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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1995-01-16PWTC\1995-01-16 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 16, 1995 CITY OF KITCHENER This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee was chaired by Councillor John Smola with all members present, except Councillor B. Vrbanovic. Councillor G. Lorentz and Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting after its commencement.. Others Present: Messrs. T. McKay, W. Beck, E. Kovacs, D. Snow, B. Liddle, D. Mansell, T. McCabe, K. Currier, D. Suzuki, S. Gyorffy and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:35 a.m. 1. DOPWR 95-1 - On-Street Stoppinq - Gaukel Street The Committee considered a report regarding existing problems on Gaukel Street between Charles Street and King Street. At the present time, parking is prohibited on both sides of Gaukel Street, however, stopping does occur and this activity is impeding the free flow of two way traffic. This stopping also hampers ingress and egress from existing driveways and creates a visibility problem at Hall's Lane. Kitchener Transit have also indicated that stopped vehicles create problems for the buses which must use this street. It is recommended that stopping be prohibited on both sides of Gaukel Street from King Street to Hall's Lane. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That stopping be prohibited on both sides of Gaukel Street from King Street to Hall's Lane, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 2. DOPWR 95-3 - Traffic Control - Donald Street The Committee considered a report which recommends that stop controls be installed on Donald Street at Ada Street. It was noted that there have not been any reportable accidents at this intersection during the past 5 years, however, the course of action recommended will clearly define who does have the right-of-way. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That a stop control be installed at the following intersection: Donald Street at Ada Street, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 3. DOPWR 95-4 - On-Street Parkinq - Campbell Avenue Councillor K. Redman declared a conflict of interest in regard to this matter because her husband owns an adjoining property. Councillor Redman abstained from all discussion and did not vote. The Committee considered a report which outlines that complaints have been received from businesses on Campbell Avenue in respect to unplated vehicles being left on the street by Guy's Garage. In order to overcome this situation it is being recommended that parking be prohibited on the north side of Campbell Avenue from Arnold Street to the City boundary. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited on the north side of Campbell Avenue from Arnold Street to the boundary limit, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." Councillor K. Redman declared a conflict of interest because her husband owns an adjoining property and abstained from all discussion and did not vote. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 16, 1995 -2- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. Retention of Consultant - Class Environmental Assessment - Proposed Sanitary Sewer Facility - Pioneer Tower West Community The Committee was advised that one of the developers in the Pioneer Tower West area have requested the City to retain Paragon Engineering Limited as the City's Consultant regarding the completion and management of the required Environmental Assessment process. The process would relate to the proposed sanitary sewage facility required to service the Pioneer Tower West Community. It was noted that Paragon Engineering Limited have already prepared a great deal of background information and are prepared to provide this to the City at no additional charge. The cost to the City to complete the Environmental Assessment would be $12,000.00 which would be charged to the Development Charge fund. Messrs. P. Britton and W. Green appeared before the Committee to indicate their support for the staff recommendation regarding this matter. When questioned by His Worship Mayor R. Christy, Mr. D. Mansell pointed out that the cost to the City would be approximately $40,000.00 if a consultant had to undertake this study from Step 1. The consultant being recommended in this case has preliminary information and, accordingly, there is a cost reduction to the City. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener waive its normal procedure for the selection of consultants and retain Paragon Engineering Limited to complete the necessary documentation and to manage the Schedule "B" Class Environmental Assessment process on the City's behalf for the proposed sanitary sewage facility to service the Pioneer Tower West Community and that the funds for same be taken form the Development Charge fund." Councillor G. Lorentz entered the meeting at this time. 5. Frozen Water Services The Committee received a report from Mr. E. Kovacs containing several options which can be followed to overcome the freeze-up of water services during extremely cold weather. It was noted that, in 1994, there were approximately 300 water services frozen which was by far the worst experience in approximately 25 years. During a typical winter the City is notified of 5 or less such freeze-ups. The Committee was advised that a survey has been completed of those services which froze during 1994 and it has been determined that 90% are at an inadequate depth either on the City's side of the property line or on both City and private property. In this regard, three possible options were considered. These options are: 1)a total replacement package; 2)an avoidance program; and, 3)no action. The Committee was advised that the no action alternative was discarded as being inappropriate. The total replacement program was also rejected because of the financial implications involved. It was noted that to replace or lower all services regardless of location would cost approximately 1.2 million dollars. To replace these services, on the City's side of the property line only, would cost approximately $875,000.00. The report considered by the Committee suggested that a water service freeze-off avoidance program should be developed. This program would consist of the following four steps: 1.A "high risk" of freeze-off mailing list of all freeze-offs experienced during the winter of 1994 will be generated. 5. Frozen Water Services (Cont'd) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 16, 1995 -3- CITY OF KITCHENER 2.Upon experiencing 3-5 frozen water services, Kitchener Utilities staff will, subject to validating that weather forecasts call for prolonged extreme cold temperatures, contact each consumer on the mailing list of "high risk" locations. Specific instructions will be given to run water continuously to waste until further notified at a specified rate of flow. 3.After the danger of freeze-offs has passed, Kitchener Utilities staff will contact each consumer again, instructing them to shut off the running tap. 4. Upon undertaking Step 3 above, Revenue Division staff will be provided with an inventory of all locations, complete with the volume of water and the value of the credit to the consumer's water bill so that appropriate billing adjustments can be processed in a simplified, practical manner. Councillor K. Redman pointed out that the avoidance program does not develop a long term solution to the freeze-off problem. In this regard, Mr. Kovacs pointed out that a replacement program can be considered by way of the City's Capital Forecast. Mr. Kovacs also advised the Committee that he is not aware of any disputes regarding the amount which was written off to cover the cost of the water which was allowed to flow to keep services from freezing. The Committee was advised that the lowering or replacement of connecting services would only take place when the services on the street were being replaced. The cost estimate of $1,175,000.00 does not include any watermain replacements along the street. Councillor C. Weylie referred to a problem which was experienced during 1994 with a development on Gage Avenue. Mr. Kovacs agreed to review this situation and respond directly to Councillor Weylie. On motion by His Worship Mayor R. Christy - it was resolved: "That, as presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on January 16, 1995, the Utilities Division institute a 'Water Service Freeze-Off Avoidance Program' as a preventative measure during prolonged continuous extreme cold weather conditions to minimize wide-spread freeze- offs of water services, and further, That locations having shallow water services be identified and given due consideration for replacement in the Ten Year Capital Program for watermain replacement projects." 6. Informational Reports The Committee received the following reports for information purposes: 1)Canadian Urban Transit Association - Response to Coroner's Inquest 2)1994 Ridership and Revenues 3)Public Works Department - Operations Division - Projects In Progress. 7.Downtown Parkinq Meters Councillor G. Lorentz advised that he has been contacted by a King Street business operator who has expressed concern that the existing meters do not provide sufficient time for them to be really useful. In this regard, it has been suggested that the existing time limit of less than 1 hour should be increased to approximately 2 hours. Mr. D. Snow advised that at the next meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee a report will be considered regarding increasing the number of meters on King Street. It would be appropriate to discuss the philosophy of short versus long term metered parking at that time. Mr. Snow did point out, however, that long term parking eliminates turnover. 7.Downtown Parkinq Meters (Cont'd) Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 16, 1995 -4- CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. D. Snow indicated to the Committee that prior to the next meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee he would review the entire matter of metered parking with the Downtown Business Association. 8. Internet Councillor C. Weylie indicated that she would like to receive a report from Mr. R. Freeborn regarding the expanded use of Internet by the City and the development of a "Home Page". Councillor J. Ziegler indicated that such a report should be referred to the next meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee. Councillor G. Lorentz advised that it was his understanding that during the trial period, Internet would be provided to the members of Council by way of an installation in the Mayor's Office area. Mr. T. McKay indicated that he would look into this possibility. 9.Adjournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk