ridership and revenue and in fact suggested that operating costs would be increased. Ms. Ens also expressed concern regarding safety problems which are created by the additional bus traffic. When questioned by Councillor C. Weylie, Ms. Ens pointed out that many pupils are bused to Smithson School and more transit buses only adds to existing congestion in the area. It was also noted that many special needs students are accommodated at Smithson School. 1. BELLEVIEW/BECKER TRANSIT SERVICE (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 1996 -11 - CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. C. lintel advised the Committee that he has canvassed the households on Becker Street, Smithson Street, Belleview Avenue, Sherwood Avenue and Cambridge Avenue and determined that approximately 78% of these households support the continuation of limited service on Belleview Avenue. Twelve percent had no opinion and 8% indicated that they would like to see full service reinstated. Mr. Zintel suggested to the Committee that staff have referred to numerous complaints and the loss of revenue as reasons for re-instituting full service. It was the view of Mr. Zintel that staff have overstated the issue in regard to both of these matters. In this regard, Mr. Zintel indicated that he has spoken to 18 people in the area who have indicated that they use public transit and none of them have indicated that the reduced level of service has caused them any problems. It was the view of Mr. lintel that more people would be adversely affected if the buses were returned to Belleview Avenue on a full-time basis than the number of riders that would be adversely affected to the limitation of service. In regard to safety considerations, Mr. Zintel suggested that a "request for stop services" could be implemented in this area for riders using public transit after 9:00 p.m. Councillor Jake Smola indicated that after reviewing all the information presented by the residents and City staff he would support the continuation of limited service on Belleview Avenue. Councillor G. Lorentz also indicated his support for a limited service. Mr. W. Beck advised the Committee that staff are of the opinion that 53 passengers per day are adversely affected by the reduced level of service now being provided. Mr. Beck pointed out that if you talk to any resident living on a street which is used by public transit they would be more than happy if this service were moved to another street. It was the opinion of Mr. Beck that full service should be provided particularly when it can be provided at no additional cost and will provide service to the residents of the area during the late evening hours. Councillor C. Weylie noted that no one supporting the re-institution of full service in this area has felt strongly enough about it to attend this meeting of the Committee. Mr. E. Kovacs suggested to the Committee that transit standards should not be discarded just because it may appear that a particular route is not being well used. It was suggested to the Committee that most routes have periods of time when they are not well utilized. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor Jake Smola - it was resolved: "That the existing level of reduced service respecting Route #1 on Belleview Avenue be continued on a permanent basis." 2. DOPWR 96-9 - SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY - DRIFTWOOD DRIVE AT DRIFTWOOD PLACE Councillor G. Lorentz noted that the report before the Committee deals with various school Crossing Guard problems in the area of Driftwood Drive and Driftwood Place and the reduction of the speed limit on Driftwood Drive between both legs of Westheights Drive to 40 km/hour. Councillor Lorentz requested that the section of the report dealing with Crossing Guards be deferred to the March 4, 1996 meeting of this Committee so that various delegations could be in attendance. The members of the Committee agreed to defer this section of the report. Councillor Lorentz suggested that there is agreement that the speed limit on Driftwood Drive should be reduced to 40 km/hour and suggested that this part of the report could proceed. 2.DOPWR 96-9 - SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY - DRIFTWOOD DRIVE AT DRIFTWOOD PLACE (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 1996 -12- CITY OF KITCHENER On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That a 40 km/h zone be established on Driftwood Drive, from Westheights Drive (north intersection) to Westheights Drive (south intersection), and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 3. DOPWR 96-8 - 1996 REGIONAL ROADS PROGRAM AND 10 YEAR CAPITAL FORECAST Mr. D. Snow advised the Committee that the 1996 Regional Roads Program and 10 Year Capital Forecast has been reviewed and is presented to the Committee for consideration. It was noted that this program will be reviewed shortly by the Regional Engineering Committee and Regional Council and cuts will be made. This program has yet to be impacted by Provincial cutbacks or financial constraints. The Committee was advised that staff are of the opinion that the first priority should be to maintain the existing infrastructure and the projects of this type have been rated accordingly. Councillor G. Lorentz referred to Items 9 and 10 which would only be required if a decision was made to re-institute two-way traffic on Duke Street and Charles Street. It was noted that Kitchener Council has not debated this issue and, accordingly, it was suggested that possibly these two items should be deleted. Mr. T. McKay advised the Committee that there will not be enough money in the Regional budget to undertake all 10 items and, accordingly, nothing would happen regarding Items 9 and 10 during 1996. Some members of the Committee felt that the items dealing with Charles Street and Duke Street should be deleted from the report while others were of the opinion that these items could be left in as long as it was clearly understood that any work would be subject to the completion of the Regional Transportation Study. When questioned by Councillor M. Wagner, Mr. D. Snow confirmed that the report indicates that the railway track removal and restorations in the areas of Queen Street, Park Street, Courtland Avenue and Victoria Street will take place during 1996. Councillor J. Ziegler referred to certain proposed works on King Street East between Fairway Road and River Road which are now scheduled for 2001. Councillor Ziegler indicated that he has a pecuniary interest in this project since he owns property in the area. It was noted that the project in question does not form any part of the resolution to be considered at this time. Councillor Jake Smola referred to the extension of Ottawa Street North and outlined the benefits of completing this extension from Keewatin Avenue to Lackner Blvd. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor K. Redman - it was resolved: "That the following priority ranking be established for the projects proposed for the City of Kitchener, in the Region's 1996 Roads Program; PRIORITY PROJECT EST. COST 1. Intersection Improvement Reg. Rd. 15 & 55 $325,000 KING STREET AT VICTORIA STREET 3. DOPWR 96-8 1996 REGIONAL ROADS PROGRAM AND 10 YEAR CAPITAL FORECAST (CONT'D) 2. Reconstruction Reg. Rd. 15 $660,000 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 1996 -13- CITY OF KITCHENER KING STREET between Francis Street & Louisa Street C.P. Rail Track Removal and Restoration PARK ST./COURTLAND AVE.NICTORIA ST. $ 30,000 Resurfacing Reg. Rd. 2 $280,000 HURON ROAD Amand Dr. to Trussler Rd. & into Wilmot Twp. Resurfacing Reg. Rd. 6 $130,000 QUEEN STREET Courtland Ave. to Highland Rd. 6. Resurfacing Reg. Rd. 12 $150,000 HIGHLAND ROAD Queen St. to Belmont Ave. 7. Resurfacing Reg. Rd. 12 $170,000 NEW DUNDEE ROAD Curves east of Executive Place to Reichert Dr. 8. System Expansion Reg. Rd. 4 $440,000 OTTAWA STREET (scheduled in '97) Lackner Blvd. to Keewatin Avenue 9. Phase I Intersection Improvements Reg. Rd. 63 & 64 $150,000 DUKE STREET & CHARLES STREET Reversion to two-way traffic 10. Traffic Signal Modernization Reg. Rd. 63 & 64 $350,000 DUKE STREET & CHARLES STREET Reversion to two-way traffic, and further, That any works undertaken respecting Items 9 and 10 listed above shall be subject to the completion of the Regional Transportation Study." 4. DOPWR 96-11 - TAXI SERVICES - DOWNTOWN AND RELATED TRAFFIC CONCERNS The Committee received a report outlining concerns of the Regional Police with problems being created by taxis and private vehicles stopping and/or parking on the travelled portion of the road as they wait to pick up passengers. This activity is taking place in the downtown area and is a particular concern when the downtown entertainment establishments are closing for the evening. It has been suggested that taxi cabs stands be established on King Street between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. nightly. This suggestion has been reviewed with the local taxi companies and the Regional Police and they all support its adoption for a six month trial. Councillor B. Vrbanovic inquired as to what action would be taken with cars that are parked in the taxi cab stand areas before 11:00 p.m. and are not moved. In this regard, Mr. D. Snow suggested that signage will be critical and hopefully the public will co-operate and enforcement will not become a problem. Mr. Snow pointed out that Police will be looking after the enforcement since they will be in the area and tickets will be issued for vehicles parked in these locations after 11:00 p.m. It was suggested that the towing of vehicles is not contemplated at this time and the entire matter of enforcement would be reviewed following the trial period. 4. DOPWR 96-11 - TAXI SERVICES - DOWNTOWN AND RELATED TRAFFIC CONCERNS (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor K. Redman - it was resolved: PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 1996 -14- CITY OF KITCHENER "That Taxi Cab Stands be established in the on street parking spaces on King Street in the vicinity of the entertainment establishments (bars) between the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. nightly, and further, That this arrangement be reviewed after a six month trial period." 5.WILFLIN ESTATE - 4553 KING STREET EAST The Committee considered a report which recommends that the City waive its normal procedure for the selection of Consultants and retain Paragon Engineering Limited to design and supervise the installation of municipal services at 4553 King Street East. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That the City waive its normal procedure for the selection of Consultants and retain the Firm of Paragon Engineering Limited, Consulting Engineers, to design and supervise municipal service installations at 4553 King Street East." 6.INFORMATIONAL ITEM - RECOVERIES FOR ACCIDENT COSTS This informational report was presented to and discussed by the Committee. 7.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk