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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 2001-05-14PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 14, 2001CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date commencing at 9:05 a.m., chaired by Councillor J. Smola, with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors M. Galloway, G. Lorentz and B. Vrbanovic. Councillor J. Ziegler was in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present:Ms. P. Houston, Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. R. W. Pritchard, D. Mansell, H. Gross, L. Lynch, J. McBride and G. Melanson. PW-01-057 - TRAFFIC CONTROL – DOON VILLAGE ROAD 1. The Committee was in receipt of Public Works Department report PW-01-057 dated April 30, 2001 recommending that the one-way traffic restriction on Doon Village Road from the west limit of the first single lane bridge to Doon South Drive remain in place. Mr. E. Lucy appeared as a delegation on behalf of residents of Doon Village Road in support of the staff recommendation. Mr. Lucy further pointed out that in previous minutes of Council a recommendation was approved to post a sign on Doon Village Road advising that in future the route would be closed and a cul-de-sac established. The sign has not yet been posted and Mr. Lucy stated that such a sign would be useful to prospective purchasers in determining if this area suits their needs. In response to a question from Mayor Zehr, Mr. D. Mansell advised that an environmental assessment had been completed in 1999 and as part of the recommendations, Doon Village Road is to be diverted and a cul-de-sac constructed at its intersection with Doonbrook Place. He noted that the consultant, Stan Tech Engineering, has begun to work on the details of implementing the recommendations and as soon as the new diversion is complete, the cul-de-sac will be constructed. Mayor Zehr expressed the opinion that a sign should be put in place now to give advance warning of the road closure and Mr. McBride agreed. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway – it was resolved: “That the one-way traffic restriction on Doon Village Road from the west limit of the first single lane bridge to Doon South Drive, remain in place; and further, That staff be directed to immediately install a sign informing the public of the proposed diversion and cul-de-sac of Doon Village Road at its intersection with Doonbrook Place, scheduled to take place no later than 2002.” PW-01-050 – FLOODING OF FEBRUARY 9 AND 10, 2001 2. The Committee was in receipt of Public Works Department report PW-01-050 dated May 9, 2001 recommending that an information package be sent to all homeowners who contacted the City with respect to flooding earlier this year, advising of measures they can undertake to prevent future flooding of their homes. The report further recommends remedial action for homeowners affected by sanitary sewer overloading. These homeowners will be offered a grant of up to $4,000. toward the cost of installing backwater valves and sump pumps. Staff are also recommending that funding be provided from the Sewer Surcharge Fund to update the study of trunk sewers in the area of Royal Orchard Drive and the Sandrock Greenway, and to provide for completion of a class environmental assessment to identify a preferred solution for remedial measures and a functional design for implementation. Councillor G. Lorentz suggested that a press release be issued to inform the public of the City’s plan for action in response to the occurrence of flooding and asked that links to other informative websites also be provided with the City’s Homepage. Councillor Lorentz further enquired what could be done to ensure that homeowners do not hook up their drainage to the sanitary sewer system. Mr. D. Mansell advised that in the 1970’s, early 1980’s, connecting foundation drains to the sewer system was an acceptable practice and PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 14, 2001- 45 -CITY OF KITCHENER PW-01-050 – FLOODING OF FEBRUARY 9 AND 10, 2001 (CONT’D) 2. approximately 85% of homes in the Forest Heights Ward have been constructed in this manner. He noted that since discontinuing this practice staff have been working to address the problem; however, it is difficult to provide a solution for homes that were constructed in this manner as the problem is inside the home and the City does not have access. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz – it was resolved: “That all homeowners who contacted the City with respect to basement flooding at their properties on February 9 and 10, 2001 be sent an information package, as outlined in Public Works Department report PW-01-050, recommending measures they can take to mitigate their flooding problems; and, That those homeowners in areas of sanitary sewer overloading as identified by staff and/or survey responses, be offered a grant toward the actual cost of the installation of backwater valves and sump pumps to a maximum value of $4,000., as outlined in Public Works Department report PW-01-058; and further, That the sum of $80,000. be provided from the Sewer Surcharge Fund to update the previous study of trunk sewers in the Royal Orchard Drive and Sandrock Greenway area and to complete a Class Environmental Assessment to identify a preferred solution for the remedial measures and to provide a functional design for the implementation of the preferred solution.” PW-01-058 - GRANT PROGRAM – BACKWATER VALVE & SUMP PUMP INSTALLATION 3. - SEWAGE BACK-UPS The Committee was in receipt of Public Works Department report PW-01-058 dated May 1, 2001, recommending that a grant program be established to assist homeowners affected by sewage back-ups with installation of backwater valves and sump pumps. In response to a question from Councillor J. Ziegler, Mr. D. Mansell advised that it is hoped study of the area will provide a solution that will prevent future claims from homeowners. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz – it was resolved: “That a grant program toward the cost of installing backwater valves and sump pumps be established to provide assistance to homeowners affected by sewage back-ups; and, That the criteria for the grant program be adopted as outlined in Appendix ‘A’ attached to Public Works Department report PW-01-058; and further, That funding in the amount of $112,000. be provided for the grant program in 2001 from the Sewer Surcharge Fund.” TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE – ARTICLE AND REHAB ROAD SHOW 4. Mr. L. Lynch presented a copy of the ‘Trenchless Technology Magazine,’ which is an American publication renowned as an industry leader in providing information on products and innovation through rehabilitation of pipelines using trenchless technology. He advised that the publication contains an article written by Mike Henderson, Engineering Rehab Technologist for the City, detailing Kitchener’s accomplishment and future direction with respect to use of this technology. In addition, Mr. Lynch advised that Kitchener would be hosting a Rehab Road Show from June 10-13, 2001 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel. Mayor C. Zehr expressed the opinion that steps should be taken to build on Mr. Henderson’s article and Kitchener’s accomplishments, and suggested the local media or submission of the PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 14, 2001- 46 -CITY OF KITCHENER TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE – ARTICLE AND REHAB ROAD SHOW (CONT’D) 4. article to an appropriate award program. Mr. Lynch advised that staff would consult with the Centre for Advancement in Trenchless Technology, Waterloo, as well as the City’s Communications Division to investigate options for further promotion. He further pointed out that hosting the Rehab Road Show will generate some publicity. TELECOMMUNICATION TOWER INSTALLATION – KING STREET INTERCHANGE AT 5. KITCHENER-WATERLOO EXPRESSWAY Councillor G. Lorentz referred to complaints received from residents on Plymouth Road regarding the recent installation of a telecommunications tower on lands located at the King Street East interchange to the Kitchener-Waterloo Expressway. He noted that the installation was permitted by the Province without any public consultation with area residents or notification to the municipality. In this regard, Councillor Lorentz requested staff to prepare a report outlining an approach that could be taken to bring this matter to the attention of Provincial authorities so that in future there will be opportunity for advance warning and public consultation. Mr. R. Pritchard, Acting CAO, suggested that the matter be brought to a future Management Committee meeting for review, with a subsequent report to be provided. Councillor J. Smola advised that his property on Breithaupt Street has been dug up on numerous occasions for installation of underground telecommunications wiring. In this regard, he pointed out that special legislation has been enacted that allows the Province to proceed with these installations without the permission of the property owner. Councillor Smola suggested that similar legislation is most likely in place with respect to the tower installations, over which the municipality would have no control. Mr. D. Mansell commented that he understood the concerns of both Councillors and agreed that it is difficult to have influence over Provincial legislation; however, he felt there may be opportunity for staff to negotiate with the Province for advance notice. By general consent, it was agreed to direct staff to review concerns raised regarding the installation of the telecommunication towers, with a report to be provided at a future meeting. -- INFORMATION ITEM NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE 6. -- CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT – PRELIMINARY DESIGN STUDY -- HIGHWAY 401 / HOMER WATSON BOULEVARD INTERCHANGE The Committee was in receipt this date of a letter from McCormick Rankin Corporation dated May 4, 2001 advising that a public information meeting would be held at Conestoga College on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 relative to the preliminary design improvements to the Highway 401/Homer Watson Boulevard Interchange. Members of Council were invited to attend. ADJOURNMENT 7. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m. J. Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator