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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1995-02-27PWTC\1995-02-27 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 1995 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola with all members present. His Worship Mayor R. Christy and Councillors B. Vrbanovic, G. Lorentz and J. Ziegler were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. S. Roberts, Ms. N. Dahmer and Messrs. B. Liddle, R. Freeborn, W. Beck, J. Cicuttin, S. Gyorffy, D. Snow, T. McCabe, D. Suzuki, T. McKay and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:40 a.m. 1 .DOPWR 95-8 - Parkinq Lot Development - Kitchener Dairies -201 Kinq Street East The Committee was advised that Kitchener Dairies Limited have suggested that the City consider developing, maintaining and operating a surface parking lot on their former dairy site at 201 King Street East. It was noted that the development costs of $35,000.00 have been included in the 1995 Capital Budget. The Committee was advised that 35 metered parking spaces could be developed on this site and the annual net revenue would be approximately $11,000.00. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener enter into an agreement with Kitchener Dairies Limited for the development and operation of a thirty-five (35) space metered parking lot with a two (2) hour duration at 201 King Street East for a five (5) year term, and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement satisfactory to the City Solicitor with Kitchener Dairies Limited with respect to the lease of this property." 2.DOPWR 95-10 - On-Street Parkinq - Moore Avenue The Committee considered a report in which it was noted that, with the closing of Sacred Heart School, revisions to posted parking and stopping regulations on Moore Avenue were required. No stopping signs in the area have been eliminated and, accordingly, the parking regulations as contained in the City's Uniform Traffic By-law are, again, in effect. It has been discovered that a small section of the street on the north side of Moore Avenue near Emma Avenue is included in the by-law in two places, indicating both a total parking prohibition and a parking time limit. The Committee was advised that it is intended that this area be designated for "no parking at any time". The Committee was asked to approve an amendment to the Traffic By-law which would reflect the posted parking regulations. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the by-law for the existing two (2) hour parking limit between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, on the north side of Moore Avenue be amended in the City of Kitchener Uniform Traffic By-law No.94-101 to reflect the existing posted parking regulations." 3. DOPWR 95-11 - Monthly Rate Reduction - Lot No.18 -Joseph Street The Committee was advised that Parking Lot No. 18 is located between Joseph Street and Charles Street behind the Post Office. This lot contains 71 surface spaces which are available at a monthly rate of $50.00. The Committee was advised that only 23 monthly parkers are utilizing this lot at the present time and, accordingly, it is suggested that the monthly rate be reduced to $40.00 per month plus taxes. This reduction will allow the City to be competitive with the prices charged in private lots in the area. 3. DOPWR 95-11 - Monthly Rate Reduction - Lot No.18 -Joseph Street (Cont'd) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 1995 - 36 - CITY OF KITCHENER On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the monthly parking fee in Lot No.18 - Joseph Street be decreased from $50.00 to $40.00 per month plus taxes, effective March 1, 1995, and further, That By-law No. 88-169 be amended accordingly." 4. DOPWR 95-12 - Time Limit Chanqe - Various Parkinq Lots The Committee considered a report recommending that the maximum time limit be increased from 1 hour to 2 hours in the following lots: Lot 2 - Goudies Lane to rear of 22 Frederick Street Lot 4 - Library Lot Lot 9 - Ontario Street/Hall's Lane Lot 10 - 5 spaces - Goudies Lane/TD Bank Building. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the maximum time limit in Lot 2 (Goudies Lane to rear of 22 Frederick Street), Lot 4 (Library Lot), Lot 9 (Ontario Street/Hall's Lane) and Lot 10 (5 spaces - Goudies Lane/TD Bank Building), be increased from one (1) hour to two (2) hours, effective March 1, 1995, and further, That By-law No. 88-169 be amended accordingly." 5. Kitchener Transit - Strateqic Marketinq Plan Mr. W. Beck, Director of Transit, advised the Committee that what is being presented at this meeting is an informational report and staff are looking for input from the members of the Committee and, hopefully, support for the actions being taken and/or proposed. A final report will be prepared for the Committee's consideration at a later date. Councillors M. Wagner and Jake Smola expressed their disappointment that some form of report had not been included in the weekend packet which could have been considered in advance. Making use of the AN equipment located in the Council Chamber, Ms. S. Roberts and Messrs. W. Beck and J. Cicuttin verbally presented the Strategic Marketing Plan for Kitchener Transit. His Worship Mayor R. Christy and Councillors B. Vrbanovic and G. Lorentz entered the meeting at this time. Copies of the basic documentation used in this presentation are attached hereto and form part of these minutes. As part of his presentation, Mr. Beck outlined some of the past accomplishments of Kitchener Transit which include: -Transit friendly planning -Transit service standards -customer information (Telerider/Televiewer) -accessibility to the Transit system -public input. The Committee viewed a graph which indicates that ridership trends in Southwestern Ontario have basically declined since 1989. In this regard, Mayor Christy pointed out that the graph seems to 5. Kitchener Transit - Strateqic Marketinq Plan (Cont'd) indicate two municipalities where ridership has increased since 1993. Mayor Christy requested staff to provide additional information regarding steps taken by these two municipalities to increase PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 1995 - 37 - CITY OF KITCHENER ridership. The presentation to the Committee contained information regarding current trends and impacts as they affect Kitchener Transit. It was also noted that survey results and input received from the Transit User group are used when evaluating what the customers of Kitchener Transit would like to have. The report, as presented to the Committee, also outlined initiatives which have been taken by Kitchener Transit to meet customer needs and the variety of promotional programs which have been utilized to publicize Kitchener Transit. When questioned by Councillor G. Lorentz, Mr. Beck advised that the Bus Operators are very much involved in the Transit Program and provided input regarding the Marketing Plan by way of a brainstorming session. In this regard, Mr. R. Freeborn pointed out that one area that will be of concern to the Bus Drivers is the possible use of alternative vehicles. This will likely be viewed as a contracting out situation. In regard to questioning regarding the City of Waterloo, Mr. Freeborn suggested that Waterloo presently has a good deal because they are receiving Transit service without having to make a capital investment. It is possible, however, that the City of Waterloo will want more in the future as they may want to become more involved from a management point of view. The Committee was advised that ongoing consideration is taking place regarding the possibility of a Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge link. At the present time, negotiations are taking place with a private carrier which, if successfully completed, would allow Kitchener and Cambridge Transit to develop some form of inter-City link. Councillor G. Lorentz expressed his support towards a program which would allow children under 5 to ride for free. In response to Councillor K. Redman, it was suggested that the Marketing Plan would be initiated over a period of approximately 5 years with the promotion of the system being substantially increased over what has taken place in the past. A general timing for the initiation of this program will be provided. Councillor Redman was advised that natural gas buses are still being actively pursued. Councillor B. Vrbanovic referred to smart cards and was advised that from a staff point of view there is concern regarding the existing technology, however, it is felt that this will be improved significantly in the near future. It was also noted that the units required for these cards presently cost approximately $7,000.00 per unit and it is expected that this cost will be reduced in the future. Councillor Vrbanovic suggested that on-board video advertising may be more lucrative than the present basic signage. It was noted that this possibility is not being actively persued at the present time because of problems which were experienced with a very small test program in the past. The Committee was advised that a new agreement has been recently signed with Gould Outdoor Advertising regarding the development of more illuminated bus shelters. When questioned by Councillor Vrbanovic, Mr. R. Freeborn suggested that a major increase in the number of buses and drivers will not likely be required for at least 4 to 5 years. When questioned by Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. Beck advised that the existing fareboxes are equipped to handle tickets, however, tickets would not be sold on buses but rather from designated locations. Mr. Beck pointed out that there are a number of administrative problems to be worked out before the selling of tickets could commence. 5. Kitchener Transit - Strateqic Marketinq Plan (Cont'd) Councillor Weylie pointed out that one complaint often received has to do with the slow service provided by Kitchener Transit. It was Councillor Weylie's opinion that service changes to increase access for the elderly and handicapped may further aggravate this existing service problem. Mr. Beck acknowledged the concern expressed by Councillor Weylie and pointed out that this problem will be reviewed but noted that it will be difficult to accommodate the handicapped without slowing down service to a certain degree. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 1995 - 38 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor Weylie suggested to Mr. Beck that Kitchener Transit should take steps to ensure that they have a question included in the Mayor's Task Force survey regarding the downtown. When questioned by Councillor M. Wagner, Mr. Beck advised that a similar presentation will be made to Waterloo City Council on March 6, 1995. Councillor Wagner suggested that there were two flaws in the Marketing Plan as presented. Firstly, everything seems to deal with the present users and, in his opinion, not enough attention has been paid to what steps must be taken to attract the present non-users to the Transit system. It was the view of Councillor Wagner that the City must become far more aggresive in the marketing of their Transit system. The second concern expressed by Councillor Wagner had to do with the lack of targets. It was the view of Councillor Wagner that for a Marketing Plan to be successful it must contain targets which can be readily measured. As an example, a certain increase in ridership by a specific date was suggested. Councillor Wagner also suggested that, while the City of Kitchener feels that Waterloo is a user of the system, it may well be that they want to become partners. This is a problem which must be resolved. Councillor Wagner also suggested that it would be of interest to note how Waterloo residents feel about riding on a Kitchener Transit bus. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. Councillor Jake Smola referred to possible cost advantages which may accrue to the City if smaller vehicles were utilized to provide Transit services at certain times. In this regard, Mr. R. Freeborn undertook to obtain costs from the Fleet Division which would apply to various sizes of alternative vehicles. Councillor Jake Smola was advised that very little printing is done In House for Kitchener Transit. In this regard, Mr. W. Beck agreed to provide information outlining the amount spent, on an annual basis, to get work done by commercial printing establishments. His Worship Mayor R. Christy suggested that a Council Roundtable devoted entirely to a discussion regarding Kitchener Transit may be appropriate. It was suggested that prior to such a discussion, it would be appropriate to have the Marketing Plan reviewed and reactions received from the Transit User group, Waterloo Council and the Union representing the bus drivers. It was agreed that Kitchener Transit would provide a report to members of Council in their weekend packet on March 3, 1995. This report, along with reports outlining the reactions from other interested parties, will be the basis for the Council Roundtable discussion. 6.Adiournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk