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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1995-06-12PWTC\1995-06-12 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 1995 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola, with the following members present: Councillor Jake Smola, Councillor M. Wagner, Councillor G. Lorentz and Councillor K. Redman. Councillor J. Ziegler was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Messrs. R. Freeborn, S. Gyorffy, E. Kovacs, D. Snow, W. Beck, D. Mansell, T. McCabe, T. McKay, R. Schirm and Ms. D. Gilchrist. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:35 a.m. 1 .DOPWR 95-26 - School Safety - Ad Hoc Student Safety Patrol Review Committee - Interim Report The Committee was in receipt of a report from the Traffic and Parking Division, titled "School Safety - Ad Hoc Student Safety Patrol Review Committee Interim Report", dated May 9, 1995. Mr. D. Snow introduced the report and Mr. R. Schirm was in attendance to answer any questions the Committee might have in this regard. Mr. Schirm advised that the only problem at this point in time is with the School Board's Insurers. Councillor K. Redman questioned how the public plugs into the system. Mr. Schirm advised that, up until now, no one has taken ownership for this program and the public's concern has generally gone to the Principal of the school. One of the main concerns with this program is to find someone who will take ownership and it is currently the intention that this program belong to the School Boards. Councillor M. Wagner questioned what issues must be resolved. Mr. Schirm advised that the Committee is currently working on different roles and responsibilities and that Principals want the roles defined. The other problems, as mentioned earlier, is with the Insurers for the School Board. 2.DOPWR 95-28 - Policy on Administration of Parkinq on Reqional Roads The Committee was in receipt of a Traffic and Parking Division report titled "Policy on Administration of Parking on Regional Roads", dated June 6, 1995. The report contains a recommendation and background information along with a draft copy of the Region's policy of parking on Regional roads. Mr. D. Snow introduced this report and advised that he sits on the Committee and that he has had input into the policies and recommendations contained in the Regional report. Councillor G. Lorentz commented that this seems like a duplication services. Mr. Snow advised that the policy is consistent with the City's policies for parking on City roads and that, although it may seem like a duplication of services, this policy will apply to all Regional roads throughout the Region and not just in the City of Kitchener. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener endorse the Regional Municipality of Waterloo's Policy on Administration of Parking on Regional Roads." 3. DOPWR 95-29 - Kitchener-Waterloo Expressway - Noise By-law Exemption The Committee was in receipt of the Traffic and Parking Division report concerning Kitchener-Expressway crack repairs and the request from the Ministry of Transportation for a Noise By-law exemption, dated June 6, 1995. Mr. D. Snow introduced the report and advised that there were probably only three properties which would not be protected by the noise barriers, which have been erected on the expressway. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That the Ministry of Transportation for the Province of Ontario and its Contractor(s) be exempt from the provisions of Chapter 450 (Noise), Article 6 (Construction Work) of the City 3. DOPWR 95-29 - Kitchener-Waterloo Expressway - Noise By-law Exemption (Cont'd) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 1995 - 79 - CITY OF KITCHENER of Kitchener Municipal Code during the full depth crack repairs to asphalt pavement on the Kitchener- Waterloo Expressway between the Homer Watson Boulevard overpass to the overhead pedestrian walk bridge during July and August, 1995." 4. Part Time Operators in the Transit Division The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. W. Beck, Director of Transit, dated May 31, 1995, concerning the use of part time operators in the Transit Division. It was noted that this report has been prepared in response to an inquiry from Councillor J. Ziegler at the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting which was held on May 29, 1995. Mr. R. Freeborn introduced the report. Mr. Freeborn addressed the Committee advising that the Transit Division is going at this in a limited way and that part time operators will be used on a limited basis and that there is no intent on the part of the City to replace full time workers with part time workers. Councillor M. Wagner questioned whether the part time operators would be as knowledgable about the job as the full time operator. Mr. Freeborn responded that the part time operators would be retired, former City of Kitchener bus drivers who are fully trained on the job. Mr. Freeborn went on to explain that bus drivers have a high percentage of people on Workers' Compensation and sick leave because of injuries to the back. Councillor Jake Smola questioned Mr. Freeborn as to whether part time operators are allowed in the Collective Agreement. Mr. Freeborn responded that there is provision in the Collective Agreement for part time operators. Further, Mr. Freeborn re-assurred the Committee that it is not the intention of Management to lay off full time workers and replace them with part time operators. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. 5.Annual Printinq Costs and Bus Shelter Vandalism The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Mr. W. Beck, Director of Transit, dated June 6, 1995, outlining the annual printing costs for the Transit Division and the cost of bus shelter vandalism. With respect to the annual printing costs, Councillor Jake Smola questioned whether G.S.T. was included and Mr. Beck responded that it was. Concerning bus shelter vandalism, Councillor Jake Smola advised that he had received complaints from one of his constituents concerning vandalism to the bus shelter adjacent to his property. He requested that staff provide a report to include not only the cost of materials but the cost of labour involved in maintaining the bus shelters. Mr. W. Beck responded that the $24,000.00 figure for shelter maintenance in 1994 does include labour costs. Councillor M. Wagner questioned the advertising shelters and Mr. W. Beck responded that Gould Outdoor Advertising pays for and maintains them. Further, he advised that Gould has approximately 50 shelters which are in addition to the 126 shelters maintained by City staff. Councillor Wagner requested the specifics as to how many bus shelters Gould Outdoor Advertising owns and how many more they intend to have. Councillor Ziegler advised that he wished to speak to the report concerning part time operators and questioned whether these part time operators would have the same commitment to the job. Mr. Freeborn responded that he believed that they would because they are retired City of Kitchener drivers. Further, he advised that if it appears that they do not have the same commitment to the job, they can be replaced. 6. New Business PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 1995 - 80 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor M. Wagner requested of Mr. D. Snow a brief update on what is happening with Regional signalization and when the final report would be ready. Mr. Snow advised that he would check into the situation. Councillor Jake Smola stated that recently 2 new businesses have located in the Krug Street Plaza and he commented on the problem of traffic volume at Krug Street and River Road. Mr. D. Snow advised that staff will wait until the fall to do a warrant survey and that the study will include the number of accidents. Councillor Jake Smola requested of Mr. E. Kovacs information on how residents in the vicinity of Forwell Road/Centennial RoadNictoria Street could connect with City sewers, as properties are currently on private septic systems. He also inquired of the area of the industrial park in Bridgeport and requested an overview of who is on private septic systems and how they can connect with City sewers. Mr. Kovacs responded that local improvements is the usual approach. Councillor Jake Smola requested that Mr. Kovacs review the situation as he wants a clear approach to explain to taxpayers on how they should go about getting onto municipal sewers. Councillor K. Redman requested of Mr. D. Snow a status report on the Eastwood project. Mr. Snow advised that he could get a status report. He stated that the Region will be recommending a traffic control signal a little bit off from the main entrance and in order to control crossings a fence would be required to force students to cross at the signal. Further, he advised that staff will follow-up with meetings in the fall to talk to students to encourage them to use the signaled crossing. 7.Adjournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m. Dianne Gilchrist Committee Secretary