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REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

DECEMBER 11, 2001

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, December 11, 2001, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Chair Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Fred Bass Councillor Don Lee Councillor Tim Louis *Councillor Sandy McCormick *Councillor Gordon Price, Vice-Chair *Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence) Councillor Daniel Lee (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator

* Denotes presence for a portion of the meeting.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meetings of October 30, 2001 and November 6, 2001, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Proposed Inverness Bike Route (File 5553)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 5, 2001, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval for the implementation of the Inverness Bike Route.

Steve Brown, Neighbourhood Transportation, reviewed the report and together with Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation, responded to questions regarding the future schedule for proposed bike routes and funding.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT the Inverness bike route be constructed as detailed in the Administrative Report dated November 5, 2001, entitled "Proposed Inverness Bike Route" at a total cost of $700,000 funded from order 30003082 (CA2EA2E) Bicycle Network Unappropriated Account and order 30002963 (CA1EA2E) Bicycle Network 2000 Basic Capital Budget.

B. THAT the annual signal maintenance budget be increased by $6,000, the annual streets maintenance budget be increased by $4,500 and the sign maintenance budget be increased by $2,000, all without offset and subject to 2003 Budget Review, for the maintenance of three new cyclist / pedestrian signals, 9 new traffic circles, one set of curb extensions and one-way closure and approximately 61 new bicycle route and traffic control signs along the new bike route, starting in 2003.

C. THAT an application be made for cost-shared funding under the 2001/ 2002 Cycling Network Program in the event that the program is maintained.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors McCormick and Puil not present for the vote.)

2. Truck Safety and Enforcement (File 5555)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with Fire & Rescue Services, Police Services, and the Director of Planning, provided a general review of truck safety issues and sought Council's approval for proposed changes to the Street and Traffic By-Law to improve load securement provisions, and ensure consistency with actual signage and provincial regulations and standards. Staff also provided recommendations regarding the role of TransLink and the Province to deal with truck related issues that are beyond the mandate of a single municipality.

Patrick Ryan, Traffic Management, reviewed the report and the rationale for the recommendations. Mr. Ryan together with Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Inspector Ken Davies, Police Services, and Captain Bill Campbell, Fire Prevention, responded to questions regarding consistency of the by-law regionally, truck related fatalities and proposed increases in truck length (Truck Safety and Enforcement Summary and Truck Route map distributed - on file)

The following speakers were generally in favour of the recommendations, however, expressed concerns which are summarized below:

Diane King, Southwest Marine Drive Ratepayers' Association (brief filed)
Mel Rowles, Southwest Marine Drive Ratepayers' Association (brief filed)

Speakers' comments included:

· pleased that staff are working to ensure truck safety including load securement and increased enforcement;
· should be a recommendation that staff continue to monitor and assess this situation;
· not enough public involvement, in particular for Recommendations C, D and E;
· consider extending the restriction on the size and time of travel of flammable liquids to other areas of the city as set out in Recommendation D;
· sand should be included in 99(2)(a) of Appendix B of the report due to its weight;
· allowing an increase in truck lengths is not recommended as the curving nature of Southwest Marine Drive makes it hazardous when these trucks use it;
· immediately following the fatality on Southwest Marine Drive, truck loads were secured, speed was noticeably reduced and the use of jake brakes virtually disappeared; however, trucks have now returned to the former situation of uncovered loads, higher speeds and increased use of jake brakes.

Staff responded to questions regarding the speakers' comments and suggestions.

In response to a question regarding removal of Southwest Marine Drive from the truck routes, Dave Rudberg, General Manager, Engineering Services, advised that truck traffic heading to UBC would likely use 41st Avenue which would impact other neighbourhoods significantly and would require public consultation. Mr. Rudberg also noted exclusion of a portion of the truck route would require the approval of TransLink.

A member of Council requested Engineering staff provide a memo on various truck routes, including Southwest Marine Drive, Joyce Street and other routes, in terms of their suitability as truck routes, the implications of their removal as truck routes, and alternatives for upgrading these streets to be better suited as truck routes.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT the Street and Traffic By-law No. 2849 be revised to improve load securement provisions, substantially as shown in Appendix B of the Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, entitled "Truck Safety and Enforcement".

B. THAT the City request ICBC to update truck securement regulations on a Province wide basis.

C. THAT the Street and Traffic By-law No 2849 be revised to bring City length requirements in line with Provincial requirements and standards, substantially as shown in Appendix C of the Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, entitled "Truck Safety and Enforcement".

D. THAT the City request TransLink to reinstate the restriction on the size and time of travel of flammable liquids within the Downtown and West End as part of the GVTA Act, substantially as shown in Appendix D of the Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, entitled "Truck Safety and Enforcement".

E. THAT the Street and Traffic By-law No. 2849 be revised to update the truck routes to match existing posted truck routes, substantially as shown in Appendix E of the Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, entitled "Truck Safety and Enforcement".

F. THAT the Director of Legal Services be requested to prepare the necessary amendments to the Street and Traffic By-law.

G. THAT the City request TransLink to begin a process to ensure Municipal by-laws are consistent across the region and with Provincial/Federal regulations.

H. THAT the City request TransLink assist the trucking industry by producing a regional truck route map.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Puil not present for the vote.)

3. Vernon Drive at Pender Street - Traffic Diverter (File 5757)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 20, 2001, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval and funding for a permanent traffic diverter at the intersection of Vernon Drive and Pender Street.

Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation, introduced Nicky Hood, Neighbourhood Transportation, and provided an overview of the report. Mr. Hall responded to a question regarding traffic counts before and after the diverter was installed.

Dave Mills, Johnstone Boiler and Tank, spoke in opposition to the recommendations contained in the Administrative Report. He advised that closure of a rooming house at the corner of Vernon and Hastings Streets reduced the prostitution problem, not the installation of a traffic diverter. He added that the diverter has eliminated nearby parking which has resulted in a loss of business and has created a new circular route for johns to use. Mr. Mills also pointed out that the north side of Pender Street is now zoned live/work and because residents use this side for parking, trucks have difficulty turning right onto Vernon Street so they are forced to turn left, violating the one-way restriction.

Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer - Transportation, responded to questions regarding the foregoing speaker's concerns and advised that the situation could be further reviewed by staff.

MOVED by the Mayor
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT this item be postponed to a future meeting in order to receive additional information from staff.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Price and Puil not present for the vote.)

4. Small Motorized Vehicles II (File 113)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Chief Constable, Police Services, and the Director of Legal Services, provided a report back on the status of skates, skateboards, push-scooters, electric cycles and small electric motorized vehicles, and made recommendations in regard to the appropriate use of these vehicles in the City of Vancouver.

Winston Chou, Traffic Management, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, reviewed the report and together with Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer - Transportation, Staff Sergeant Garnet Salmond, Police Services, and Inspector Ken Davies, Traffic Section, Police Services, responded to questions regarding crossing issues, the age limit and appropriate gear.

The following speakers were generally in favour of the recommendations but expressed concerns regarding safety gear, restrictions on areas of use and enforcement:

Cory McIntyre, Vancouver Skate Park Coalition
Brian Larsen, Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Vancouver Skate Patrol
(memo on file)

Speakers' comments included:

· allowing authorities to seize and detain skateboards and push-scooters only is not fair;
· operators of these vehicles should not be expected to wear more safety equipment than cyclists, who have just as much risk of injury;
· restricting use of these devices to minor streets will be difficult as more users are depending on these devices for transportation;
· would be helpful if this city had a multi-use path system like Portland, Oregon;
· although use of safety equipment should be encouraged, their use should not be regulated as there are no recognized standards for safety gear, and it would be difficult to enforce;
· these devices should be permitted on sidewalks providing they are used courteously.

Staff responded to questions related to appropriate safety gear and enforcement options including age limits. In response to a question regarding use of these devices on bike routes, Mr. Adam advised this could be an additional option.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT the Street & Traffic Bylaw be amended to permit the use of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters on streets;

B. THAT permission for the use of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters, on streets, be for a one-year trial period;

C. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to prohibit reckless operation of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters, meaning operating in such a manner as to obstruct traffic, or endanger the safety or property of themselves or others on streets;

amended

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT Recommendations A, B and C be amended to read as follows (amendments shown in italics):

A. THAT the Street & Traffic Bylaw be amended to permit the use of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters on minor streets, meaning streets without lane lines or directional dividing lines, as described in the Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, entitled "Small Motorized Vehicles II";

B. THAT permission for the use of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters, on minor streets, be for a one-year trial period;

C. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to prohibit reckless operation of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters, meaning operating in such a manner as to obstruct traffic, or endanger the safety or property of themselves or others on minor streets;

CARRIED
(Councillor Louis opposed.)
(Councillor Price absent for the vote.)

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT Recommendation A be amended to add the words "and designated bike routes" following the words "directional dividing lines", and Recommendations B and C be amended to add the words "and designated bike routes" following the words "minor streets".

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price absent for the vote.)

MOTION AS AMENDED
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT the Street & Traffic Bylaw be amended to permit the use of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters on minor streets, meaning streets without lane lines or directional dividing lines, and designated bike routes, as described in the Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, entitled "Small Motorized Vehicles II";

B. THAT permission for the use of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters, on minor streets and designated bike routes, be for a one-year trial period;

C. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to prohibit reckless operation of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters, meaning operating in such a manner as to obstruct traffic, or endanger the safety or property of themselves or others on minor streets and designated bike routes.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price absent for the vote.)

MOVED by the Mayor
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

D. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to require the operator of skates, skateboard, or push-scooter on minor streets and designated bike routes to be 16 years of age or older and to provide Police with identification upon request;

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass, Louis and McCormick opposed.)
(Councillor Price absent for the vote.)

MOVED by the Mayor
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

E. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to require the operator of skates, skateboard, or push-scooter on minor streets and designated bike routes to be equipped with safety gear during the one year trial period, as described in the Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, entitled "Small Motorized Vehicles II";

carried

AMENDMENT moved by Councillor Bass

THAT Recommendation E be amended to add in the words ", including lights and helmets" following the words "safety gear";

LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Don Lee, Louis, McCormick, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed.)
(Councillor Price absent for the vote.)

The amendment to Recommendation E having LOST, the motion was put and CARRIED with Councillors Bass and Louis opposed and Councillor Price absent for the vote.

MOVED by the Mayor
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

F. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended such that the operator of skates, skateboard, or push-scooter must travel in the direction of vehicular traffic and must travel as close as possible to the curb when operating on minor streets and designated bike routes;

G. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to prohibit the use of headphones while operating skates, skateboards, and push-scooters on minor streets and designated bike routes;

H. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to authorize Police to seize and detain skateboards, and push-scooters if used in contravention of the above recommendations, and to authorize fines as set out in the by-law;

I. THAT a one-time amount of $9,000 be added to the 2002 Engineering Operating Budget, subject to budget review, for educational materials (e.g., advertising, brochures) to notify the public of the changes in regulations regarding in-line skates, skateboards, push-scooters and electric motor assisted cycles; and

J. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to amend the Street and Traffic By-law generally in accordance with these recommendations.

CARRIED
(Councillor Louis opposed.)
(Councillor Price absent for the vote.)

Note from Clerk: For clarity of reference, the foregoing Motions approved by Council are reiterated below in sequential order.

A. THAT the Street & Traffic Bylaw be amended to permit the use of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters on minor streets, meaning streets without lane lines or directional dividing lines, and designated bike routes, as described in the Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, entitled "Small Motorized Vehicles II";

B. THAT permission for the use of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters, on minor streets and designated bike routes, be for a one-year trial period;

C. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to prohibit reckless operation of skates, skateboards, and push-scooters, meaning operating in such a manner as to obstruct traffic, or endanger the safety or property of themselves or others on minor streets and designated bike routes.

D. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to require the operator of skates, skateboard, or push-scooter on minor streets and designated bike routes to be 16 years of age or older and to provide Police with identification upon request;

E. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to require the operator of skates, skateboard, or push-scooter on minor streets and designated bike routes to be equipped with safety gear during the one year trial period, as described in the Administrative Report dated November 26, 2001, entitled "Small Motorized Vehicles II";

F. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended such that the operator of skates, skateboard, or push-scooter must travel in the direction of vehicular traffic and must travel as close as possible to the curb when operating on minor streets and designated bike routes;

G. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to prohibit the use of headphones while operating skates, skateboards, and push-scooters on minor streets and designated bike routes;

H. THAT the Street and Traffic By-Law be amended to authorize Police to seize and detain skateboards, and push-scooters if used in contravention of the above recommendations, and to authorize fines as set out in the by-law;

I. THAT a one-time amount of $9,000 be added to the 2002 Engineering Operating Budget, subject to budget review, for educational materials (e.g., advertising, brochures) to notify the public of the changes in regulations regarding in-line skates, skateboards, push-scooters and electric motor assisted cycles; and

J. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to amend the Street and Traffic By-law generally in accordance with these recommendations.

The Committee adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

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CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

DECEMBER 11, 2001

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 at 12:15 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.

PRESENT:	Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Fred Bass Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Don Lee Councillor Tim Louis Councillor Sandy McCormick Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence) Councillor Daniel Lee (Leave of Absence) Councillor Gordon Price
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Sullivan

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
December 11, 2001

Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:

Cl.1: Proposed Inverness Bike Route
Cl.2: Truck Safety and Enforcement
Cl.3: Vernon Drive at Pender Street - Traffic Diverter
Cl.4: Small Motorized Vehicles II

Clauses 1 - 3

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 - 3 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 4

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed to Recommendations D, E)
(Councillor Louis opposed to Recommendations D, E, F, G, H, I and J)
(Councillor McCormick opposed to Recommendation D)

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor McCormick

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

NOTICE OF MOTION

1. City Coordination of Respite for Shelterless Youth and Adults over the Holiday Season (File: 4659)

The following Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor Louis and recognised by the Chair:

WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver has undertaken several initiatives to prevent homelessness, including development of new social housing and provision of community services;

AND WHEREAS, on January 5, 1999, City Council joined other Canadian municipalities in declaring homelessness a national disaster;

AND WHEREAS, so far in 2001, Covenant House Crisis Shelter for youth has provided services for more than 1,300 youth who find themselves homeless and in crisis on the streets of Downtown Vancouver;

AND WHEREAS, Covenant House street workers note that this year has seen an increase over the previous five years when from 500 to 1,000 youth were in need of services;

AND WHEREAS, with the provincial government reducing services to youth over the age of 17 years old, even more youth could be forced on the streets of Downtown Vancouver;

AND WHEREAS, since the provincial government lowered the minimum wage to $6 per hour on November 15, 2001 disenfranchised and homeless youth are more likely to engage in street-squeegee, panhandling and other activities;

AND WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver does limited coordination of placement and referral of shelterless youth and adults;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that over the holiday season, the City of Vancouver ensure that shelterless youth and adults have access to respite, warmth, safety, comfort and goodwill by:

(a) making more city-run buildings accessible for use as shelter space; and
(b) coordinating with local shelters and drop-in centres to secure additional shelter space at community centres and neighbourhood houses.

notice

The Council adjourned at 12:17 p.m.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver