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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1995-11-20PWTC\1995-11-20 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 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 J. Ziegler was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. S. Roberts and Messrs. E. Kovacs, S. Gyorffy, W. Beck, J. Cicuttin, T. McKay, L. Gordon, J. Shivas and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:35 a.m. 1 .INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM - PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Mr. E. Kovacs advised the Committee that ITX Technologies Inc. was selected in 1992 to implement an Infrastructure Management Program for the natural gas and water operations of the Utilities Division. Making use of the audio-visual equipment available in the Council Chamber, Mr. Kovacs provided information regarding the abilities of this Management System. The Committee was advised that it is now the desire of the Public Works Department to expand the existing system so that it can be utilized by the other functional areas of the Department. This will result in a fully integrated system dealing with the management of roads, sewers, as well as the water and gas distribution systems. The implementation of this system on a Department-wide basis will provide much needed assistance in the management of replacement costs amounting to approximately 1 billion dollars. The existing manual methods would not allow this type of management to take place. The Committee was advised that the implementation of this system on a Department-wide basis will be, approximately, a 5 year project. The Committee was advised that permission is being sought to waive the normal consultant selection process in order for ITX Technologies Inc. to be utilized for the expansion of the existing Infrastructure Management System. When questioned by the Committee, Mr. Kovacs pointed out that without the additional database being discussed at this time, the City's G.I.S. Program would be of little use to the Department of Public Works. The Committee was advised that there is one other firm that is known to have the appropriate technology to meet the requirements of the Department of Public Works, however, this firm is located in California. Staff are of the opinion that it would be beneficial to stay with ITX, not only because of the work they have already done in the Department, but also because they are located in Cambridge. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. Councillor M. Wagner expressed concern regarding any legal or ethical problems which Council could create if they were to waive their consultant selection process. In this regard, Mr. J. Shivas pointed out that under certain circumstances it is appropriate and Council is entitled to waive their own requirements. When questioned by Councillor J. Ziegler, Mr. Kovacs advised that approximately $350,000.00 has already been paid to ITX for their development of the Infrastructure Management System. It is anticipated that over the next 5 years approximately another $500,000.00 will be required in consultant fees to develop a system which can be utilized on a Department-wide basis. The Committee was advised that if the consultant selection process is followed it is always possible that a company may come in with a Iow ball bid and it may then be difficult to justify that the product being offered is not adequate for the City of Kitchener. Following further discussion and on motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That the consultant selection process be waived and the firm of ITX Technologies Inc. of Cambridge be retained to undertake the expansion of the Infrastructure Management System, deployed in PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1995 - 103 - CITY OF KITCHENER the Utilities Division, throughout the Department of Public Works, and further, 1 .INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM - PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT (CONT'D) That an upset limit for the cost of software, project management and development be negotiated satisfactory to the Manager of Purchasing." 2.LOW FLOOR COMMUNITY BUS DEMONSTRATION PROJECT The Committee was advised that in May of 1995, the Councils of Kitchener and Waterloo approved a Community Low Floor Bus Demonstration Project, with the costs involved being shared by the two Cities and the Provincial Ministry of Transportation. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptance of a community bus route which would utilize a conventional Iow floor bus in an attempt to attract ridership who are frail, elderly, ambulatory disabled and to a limited degree those who must make use of mobility devices. The project would also allow an evaluation of the effectiveness of rear facing versus forward facing wheelchair securement systems. The Committee was advised that the City presently has 39 Iow floor buses and 2 of these would be used on the community route which would provide access for the users to various destinations which would include: · Victoria School (residence & activity centre) · Market Square · Queen Street Senior Citizen Highrises · Breithaupt Centre/Dutch Boy Plaza · Uptown Waterloo · Waterloo Adult Recreation Centre · Belmont Village and Medical Clinics · Victoria Hills Community Centre · Victoria Street Medical Clinic · Highland Road Dutch Boy Plaza · Victoria Park. The Committee was advised that the development of this community route will result in buses travelling on some streets which presently do not have any transit service. This intrusion into new areas is necessary to provide an acceptable level of service to the proposed users. In conclusion, it was noted that the Low Floor Community Bus Committee, which has membership representatives from both Cities and several user groups, have met on 2 occasions and have unanimously supported the proposal being presented at this time. Councillor G. Lorentz expressed his support for the concept being presented but noted that the service area is relatively small and questioned why the demonstration project had not been kept entirely within the City of Kitchener. In this regard, it was noted that the project is Kitchener-Waterloo based and the City of Waterloo will be paying part of the costs involved. It was also noted that the users of this project use facilities in both municipalities. The Committee was advised that the entire cost of this project will be approximately $260,000.00 with the Councils of Kitchener and Waterloo required to pay about 25% of these costs on a net basis. The costs between Kitchener and Waterloo will be divided based on mileage. In regard to concerns regarding transit traffic on streets that have not had it before, Mr. Beck expressed the hope that once the nature of the service is explained that the complaints will be at least tempered if not overcome. It was also noted that a marketing campaign will be put in place to inform the public of this demonstration project. In regard to the limited area being serviced it was noted that the demonstration route will connect with the mainline route which will allow the users to vastly expand the area of service. Councillor Jake Smola indicated that he would not support the recommendation as presented because in his view the routing was too limited and should be expanded to include such destinations as the Price Club. 2.LOW FLOOR COMMUNITY BUS DEMONSTRATION PROJECT (CONT'D) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1995 - 104 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor G. Lorentz indicated that he would support the demonstration project even though he was not convinced that people who presently receive door-to-door service from Project Lift will start to make use of the new service. It was the view of Councillor Lorentz that it will be necessary to develop a means by which individuals coming off of Project Lift to use this or other forms of service can be tracked. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That, subject to the approval of the City of Waterloo, the City of Kitchener implement the Community Bus Route as presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on November 20, 1995, and further, That this Community Bus Route be implemented for a period of approximately 9 months, commencing on December 4, 1995 and operate on a Monday to Friday basis from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on a 1 hour frequency in both directions." 3. NEW FARE STRUCTURE MARKETING STRATEGY Ms. S. Roberts appeared before the Committee and made a verbal presentation outlining the strategy to be used to communicate the New Fare Structure to each of the markets to be served. The information provided outlined the basis for the proposed Action Plans and the activities and appropriate budgets required to implement the marketing strategy. The Committee was advised that Zehrs Markets have expressed an interest in continuing to act as a sales agent on behalf of Kitchener Transit. Other smaller outlets have also expressed an interest and meetings will be held with them in the near future. Councillor M. Wagner indicated his support for the steps being taken to attract new transit riders but, again, expressed the view that what is being proposed does not go far enough in this regard. Staff were advised to provide the Committee with periodic updates regarding the success of this marketing strategy. 4.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk