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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1995-02-13PWTC\1995-02-13 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 1995 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola with all members present. Councillors M. Wagner and J. Ziegler were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. L. MacDonald and Messrs. W. Beck, T. McCabe, L. Lynch, D. Suzuki, J. Shivas, J. Gazzola, L. Gordon and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:35 a.m. 1 .Graber Place Odor Study Messrs. B. Pyatt and D. Andrews appeared before the Committee representing the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to present an update of the Odor Study which is ongoing in the Graber Place area of the City of Kitchener. The Committee was advised that an Open House was held on February 8, 1995 at Sunnyside Home. Personal invitations were extended to the residents of the area and, in addition, advertisements were placed in the local newspaper and Neighbourhood Association newsletters. This Open House was poorly attended as only 4 persons other than those involved with the study chose to attend. The Committee was provided with the information which was displayed at the Open House and this documentation is attached hereto and forms part of these minutes. It was noted in the presentation that the Region volunteered to co-ordinate this Graber Place study and a Steering Committee was developed to provide the management and direction. The details of the Steering Committee membership is included in the attached documentation. Councillor G. Lorentz suggested that a Iow turn-out at the Open House could be taken as an indication that the steps which have been taken to date have gone a long way to eliminate the previous odor problem. When questioned by Councillor K. Redman, it was pointed out that testing for odors is difficult and subjective because equipment can only be utilized if it is told exactly what to look for. Mr. Pyatt did acknowledge, however, that once Safety-Kleen is reconnected to the system through the Forwell Pumping Station, sewage and sewer air space testing will be increased. It was pointed out to the Committee that it is generally felt that hydrogen sulphide (H2S) was a major part of the problem and now that steps have been taken to increase maintenance by swabbing the pipes and to add air pumping equipment, it is likely that this problem will be greatly reduced. Councillor M. Wagner left the meeting at this time. The Committee was advised that, once Safety-Kleen is returned to the system, most manhole covers will be left unplugged. In this way, it will be easier to determine whether or not odors, which existed in the past, have returned. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned what procedure will be put in place so that the Safety-Kleen discharge into the system can be stopped if odor problems do re-occur. In this regard, Mr. D. Suzuki suggested that the Steering Committee will have to consider this matter and criteria will have to be established which will allow problems to be addressed quickly and fairly. Councillor Vrbanovic advised the Committee that it would appear that an indefinite testing period will be acceptable to area residents as long as they can be assurred that the process can be shut down quickly if problems should re-occur. A Mr. Schofield was in attendance at this meeting representing Safety-Kleen and suggested that any contingency plan must involve a reasonable amount of time for the implementation of alternative actions should these be required. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. 1 .Graber Place Odor Study (Cont'd) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 1995 -10- CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor Jake Smola was of the opinion that a phone number must be provided to the area residents so that they can receive information and answers to their questions on a 24 hour per day basis. The Committee agreed that, through Mr. Dan Suzuki, a staff report will be prepared for either the Public Works and Transportation Committee or City Council which will outline the steps which must be taken prior to Safety-Kleen being allowed to pump directly into the sewage system rather than trucking as they are doing at the present time. 2.Telerider/Televiewer Information Systems The Committee considered a report from Mr. W. Beck, Director of Transit, which pointed out that, since 1982, the City has been using a Telerider System which provides approximately 8,000 callers per day with schedule information, public service announcements and detour messages. It was also noted that, since 1990, a Televiewer System has been used to provide information at the downtown Transit Terminal. The Committee was advised that it is proposed that the Televiewer System be expanded to include shopping centres and universities. The Committee is being asked to approve the execution of an agreement in the amount of $82,819.00 plus G.S.T. It was also noted that the Ministry of Transportation has agreed to a 75% subsidy for this system. Councillor Jake Smola was of the view that, if the system being presented at this time is part of the Transit Marketing Strategy, it should be deferred until that presentation is made to the Committee on February 27, 1995. In this regard, Mr. W. Beck pointed out that both of these systems exist at the present time and what is being requested is an equipment upgrade. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with the Teleride-Sage Corporation in the amount of $82,819.00 plus 7% G.S.T., to upgrade and convert the Telerider and Televiewer Information Systems to a pc platform." Councillor M. Wagner re-entered the meeting at this time. 3. Public Works and Transportation Committee Meetinq - February 27, 1995 The Committee was advised that Mr. Beck will be presenting the Transit Marketing Report on February 27th. It is anticipated that this report will take up most, if not all, of the meeting time available on that date. The Committee will also be receiving a report from Mr. Don Snow regarding repairs to the Market Parking Garage. It was suggested to the Committee that a special meeting be held to discuss the Market Parking Garage report. The members of the Committee noted that a special meeting of City Council is being held on March 6, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss possible modifications to the ward boundaries. It was felt that this is an initial meeting and it should be completed by 3:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. at the latest. In this regard, it was agreed that Mr. Snow's report on the Market Parking Garage would be considered by the Public Works and Transportation Committee at a special meeting to be held on March 6, 1995 commencing at 4:00 p.m. 4.Snow Plowinq Councillor G. Lorentz advised that, on a regular basis, he receives calls from a resident on Cherrytree Court complaining about the fact that this street has not been plowed. Over the past weekend, a plow apparently came to this street and was confronted with a parked car. The resident waived to the driver that he would arrange to have the car moved, however, the plow driver did not wait. As a result, the resident found it necessary to use his snow blower to remove 4.Snow Plowinq (Cont'd) some drifts from the road. Councillor Lorentz indicated that he was becoming frustrated because of the PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 1995 -11 - CITY OF KITCHENER large number of calls he is receiving from this one individual. Mr. D. Suzuki undertook to review this matter and report directly to Councillor Lorentz. Councillor M. Wagner advised that he has received a number of calls regarding the over-salting of streets in his Ward and the fact that plows when moving snow are travelling too fast and the snow is deposited on either sidewalks or front yards. 5.Adioumment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk