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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1992-05-25PWTC\1992-05-25 PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 25, 1992 The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Alderman J. Smola with the following members present: His Worship Mayor D. Cardillo, Alderman C. Weylie and Alderman M. Wagner. Aldermen J. Ziegler, G. Lorentz and T. Galloway were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Alderman B. Stortz, Alderman C. Zehr, Ms. P. Houston and Messrs. T. McKay, D. Suzuki, J. Webster, D. Snow, W. Beck, S. Gyorffy, B. Liddle, J. O'Rourke, F. Graham and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 9:10 a.m. 1 .DOTR 92-22 - Market Square Promotion - Countdown to Canada's 125th Birthday Celebration The Committee was advised that an event will be held in downtown Kitchener on June 30, 1992, leading to Canada's 125th Birthday. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo has issued a Special Event Permit which will allow Frederick Street to be closed between Duke Street and King Street for this event. The City of Kitchener has been requested to provide free parking in the Market Square Garage and also to provide free or reduced rate Transit service. Mr. C. Costley appeared before the Committee representing the Valhalla Inn, Eaton's, CHYM Radio, the K-W Record and Market Square, who are the organizers of this event. Mr. Costley pointed out that the goal is to attract approximately 10,000 people to the downtown area and, accordingly, they would like to be able to offer free parking and a free shuttle bus service. The Committee was advised that the request is to provide free parking from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and a free shuttle bus service from the Auditorium Complex to the Market area. This shuttle service would run each half hour between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. Mr. Costley pointed out that the organizers are prepared to contribute $400.00 to off-set some of the costs involved in these requests. Mr. W. Beck advised the Committee that it would cost approximately $315.00 to provide the shuttle service as requested. Mr. D. Snow advised that the loss of parking revenue would amount to approximately $1,400.00. Alderman G. Lorentz entered the meeting at this time. Alderman M. Wagner questioned what the normal Tuesday night revenue would be from the parking garage. In this regard, Mr. D. Snow pointed out that most businesses are normally closed on Tuesdays and, therefore, there would be little revenue coming from the Market parking garage. Mr. Snow did point out, however, that when a special event is held the garage does remain open and additional revenue is realized. It was the view of Alderman Wagner that it would seem to be somewhat unfair to expect the organizers of this event to pay $1,400.00 in revenue that would not be realized if the event were not held. Alderman J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. Mr. D. Snow agreed that under normal circumstances the revenue realized on a Tuesday night would be quite Iow but cautioned the Committee that many requests are received from groups holding special events in the Farmers' Market or downtown area who also would like to receive free or reduced rate parking. Following further discussion and on motion by Alderman M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That free parking be provided in the Market Square Garage from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m on Tuesday, June 30, 1992 to accommodate the Countdown to Canada's 125th Birthday Celebration, and further, That for this event a special Transit service be provided at no cost between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., consisting of a shuttle bus service running between the Auditorium Complex and Market Square every half hour, and further, PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 39 - MAY 25, 1992 1 .DOTR 92-22 - Market Square Promotion - Countdown to Canada's 125th Birthday Celebration (Cont'd) That the organizers of this event pay the City the sum of $400.00 to off-set some of the costs involved in providing the free parking and Transit services." 2.DOTR 92-21 -On-Street Parkinq - Montcalm Drive The Committee was advised that vehicles parked on the north side of Montcalm Drive immediately east of Queenston Drive are creating a visibility problem at this intersection. As a result, it is being recommended that a parking prohibition on Montcalm Drive be implemented. On motion by His Worship Mayor D. Cardillo - it was resolved: "That the existing 15 metre parking prohibition on the north side of Montcalm Drive, east of Queenston Drive, be extended to 30 metres, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 3,Kitchener Transit- Year to Date Ridership and Revenue Report For information purposes, the Committee received a report providing statistical information regarding Kitchener Transit ridership and revenues. It was noted that after 3 months in 1992 ridership is down very slightly in comparison to the previous 2 years, while revenues have increased. Alderman T. Galloway entered the meeting at this time. When questioned by the Committee, Mr. W. Beck pointed out that in many municipalities Transit services are being cut back. In the City of Kitchener, however, positive steps including more meetings with Transit users are taking place in an attempt to improve levels of service. Alderman M. Wagner noted that in some municipalities incentives are being offered in an attempt to encourage more people to use the Transit systems. 4.Public Works Department - Projects in Proqress For information purposes, the Committee received reports outlining the status of various projects. Alderman B. Stortz referred to the reconstruction of Cameron Street and noted that much of the new concrete is breaking up. In this regard, Mr. B. Liddle pointed out that if there is a problem of this nature the concrete will be replaced at the contractor's expense. This matter will be reviewed and Alderman Stortz will be advised accordingly. His Worship Mayor D. Cardillo referred to landscaping on Duke Street and pointed out that the sod is brown rather than green. This will be reviewed by staff. In regard to the awarding of contracts regarding the supply of asphalt it was noted that this has been split between Kitchener Asphalt and Warren Bitulithic Limited. Alderman G. Lorentz referred to the situation on Royal Orchard Drive and pointed out that whenever flooding takes place there are 3 homes that end up with raw sewage in the basement. Backwater valves have been installed, however, there is still a problem and it has been suggested that sump pumps could be installed with 50% of the cost being paid by the City. The homeowners are of the opinion that they have done nothing to cause this problem and, accordingly, should not be expected to pay any of the costs to have it corrected. Mr. J. O'Rourke advised the Committee that a properly working backwater valve should stop raw sewage from entering the basement, however, it may also create other drainage problems. In these cases, a sump pump will provide a service by getting rid of clear water. 4.Public Works Department - Projects in Proqress (Cont'd) Alderman J. Ziegler was of the view that if the problems have not been created by the homeowners then the City should be totally responsible for the costs of all corrective actions. PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 40 - MAY 25, 1992 On motion by Alderman G. Lorentz- it was resolved: "That, as quickly as possible, City staff review available options to overcome existing flooding problems at 80, 86 and 92 Royal Orchard Drive and take steps to immediately eliminate these problems at a total cost to the City of Kitchener not exceeding $4,000.00." In reply to questioning by Alderman J. Ziegler, Mr. B. Liddle pointed out that construction on the next phase of the Schneider Creek Trunk Sewer has started. Alderman C. Zehr referred to a problem which has recently developed in the area of Graber Place involving the strong smell of sewer gas. It may well be that this problem is caused by Breslube carrying out additional pumping activities during the late evening and earlier morning hours. Mr. S. Gyorffy advised that meetings have been held with representatives of Breslube and they will take some action to treat their waste prior to it being pumped which will, hopefully, eliminate some of the odour problems. It was also noted that plumbing in this area of the City is quite old and some of the traps may not be working properly. Breslube is also considering the possibility of offering assistance to the residents to have their plumbing updated. Staff were instructed to monitor this situation on a regular basis. 5.Pavement Manaqement System Update In 1985, Pavement Management Systems was selected to implement a Pavement Management System which is used in allocating funds for the resurfacing and reconstruction of various streets. This company has supplied a satisfactory service in the past and, accordingly, it is now being recommended that the consultant selection process be waived and this company being retained to update their original report. It was noted that the Ministry of Transportation has not been contacted to determine whether or not they would provide subsidy money if the consultant selection process were to be waived. Following further discussion and on motion by Alderman M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Transportation, the consultant selection process be waived and Pavement Management Systems be retained to undertake an update of the City's Pavement Management System during 1992, and further, That the upset cost for this work be negotiated to the satisfaction of the Director of Purchasing." 6.Caucus Item The Committee met in caucus session to consider one item. There were no recommendations forthcoming from the caucus meeting. 7. Adjournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse Deputy City Clerk PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - IN CAMERA MAY 25, 1992 The Public Works and Transportation Committee met In Camera this date under the Chairmanship of PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY ~5, 199~ Alderman J. Smola with all members present. Others Present: Alderman B. Stortz, Alderman C. Zehr, Ms. P. Houston and Messrs. T. McKay, D. Suzuki, J. Webster, D. Snow, W. Beck, S. Gyorffy, B. Liddle, J. O'Rourke, F. Graham and L.F. Parkhouse. 1 .Garbaqe Contract Chanqes - Update The Committee was advised of ongoing discussions which are taking place with B.F.I. regarding the existing garbage contract. The ongoing discussions fall generally into the areas of the length of a possible extension, landfill payments and recycling. More reports will be made to the Committee as these negotiations continue. On motion, the meeting adjourned.