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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1995-10-16PWTC\1995-10-16 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 1995 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola, with all members present. Councillor B. Vrbanovic and Councillor J. Ziegler were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. S. MacDonald and Messrs. E. Kovacs, S. Gyorffy, K. Bowman, D. Snow, A. Mak, T. McKay, D. Mansell, T. McCabe, W. Beck, J. Cicuttin, T. Clancy and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:35 a.m. 1 .DOPWR 95-46 - TRAFFIC CONTROL - WINDING WAY The Committee considered a report which recommends that stop controls be installed on Cherry Tree Court and Greenbough Court at their intersections with Winding Way. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That stop controls be installed at the following locations: Cherry Tree Court at Winding Way and Greenbough Court at Winding Way, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 2. DOPWR 95-47 - TRAFFIC CONTROL - WESTWOOD DRIVE Westwood Drive runs between Glasgow Street and Westmount Road. This street has a number of curves which are posted with advisory speed tabs of 30 km/h. This street has been reviewed by staff and it is now being recommended that the maximum speed on this street be reduced to 40 km/h. The present speed limit, excepting those areas otherwise signed, is 50 km/h. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the speed limit on Westwood Drive, from Westmount Road to Glasgow Street, be reduced to 40 km/h, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." Councillor G. Lorentz indicated that similar problems exist on Westheights Drive and he would like a detailed report provided for this street. Mr. D. Snow advised that the problems on Westheights Drive are somewhat different from those that exist on Westwood Drive, however, he will discuss this matter further with Councillor Lorentz. 3.STONEGATE WATERCOURSE EROSION CONTROL AND SLOPE STABILIZATION STUDY Mr. P. Jung appeared before the Committee representing CH2M Hill Engineering and presented information regarding the Stonegate Watercourse Erosion Control and Slope Stabilization Study. The Stonegate Watercourse is located on the south side of King Street East and runs from Stonegate Drive to the Grand River. Erosion problems in this area have escalated and, as a result, CH2M Hill Engineering was retained to undertake a study and recommend appropriate remedial measures. Councillors B. Vrbanovic and J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. The Committee was advised that 4 alternatives have been developed to control erosion in the watercourse and to stabilize the slopes. The first alternative would be to do nothing which would result in even further deterioration. The second alternative would be to develop a step drop structure at the culvert outlet with gabion mat lining in the channel. The estimated cost for this alternative would $496,000.00. The third PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 1995 - 98 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3.STONEGATE WATERCOURSE EROSION CONTROL AND SLOPE STABILIZATION STUDY (CONT'D) alternative is to construct a spillway and stilling basin at the exit of the culvert under Stonegate Drive. The watercourse would be lined with gabion matting. The cost of this alternative has been estimated at $507,000.00. The fourth and final alternative would be to extend the pipe from the culvert outlet to the Grand River with an estimated cost of $669,000.00. The Committee was advised that the third alternative with a price tag of approximately $507,000.00 is being recommended. When questioned by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. Jung stated that if there were a delay in the carrying out of this work the costs involved would no doubt increase. Mr. T. McKay advised the Committee that this project will be included in the Capital Forecast and considered along with all the other capital projects. Mr. McKay acknowledged that delaying the project may result in higher costs in the future, however, from a strictly financial point of view this alternative may be preferable depending on how much the total cost of the work may increase in the upcoming years. The Committee was advised that there would be very little in the way of annual maintenance costs once the recommended option has been completed. His Worship Mayor R. Christy suggested that the City should explore the financing of this project with the Grand River Conservation Authority. It was suggested that this proposal is similar to what is being done in other watersheds and the City should determine whether or not financial assistance is available. In reply to questioning by Councillor Jake Smola, Mr. Jung advised that the cost estimates provided do not include any monies for engineering costs or contingencies. These could amount to approximately an additional 35%. It was noted that some of the required engineering services could, no doubt, be provided by City staff. When questioned by Councillor M. Wagner, Mr. S. Gyorffy advised that, hopefully, existing storm water management programs will ensure that erosion of this type is minimized in the future. There was a general discussion regarding the number of watercourses across the City which have erosion problems and it was questioned as to whether or not this watercourse should receive priority over the others. It was felt, however, that it would be appropriate to approach the Grand River Conservation Authority to determine whether or not financial assistance may be available. The Stonegate Project could be used as a stepping stone in attempts to have the Grand River Conservation Authority become more involved in projects of this nature. It was noted that all watercourses in the City of Kitchener do drain to the Grand River. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the report of CH2M Hill Engineering dated September 1995, with respect to the Stonegate Watercourse, be accepted, and further, That funding in the amount of $507,000.00 for improvements to this watercourse be included in the City's Ten Year Capital Forecast, and further, That the City of Kitchener approach the Grand River Conservation Authority to determine what, if any, funding assistance may be available for this project." 4. NATURAL GAS RATES The Committee received a report outlining that the Ontario Energy Board have approved gas rate reductions. In this regard, the Energy Board has ordered retroactive rebates to applicable customers. It was noted that the reduction in gas costs to the City will result in a reduction of approximately $39.00 in the annual gas cost to a Kitchener residential customer. 4. NATURAL GAS RATES (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 1995 - 99 - CITY OF KITCHENER Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener natural gas rates be modified in accordance with the rate schedules presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on October 16, 1995, and further, That the disposition of the retroactive credit received from Union Gas shall be made to residential gas customers in an equitable manner as determined by the Department of Public Works and the Finance Department." 5.TRANSIT FARE STRATEGY Messrs. W. Beck and J. Cicuttin appeared before the Committee and presented a report outlining a new fare strategy which includes the following objectives: · Ridership - to maintain and increase ridership; · Revenue - to maintain and increase revenue; · Sensitivity to Travel Market - to improve Transit's price competitiveness; · Convenience - to increase the convenience of fare payment options; · Ease of Comprehension & Operation - to ensure fare payment is easily understood and enforced; · Equity - to ensure customers are, and perceive to be, treated fairly by the new fare structure. The Committee was advised that it is proposed that the adult cash fare would be increased from $1.40 to $1.60 with this change being implemented on February 1, 1996. A new proposal is the selling of adult tickets which will be available for $1.40 each. Other new features being recommended are reduced tickets, a day pass and a Sunday family pass. It is also proposed that children under 5 be able to ride free and a new transfer policy developed to provide riders with greater flexibility. The Committee was advised that the new Fare Strategy Report is another step in the preparation of a Transit Marketing Plan. It was noted that the Transit Marketing Plan will be presented to the Committee in approximately one month. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether or not the actions being proposed regarding fares may be premature. It is unknown what, if any action, the Province may take regarding transit subsidies, however, if these should be cut as expected then it may be necessary for more costs to be passed on to the transit users. In this regard, Councillor Galloway suggested that possibly fare increases should be delayed until it is known what actions the Provincial Government are going take. In this regard, it was noted that the report presently being considered by the Committee deals with fare strategies and if further announcements are coming from the Provincial Government these may require a complete review of levels of service. It was suggested to the Committee that support of the Fare Strategy Report would be appropriate at this time. When questioned by the Committee, Mr. Beck advised that, while the City of Waterloo has not been officially informed of the proposed fare strategy, representatives of their staff have been involved in the discussions which lead to the preparation of the report. Councillor G. Lorentz suggested that as well as appropriate fares there are concerns regarding the level of service. In this regard, it was suggested that, regardless of the cost, some people would not use Kitchener Transit because it does not get them to a required destination in a convenient manner. In this regard, Mr. W. Beck pointed out that Kitchener Transit cannot compete with the use of a family car and, accordingly, it is necessary to look at alternative ways 5.TRANSIT FARE STRATEGY (CONT'D) to make the transit service a more attractive alternative. Members of the Committee agreed that it is important that attempts be made to get non-transit users on to the buses. When questioned by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. Beck advised that a token system has been PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 1995 - 100 - CITY OF KITCHENER investigated in the past, however, at this time it is felt that a ticket system could be implemented more quickly and for less cost. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That the following fare structure become effective on January 1, 1996, with the exception of the cash fare change which will be implemented on February 1, 1996: Fare Category New Fare Adult Cash $ Adult Pass Adult Ticket (New) Reduced Cash $ Reduced Pass $ Reduced Ticket (New) Term Pass (5 months) College Pass (4 months) University Pass (3 months) Day Pass (New) Sunday Family Pass (New) Child Fare (New) Transfer Policy (New) 1.60 $ 54.OO $ 1.4O 1.60 44.00 $ 1.15 $ 198.00 $ 184.00 $ 153.00 $ 5.OO $ 5.OO Under 5 Years Old Free 60 minutes free in any direction, and further, That the following costs for implementing tickets and new passes be included in the 1996 Operating Budget: Printing of Tickets/New Passes $50,000 Commission (1%) to Sales Outlets Miscellaneous Expenses $42,000 $ 6,OOO, and further, That $150,000.00 in additional fare revenue be included in the 1996 Operating Budget, and further, That a marketing plan to implement the new fare structure be presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee within a month's time from date of approval of the new fare structure and include, but not be limited to: · development and promotion of transit sales outlets; · increasing general customer and non-user awareness of pricing options; · targeting market segments for specific promotions and incentives; and further, That the Director of Transit be instructed to forward the new Fare Strategy Report to the City of Waterloo." 6. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION For information purposes, the Committee received a report detailing the proposed restructuring of the Public Works Department. Due to a lack of time it was agreed that presentation of this report would be deferred to the Committee's next meeting to be held on November 6, 1995. 7. IN FORMATION REPORTS The Committee received the following information reports: · Transit Division - 1995 Audited Financial Statement - Transit Statistics 1984-1994 · Public Works Department - Location of Water Service Boxes Councillor Jake Smola was instructed to contact the Department of Public Works regarding the PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 1995 - 101 - CITY OF KITCHENER development of a policy which, if implemented, would result in water services being located in lawn areas rather than under driveways. 8.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk