ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the Capital Plan Committee

SUBJECT:

Canada - B.C. Infrastructure Program

 

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council endorse the prioritized table of Green and Other Local Government Infrastructure Projects, for submission to the Canada - B.C. Infrastructure Works Program, and authorize staff to submit applications to the Provincial Government.

B. THAT Council endorse the community-initiated projects contained in the prioritized table of Other Local Government Infrastructure Projects, for submission by the community organizations to the Canada - B.C. Infrastructure Works Program, noting that such endorsement does not commit the City to funding the local share of the capital costs or to the ongoing operating costs, beyond those already approved by Council.

POLICY

PURPOSE

This report presents Council with an overview of recently released information on the Canada-B.C. Infrastructure Program, and recommends approval of two prioritized lists of projects for submission to the program.

BACKGROUND

During the February 2000 throne speech, Federal Finance Minister Paul Martin announced a 5 year Federal/Provincial/Municipal Infrastructure program. A total of $2.6 billion was committed to infrastructure renewal, to be matched by the Provinces and the Municipalities resulting in a equal 1/3 share. Of the $2.6 billion total, $600 million was allocated to the national highway program.

On October 10, 2000, the Province of British Columbia signed the Infrastructure Canada-B.C. Partnership Agreement. This agreement meant a total investment of potentially more than $800 million in British Columbia with each level of government contributing up to $268 million each.

The program was formally announced on January 19, 2001, with the Province's release of the program application kit.

As described in the application kit, the primary goal of the program is investment in "green" local government infrastructure such as water and waste-water systems, water management and capital expenditures to improve energy efficiency of public facilities. A 75% split of funding will be allocated to Green Local Government Infrastructure Projects while the remainder will be invested in Other Local Government Infrastructure priorities such as cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure supporting tourism, rural and remote communications, high speed Internet access for public institutions, local transportation infrastructure, and affordable housing.

As well, 80% of the total funding will be allotted to Municipality driven projects. The remaining 20% will be available for Federal/Provincial projects. Therefore, if the awards are indeed based on population statistics as indicated, then Vancouver could qualify for nearly $30 million of Federal dollars resulting in a grand total of $90 million once matched by the Province and the City.

Under the guidelines all projects must be construction, renewal, expansion or material enhancement of infrastructure for the public's use or benefit. Applications can be sent in at any time and approvals will be made at set intervals, yet to be determined, until June 30, 2005. The first round of approvals will be completed on the basis of applications that are received by March 15, 2001. All funded projects must be completed by March 31, 2006.

DISCUSSION

The overall corporate submissions to the Green Local Government Infrastructure Projects and the Other Local Government Infrastructure Projects have been laid out in the following tables. Expanded descriptions of the projects can be found in Appendix A. In each case, the total represents the total project cost. The "local" share of funding will be a minimum of 1/3 in all cases, although this does not necessarily involve City funding.

As required in the application process, all submitted Green and Other projects need to be ranked in order of preference by the municipality. As well, Community initiated projects need to be ranked with the City initiated projects within the appropriate category. These projects have been prioritized by a sub-group of the Capital Plan Committee, which is the same committee responsible for determining priorities pertaining to Capital Plan spending. Representatives from Corporate Services, Community Services, Engineering, Parks, Finance, Library and the City Manager's Office made up the committee. Separate rankings were determined for the Green Projects in Table 1 and the Other Projects in Table 2. The prioritization process used by the Capital Plan group was a combination of City capital funding priorities and the program priorities.

Four projects were left off the Other Projects list for this round, but are planned for submission in subsequent rounds. Those projects are: Little Mountain Neighborhood House, Downtown Eastside Library Project, Arts Complex and the Fraser River Trail.

Table 1 identifies a prioritized list of projects suitable for submission in the Green category.

Table 1-Green Infrastructure Projects

Rank

Dep't

Description

Total

1/22

Eng

China Creek - Canoe Creek Basin Sanitary Trunk Extension

$9,300,000

2/22

Eng

China Creek - Lower Canoe Creek Basin Sewer Separation

$8,600,000

3/22

Eng

China Creek - Upper Canoe Creek Basin Sewer Separation

$9,500,000

4/22

Eng

Upper Grandview-Woodlands area sanitary sewer Tie-in to Vernon Drive Forcemain

$3,000,000

5/22

Eng

Grandview-Woodlands Area Sewer Separation

$8,100,000

6/22

Eng

Stanley Park Water System Renewal

$7,500,000

7/22

Eng

Highbury & 4th Avenue Sewer Separation

$8,200,000

8/22

Eng

North Balaclava Sewer Separation

$9,500,000

9/22

Eng

Landfill Gas Utilization

$2,000,000

10/22

Corp Serv

Boiler Plants Replacement

$1,480,325

11/22

Eng

City Wide Cast Iron Watermain Replacement

$8,470,000

12/22

Eng

Trout Lake Storm Sewer Trunk Extension

$9,000,000

13/22

Eng

North Victoria Drive Sewer Separation

$6,500,000

14/22

Eng

Westside Transmission Water Main

$8,950,000

15/22

Eng

Kits Pumping Station Tie-in to 8th Ave Interceptor Sewer

$2,300,000

16/22

Eng

Chess Street Works Yard Water Recycling / Wastewater Reduction and Quality Improvement

$500,000

17/22

Eng

Chess Street Works Yard Photovoltaics

$150,000

18/22

Eng

Dunbar Ridge Transmission Water Main

$4,950,000

19/22

Corp Serv

Chiller Plants Replacement

$763,250

20/22

Eng

Chess Street Works Yard Energy Efficient Lighting

$500,000

21/22

Eng

Chess Street Works Yard Recycled Building Materials

$600,000

22/22

Corp Serv

Roofing Systems Replacement

$2,267,000

   

Total

$112,130,575

Table 2 identifies a prioritized list of projects suitable for submission in the Other category.

(NOTE FROM CLERK: Revised Table 2 as contained in the Memorandum dated March 7, 2001, from the General Manager of Engineering Services (Addendum), and approved by Council on March 8, 2001, replaces Table 2 below.)

Table 2 - Other Infrastructure Projects

Rank

Dep't

Description

Total

1/24

Eng

Burrard Bridge Seismic Upgrade

$4,000,000

2/24

Eng

Broadway Corridor Reconstruction

$9,500,000

3/24

Parks/Lib

Mount Pleasant Community Centre and Library Complex

$10,000,000

4/24

Community initiated

Vancouver Museum Phase 3 Capital Revitalization

$9,660,000

5/24

Community initiated

Millennium Sport Facility

$3,200,000

6/24

Parks

False Creek Community Centre Expansion

$1,300,000

7/24

Eng

Davie Street Sidewalks/Transit Facilities

$1,200,000

8/24

Eng

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

$440,000

9/24

Corp Serv

Partial Upgrade to Existing facilities targeted to act as Evacuation Centres (19)

$500,000

10/24

Corp Serv

Back-up City Hall Post Disaster

$1,500,000

11/24

Eng

Kent Avenue Bicycle Route

$1,100,000

12/24

Eng

Corner Bulges near Vancouver Schools

$375,000

13/24

Community initiated

South Vancouver Neighborhood House

$1,800,000

14/24

Eng

Eastside Crosscut Greenway

$1,600,000

15/24

Eng

Chess Street Salt Storage Sheds

$200,000

16/24

Eng

Chess Street Works Yard Fuel Management System

$500,000

17/24

Parks

Kerrisdale Community Centre Renovation

$500,000

18/24

Brit

Britannia Library Expansion

$2,600,000

19/24

Parks

Champlain Heights Community Centre Expansion

$1,300,000

20/24

Eng

Robson Street Pedestrian Enhancement

$1,000,000

21/24

Eng

Speed Humps on Vancouver Streets

$750,000

22/24

Community initiated

Jewish Community Centre - Fitness, Recreation and Rehabilitation Complex

$1,295,000

23/24

Eng

Environmental Pavement Trial and Study

$1,500,000

24/24

Eng

Chess Street Works Yard Fibre Optic / High Speed Internet Access

$200,000

   

Total

$56,020,000

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Unlike the last Infrastructure program where the City had allocated funding specifically to cover the municipal portion of approved projects, this program will require the use of existing capital funding for the municipal portion. For many of the projects included in the lists above, funding is available in current capital budgets or in the 2000-2002 Capital Plan. For other, a reallocation of funding within the Capital Plan may be required. For some projects, Council may be required to commit funding from the 2003-2005 Capital Plan that will be developed during 2002. Until City projects are approved, the source of funding cannot be finalized.

The availability of federal/provincial funding in this program may offset the need for existing City funding. In these cases, staff are recommending that this City funding be placed in an unallocated funding pool for reallocation to other projects or to reduce the overall funding levels in the 2000-2002 Capital Plan.

There is one project on the list -Britannia Library Expansion at $2,600,000 - that will require $858,000 of City funds to qualify for the program. The Vancouver School Board has secured $680,000 towards the project. However, this project did not come forward during the development of the 2000-2002 Capital Plan and, subsequently, there are no funds earmarked for it. If Council agrees to support this project and it is approved, funding will have to be reallocated from existing sources in the Capital Plan.

There are also a number of projects included in the Other list that are not expected torequire additional City funding, including:

For these projects, Council has already provided funding or the local share of the funding has been provided by the proponents without accessing City funding.

CONCLUSION

Although staff attempted to provide as complete a list as possible, the time frame for preparing these submissions was short. This was considered necessary, in order to present a list of potential City submissions as soon as possible, as per the instructions in the application kit. If approved by Council, the two streams of projects would be forwarded to the Province by March 15, 2001 to qualify for the first review process.

Once any project awards are received, Engineering Services, would report back on the details of funding, in consultation with the Director of Finance and the appropriate department heads.

* * * * *

 

General Mgr./Dept. Head:

Date:

This report has been prepared in consultation with the departments listed to the right, and they concur with its contents

Report dated:

February 28, 2001

Author:

Peter Navratil

Phone:

873-7283

Concurring Departments

Finance

Community Services

Parks and Recreation

Corporate Services

APPENDIX A

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

CORPORATE SERVICES SUBMISSIONS

Roofing Systems Replacement

It is proposed to improve the energy efficiency of various civic facilities through the upgrading of the roofing insulation and the replacement of existing roof assemblies , funding has already approved under City's CAPITAL PLAN 2000-2002 . The total estimated cost for this project is $2,267,000 . No additional operating cost is required, in fact, it will reduce utilities /maintenance cost due to new roofing and better insulation values.

Boiler Plants Replacement

It is proposed to remove the existing aged , inefficient boilers with obsolete controls and replace them with high efficiency modulating boilers equipped with programmable direct digital controls and heat loss reduction strategies. Funding has already approved under City's CAPITAL PLAN 2000-2002 , the total estimated cost for this project is $1,480,325. No additional operating cost is required , in fact , it will reduce utilities /maintenance cost due to greatly improved energy efficient equipment.

Chiller Plants Replacement

It is proposed to replace existing R-11 Refrigerant Chillers with high efficiency modulating, ozone friendly chillers. Funding has already approved under City's CAPITAL PLAN 2000-2002 , the total estimated cost for this project is $763,250 . No additional operating cost is required, in fact, it will reduce utilities /maintenance cost due to greatly improved energy efficient equipment.

ENGINEERING SUBMISSIONS

Sewers & Drainage

The following list of proposed projects will provide direct environmental benefits by reducing sanitary discharges through our combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

CSOs are a major issue for Vancouver. They overflow into our surrounding waterbodies which supports fisheries habitat and public recreation, including swimming, windsurfing, watersking and boating. In the early 1970s, Vancouver implemented an annual program of replacing its old combined sewer system with a separated system to reduce and eliminate CSOs. This program is based on the replacement old sewers on a life-cycle basis with the goal of eliminating all CSOs by the year 2050. This commitment has been endorsed by the Province and is being legally established into the City's and GVRD's Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP). The LWMP provides authority under the Waste Management Act to allow us to operate our sewer system in accordance with a plan.

The City's largest CSO, at the north foot of Clark Drive, has been the target of a number of legal suits by environmental groups. To date, all charges have been stayed by the Province based on the fact that the City and the GVRD are taking a pro-active approach to reduce and eliminate CSOs in a reasonable time-frame. Further suits may arise in the future.

CSOs are also an major issue with respect to the Vancouver Port Corporation (VPC). Under recently passed federal legislation, the VPC is in the process of enacting new policies which could require the acceleration of the City's already established schedule to eliminate CSOs. In addition, the new policies are expected to require new fees to be paid for outfall discharges to the environment. The GVRD and affected municipalities are currently discussing these issues with the VPC. At this time, the VPC does not recognize the recently approved Stage 2 Liquid Waste Management Plan. As a result, Vancouver could be faced with higher costs to accelerate our sewer separation programs as well as new fees for outfall discharges.

The sewers and drainage projects that are listed below are projects that directly focus on reducing CSOs at Clark Drive and Vancouver Harbour. They are designed to complement the GVRDs proposed projects, in particular the Collingwood/Copley sanitary trunk extension and the Jervis Pump Station forcemain extension. It is estimated that the City's projects combined with the Regional District's work will reduce sanitary sewage overflows at Clark Drive by more than 50%.

The total estimated cost for these projects is $74,000,000. Sufficient borrowing authority necessary to fund the City's share of these projects exists under the City's CAPITAL PLAN 2000-2002.

SUMMARY OF SEWERS & DRAINAGE PROJECTS TO REDUCE CSOs

NO.
PROJECT NAME
DESCRIPTION
ESTIMATED COST
1.
China Creek - Canoe Creek Basin Sanitary Trunk Extension
Separate main sanitary sewer trunk in the Canoe Creek basin which will remove sanitary sewage from the Clark Drive overflow to Vancouver Harbour
$9,300,000
2.
China Creek - Lower Canoe Creek Basin Sewer Separation
Separate sewer mains in the Lower Canoe Creek Basin to remove sanitary sewage from the Clark Drive overflow to Vancouver Harbour
$8,600,000
3.
China Creek - Upper Canoe Creek Basin Sewer Separation
Separate sewer mains in the Upper Canoe Creek Basin to remove sanitary sewage from the Clark Drive overflow to Vancouver Harbour
$9,500,000
4.
Upper Grandview-Woodlands area sanitary sewer Tie-in to Vernon Drive Forcemain
Separate the sanitary sewer main from the Clark Drive combined sewer trunk reducing the sanitary sewage component in the trunk
$3,000,000
5.
Grandview-Woodlands Area Separation
Complete the sewer separation in this area and to convert the Clark Drive combined trunk to a storm only trunk which will allow the Clark Drive separator to be removed
$8,100,000
6.
Highbury & 4th Avenue Sewer Separation
Construct a storm sewer trunk in the Highbury & 4th Avenue area to remove clean stormwater from the combined system which will free up additional capacity to capture combined flows from the Clark Drive catchment area
$8,200,000
7.
North Balaclava Sewer Separation
Construct sanitary and storm trunks in the North Balaclava area and ensure combined services are connected to the sanitary sewer system which will remove clean stormwater from the combined system and allow the capture of additional flows from the Clark Drive catchment
$9,500,000
8.
Trout Lake Storm Sewer Trunk Extension
Construct a storm sewer trunk in the Trout Lake area to remove clean stormwater from the combined system which will free up additional capacity to capture combined flows from the Clark Drive catchment area
$9,000,000
9.
North Victoria Drive Sewer Separation
Complete sewer separation in the North Victoria Drive area and ensure combined services are connected to the sanitary sewer system which will enable us to remove the Victoria Drive separator and remove clean stormwater from the combined system allowing additional flows to be captured in the Clark Drive catchment
$6,500,000
10.
Kitsilano Pumping Station Tie-in to 8th Avenue Interceptor
Redirect the Kitsilano Pump Station discharge from the English Bay Interceptor to the 8th Avenue Interceptor to allow for the interception of additional combined flows from the Clark Drive catchment
$2,300,000

TOTAL:

$74,000,000

Waterworks

Stanley Park Water System Renewal

A recent fecal coliform contamination caused an issue of a boil water advisory for the park and the closure of recreational facilities. It is recognized that a watermain replacement strategy of the aging cast iron watermains in Stanley Park is required to improve water quality, fire protection and conservation.
Currently, this project is not funded under existing programs. One third of the funds for this project should come from the Water Utility Capital Fund. The total estimated cost for this project is $7.5 million over a three year period.

City Wide Cast Iron Watermain Replacement

A segment of watermains in the City's water system is reaching the end of it's service life. This program of continued infrastructure replacement is required to ensure uninterrupted water service. A replacement of aging un-lined cast iron watermains is required to improve fire protection, water quality and conservation.
Currently, this program is funded through the Water Utility Capital Fund where one third of the City's share will come from. The total estimated cost for this project is $8.47 million dollars over a two year period.

Westside Transmission Main

A number of large transmission mains in the City's water system is reaching the end of their service life. They are becoming a concern during emergency scenarios. A transmission main project is required to elevate the level of service to residents in the westside of Vancouver. It will provide additional emergency water supply to the Westside from GVRD facilities, Little Mountain and Kersland reservoir and pumpstation.
Currently, this transmission project is not funded in the Water Utility Capital Fund. One third of the City's share should come from future transmission funding. The total estimated cost for this project is $8.95 million dollars over a three year period.

Dunbar Ridge Transmission Main

As a part of Westside Transmission, the purpose of this transmission main is to elevate the level of service to Dunbar Ridge (a high area in the Westside. The current transmission to the Dunbar Ridge is aging and undersized. It will provide additional emergency water supply from GVRD facility, Sasamat reservoir and pumpstation.
Currently, this transmission project is funded in the Water Utility Capital Fund. One third of the City will come from this transmission funding. The total estimated cost for this project is $4.95 million dollars over a two year period.

Landfill Operations

Landfill Gas Utilization

The goal of the Landfill Gas (LFG) beneficial use project is to collect and utilize the LFG in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Utilization of the LFG will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the Landfill and supplement or substitute for the recipient's energy requirements. The amount of energy available for beneficial use is approximately 500,000 GJ/year (enough energy to meet the needs of approximately 3000-4000 homes). The total greenhouse gas reduction associated with the beneficial use of the landfill gas is estimated at 200,000 tonnes of CO2 per year (equivalent to approximately 40,000 automobiles).

If approved by Council, the City's portion of the costs would be funded from the City's Solid Waste Capital Reserve. No new operating expenses would result due to participation in this program. The total estimated cost for this project is $2,000,000.

Chess Street Works Yard Energy Efficient Lighting

The works yard site is approximately 5 ha in size encompassing approximately 15,000 sq. m. of industrial shops, warehouse and office space. This project proposes to use high energy efficient lighting fixtures. This is a new technology which provides reducedenergy consumption; however, the initial capital cost is higher. The City share of funding for this will come from the Engineering Yards capital for the works yard. The total estimated cost of this project is $500,000.

Chess Street Works Yard Water Recycling / Wastewater Reduction and Quality Improvement

The Chess Street Yard is the base of operation for a diverse fleet of over 300 City vehicles and industrial equipment. Regular equipment washing is part of the ongoing maintenance and operation. This project proposes to reduce wastewater from the City's wash facility by recycling the wash water, as well as improving the discharge water quality through reduction of harmful detergents. The City's share of funding for this project will come from the Capital Financing fund repaid through system user fees. The estimated cost of this project is $500,000.

Chess Street Works Yard Photovoltaics

This project proposes to use photovoltaic cells to generate electricity for use at the Chess Street works yard. The proposed system would be integrated into the building design. While this would only provide a fraction of the needs for the works yard, it would still reduce the yard's demand for electricity. Photovoltaics are a clean (non polluting) source of power. BCIT's Photovoltaics research lab proposes to partner on this and take on the design portion of the project. The City's share of funding would be from the Engineering Yards Capital. The total estimated cost of the project is $150,000.

Chess Street Works Yard Recycled Building Materials

As part of the design and construction of the new Chess Yard, there is an opportunity to incorporate recycled building materials. This has been done in the past at the City's materials lab. The scope of this project would depend on the availability of material at the time of project construction. The City share of funding for this project would be from the Engineering Yards Capital. The total estimated cost of the project is $600,000.

OTHER PROJECTS CATEGORY

ENGINEERING SUBMISSIONS

Burrard Bridge Seismic Upgrade

The City of Vancouver's Bridge Seismic Upgrade Program has completed upgrades for the First Avenue Viaduct, the Granville Bridge and the Main Span and North Approach of the Burrard Bridge. All that remains to complete this program are six support bents on the south approach of Burrard Bridge.
This work would greatly reduce the impact of a major earthquake on Vancouver from a safety, transportation, tourist and economic point of view.
1/3 City Share of $1,300,000 from Streets Basic Capital.
Required Annual Operating Cost Increase: $-10,000
Total Estimated Capital Cost: $4,000,000

Broadway Corridor Reconstruction

A comprehensive reconstruction of the transportation and street infrastructure on Broadway from Granville to Nanaimo Streets, to include the following work:

Davie Street Sidewalks/Transit Facilities

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Intelligent Transportation Systems are the application and use of technology to optimize the effectiveness of the existing street infrastructure. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) provide the technology to enable people to make smart travel choices.

The City of Vancouver is in the process of implementing a new Traffic Signal Management System. This upgraded system will allow improved functionality with regard to signal operation. Intelligent Transportation Systems functions will allow improved signal operation and in-turn improve efficiency of the existing street infrastructure.

Initiatives which are being proposed include:

ITS is a field which is expanding quickly and this would allow the City to link the functionality of the new Traffic Signal Management System with field data collected on important transportation corridors in the City and provide it to the public.

Further work could be initiated to provide additional information such as detour routes, construction locations, incident management notification.

The total cost of this project is: $440,000

Kent Avenue Bicycle Route

The completion of Vancouver's bicycle network and other cycling improvements are integral components of the City of Vancouver Transportation Plan. Funds for the network were first approved by Council in 1991. To date, sixteen bikeways have been completed or are about to be completed as part of this network. Vancouver's new bikeways have been effective in encouraging more people to cycle and development of the network should be continued to reflect the high priority of bicycling over other transport modes.

An important east-west cycling linkage in South Vancouver is the Kent Avenue bicycle route. The estimated project cost is $1,100,000. The City share of $367,000 is available in the Year 2001 Capital Plan.

Corner Bulges Near Vancouver Schools

Vancouver's Transportation Plan identifies pedestrians as having the highest priority in the transportation system and recommends that specific measures, including curb bulges, be implemented to address this priority. Curb bulges are an effective means of improving pedestrian crossing conditions and are strongly supported by Police School Patrol officers to increase the safety of children going to school. Curb bulges provide pedestrians with an enhanced vantage point from which to judge crossing opportunities and a shorter crossing distance. Bulges prevent view obstructions caused by vehicles violating corner clearances and can also prevent passing on the right, a significant cause of pedestrian collisions. Drivers are afforded better visibility of pedestrians and experience a perceptual traffic calming effect. The intent of this project is to install pedestrian curb bulges at high priority locations identified with the help of the School Traffic Working Group (consisting of School Board, Police and Engineering staff). It is proposed that thermoplastic clearance panels be marked to emphasize the extent of the by-law clearances at lower priority locations that nonetheless experience frequent corner clearance violations. These measures will complement programmes planned by various agencies, including ICBC, Environmental Health and VSB, to encourage walking to schools and to decrease the number of vehicle trips to schools and the resulting congestion.

The cost of curb bulges varies widely, depending largely on the need to relocate or install new catch basins. The estimated project cost is $375,000 to install curb bulges at the highest priority locations in 2001/2002. The City share of $125,000 is available in the Year 2001 Capital Plan.

Eastside Crosscut Greenway

The Eastside Crosscut is a north-south, 10km Greenway route that travels through East Vancouver, connecting Burrard Inlet with the Fraser River with a possible branch into Burnaby near Central Park. It descends southward from New Brighton Park and the Trans Canada Trail, through Hastings Park, links the Renfrew Ravine, passes by Killarney Park and drops to the river along the edge of the Fraserview Golf Course. Supplementary funds from the federal and provincial governments would accelerate the construction of this city-wide Eastside Crosscut Greenway.

1/3 City Share of $533,000 from Greenways Capital (2002-2004 Capital)
Required Annual Operating Cost Increase: $85,000 (Horticultural, traffic signs and signals, street lighting)
Total Estimated Capital Cost: $1.6M

Chess Street Works Yard Salt Storage Sheds

The Chess Street Yard is the City's main yard for the winter salt and snow fight. This yard will need to store in the order of 2000 cubic metres of bulk salt at any given time. The purpose of this project is to build a covered containment shed to control water run off. By controlling the storm water runoff from the bulk salt will reduce the high concentration of salt water run off typical of this type of facility. The City share of funding for this project will be from Engineering Yards Capital. The total estimated cost of this project is $200,000.

Chess Street Works Yard Fuel Management System

The City will be installing a new cardless fuel management system. This system utilizes a control unit mounted to the vehicle that tracks the odometer reading, operating hours, and other vehicle operational data. This control unit is connected to an antenna around the fuel filler pipe, and a receiver is installed on the nozzle of the fuel dispenser. When the nozzle is inserted into the fuel filler, the vehicle data is transmitted through the antenna to the fuel management system which authorizes the transaction and allows the fueling to commence. This system provides the vehicle unit information and the operational data without any human intervention, thereby improving the accuracy and the amount of data the fuel management system can track. With this improved data, the operational characteristics of the vehicle can be better monitored to identify vehicles that require maintenance, to improve the preventative maintenance scheduling, or to identify vehicles that can be operated in a more efficient manner (i.e. identify vehicles that idle excessively). The City's share of funding has been provided from the PlantAccount with recoveries from the Equipment Rental Rates. The estimated project cost is $500,000.

Robson Street Pedestrian Enhancements

As with Davie Street, Robson Street is one of the City's busiest pedestrian, transit and shopping areas. This project would reinforce the pedestrian and transit nature of this street.

Funding for the 1/3 share is available through the 2001 Capital Budget

Speed Humps On Vancouver Streets

Speed humps are an effective traffic calming device to reduce speeds on local, residential streets and increase livability in neighbourhoods. The City has an annual program of speed humps, installing about 18 humps annually with a $250,000 budget. The City has a backlog of about 200 streets where speeding is a problem. This proposed project would accelerate this program by installing speed humps on 54 streets. The estimated project cost is $750,000 to install speed humps on local, residential streets with the worst speeding problems. The City share of $250,000 is available in the Year 2001 Capital Plan.

Environmental Pavement Trial and Study
To address the increasing concerns of the impacts of traffic on neighbourhood liveability, a comprehensive study and trial of environmentally sensitive pavement will be undertaken. This work will involve paving a large stretch of arterial street (e.g. First Avenue, from Clark Drive to Boundary Road) with a pavement mixdesigned to limit tire noise, and studying the before and after impacts on traffic noise.
In addition to the acoustical study, a trial of a permeable asphalt to limit storm water runoff will be undertaken on five blocks of Bayswater Street. This will help reduce the demand on the sewer system during storms.

Chess Street Works Yard Fibre Optic / High Speed Internet Access
This project will provide a fibre optic link from the City's Chess Street works yard to City Hall. The works yard staff are responsible to build and maintain the City's infrastructure and will provide a high speed internet link rather than copper cable. This will give improved speed, reliability, and capacity to link operations staff to City hall, other civic departments and to the public. A fibre connection will also allow the yards to take advantage of future improvements in communication systems. The City share of funding will be from existing Engineering funds for electrical communications for the works yard.
The total estimated cost of this project is $200,000.

PARK BOARD SUBMISSIONS

Mount Pleasant Community Centre and Library Complex
This new complex will replace ageing and inefficient community centre and library facilities serving the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. The complex will be strategically sited to provide optimum service to its catchment area and designed employing principles of life-cycle costing to achieve high levels of operational and energy efficiency.
Net changes to operating costs cannot be accurately estimated in advance of site selection, co- location arrangements and architectural program development. Considerable efficiencies will be realized, but these will probably be offset by increased technical maintenance (for example, the current community centre does not have a fire suppression system) and higher janitorial costs due to increased facility patronage.
City contribution (Park Board Capital Plan): $4,750,000
Provincial contribution: $2,625,000
Federal contribution: $2,625,000
Project cost: $10,000,000

False Creek Community Centre Expansion

The community centre is located on Granville Island and is in need of additional recreational space. It is one of the few community centres without a gymnasium, and therefore this proposal includes the construction of a gymnasium. In addition, there will be an expanded fitness centre, offices and lobby. Some funding will come from the Community Centre Association and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (the Crown Corporation responsible for Granville Island).

CC Association contribution: $150,000
CMHC contribution: $115,000
Park Board contribution: $475,000
Provincial contribution: $280,000
Federal contribution: $280,000
Project cost: $1,300,000

Operating Costs
Net increase of 3,000 sq/ft. (=15% of current floor area). Project involves replacement of existing boat storage facility, with the following anticipated annual operating cost impact:
Maintenance $15,000
Janitorial $10,000
Utilities $5,000
Staffing $10,000
Total $40,000

Champlain Heights Community Centre Expansion

The community centre is in need of additional space to accommodate a wide range of uses: a childcare room, a youth room, a seniors room, a multi-purpose room, and a community policing centre. Some funding will come from development fees (called "community amenity contributions" and "development cost levies") collected by the City from nearby developments.

CAC & DCL contribution: $930,000
Park Board contribution: $130,000
Provincial contribution: $120,000
Federal contribution: $120,000
Project cost: $1,300,000

Operating Costs
Net expansion of 5,800 sq/ft. (=25% of existing floor area).

Maintenance $18,000
Janitorial $15,000
Utilities $10,000
Staffing $10,000
Total $53,000

Kerrisdale Community Centre Renovation

The community centre's central lobby and reception area are not properly designed to meet the needs of both community centre patrons and pool patrons. The proposed renovations are aimed at making the lobby and reception area more functional and welcoming. Some funding will come from the Community Centre Association.

CC Association contribution: $175,000
Park Board contribution: $160,000
Provincial contribution: $82,500
Federal contribution: $82,500
Project cost: $500,000

Operating Costs
The proposal will achieve considerable administrative efficiencies by connecting two existing reception areas. However, the costs of technical systems maintenance is expected to increase as a result of the renovations. The net operating cost impact is assumed at this point to be neutral.

CORPORATER SERVICES SUBMISSIONS

Partial Upgrade to Existing facilities targeted to act as Evacuation Centres (19) $500,000
A consultant's report is nearly complete identifying 19 existing facilities (primarily community centres), geographically dispersed on appropriate sized sites. It includes recommendations for some upgrading such as water service entrances, signage, minor structural hardening (eg. doorways), restraint of non-structural elements, emergency supplies and amenities.

Back-up City Hall Post Disaster $1.5 million
This facility will become operative in the second stage of response (after 72 hours). Library Square has been identified as a potential site in the event that the City Hall Precinct is inoperative after a major disaster. The cost would cover telecommunications upgrades and linkage to E-Comm, provision of emergency supplies, amenities etc.

BRITANNIA

Britannia Library Expansion

The Britannia Community Services Society is asking the City of Vancouver for one-third of the cost of adding 432 square metres to the existing Britannia Library through application to the Federal/Provincial Infrastructure program. The Library is a joint operation between the Vancouver School Board, the Vancouver Public Library and the Britannia Community Services Society. The current library occupies 864 square metres and is the shared facility for Britannia Secondary School library, Britannia Elementary School library and a branch of the Vancouver Public Library. There is also an English Language Learning Centre in the library which is run by the Vancouver Community College. Issues of crowding three libraries into the current space allocation are having a serious impact on the delivery of library services to both the school population and the members of the Britannia community.

The total estimated cost for the library project was $2.6 million in 1997 and would need updating to 2001 costs. The Vancouver School Board has secured $680,000 toward the project; however, the certificate on the VSB funding expires in September 2001 if the remainder of the funding is not secured. With one-third of the cost of the project requested from the Federal Infrastructure funding and the majority of one-third funding in place from the Vancouver School Board, the final third would come from the City of Vancouver through either a supplemental capital or capital from revenue request.

COMMUNITY SERVICES APPLICATIONS

Vancouver Museum Phase 3 Capital Revitalization

In 1996, Council has approved a series of actions to begin a process of revitalization at the Vancouver Museum, including approval of $3 million in the 97/99 Capital Plan. The Museum's revitalization project makes significant capital improvements to the City-owned building in Vanier Park, upgrading the facility to contemporary building codes and museum standards, improving the lay-out and accessibility of the museum, including collection storage, and providing current and relevant exhibits necessary to attract new and repeat visitors. Phases 1 and 2 of the project were completed on time and under budget.

In May of 1999 Council approved a $1,660,000 allocation for Phase 3 which includes the redevelopment of both architectural and exhibit infrastructure. The current permanent galleries will be renovated and new exhibits, The Vancouver Story installed. An additional 3000 sq feet of space will be added to create The Joyce Walley Learning Centre which will provide a hands-on education programming centre connected to the exhibition galleries. The revitalization will also include improvements to artifact collection storage and security, seismic upgrade and improvement to electrical and mechanical systems in the facility.

Additional operating costs are anticipated for increased guest services staff, maintenance of technologically sophisticated exhibits, additional costs associated with growth in both attendance and school educational programs. These costs will be covered by growth in operating revenues from attendance and school programs, expanded sponsorship opportunities for programming and workshops, expansion of rental revenue opportunities from the educational programming centre and interest from endowment sources. The City provides an annual operating grant in the amount of $634,000 (2000).

Council has approved $3 million for this project through the 97/99 Capital Plan, with $1.66 million allocated for Phase 3. The Museum has already received a lead donation of $1.6 million from Dr. Ken Walley towards The Joyce Walley Learning Centre. A Capital Campaign has been launched to raise additional private support of $2 million for exhibition pieces not directly associated with the capital cost of the facility. The combined local "third" required by the Infrastructure Prorgam is $3.2 million, of which $3.26 million has already been secured. The Museum is seekingInfrastructure support in the amount of $6.400,000 from the provincial and federal participants in the program. The total estimated cost of this project is $9.66 million.

South Vancouver Neighborhood House

South Vancouver Neighborhood House (SVNH) has been providing social, cultural and recreational programs for children, teens, families and seniors since 1977. SVNH has an annual operating budget of just under $2 million, which the City has contributed to through the Community Services Grants Program for many years. The 2000 Community Services Grant was for $57,300.

SVNH's current facility, located at 6470 Victoria Drive is in poor condition and is too small to meet the needs of the community. After reviewing a number of alternatives, the SVNH Board has decided to demolish the existing building and replace it with a new, larger one. Any increased operating costs will be borne by the new additional programs that SVNH will be able to provide in this larger space. The City will not be required to increase its CS Grant.

The estimated cost for this project is $1.8 million. SVNH has raised $600,000 and is applying to the Infrastructure program for the remaining $1.2 million. Included in the amount that has already been secured by SVNH is a Provincial Millennium Grant of $200,000. If the Province approves Infrastructure funding for this project, it may withdraw approval of the Millennium Grant. If this occurs, SVNH will probably apply to the City for Capital Grant to help cover some of the shortfall, although unavailability of City funding will not prevent the project from proceeding.

Social Planning has identified this project as being one of its highest priorities. SVNH does excellent work, but the limitations imposed by an inadequate facility are preventing the effective and efficient delivery of badly needed community services. The total estimated cost for this project is $1.8 million

Jewish Community Centre - Fitness, Recreation and Rehabilitation Complex

The present 2400 sq. ft gym at the JCC was constructed in 1961 and is now too small and outdated for the current demand and anticipated community needs. Membership and neighborhood use have increased dramatically in the last 40 years with continued additional growth anticipated. JCC's development plan is to doublethe present area with a multipurpose facility of 5400 sq. ft., including a 700 sq. ft. mezzanine dance studio, full size gym offering recreational, fitness and special needs programs and activities.

The Jewish Community Centre is an independent non-profit society which operates a community centre at Oak and 41st Streets. The JCC is financed through fees, private sector contributions and the United Way. The City of Vancouver does not provide operating assistance. The Council has , in the past, approved capital grants in cases where the capital improvements projects were targeted at specific programs -childcare, seniors day care, and the Norman Rothstein Theatre. The JCC are not seeking City support for the proposed fitness, recreation and rehabilitation centre.

Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2001 with a completion for October 2001. The total project budget is $1.295 million. $750,000 for capital and $150,000 for endowment has already been raised or pledged, leaving a capital shortfall of $545,000. The JCC are seeking funds in the amount of $400,000 from the Canada-BC Infrastructure program. The balance, $145,000 , will be raised from private sources. The total estimated cost for this project is $1,295,000.

OUTSIDE APPLICATIONS

Millennium Sport Facility

This application is being proposed by the Millennium Sport Facility Society for the construction of the Millennium Sport Facility in Nat Bailey Stadium Park. The new facility would house the Phoenix Gymnastics Club and the Pacific Indoor Lawn Bowling Club, both of whom are in need of new facilities. The Park Board allocated $250,000 to the Lawn Bowling Club in the 1986-1990 Capital Plan. An agreement has been signed with the Society, with the Park Board leasing the land at a nominal rate and the Society responsible for all costs associated with construction of the facility. The relocation of the lawn bowling facility will permit the expansion of Grimmett Park (located along 19th Avenue between Main and Quebec Streets), which will yield extra green space in a park-deficient neighbourhood.

The Society have raised $1,700,000 towards the new facility meeting the minimum 1/3 municipal share.
The total cost of the project will be $3,200,000.