REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL WORKING SESSION

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Doc # 191849 Regular Working Session of Council, September 19, 2011 Page 1

REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL WORKING SESSION

September 19, 2011

2:25 p.m.

Committee Room 2, City Hall

MINUTES

PRESENT:

Mayor Wayne Wright Councillor Jonathan Coté Councillor Bill Harper Councillor Bob Osterman Councillor Jaimie McEvoy Councillor Betty McIntosh Councillor Lorrie Williams

STAFF:

Mr. Paul Daminato City Administrator Ms. Judy Turner Acting Corporate Officer

Ms. Lisa Spitale Director of Development Services Mr. Jim Lowrie Director of Engineering Services

Mr. Gary Holowatiuk Director of Finance & Information Technology Mr. Dean Gibson Director of Parks, Culture and Recreation Ms. Louise Payne Committee Clerk, Legislative Services

Mr. Roger Emanuels Manager, Design & Construction, Development Services

OTHERS:

Mr. John Steiner Urban Systems Ltd.

Mr. Brian Patterson Urban Systems Ltd.

BUSINESS

1. City Master Transportation Plan – Proposed Work Program – Director of Engineering Services

Mr. John Steiner of Urban Systems Ltd. presented a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed Work Program for the City’s Master Transportation Plan and answered questions from Council.

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Council comments:

Key issue – New Westminster is the fastest growing community in the lower mainland because of our schools, traffic safety and enforcement are huge concerns;

Need to look at “bottleneck” at Queensborough Bridge; livability in the vicinity of the bridge is a concern;

Issue of accessibility still to be addressed – need a timeline for full accessibility in the City;

Public safety concern – City is working with schools, particularly in high-traffic areas;

TransLink had major public consultation meetings re: UBE – have all this information from east end residents;

Input from seniors groups – need to meet with them during the day, not evening meetings; seek input from the community of Queensborough, Uptown, Sapperton Old Age Pensioners, and both Residents and Business associations;

Concerned that with Transportation Plan’s timelines, may still not have answers regarding the North Fraser Perimeter Road or Pattullo Bridge;

City roads are at capacity; need further discussion on alternative transportation and mode sharing;

Like to see this process aligned with land use planning, to get ahead of regional transportation issues;

Process should consider Patullo Bridge, capacity and connections, expand or not, implications, impact on City;

Concerned about safety and movement issues, particularly with (new) bike lanes;

Show how this can be made to work for the City including how to accommodate commercial vehicles and keep neighbourhoods sustainable.

MOVED AND SECONDED

THAT the September 19, 2011 report from the Director of Engineering Services regarding the Proposed Work Program for the City’s Master Transportation Plan be received for information.

CARRIED.

All members of Council voted in favour of the motion.

2. Train Whistle Cessation, Front Street Vision and Downtown/Waterfront Connectivity – Director of Development Services and Director of Engineering

The Director of Development Services presented the report on Train Whistle Cessation, Front Street Vision and Downtown/Waterfront Connectivity and answered questions from Council.

Mr. Roger Emanuels, Manager of Design & Construction, reported that the City should be able to get whistle cessation in the downtown. He noted that the downtown crossings require lighting improvements, and a meeting has been set for October 19^th with representatives of the railways.

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Council comments:

Some preliminary design thoughts for Front Street: wider sidewalks, planter barriers between pedestrians and traffic; need good pedestrian access;

What happens with remains of the Parkade? Some of the best views of the river are from the top deck of the Parkade – how can take advantage of these views?

Need more information on cooperation of the railway companies with whistle cessation for the downtown crossings and beautification of and incorporation of railway into downtown;

Need more information on whistle cessation at other crossings throughout the City;

From safety viewpoint, Parkade has to go;

Railway corridor is contaminated and should say this on signage;

Discuss pollution of rail corridor with railways – use of modern engines might reduce ongoing pollution;

Good report – takes holistic view of the waterfront;

Connectivity is important to downtown, waterfront, the Market and Sapperton;

At what point will formal request be made to TransLink to change the truck route?

Council to meet with the BIA and review these matters;

Director of Engineering requested to write to TransLink Board regarding status of North Fraser Perimeter Road.

THAT the next steps, as outlined in the September 19, 2011 report from the Directors of Development Services and Engineering Services regarding Train Whistle Cessation, Front Street Vision and Downtown/Waterfront Connectivity, be approved.

CARRIED.

3. City of New Westminster Electric Utility 2011 Budget Plan “Presentation” – General Manager of Electric Utility Commission

The General Manager of Electric Utility Commission presented the City of New Westminster Electric Utility 2011 Budget Plan and answered questions from Council.

THAT the September 19, 2011 City of New Westminster Electric Utility 2011 Budget Plan (PowerPoint Presentation) be received for information only.

CARRIED.

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ADJOURNMENT

ON MOTION, the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Certified Correct,

___________________________________ ________________________________

WAYNE WRIGHT JUDITH TURNER

MAYOR ACTING CORPORATE OFFICER