ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: June 4, 2002
Author/Local: Piet Rutgers

257-8463

RTS NO. 02714

CC File No. 4155

Council: June 25, 2002

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager, Board of Parks and Recreation and General Manager of Engineering
SUBJECT:	Stanley Park Infrastructure - Sewer

RECOMMENDATION

THAT principles of the Letter of Understanding between Engineering Services and the Park Board (See Appendix I) governing the management of the Stanley Park sanitary sewer system be approved.

POLICY

There is no applicable policy.

BACKGROUND

The Stanley Park sanitary sewer system was developed in the early 20^th century and has been maintained over the years largely by Park Board staff with minimal budgets.

Last May City Council and the Park Board approved a Letter of Understanding between Engineering Services and the Park Board governing the management of Stanley Park's water system.

At the time it was also intended to include the sanitary sewer system, but a number of technical issues needed to be resolved prior to a proposal being brought forward for approval.

DISCUSSION

These issues related to the location and and condition of certain sections of pipeline and pump stations have now been addressed permitting the primary and secondary systems to be defined.

Storm water management will continue to be solely under the jurisdiction of the Park Board.

Parks and Engineering staff have negotiated a Letter of Understanding (LOU) governing the roles of the respective parties in the proposed arrangement. Under this LOU , the City Engineering Services would assume full responsibility for the replacement, maintenance and operation of the primary sanitary sewer system, with the Park Board continuing to be responsible for the replacement, maintenance and operation of the services connected to the primary sanitary sewer system. These are referred to in the LOU as the secondary sanitary sewer system.

This division of responsibility parallels the division between Engineering Services and private property owners elsewhere in the city.

The LOU provides for the Board and Council to approve a long term replacement program.

The LOU assures the primacy of Parks and Recreation objectives in the execution of the replacement program, i.e. no trees, landscapes, shrubs or buildings shall be removed to facilitate water and sewer construction without the Board `s prior approval. Similarly the Board undertakes not to connect secondary lines to the primary system without Engineering's approval.

The replacement plan will be based on the Board's known and anticipated requirements for sanitary sewer services. Any subsequent increases in the demand for service will require the Board to assume the additional capital cost of primary sanitary sewer system upgrading, not unlike a private developer following a re-zoning.

The current practice is that the Board is not subject to sewerage fees, charges and assessments except for commercial ventures (restaurants etc.) within the park. Any future charges for sewerage would be subject to review by City Council for any adjustments to the Board's global budget.

Funding

Engineering Services estimates that ongoing funding of $5000.00 will be required to undertake a reasonable maintenance program. For 2002, sewer rates have already been established, consequently it may be necessary to phase in a maintenance program over two years with only the most critical components being undertaken this year. Engineering expects that the initial 2002 program can be accommodated through efficiencies.

In regards to the capital replacement, no significant immediate expenditures are anticipated. Funding to address capital needs can be allocated from future capital plans.

SUMMARY

Staff believe that the proposed arrangement will ensure an appropriate sanitary sewer system in Stanley Park by providing the best engineering services the City has to offer and ensure maintenance and operations at a level consistent with other areas of the City. The Park interests continue to be protected in this arrangement.

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APPENDIX I

PRINCIPLES OF LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING STANLEY PARK SANITARY SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE

· Joint preparation of location/condition survey
· Preparation of long term replacement program to be approved by the Board and City Council.
· Engineering to fund and to be responsible for replacement and maintenance of primary system.
· Park to fund and to be responsible for replacement and maintenance of secondary system.
· Park Board to adhere to City sewer application process
· Park Board to be responsible for sewer upgrades resulting from additional development projects.
· No trees, park buildings, landscapes to be removed without Board's prior approval
· Capital costs to be funded from City Utility fund, Engineering Capital budget and senior government funding.
· No changes to Park Board sewer charges, without Board and Council approval.

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