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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1995-09-18PWTC\1995-09-18 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 1995 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola, with all members present. Others Present: Messrs. J. Cicuttin, J. Gazzola, D. Snow, E. Kovacs, S. Gyorffy, R. Pritchard, J. Shivas and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:35 a.m. 1. Minutes - Auqust 14, 1995 - Correction The August 14, 1995 minutes of the Public Works and Transportation Committee were amended by deleting the amount of $25,000.00 in the second paragraph of the resolution pertaining to Item #8 on page 89 and inserting the amount of $2,500.00. 2. Bus Service - Belleview Avenue On October 24, 1994, City Council passed a resolution which reduced bus service along Belleview Avenue. This action was the result of a request received from Mr. Karl Zintel and his complaint about the number of buses travelling this street. The Committee was now in receipt of a staff report recommending the discontinuance of this service reduction. MFS. K. Ens appeared before the Committee in opposition to the restoration of full bus service on Belleview Avenue. Mrs. Ens expressed concern about noise created by the buses and child safety considerations. Mrs. Ens noted that there is already traffic congestion in the area because of Smithson School and returning buses to Belleview Avenue would only further compound this situation. Mrs. Ens questioned the staff report and expressed the view that there was no need for full service in this area since it is only used by a handful of people. The reduced service routing requires potential bus users to walk an additional 2 blocks to reach a bus stop. Mrs. Ens suggested to the Committee that, in her opinion, there are not a large number of senior citizens in this area. It was suggested to the Committee that additional costs would be created in the amount of approximately $10,000.00 per year if buses were to be returned to Belleview Avenue. When questioned by Councillor Jake Smola, Mrs. Ens advised that she has lived in this area for approximately 4 years and rarely uses Kitchener Transit. Mrs. Ens acknowledged that there was a bus route on Belleview Avenue when she moved in. Councillor M. Wagner noted that the complaints raised by Mrs. Ens would be the same complaints received from any resident who lives on a bus route. Mrs. Ens concurred but, again, expressed the opinion that the extended service is not required in this particular situation. Mr. Karl Zintel appeared before the Committee and indicated that he is a Police Officer and undertook a radar check on Belleview Avenue. This check revealed that some buses do travel in excess of the 50 km speed limit. He also pointed out that he, personally, has observed buses that have not come to complete stops at the intersection of Smithson Street and Belleview Avenue. Mr. Zintel advised the Committee that he has lived in this area for approximately 15 years and the existing bus service was not in existence at that time. Mr. Zintel suggested that some of the facts contained in the staff report support its recommendation, however, he questioned their accuracy. Mr. Zintel questioned the number of complaints received, how they were received, when they were received and where the complainants live. It was noted that the report also refers to lots of elderly residents and it was suggested that this statement is suspect unless the sources can be validated. Mr. Zintel advised the Committee that because of his concern with the information contained in the staff report, he undertook his own study and visited 174 of 207 households in the area. Mr. Zintel advised that, of the people he contacted, 304 do not use Kitchener Transit and 18 make use of the service. Mr. Zintel suggested, however, that none of the 18 indicated that they 2. Bus Service - Belleview Avenue (Cont'd) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 1995 - 93 - CITY OF KITCHENER were adversely affected because buses no longer travel along Belleview Avenue. It was the view of Mr. Zintel that the Belleview Avenue residents are adequately serviced by the existing Krug Street route and are also within the acceptable walking distance of 450 metres. Councillor Jake Smola expressed the opinion that the results of a survey undertaken by one resident should not by themself determine what action is to be taken in regard to a particular bus route. In response to Councillor Jake Smola, Mr. Zintel advised that he would be more than happy to make use of Kitchener Transit services if existing routes were expanded to include his existing place of employment. Mr. J. Cicuttin advised the Committee that, following Council's actions of October 24, 1994, staff monitored both the before and after results and determined that there were 53 less rides coming out of this area. This amounts to an annual loss of revenue of approximately $12,000.00. Mr. Cicuttin advised the Committee that there would be no additional cost to re-institute the former level of service along Belleview Avenue because this action would not require additional buses or drivers. The limitation of service in this area has not resulted in any overall cost savings to the Transit system. When questioned by Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. Cicuttin advised that, when complaints are received, names, addresses and phone numbers are obtained. Information regarding the complainants can be made available to members of Council within the provisions of the Freedom of Information legislation. The Committee was advised that the service area of 450 metres is a local operational standard but one that is also used across the country. It was suggested that if this standard were not followed it would not impact the amount of Provincial subsidies which would be received. In response to a suggestion that possibly a user group should be developed to consider problems of this nature, Mr. Cicuttin reminded members of Council that there is presently a Transit User group which does provide feedback to staff but does not deal with specific routing issues. Several members of the Committee indicated that there are a number of areas of the City that would be happy to have any level of bus service provided by the City. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor Jake Smola - it was resolved: "That the limitation of Transit service on Route #1 - Belleview Avenue as approved by City Council on October 24, 1994, be continued, and further, That Transit staff be instructed to undertake a survey of riders and residents in the Belleview Avenue area to determine the acceptability of the existing level of Transit service, and further, That a report in this regard be filed with the Public Works and Transportation Committee on November 6, 1995." 3. DOPWR 95-44 - Speed Bumps/Humps Mr. Kent Weiler appeared before the Committee as the inventor of summer time speed bumps which he is recommending to the City of Kitchener for use on local residential streets to eliminate speeding problems. Mr. Weiler exhibited samples of his product which is approximately 2 inches high and will not have an adverse effect on drivers passing over them unless they are exceeding the speed limit. It was the view of Mr. Weiler that his product does not create a hazard and, therefore, would not create problems for the municipality under the provisions of the Municipal Act. When questioned by the Committee, Mr. Weiler advised that this product is currently being used in Europe and some southern States and, possibly, in one location in Quebec. 3. DOPWR 95-44 - Speed Bumps/Humps (Cont'd) When questioned by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. Weiler advised that this product could probably be PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 1995 - 94 - CITY OF KITCHENER used on Morgan Avenue but he would not recommend its use on a street with higher traffic volumes. The cost to implement this product on a normal street would be approximately $3,000.00. Mr. D. Snow prepared a report regarding speed bumps/humps for the Committee's consideration. Mr. Snow expressed the view that the product exhibited by Mr. Weiler would not be appropriate for collector streets such as Morgan Avenue. Mr. Snow advised that he is still concerned with using speed bumps to slow down speeders and the possible liability from their use which may accrue to the City. Mr. J. Shivas suggested to the Committee that the comments originally received from Mr. J. Wallace, former City Solicitor, are still valid and there is no doubt that liability would accrue to the City if an accident should occur after a motorists has gone over one of these speed bumps. There may also be concern from the City's insurance carriers. Mr. D. Snow pointed out to the Committee that speed bumps will slow down traffic but, to create a deterrent which is totally effective, a series of them along one street would be required. Councillor M. Wagner expressed the opinion that speeding is becoming a problem of severe proportion which must be addressed. Several other members of the Committee concurred with these comments. Councillor G. Lorentz expressed the opinion that the City should not become a pioneer for a product which apparently has limited use in North America. Councillor Lorentz suggested that it would be appropriate to forward this information to the appropriate Canadian and Provincial Professional Associations and allow them to undertake any appropriate research. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That the staff of the Legal Department and the Traffic and Parking Division of the Department of Public Works be instructed to prepare a comprehensive report outlining the benefits, concerns and ramifications of installing temporary speed bumps throughout the City for consideration by the Public Works and Transportation Committee at a later date." 4. DOPWR 95-39 - Traffic Control - Simeon Street Area The Committee was advised that, in October 1991, a grid system of stop controls was established for the Simeon Street/Stirling Avenue neighbourhood. At that time, it was agreed that traffic on Pandora Avenue would be required to stop at Samuel Street. The report presented to the Committee at this time recommends that this situation be reversed and the east and west bound traffic on Samuel Street be required to stop at Pandora Avenue. Councillor K. Redman advised that she could not support the recommendation as proposed in the staff report because the existing stop signs were developed to slow down traffic on Pandora Avenue coming from Weber Street. In this regard, Councillor Redman suggested that possibly an all-way stop would be appropriate. Following discussion it was agreed that this matter would be deferred and referred back to the Traffic and Parking Division for further consideration, including the possibility of developing an all-way stop at the intersection of Samuel Street and Pandora Avenue. 5. DOPWR 95-41 - Traffic Control - Kinqswa¥ Drive and Wilson Avenue The Committee was advised that the City has requested the Region to install traffic control signals at the intersection of Kingsway Drive and Wilson Avenue. This request has been agreed to by the Region, however, due to budget constraints this installation will not take place during 1995. In this regard, it is being recommended that the installation take place immediately with the City 5. DOPWR 95-41 - Traffic Control - Kinqswa¥ Drive and Wilson Avenue (Cont'd) covering the expenditure. The full cost of this installation will be reimbursed to the City by the Region in 1996. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 1995 - 95 - CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. J. Gazzola reminded the Committee that there are no budgeted funds available in 1995 for this installation. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener pay for the installation of traffic control signals, in 1995, at the intersection of Kingsway Drive and Wilson Avenue, on the understanding that the Regional Municipality of Waterloo will reimburse the City of Kitchener, in 1996, 100% of the costs incurred to install the facilities, and further, That an over-expenditure of $65,000.00 for the cost of installation of the signals be charged to 'New Signal Installation' Account #951010." 6. DOPWR 95-42 - On-Street Parkinq - Hickory Heiqhts Crescent The Committee considered a report which recommends that parking be prohibited on both sides of Hickory Heights Crescent, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., from Elm Ridge Drive to a point 72 metres of Forest Hill Drive. This parking prohibition is being recommended to overcome a problem in the area created by staff and students of Forest Heights Collegiate parking on this street. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited on both sides of Hickory Heights Crescent, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., from Elm Ridge Drive to a point 72 metres west of Forest Hill Drive, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 7. DOPWR 95-45 - Traffic Control - Kinqswood Drive The Committee was advised that concerns have been raised by area residents regarding speeding on Kingswood Drive. Staff have investigated this situation and are recommending that the speed limit be reduced to 40 km/h between Block Line Road and Strasburg Road. In this regard, it was noted that this is a winding street and 40 km/h advisories are already in existence. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That the speed limit on Kingswood Drive, from Block Line Road to Strasburg Road, be reduced to 40 km/h, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 8. Information Reports The following information reports were available to the members of the Committee, namely: · Transit Fare Structure · 1995 Special Events Log · Engineering Division - Projects in Progress 9.Adjournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 1995 - 96 - CITY OF KITCHENER L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk