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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1992-10-19PWTC\1992-10-19 PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 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 T. Galloway, Alderman G. Lorentz, Alderman C. Weylie and Alderman M. Wagner. Others Present: Alderman B. Stortz and Messrs. T. McKay, D. Snow, J. Cicuttin, S. Gyorffy, W. Beck, B. Liddle, D. Suzuki, J. Webster, F. Graham and L.F. Parkhouse. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 9:10 a.m. 1 .Gary Howe -Corrugated Cardboard Mr. Gary Howe appeared before the Committee, as the owner of a small business, to express his concern regarding the lack of collection of corrugated cardboard. Mr. Howe pointed out that he has been in business for approximately 4 and half years and, while he does not generate a lot of cardboard, the disposition of this cardboard is a concern from a financial point of view. It was suggested that it is costs of this nature which make it hard for a small businessman to continue to operate. Mr. Howe questioned why taxes were not reduced when the provision of this service was discontinued. Mr. Howe also noted that cardboard is picked up at a neighbouring residential property and it does not make sense to him that his cardboard cannot be picked up at the same time. Alderman G. Lorentz pointed out that corrugated cardboard is now recycled and it can no longer be deposited at the Regional Landfill Site. It was noted that when the ban on cardboard was first put in place there were problems in the Downtown area, however, it would appear that these are gradually being resolved by the business owners. When questioned by the Committee, Mr. S. Gyorffy pointed out that it would cost approximately $175,000.00 per year to provide cardboard pick-up on a City-wide basis. The Committee encouraged Mr. Howe to take steps to resolve his existing problems with corrugated cardboard. 2.DOTR 92-40 -On-Street Parking - Franklin Street The Committee was advised that activities at Midland Park create an on-street parking problem in the area and, accordingly, parking has been prohibited on the north side of Franklin Street in the area of Bradley Drive between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, from May 1st to September 30th. A request has been received to extend this parking prohibition to also cover the month of April. The staff report, as presented, supports the request received from the area resident. On motion by Alderman C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on the north side of Franklin Street from Bradley Drive to a point 133 metres west thereof, and Monday to Friday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the north side of Franklin Street from Ottawa Street to Bradley Drive, from April 1 to September 30, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 3.DOTR 92-42 -On-Street Parking - Downtown The Committee considered a report which recommends that the existing 8 bus bays on King Street between Frederick and Francis Street be converted into 27 metered parking spaces. It was noted that this matter has been considered at a staff level and concerns have been expressed in regard to the provision of emergency and transit services, the loss of street furniture and pedestrian amenities and the impact on street maintenance including snow removal. PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 63 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 3.DOTR 92-42 -On-Street Parkinq - Downtown (Cont'd) Alderman B. Stortz outlined that there is a perception that there is a lack of short term parking in the Downtown area. It is the view of the K.D.B.A. and the Downtown Action Committee that the provision of parking spaces on King Street will help to overcome this perception. Alderman G. Lorentz supported the development of the parking spaces as proposed but noted that there will no doubt be problems during the initial stages. He suggested, however, that a one year trial period would allow staff to carry out a complete evaluation. When questioned by the Committee, Mr. D. Snow suggested that the financial success of these parking meters should only be one of the factors which is considered when evaluating the success or lack thereof regarding this course of action. Several members of the Committee were opposed to the development of the parking spaces as proposed. It was suggested that there is already sufficient parking in the Downtown area and the development of parking spaces on King Street would only further disrupt the movement of traffic on King Street. It was also suggested that the installation of these new meters may result in a loss of revenue at other parking locations and there will also probably be additional costs to provide services such as snow removal. Alderman C. Weylie noted that there is a problem because many females will not come to the Downtown area to shop because there is a lack of convenient parking spaces. Alderman G. Lorentz suggested that if action is not taken to attract more people to the Downtown area the existing businesses may be forced to close down and, if this happens, the impact will be of a negative nature to the entire City. Mr. C. Costley appeared before the Committee and suggested that accessible and convenient parking is the key to any successful commercial area and, accordingly, he would encourage the Committee to support this program in an attempt to get people back into the Downtown area. It was noted that after a one year trial period if the program has not been successful, it can be discontinued at that time. Alderman G. Lorentz introduced a motion to adopt the recommendations contained in staff report DOTR 92-42 which would have the affect of converting 8 existing bus bays on King Street between Frederick Street and Francis Street into 27 metered parking spaces. This motion was put to a vote and was defeated. It was noted that this matter can be further discussed by City Council at the meeting to be held on October 26, 1992. 4. Adjournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m. L.F. Parkhouse Deputy City Clerk