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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1992-01-20PWTC\1992-01-20 PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 20, 1992 The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date with the following members present: Alderman T. Galloway, Alderman C. Weylie, Alderman M. Wagner, Alderman G. Lorentz and His Worship Mayor D. Cardillo. Alderman J. Ziegler was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Alderman B. Stortz, Alderman C. Zehr and Messrs. D. Snow, J. McBride, B. Musselman, D. Suzuki, S. Gyorffy, J. O'Rourke, C. Sipes, J. Webster, B. Gulliver, F. Graham, T. McCabe, J. Wallace, T. McKay and L.F. Parkhouse. In the absence of Alderman J. Smola, this meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee was chaired by Alderman M. Wagner and commenced at 9:30 a.m. 1 .Projects in Progress - Operations Division - Department of Public Works For informational purposes, Mr. D. Suzuki introduced a report summarizing Winter Works Projects which are presently underway. The report, as presented, had been circulated as part of the agenda. For information purposes, the Committee also received a report outlining the steps which have been taken to clean up after the January 14, 1992 snow storm. In this regard, Mr. J. O'Rourke, Manager of Operations, pointed out that all snow removal had been undertaken with City vehicles and it was not necessary to make use of any hired equipment. When questioned by Alderman G. Lorentz, Mr. O'Rourke advised that if faced with a similar storm again, much more salt would have been utilized during the early stages. This course of action would have reduced the amount of packed snow and ice on the City streets substantially. The Committee was advised that there are alternatives to using salt, however, in many cases the products are much more expensive and the results are not that much better. The members of the Committee commended City Staff for the excellent job they have done in cleaning up after the substantial snowfall. Alderman C. Weylie expressed the view that the report should have referred to the fact that there was freezing rain prior to the heavy snowfall. 2. DOTR 91-66 - On-Street Parking - Braun Street The Committee considered a report which recommends that parking be prohibited on the south side of Braun Street from Shanley Street to a point 56 metres west. It was noted that there is presently a 2 hour limit on Braun Street, however, the residents have requested a change because of problems created by parking generated by the Separate School Board Offices and Sacred Heart School which are located in this area. On motion by Alderman G. Lorentz- it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited on the south side of Braun Street from Shanley Street to a point 56 metres west thereof, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly, and further, That no action be taken on the proposal to reduce the two (2) hour limit on Braun Street." 3.DOTR 92-3 - Proposed Stop Control - Claremont Avenue at Belmont Lane East The Committee was advised that a request has been received from a Belmont Plaza merchant asking that stop controls be erected at the intersection of Claremont Avenue and Belmont Lane East. An investigation was undertaken by staff and it was determined that this intersection is used extensively and there is the potential for conflict between vehicular and pedestrian traffic. As a result, it is being recommended that stop controls be installed. PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES -4- JAN UARY 20, 1992 3.DOTR 92-3 - Proposed Stop Control - Claremont Avenue at Belmont Lane East (Cont'd) On motion by Alderman G. Lorentz- it was resolved: "That a stop control be installed on Claremont Avenue at Belmont Lane East, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 4. DOTR 92-4 - Meter Revisions - Water Street The Committee was advised that, as the result of a request received through the Downtown Business Association, the time limit for parking meters on Water Street between King Street and Duke Street is being increased from 1 hour to 2 hours. On motion by Alderman G. Lorentz- it was resolved: "That the time limit for the parking meters on Water Street between King Street and Duke Street be increased from one (1) hour to two (2) hours, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 5.DOTR 91-69 - Cross Traininq in City Enforcement Functions The Committee considered a joint report prepared by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Planning and Development which addresses the possibility of the cross training of existing staff so that By-law Enforcement Officers can be used in other enforcement areas. The report, as presented, supports this cross training of staff and outlines the areas of enforcement which would be improved. Mr. T. McKay suggested that the two Departments involved should be congratulated for working together to ensure a better use of existing staff. Alderman J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. On motion by Alderman G. Lorentz- it was resolved: "That City Council accept the following recommendations advanced by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Planning and Development which will improve the effectiveness of Zoning By-law enforcement while at the same time increasing the efficiency of parking enforcement through route changes, namely: -that the existing responsibilities of the Parking Prosecution Officer be redefined to include the enforcement of the Zoning, Sign and Fence By-laws in addition to the prosecution of Parking Infraction Notices, effective February 1, 1992, and further, -that this position be allocated to the Traffic and Parking Division for a period of 2.5 days per week for the preparation and prosecution of parking tickets through the Provincial Court system and 2.5 days per week to the Development Division for the enforcement of the Zoning, Sign and Fence By-laws, and further, -that the existing daytime Parking By-law Enforcement routes be realigned to cover tickets currently issued by the Parking Prosecution Officer, and further, -that the Development Division 1992 Operating Budget be increased by $24,615. to cover the increase in salary, fringe benefits and expenses, and further, -that the net revenue generated by parking fines in the Traffic and Parking Division 1992 Operating Budget be increased by $83,709. to reflect the more efficient use of existing staff." PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES -5- JAN UARY 20, 1992 6. DOTR 92-5 - Traffic Control - Centre Ward Alderman B. Stortz requested that consideration of this report be deferred for a period of one month so that he could discuss it with the area residents. The members of the Committee concurred and consideration of this report was deferred to the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting to be held on February 17, 1992. 7.1992 Bus Purchases Mr. J · Webster, Commissioner of Transportation, appeared before the Committee and advised that in 1991, seven Iow floor, air conditioned buses had been ordered from New Flyer Industries in Winnipeg. It was noted that funds for the purchase of seven more replacement buses have been included in the 1992 Capital Budget. The Committee was advised that New Flyer Industries are presently the only source of Iow floor transit buses and they have offered to provide the seven new buses at their 1991 price. This price of $219,940. per bus will be in effect as long as an order is received by not later than February 7, 1992. The Committee was advised that approval, in principle, has been received from the Ministry of Transportation and, accordingly, subsidy monies will be available. The Committee was advised that the tender process will have to be by-passed in order to take advantage of this opportunity. It was noted, however, that the other major bus suppliers will not be in a position to offer a Iow floor bus until 1993. On motion by Alderman G. Lorentz- it was resolved: "That the Fleet Division of the Department of Transportation be authorized to order seven Iow floor buses from New Flyer Industries of Winnipeg having a unit cost of $219,940., and further, That the City of Kitchener waive its tender process regarding the purchase of these buses and that delivery be requested in August 1992." 8. DOTR 92-1 - Contracting of Security Services This matter was originally considered by the Civic Administration Committee in late 1991 and at that time it was recommended that steps be taken which would result in security services being contracted to a private security firm. When this matter was considered by City Council on November 25, 1991, action was deferred and staff was instructed to obtain information from other municipalities regarding the type of service which could be expected from a private company. At this time the Committee considered a report prepared by the Traffic and Parking Services Division of the Department of Transportation. The report, as presented, advised that a questionnaire had been sent to various municipalities and educational institutions so that there input could be obtained. The report, as presented, indicates that the Cities of Oakville, Toronto, North Bay and Thunder Bay all use private security firms and they have found that the quality of staff is satisfactory and there is a minimal turnover. The City of Windsor, on the other hand, experienced many problems with private security staff and, as a result, have brought this function back In House as of January 1, 1992. The report, as presented, also indicates that the private security firms who had originally provided cost estimates to the City were again contacted and all are of the view that they could provide staff which would meet the City's requirements. Alderman G. Lorentz advised the Committee that, following a full discussion of this matter, he was prepared to introduce a motion which, if adopted, would result in no action being taken regarding the contracting out of security services. 8. DOTR 92-1 - Contracting of Security Services (Cont'd) PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES -6- JAN UARY 20, 1992 Alderman T. Galloway was of the opinion that security services should not be contracted out and suggested that the public relations aspect of the job alone indicate that this should be an In House function. It was the view of Alderman Galloway that any form of contracting out usually results in a substandard level of service. Alderman C. Zehr questioned what assurances have been received that private firms can provide the high level of service which is required on a regular basis. In this regard, Mr. J. McBride again referred to the report, as presented, which indicates that the three firms contacted believe they can provide appropriate personnel, some of which are ex-police, ex-military or graduates from the Community College program in Law and Security. Mr. McBride also noted that the firms contacted were of the opinion that staff turnover should not be a problem. Alderman G. Lorentz expressed the view that a political decision is required and was of the belief that, if Council is setting an example for the private sector, they should not do so by letting staff go to cut costs. It was the view of Alderman Lorentz that it would be far more appropriate for steps to be taken to improve operations with existing staff. Alderman Lorentz also indicated that he was not satisfied that private security firms could provide security services at a level acceptable to the City. In reply to Alderman Lorentz, Mr. D. Snow advised that, if Security Officers are to take on additional duties over and above what they do at the present time, it would be necessary to increase the staff complement. Alderman B. Stortz was of the view that if the City were to contract out security services they would have to go to the Iow tender and in doing so the City may not be able to adequately control the services which would be provided. In this regard, however, Mr. T. McKay pointed out that the level of service required could be specifically spelled out in the tender documents. His Worship Mayor D. Cardillo acknowledged that some realignment of duties may be possible, however, in his view the public relations aspect of the position more than off-set the cost savings involved. As a result, Mayor Cardillo indicated that he would not support the contracting out of security services. Alderman J. Ziegler noted that everyone seems to be happy with the existing staff and the service they provide and, accordingly, he questioned the advisability of making any change at this time. Alderman Ziegler did suggest, however, that possibly all existing Security Staff could be maintained and through attrition they could be replaced with contract employees. Mr. Gary Edwards, a City of Kitchener Security Officer, appeared before the Committee and pointed out that staff have also carried out a survey of other organizations which make use of security firms. In most cases, it has been determined that security guards in other locations only do a small portion of the type of work expected of the City of Kitchener employees. Mr. Edwards noted that the private security firms may have qualified people but, in most cases, these people become site supervisors and receive a higher level of pay than do the normal security guards. Mr. Edwards also suggested that splitting the job between full time and contract employees would no doubt lead to many problems. Mr. T. McKay suggested to the Committee that in the provision of security services it was probably an all or nothing proposition. Either all services should be contracted out or they all should be provided by City staff. Following further discussion and on motion by Alderman G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That no action be taken by the City of Kitchener regarding the contracting out of security services." 9. Adiournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m. PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES -7- JAN UARY 20, 1992 L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT Deputy City Clerk