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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 2001-03-05PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5, 2001CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date, commencing at 10:10 a.m., Chaired by Councillor John Smola, with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr, Councillors M. Galloway and C. Weylie. Councillor G. Lorentz was in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present:Ms. P. Houston, P. Bacon and L. Korabo and Messrs. R.W. Pritchard (Interim Chief Administrative Officer), B. Stanley, S. Gyorffy, D. Mansell, L. Lynch, J. McBride, H. Gross and L. Gordon. PW-01-018 – 2001 REGIONAL ROADS PROGRAM AND CAPITAL FORECAST 1. The Committee considered Public Works report PW-01-018, dated February 13, 2001, from Mr. S. Gyorffy, recommending endorsement of the 2001 Regional Municipality of Waterloo Roads Capital Program. Mr. R. Gallivan, Transportation and Environmental Services Department, Region of Waterloo, appeared as a delegation to receive feedback on the Capital Program. Councillor C. Weylie requested information on the two items referring to Westmount Road/ Glasgow Street, specifically road reconstruction and intersection improvements. Mr. Gallivan advised that the road surface on Westmount Road has deteriorated significantly enough to require reconstruction and the funds proposed for intersection improvements are for widening to four lanes plus inclusion of a left turn lane. He stated that funding is also included should property acquisitions be required to accommodate these proposed changes. Mr. Gallivan further advised that this is not the final recommendation but costs have been included for the maximum work required. Mr. J. McBride advised that the scenario favoured by the City does not include any property acquisitions. Mayor C. Zehr stated that today’s discussion and feedback should not be taken to mean that the City approves the projects as listed, but that endorsement is being given for budgetary purposes only. Mayor Zehr questioned when the final decision regarding work priorities would be made and Mr. Gallivan noted that, after the budget is approved by Regional Council on March 21, 2001, a report prioritizing projects would be presented to Regional Engineering Committee on April 3, 2001 and, subsequently to Regional Council. Mayor Zehr expressed concern that there are still outstanding issues surrounding the identified projects for 2001 and with giving approval at this time. He questioned if the projects slated for Kitchener do not go ahead whether the savings realized would go to other Kitchener projects. Mr. Gallivan stated that a mid-year review will be undertaken and, at that time, outstanding projects will be re-prioritzed and funds re-assigned but was unable to say definitively that other Kitchener projects would receive unutilized Kitchener funding. Mayor Zehr also commented on projects listed on page 4 of the report and questioned if this was for information purposes only. Specifically, he questioned if the King Street East project shown in the Capital Forecast for 2007 – 2008 would be receiving design funding in 2001. Mr. Gallivan stated that the 7 projects listed as roads of interest to Council are being scheduled to ensure that construction commences in the appropriate year. Specifically, he referred to the River Road Extension project shown in the Forecast for 2002-2007 and advised that actual construction will begin in 2005 to tie-in with work scheduled on Highway 8 by the Ministry of Transportation. Mayor Zehr questioned staff if there were any projects not listed in the Regional Roads Program that they had hoped to see for 2001. Mr. Gyorffy advised that staff had prepared the Roads Program in conjunction with Regional staff and are satisfied with the funding and timing of work proposed. Mayor C. Zehr questioned the traffic signal modernization of the intersection of Kingsway Drive/Franklin Street noting that $40,000. had been designated for this work. He questioned if the funds are being split between the Province and the Region of Waterloo and also why this was scheduled for 2001 when the Franklin Street bridge is scheduled to be reconstructed as part PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5, 2001- 17 -CITY OF KITCHENER PW-01-018 – 2001 REGIONAL ROADS PROGRAM AND CAPITAL FORECAST (CONT’D) 1. of the Highway 8 project. J. McBride noted that staff have a tentative meeting with the Ministry of Transportation scheduled after the Ontario Municipal Board hearing on this matter to discuss timing of the bridge removal and scheduling of traffic signal modernization. Mayor Zehr suggested that staff keep in mind the importance of having the Franklin Street bridge reconstructed in the shortest timeframe possible, noting the meetings and alternatives arranged at the time the Ottawa Street bridge was reconstructed. Mayor Zehr offered his assistance if staff felt that similar fast- tracking arrangements could be made. Councillor C. Weylie questioned the inclusion of the sum of $20,000. for minor modifications as shown under traffic signal modernization and was advised this is a general fund to be utilized throughout the City of Kitchener on an as needed basis. Councillor Weylie also questioned if a new sewer would be installed at the time that Westmount Road was resurfaced and Mr. H. Gross stated that City funds were in place for sewer replacement. In response to a question by Councillor J. Smola, Mr. Gallivan advised that future work proposed for Weber Street from Victoria Street to Guelph Street had been previously shown in the 10 year Capital Forecast but removed due to lack of funding. He stated that the need for reconstruction is significant and it is proposed that Weber Street be widened to 4 lanes. He further commented that the Region owns several of the properties required for this widening but there are still significant property issues to be dealt with. Councillor Smola commented that he was aware that these properties had been under the ownership of the Region for quite some time and questioned if these properties had been sold when the project was removed from the Capital Forecast making it now necessary to repurchase. Councillor Smola requested that Mr. Gallivan provide a report to him detailing the Region’s response to this inquiry. Mr. S. Gyorffy commented that Ms. P. Bacon of the Economic Development Division was in attendance to express concern regarding the apparent delay in reconstruction work on Bridge Street between Bloomingdale Road and Lancaster Street. It was noted that this work is shown in the Capital Forecast for 2006. Ms. Bacon commented that a number of businesses located in the Bridgeport Industrial Park are planning to expand in the near future, and noted one company’s plans for a significant expansion which could be negatively impacted by the delay in reconstruction of Bridge Street. She advised that this work had been initially scheduled for 2005 and felt that the decision to move it back could impact expansion plans of businesses in the area and could also impede fire safety. It was her understanding that the residential development in the area had been capped at 300 units due to the traffic congestion problems on Bridge Street and noted that with the proposed expansion in the industrial park, the potential for a further 200 plus vehicles could become a significant issue. Mayor C. Zehr advised that the cap placed on the residential development was made with the understanding that the expansion could continue once Wellington Street was extended or the bridge on Bridge Street was widened. Mr. D. Mansell commented that the Lackner/Shirley connection scheduled for completion for 2001/2002 would be able to assist with the traffic congestion problems on Bridge Street as traffic entering the City from the east could access the Lackner/Shirley Extension to gain access to areas of the City previously accessible via Bridge Street. Mr. Gallivan commented that the timing of the Bridge Street reconstruction is linked to the Highway 7 plans of the Province, noting that this matter could be reviewed in 2002 once the Highway 7 study is complete. Councillor J. Smola suggested that a letter be sent from the Economic Development Division to the Region of Waterloo highlighting concerns regarding the Bridge Street Project. Mayor C. Zehr reiterated his concern that endorsement of the Regional Road Program this date related only to budget approvals and did not provide approval for the Westmount Road/Glasgow Street intersection improvements and road resurfacing work. Mr. J. McBride advised that staff are intending to bring a report to Public Works and Transportation Committee on April 30, 2001, to receive input from the Committee to forward to Regional Council. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5, 2001- 18 -CITY OF KITCHENER PW-01-018 – 2001 REGIONAL ROADS PROGRAM AND CAPITAL FORECAST (CONT’D) 1. Councillor C. Weylie requested that if the tender for Westmount Road/Glasgow Street intersection improvements is below the anticipated costs noted by staff, that these extra funds be used for landscaping of the intersection. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: “That the City of Kitchener endorse the Regional Municipality of Waterloo’s 2001 Roads Capital Program; and further, That this approval does not reflect specific endorsement of reconstruction work scheduled on Westmount Road and intersection improvements on Westmount Road at Glasgow Street, at this time.” PW-01-024 – ON-STREET PARKING – BANKSIDE DRIVE 2. The Committee was in receipt of Public Works report PW-01-024, dated February 19, 2001, from Mr. J. McBride recommending establishment of a ‘No Parking Anytime’ parking prohibition on the east side of Bankside Drive between Oprington Drive and Westforest Trail. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie– it was resolved: “That the current three (3) hour time limit on the east side of Bankside Drive between Oprington Drive and Westforest Trail be replaced with a ‘No Parking Anytime’ parking prohibition; and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly.” PW-01-026 – STOKE DRIVE – SANITARY FORCEMAIN EMERGENCY REPAIRS 3. The Committee was in receipt of Public Works report PW-01-026, dated February 26, 2001, from Mr. H. Gross, providing background information on the sewage pumping station located in the Monarch Woods subdivision and information concerning a leak which was recently discovered in the sanitary forcemain on Stoke Drive near Trelawney Street. A revised summary of anticipated repair costs was circulated to the Committee this date. Mr. S. Gyorffy advised that emergency repairs are required and it is being recommended that the tender be awarded as soon as possible in order that repairs may be commenced. Councillor G. Lorentz questioned whether or not funds for the emergency repairs would be requested from the original developer if, upon investigation, flaws in the original work were discovered. Mr. Gyorffy agreed to keep Council advised of the result of staff’s investigation in this regard. The Committee also questioned if area residents would be advised of the work to be undertaken; specifically noting that road resurfacing would not take place until the spring. Staff advised that a letter is being prepared for circulation to all residents on Stoke Drive providing detail on the upcoming work. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie– it was resolved: “That a tender for emergency repairs to the Stoke Drive sanitary forcemain be awarded to the lowest bidder, J.G. Goetz Construction Ltd. with a report concerning the tender award being brought forward at the March 19, 2001 City Council meeting; and, That the consulting firm of Earth Tech (Canada) Inc. be retained to undertake a review of the system design; recommend measures to prevent future collapse of this line; and provide field review services during the pipe repair, at an estimated cost of $12,000. plus G.S.T.; and, PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5, 2001- 19 -CITY OF KITCHENER PW-01-026 – STOKE DRIVE – SANITARY FORCEMAIN EMERGENCY REPAIRS (CONT’D) 3. That staff pre-order the necessary forcemain pipe and air release/vacuum valve appurtenances for installation by the successful bidder; and further, That funding for this work be provided from the Sewer Surcharge Fund in accordance with estimates submitted by staff on March 5, 2001.” INFORMATION ITEM 4. The Committee was in receipt of the following information report, namely: · PW-01-025 – Winter Maintenance Costs - 2001-03-06 For the information of the Committee, Mr. S. Gyorffy clarified that the report summary is for the year 2001 only and does not include costs incurred in November / December 2000. In response to a further question, he advised that staff are comfortable with the balance remaining to be spent for winter maintenance costs during the remainder of 2001. The meeting then recessed and the Committee agreed to re-convene on Tuesday, March 6, 2001 at 5:00 p.m. Linda Korabo Acting Committee Administrator