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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1996-11-04PWTC\1996-11-04 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 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 K. Redman. Councillors Jake Smola and J. Ziegler were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. R. Upfold and Messrs. D. Snow, S. Gyorffy, E. Kovacs, J. Gazzola, W. Beck, L. Lynch, T. Clancy and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:40 a.m. 1. DOPWR 96-51 - FREE SATURDAY PARKING - CHRISTMAS SEASON The Committee was advised that the Downtown Business Association has requested that free parking be provided in all City operated parking lots on Saturdays from November 16, 1996 through the Christmas season. This would be a total of 8 weeks, which is 2 weeks longer than a similar program ran in 1995. The Committee was advised that the Downtown Business Association has also requested the implementation of a courtesy warning program during the same period. The Committee was advised that the cost impact would depend on whether or not the City was still operating the Market Garage during this period of time. If the City is still operating the Market Garage and free parking were provided at all City facilities, the total loss of revenue would be approximately $44,700.00. This would include a loss of revenue amounting to approximately $6,000.00 which would normally be realized from various fines. The net loss of revenue, without taking the Market Garage into consideration, would be approximately $30,000.00. An alternative was suggested which would offer free parking at the parking garages but would maintain the normal operation of all surface lots. Including the Market Garage in this option would result in a loss of revenue of approximately $15,700.00. Excluding the Market Garage, would result in a loss of revenue of approximately $1,400.00. When questioned by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. D. Snow advised that the delay regarding the change in ownership of the Market Garage is caused because the legal documents have not been finalized. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That City Council accede to the request of the Kitchener Downtown Business Association and provide free Saturday parking at all City-owned parking facilities for the period commencing November 16, 1996 and ending on January 4, 1997, and further, That the staff of the Traffic and Parking Division be instructed to implement a Courtesy Warning Program during this time period." 2. DOPWR 96-48 - ON-STREET PARKING - BINGEMAN STREET The Committee was advised that a request has been received from local residents to have parking prohibited on the west side of Bingeman Street between Lancaster Street and Samuel Street, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Committee considered a staff report which indicates that site inspections reveal a large amount of 2 hour on-street parking and the removal of this parking will improve the ingress and egress from existing driveways and provide greater efficiency for emergency and snow removal vehicles. 2. DOPWR 96-48 - ON-STREET PARKING - BINGEMAN STREET (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 1996 - 69 - CITY OF KITCHENER On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, on the west side of Bingeman Street, from Lancaster Street to Samuel Street, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." DOPWR 96-50 - SIGN PLOTTER REPLACEMENT The Committee considered a report which recommends that the sign plotter in the Traffic Sign Shop be replaced immediately at a cost of $15,000.00, with the funds to be taken from the 1996 Capital Contingency Account. It was noted that the sign plotter is used in the manufacturing of most signs and has failed repeatedly over the past year. Approximately $2,000.00 has been spent on repairs, however, the problems continue to exist. It was noted that funds for the replacement of this piece of equipment are contained in the 1997 Capital Budget. When questioned by Councillor M. Wagner, it was noted that the City does contract out some sign work, however, revenues are received for signs which are produced for the Region and the City of Waterloo. Mr. D. Snow advised that sufficient staff is not available to take on more contract work during the busy times. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That up to $15,000.00 be approved for the immediate replacement of the sign plotter for the Traffic Sign Shop, with the funds to be taken from the 1996 Capital Contingency Account." ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM The Committee received a report which is recommending that the funding for the annual Road Resurfacing Program be increased from $600,000.00 per year to $2,000,000.00 per year, effective 1997. The report also recommends that an additional $200,000.00 be allocated in 1997 which will allow the Pavement Management System to be updated. The Committee was advised that in 1993 a Pavement Management Study was prepared and tabled with the Public Works and Transportation Committee. The report was accepted by the Committee as information but no action plan was ever implemented. The Committee was advised that Kitchener streets are deteriorating and, without additional funds for a rehabilitation program, this deterioration will escalate. It was suggested to the Committee that delaying rehabilitation programs only results in greater costs which must be undertaken in the future. The Committee was advised that, since 1988, approximately $622,000.00 has been spent on an annual basis to resurface City streets. During this same period of time the number of kilometres which are rated as inadequate has grown from about 55 to 91. The report presented to the Committee suggests an expenditure of approximately $7,000,000.00 would be required to restore all streets to an acceptable rating. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. Mr. E. Kovacs referred to the survey of City services, which was recently completed, which indicates that road maintenance is the second most important service, however, it is also the second worst when it comes to the public being satisfied. Councillor Jake Smola entered the meeting at this time. 4. ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 1996 - 70 - CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee was advised that, as a rule of thumb, City roads will last between 12 and 15 years before some form of resurfacing is required. In most cases, any major deterioration will take place in the last few years of this time period. Mr. E. Kovacs pointed out that an early maintenance program is the most cost efficient way to proceed and, if repairs are deferred, the cost to get a street back to an acceptable level will increase dramatically. It was suggested to the Committee that, if the City keeps spending approximately $600,000.00 per year on road maintenance, by the year 2002 more than 70% of the City's existing streets will be in need of major rehabilitation. If the recommendation to spend $2,000,000.00 per year is approved, the number of streets needing major rehabilitation will be reduced to approximately 30%. Councillor G. Lorentz questioned what steps the City is taking to ensure that roads are properly built in the first place, so that maintenance and/or reconstruction is not required after a few years. In this regard, Mr. E. Kovacs noted that, with few exceptions, problems are not encountered with new roads, however, the City does have a large inventory of roads which were developed prior to the implementation of the present day standards. It was pointed out that it has only been in the last 5 years that the rate of road deterioration has increased dramatically. When questioned by Councillor Lorentz, Mr. Kovacs advised that the existing standards could be changed so that more asphalt was applied at the time of construction, however, while this would increase the life of that particular street it does not change the overall fact that repairs will be required in the future. Mr. Kovacs also confirmed, to the Committee, that the amount of Provincial funding for this type of work has been decreased. Councillor B. Vrbanovic referred to the practice of establishing a concrete pad under asphalt and questioned whether this would alleviate the need for early repairs. In this regard, Mr. Kovacs advised the Committee that the life span of the street would be extended, however, construction costs are very high. It was also noted that repair costs would be higher if it was necessary to dig up the street to look after other underground services. When questioned by Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. Kovacs advised that existing design standards take into account the amount and size of traffic using a particular street. Problems are created, however, when a bus route is changed so that buses now utilize a street that was not designed for that type of traffic. The Committee was advised that information obtained through the Pavement Management System is incorporated into the Infrastructure Program, along with information regarding all other services which then allows all required works to be prioritized. Mr. J. Gazzola suggested that the staff report being considered contains a good, but long term program, which should be referred to the Capital Budget process for consideration along with all other items. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the possibility of providing additional annual funding for road resurfacing and an additional allocation to update the Pavement Management System, be referred to the 1997 Capital Budget process for consideration." 5. WOOLWICH STREET TRAFFIC CONTROL MEASURES On May 27, 1996, the Public Works and Transportation Committee recommended various traffic control measures, including one-way traffic northbound from Bridge Street to a point 52 metres north thereof. 5. WOOLWICH STREET TRAFFIC CONTROL MEASURES (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 1996 -71 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor John Smola advised that many motorists have ignored the one-way traffic signage and, accordingly, there is concern from a safety point of view. This matter has been reviewed, residents of the area surveyed and, at the present time, there is support to re-instate two-way traffic on Woolwich Street. Councillor John Smola advised that this matter will be given further consideration in the spring of 1997. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That two-way traffic be re-instated on Woolwich Street, and further, That possible traffic control measures be reviewed in the spring of 1997." 6 .INTERSECTION - FREDERICK STREET AND VICTORIA STREET NORTH For information purposes, Councillor Jake Smola advised the Committee that, due to accidents at the intersection of Frederick Street and Victoria Street North, the Region will be undertaking some temporary steps. The existing ramp from Frederick Street to Victoria Street will be closed, which will require all traffic to go to the traffic signals. It is hoped that this step will reduce the accident experience at this intersection. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk