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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1992-03-23PWTC\1992-03-23 PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 23, 1992 The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Alderman M. Wagner with the following members present: His Worship Mayor D.V. Cardillo, Alderman T. Galloway, Alderman G. Lorentz, Alderman C. Weylie and Alderman J. Ziegler. Others Present: Messrs. J. Witmer, D. Suzuki, D. Snow, D. Mansell, B. Liddle, E. Kovacs, D. Collie, J. Wallace, L. Lynch, J. O'Rourke, F. Graham, T. McKay and Ms. D. Gilchrist. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 9:15 a.m. 1 .Driveway Problem - Mr. H. Savich - Barbara Crescent The Committee was advised that this matter was originally considered on December 9, 1991 and again on February 3, 1992. On February 3rd, Mr. James Richard appeared before the Committee and raised concerns regarding the building permit process. Mr. J. Richard was in attendance on behalf of the owners of 36 Barbara Crescent. Mr. J. Witmer advised the Committee that final inspections are done in a two stage process, the first one being the final inspection under the Building Code Act. The second is an inspection under the Grading Control Plan which is done by the consulting engineer. It is the responsibility of the consulting engineer to certify that the grading of the lot is in accordance with the Grading Control Plan and this happens after the purchase has taken place. A debate took place between Mr. J. Richard and Mr. J. Witmer concerning the separate responses and the two stage process. Mayor D. Cardillo questioned Mr. Richard as to the cost to adjust the grade, redo the landscaping and to lower the garage floor; which Mr. Richard had indicated as being required, and Mr. Richard responded that the cost would be approximately $8,000.00. It was the opinion of the Committee and staff that the consulting engineer is at fault in this matter. On motion by Alderman J. Ziegler- it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener take no action in regard to a request received from Mr. H. Savich to correct driveway problems on Barbara Crescent." 2.Fees - Requests on the Status of Municipal Services The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. D. Mansell, Development Engineer, dated March 3, 1992, in which he recommended that the City charge a fee of $25.00 for each written submission requesting information on the status of municipal street services. Mr. D. Mansell gave a brief outline of his report and stated that the Finance Department has advised him that $25.00 is an acceptable fee to recover the costs involved. Further, he advised the Committee that the legal community had been circulated with the report and he has received no comments from them. On motion by Alderman T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That, effective April 1, 1992, the City of Kitchener shall charge a fee of $25.00 for responses to written submissions requesting information regarding the status of municipal street services affecting all lots and/or blocks within the City of Kitchener." 3.Pressure Restoration Proqram PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 24 - MARCH 23, 1992 The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. E. Kovacs, Director of Utilities, dated March 17, 1992 along with a copy of "A Study of Lead Concentrations in Drinking Water, City of Kitchener", dated March 4, 1992, prepared by Eco Logic International Inc. for the Utilities Division. Mr. E. Kovacs was in attendance and provided background information in this regard. He advised that staff are cautious of lead services as they could create health problems and that the Pressure Restoration Program would not be done on lead services. He advised that the only solution for lead services is to replace the lead. He expanded further on the procedures in the report. Alderman G. Lorentz questioned Mr. Kovacs as to the estimated cost for the consumer and Mr. Kovacs responded that it would cost approximately $1,000.00 for the consumer to replace the lead pipe on their property with the City's portion being approximately $3,000.00 to $3,500.00 including road restoration. On motion by Alderman G. Lorentz- it was resolved: "That Council approve the recommendations contained in the report entitled "A Study of Lead Concentrations in Drinking Water, City of Kitchener" prepared by Eco Logic International Inc., dated March 4, 1992, and further, That Council approve the practices outlined in the report prepared by Mr. E. Kovacs, Director of Utilities, dated March 17, 1992, as presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on March 23, 1992, to accommodate customers who wish to replace their lead service lateral." 4.Water Conservation Pilot Project - Information Update The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. D. Collie, Manager of Customer Relations and Marketing, dated March 18, 1992, in this regard. Mr. Collie was in attendance and advised that there has been good participation in the Pilot Project and that the area of the Pilot Project has been confined to an area within Stanley Park. He advised that members of Council who wish to participate in this Pilot Project could do so and all members of the Committee advised that they wished to be involved. Alderman C. Weylie advised that she was concerned that homeowners know exactly what will be done in their homes. Mr. Collie advised that the volunteers will be told what retrofit will be and will be given an opportunity to back out if they decide that its not for them. Mr. Collie further advised that this is a very unique program and very aggressive as compared to other municipal programs. Further, he stated that the Stanley Park area was chosen for this Pilot Project as it has a reasonable mix of home ages. On motion by Mayor D. Cardillo - it was resolved: "That the report entitled 'Information Update on Water Conservation Pilot Project' dated March 18, 1992, prepared by Mr. D. Collie, Manager of Customer Relations and Marketing, as presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on March 23, 1992, be accepted for information purposes." 5.Informational Report - Operations Division Overtime The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. B. Musselman, Supervisor of Operations Administration, dated March 12, 1992. Mr. T. McKay introduced this report advising that it was for information purposes only. Mr. J. O'Rourke was in attendance to answer any questions the Committee might have in this regard. General discussion took place over the report. 6.Informational Report - Ontario Street Reconstruction PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 25 - MARCH 23, 1992 The Committee was in receipt of a report prepared by Mr. L. Lynch, Manager of Roads and Engineering Services, concerning the Ontario Street reconstruction between King Street and Charles Street, dated March 18, 1992. Mr. Lynch was in attendance and provided updated information in this regard, advising that the intersection would be closed from this date for one week to do underground work. He advised that the resurfacing would be done at a later date as it may be necessary to re-open the street for other works. It is hoped that the project will be completed by the end of June. Alderman G. Lorentz requested that Mr. Lynch provide members of Council with a schedule of street works and sideway works which will be done this year. Mr. Lynch responded that a list will be ready in a week or two. 7. Monthly Report The Committee acknowledged receipt of a Monthly Report from Mr. D. Suzuki, Commissioner of Public Works, outlining the progress being made on the Schneider Trunk Sanitary Sewer Project and the Ontario Street reconstruction project. 8.Natural Gas Direct Purchase Some of the Committee members questioned Mr. D. Collie regarding gas sales door to door. Mr. D. Collie explained to the Committee what direct purchase involves and provided the members with copies of a report prepared by Kitchener Utilities, dated February 21, 1992, entitled "Natural Gas Direct Purchase - The Benefits and the Risks". He also provided the members of the Committee with a notice which has been put in all utility bills which gives a brief explanation of direct purchase for the benefit of the consumers. General discussion took place over this matter. 9.Crosswalk Liqhtinq Alderman T. Galloway raised concerns over crosswalk lighting and trail lighting and what happens when the lights burn out. Mr. D. Suzuki advised the Committee that the Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro will no longer install or maintain walkway and trail lighting. Walkway lighting has always been considered the same as road allowance lighting and up to two years ago the Hydro would install and maintain these lights. However, two years ago, Hydro said they would not be able to do this any longer. Mr. Suzuki further advised that Mr. F. Graham and himself are looking at the total lighting system and it is possible that a tender could be called to have a contractor on call to do this work. Right now they are preparing an inventory on lights on walkways and trails in order to be able to tender a contract. Mr. D. Suzuki suggested that he was the best person to call if their was a complaint in this regard and it would be looked after. 10. Adjournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. D. Gilchrist Committee Secretary