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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1996-08-06PWTC\1996-08-06 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 6, 1996 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Alderman J. Smola, with all members present. His Worship Mayor R. Christy and Councillor J. Ziegler were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. S. Kennedy and Messrs. R. Schirm, S. Gyorffy, J. McBride, K. Mayers, D. Mansell, R. Pritchard, J. Gazzola, T. Clancy, T. McCabe and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:30 a.m. 1. FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS - FREE BUS TRANSPORTATION Ms. E. Covey appeared before the Committee to request that free bus transportation be provided for the financially disadvantaged so that they can attend the 1996 light display at Victoria Park. Ms. Covey thanked the City of Kitchener for the special tickets issued in 1995 which allowed Iow income individuals to, on one night, go to Victoria Park. The Committee was advised that the request for 1996 is a program that would be in operation for 2 nights. The Committee received a report from Mr. W. Beck, Director of Transit, indicating that the request as presented could be accommodated and would not create any additional costs since no additional buses would be added. Councillor G. Lorentz pointed out that last year there was a great deal of vandalism in Victoria Park and questioned whether or not it may be possible for those that receive free bus transportation to undertake some volunteer work and patrol the park. In this regard, Ms. Covey suggested that it would be more appropriate to make a request to the entire population to serve as a volunteer and patrol the park. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That staff be instructed to implement a program which, for 2 evenings, will provide the financially disadvantaged with free bus transportation to allow them to attend the 1996 Festival of Lights in Victoria Park." His Worship Mayor R. Christy entered the meeting at this time. 2. OLD CHICOPEE DRIVE - VARIOUS MATTERS The Committee received a report from Mr. D. Mansell, regarding a sanitary servicing scheme for 3 subdivisions along Old Chicopee Trail/River Road. It was noted that the preferred scheme was presented to a public open house on May 8, 1996 and is being recommended at this time. The Committee was also advised that they are being asked to approve the preferred location for the extension of Old Chicopee Drive from Daimler Drive to River Road. The Committee is also being asked to accept 2 environmental assessments which will be filed in the Clerk's Office for the mandatory period of 30 days. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. Councillor B. Vrbanovic expressed concern that the design of the Old Chicopee Drive extension may lead to speeding. It was the view of Councillor Vrbanovic that the design of a new road should be more important than enforcement when it comes to controlling speeding. Councillor J. Ziegler expressed concern about wooded areas which will have to be removed to accommodate various right-of-ways and trail links. Mr. Mansell advised the Committee that the question of street design and destruction of wooded areas will be reviewed in greater detail when the subdivision plans are being given final consideration. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 6, 1996 - 48 - CITY OF KITCHENER OLD CHICOPEE DRIVE - VARIOUS MATTERS (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That Council approve the preferred sanitary servicing scheme for the Old Chicopee Trail/River Road Subdivisions 30T-95020 (173424 Ontario Limited); 30T-95021 (William Gies Construction Ltd.); and 30T-95022 (810066 Ontario Ltd.), as was presented at the public open house on May 8, 1996, and further, That Council approve the preferred location for Old Chicopee Drive from its existing terminus at Daimler Drive to River Road, as was presented at the public open house on May 8, 1996, and further, That the two Schedule 'B' Class Environmental Assessment Study reports for these projects be filed with the City Clerk for the mandatory 30 day public review period." On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the design of the extension of Old Chicopee Drive and the development of rights-of-way and trail systems in the residential developments bounded by Fairway Road, River Road and the proposed extension of Old Chicopee Drive be referred to staff for detailed review during the subdivision approval process." DOPWR 96-25 - SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY - MODIFICATIONS FOR THE 1996-1997 SCHOOL YEAR The Committee considered a report containing the following action plan for improvements to school traffic safety for the 1996-1997 school year: · the establishment of an Adult Crossing Guard facility at the corner of Vanier Drive and Walton Avenue; · the establishment of a School Bus Loading Zone on the west side of Westheights Drive, north of Driftwood Drive; · the relocation of the School Bus Loading Zone on the east side of Queen's Boulevard, north of Bonfair Court to a point 24 metres further north; · the establishment of a Student Safety Patrol assisted school crossing on Rittenhouse Road, south of Rosebank Place; · the elimination of a Student Safety Patrol assisted school crossing on Greenbrook Drive, between Forest Hill Drive and Lakeside Drive; · the development of a pilot project at Crestview Public School to deal with ongoing ~roblems involving stopped/parked vehicles; and, · the distribution of school route maps to every elementary school child in the City. In response to Councillor K. Redman, Mr. J. McBride pointed out that a report will be coming in the fall of this year dealing with the signalization of intersections which presently meet existing warrants. The financing of such installations will be considered at that time. Councillor Jake Smola referred to the pilot project at Crestview School but noted that no comment has been made regarding the German School classes which are run at this location on Saturday mornings. In this regard, Mr. R. Schirm advised the Committee that the report would be amended to take into account the Saturday activities and Council will be advised in this regard. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 6, 1996 - 49 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DOPWR 96-25 - SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY - MODIFICATIONS FOR THE 1996-1997 SCHOOL YEAR (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor K. Redman - it was resolved: "That an Adult Crossing Guard facility be established at Vanier Drive at Walton Avenue, effective September 3, 1996, and further, That the 1996 Operating Budget be adjusted by $3,500.00 to reflect this additional service." - and - "That a School Bus Loading Zone be established on the west side of Westheights Drive from a point 96 metres north of the intersection of Driftwood Drive to a point 13 metres north thereof, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." - and - "That the School Bus Loading Zone on the east side of Queen's Boulevard, 46 metres north of Bonfair Court, be moved to a point 24 metres further north, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." - and - "That a NO U-Turn Zone be established on Montcalm Drive from the intersection of Old York Crescent to Hampton Place, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." DOPWR 96-36 - TRAFFIC CONTROL - DAVID STREET AT SCHNEIDER AVENUE The Committee considered a report which recommends that an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of David Street and Schneider Street. Councillor R. Wagner expressed the opinion that a 4 way stop was not required at this intersection. It was the view of Councillor Wagner that this request had been submitted by the area residents in an attempt to discourage traffic from using the streets in the area. Councillor Wagner was of the opinion that there are other similar minor intersections within the City that do not warrant all-way stops. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of David Street and Schneider Avenue, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." This motion was carried with Councillor M. Wagner voting in the negative. DOPWR 96-37 - TRAFFIC CONTROL - SIMEON STREET AREA - SAMUEL STREET/PANDORA AVENUE The Committee received a report recommending that the existing traffic controls at the intersection of Samuel Street and Pandora Avenue be reversed so that east and west bound traffic on Samuel Street would be required to stop at Pandora Avenue. It was noted that a similar recommendation was presented to Council in October 1991 but was not approved at that time. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 6, 1996 - 50 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. DOPWR 96-37 - TRAFFIC CONTROL - SIMEON STREET AREA - SAMUEL STREET/PANDORA AVENUE (CONT'D) The Committee was advised that concerns had been brought to the attention of the Traffic and Parking Division, particularly in regard to the lack of control on Samuel Street at Pandora Avenue which allows an uninterrupted flow of traffic from Krug Street to Stirling Avenue. The recommendation, as proposed, would alleviate these concerns. When questioned by Councillor K. Redman, Mr. J. McBride advised that temporary signage will be erected to advise motorists of the proposed changes. The potential of installing permanent signage to advise motorists of children in the area will be reviewed with Mr. D. Snow. On motion by Councillor K. Redman - it was resolved: "That the existing controls be reversed to require east and west bound traffic on Samuel Street to stop at Pandora Avenue, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." DOPWR 96-38 - NOISE BY-LAW EXEMPTION - FAIRWAY ROAD BETWEEN WILSON AVENUE & HIGHWAY 8 - RAMP RECONSTRUCTION A request has been received from the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to have them and their contractors exempted from the provisions of the City's Noise By-law. This approval will allow work on the reconstruction of Fairway Road between Wilson Avenue and the Highway 8 ramp to take place between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. from August 12 to August 23, 1996. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested to Mr. S. Gyorffy that the Holiday Inn should be advised of the approval of this request. On motion by Councillor Jake Smola - it was resolved: "That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and its contractor(s) be exempt from the provisions of Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, Article 6 (Construction Work), during reconstruction of Fairway Road between Wilson Avenue and the Highway 8 Ramp between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. from August 12, 1996 through August 23, 1996." DOPWR 96-39 - TRAFFIC CONTROL - MCGARRY DRIVE AND WESTHEIGHTS DRIVE The Committee received a report which recommends that an all-way stop be created at the intersection of McGarry Drive and Westheights Drive. Councillor G. Lorentz indicated he supports the recommendation and pointed out that an all-way stop is the best way to control this intersection until the warrants are met which will result in traffic lights being installed. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That an all-way stop control be installed at the intersection of McGarry Drive and Westheights Drive, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 8. INFORMATION ITEMS PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 6, 1996 -51 - CITY OF KITCHENER The following information items were presented to the Committee, namely: · Idlewood Park Drainage · Sump Pump Connections · 1996 Special Events Log Councillor B. Vrbanovic referred to problems which are created in both summer and winter months by sump pumps which are draining overland and not directed into the storm drains. It was noted that, due to a budget cutback in 1996, staff will not be able to accommodate all of the requests that have been received. It was estimated that an additional $50,000.00 would be required to carry out all the existing requests to have sump pump discharges connected to the storm sewers. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the Finance Department be instructed to establish a special fund in the amount of up to $50,000.00 to provide for the installation of storm drain connections for sump pumps with these funds to be charged to the Capital Contingency." 9. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk