ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services

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 also contained in the prioritized table of 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

In 1985, Council endorsed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) initiatives to take steps to halt the significant decline in the condition of infrastructure in urban areas, placing emphasis on maintenance and reconstruction as opposed to new construction, in partnership with senior governments.

In 1997, Council endorsed extending the 1993 Canada Infrastructure Works Program, reiterated that there should be municipal representation on the Management Committee and noted that the only priority should be for projects that replace existing, deteriorating municipal infrastructure.

PURPOSE

This report presents Council with an overview of the Canada - B.C. Infrastructure Program, and recommends approval of a prioritized list 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.

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. No less than 75% of the 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. All funded projects must be completed by March 31, 2006.

In February of 2001, the City submitted and endorsed 43 applications, of which six (6) received funding. The remaining unfunded projects are eligible for review in subsequent rounds. Those applications that received awards were as follows:

City Driven

              

Total Cost

Awarded

China Creek-Canoe Creek Basin Sanitary Sewer Trunk Extension

$9,300,000

$6,200,000

China Creek-Lower Canoe Creek Basin Sewer Separation

  

$8,600,000

$5,730,000

China Creek-Upper Canoe Creek Basin Sewer Separation

  

$9,500,000

$6,330,000

 

Community Driven

            

Total Cost

Awarded

Millennium Sport Facility

          

$3,200,000

$1,700,000

South Vancouver Neighbourhood House

      

$1,800,000

$1,220,000

Jewish Community Centre

          

$1,295,000

$ 400,000

DISCUSSION

The overall corporate submission to the program, which includes the previous applications from 2001 and new applications for 2003, has been laid out in the following table. The projects in bolded text are new projects for 2003. Abstracts of the 2003 projects can be found in Appendix A, while abstracts for the 2001 projects can be found in Appendix B. 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; 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 for this assignment. The prioritization process was a combination of City capital funding priorities and the program priorities.

             
     

City of Vancouver - Green and Other Infrastructure

      
     

Combined Priority Listing

      
             
 

New Rank

Dep't

Description

  

Total

  
             
 

1/34

Parks

Sunset Community Centre

O

$7,000,000

  
 

2/34

Eng

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

G

$3,000,000

  
 

3/34

Eng

Grandview-Woodlands Area Sewer Separation

G

$8,100,000

  
 

4/34

Eng

Crown Street Sustainable Streetscapes

G

$1,200,000

  
 

5/34

Eng

Stanley Park Water System Renewal

G

$7,500,000

  
             
 

6/34

Eng

Burrard Bridge Seismic Upgrade

O

$4,000,000

  
 

7/34

Eng

Broadway Corridor Reconstruction

O

$3,000,000

  
 

8/34

Community initiated

Little Mountain Neighbourhood House

O

$5,100,000

  
 

9/34

Community initiated

Vancouver Museum Phase 3 Capital Revitalization

O

$7,660,000

  
 

10/34

Eng

Highbury & 4th Avenue Sewer Separation

G

$8,200,000

  
             
 

11/34

Eng

North Balaclava Sewer Separation

G

$9,500,000

  
 

12/34

Eng

Landfill Gas Utilization

G

$2,000,000

  
 

13/34

Corp Serv

Boiler Plants Replacement

G

$1,480,325

  
 

14/34

Eng

Davie Street Sidewalks/Transit Facilities

O

$1,200,000

  
 

15/34

Eng

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

O

$440,000

  
             
 

16/34

Eng

City Wide Cast Iron Watermain Replacement

G

$8,470,000

  
 

17/34

Eng

Trout Lake Storm Sewer Trunk Extension

G

$9,000,000

  
 

18/34

Eng

North Victoria Drive Sewer Separation

G

$6,500,000

  
 

19/34

Civic Theatres

Queen Elizabeth Auditorium Renovation

O

$4,000,000

  
 

20/34

Eng

Kent Avenue Bicycle Route

O

$1,100,000

  
             
 

21/34

Eng

Corner Bulges near Vancouver Schools

O

$375,000

  
 

22/34

Parks

Vandusen Botanical Garden Concept Plan Implementation

O

$3,000,000

  
 

23/34

Eng

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

G

$2,300,000

  
 

24/34

Eng

Eastside Crosscut Greenway

O

$1,600,000

  
 

25/34

Parks

Champlain Heights Community Centre Expansion

O

$1,300,000

  
             
 

26/34

Eng

Burrard Bridge - Pedestrian Improvements

O

$10,000,000

  
 

27/34

Community Initiated

Science World

O

$2,900,000

  
 

28/34

Parks

Playing Field Renewal

O

$3,000,000

  
 

29/34

Eng

Robson Street Pedestrian Enhancement

O

$1,000,000

  
 

30/34

Eng

Speed Humps on Vancouver Streets

O

$750,000

  
             
 

31/34

Eng

Chess Street Works Yard - Various Projects

G

$2,150,000

  
 

32/34

Eng

Dunbar Ridge Transmission Water Main

G

$4,950,000

  
 

33/34

Corp Serv

Chiller Plants Replacement

G

$763,250

  
 

34/34

Corp Serv

Roofing Systems Replacement

G

$2,267,000

  
             
             
     

Total

  

$134,805,575

  
             
     

G - Green Projects

      
     

O - Other Projects

      
     

Projects in Bold Lettering indicate 2003 Projects

      
             

Table 1 - Ranked List, Canada B.C. Infrastructure Program Round II

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

For many of the projects included in the lists above, funding is available in current capital budgets or in the 2003-2005 Capital Plan. For others, a reallocation of funding within the Capital Plan may be required. In some cases, the $20 Million provisional borrowing authority may be required to make up the 1/3 municipal contribution.

There are a few projects that are not expected to require 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

If approved by Council, the 2003 Projects (as seen in bold lettering in Table 1) would be forwarded to the Province by March 21, 2003.

If a project award is received, the appropriate department would report back on the details of funding, in consultation with the Director of Finance.

* * * * *

 

APPENDIX A

ROUND II, 2003 APPLICATION ABSTRACTS

ENGINEERING SERVICES

Burrard Bridge Sidewalk Capacity Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists

As part of an overall long term strategy for making crossing improvements to the pedestrian and cyclist environments across False Creek, additional sidewalk capacity to provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists for the upper level of Burrard Bridge was recommended and approved by Council as the highest priority. This application is for completing the detailed design and construction on the preferred conceptual solution for the new sidewalk facility on the Burrard Bridge. Safety improvements to the intersection of Burrard Street and Pacific Street would also form part of this project. The total cost for providing this capacity improvement to the Burrard Bridge is estimated to be at least $10 million. This estimated cost includes consultant work, public consultation, detailed design, and construction.

Crown Street Sustainable Streetscapes and Fish Habitat Enhancement Pilot Project

In partnership with the Musqueam First Nation and the local community, the City of Vancouver is undertaking the redesign of a city street into a Sustainable Streetscapes and Fish Habitat Enhancement Pilot Project. The site is the 5900-6200 block Crown Street, a 444m long residential city street, totaling 8295m2, located in the Southlands Community, Vancouver. The project site is divided into two phases of design, both focusing on improving water quality and conservation on the street. Phase I is an innovative alternative street design to the typical curb and gutter street, featuring an experimental permeable road surface flanked by vegetated swales to infiltrate storm water runoff and filter out pollutants. Phase II of the project extends over both Cutthroat and Musqueam Creeks - two of the few remaining salmon-bearing streams in Vancouver - and into the neighbouring Musqueam First Nations community. Groups involved in prior remedial stream work, such as the Musqueam First Nation, David Suzuki Foundation, UBC and the GVRD, are enthusiastically partnering with the City of Vancouver to further improve the stream and adjacent wetlands. Phase II highlights include enhancing the entrance to the First Nations community with Musqueam carvings, street redesign, native plantings, removal of culverts and other critical stream crossing enhancements.

The project will improve the environment in many ways. Permeable surface area is one of the key factors in watershed health and this project focuses on maximizing permeable surface area on-street. By removing curb and gutter, narrowing the streets hard surface to 5.5m from the typical 8.5m, utilizing permeable road materials such as structural grass and gravel, and creating natural drainage courses, permeable surface and infiltration capability on the street is significantly increased. This type of treatment reduces demandon the sewer systems, reducing frequency and duration of overflows in areas with combined sewer systems, and improves nearby stream hydrology. Furthermore, this section of Crown Street is located in an ecosensitive and historically important setting, containing a wetland and two of the few remaining precious salmon spawning streams in Vancouver. The existing culverts at the road crossings of these streams are inadequate, as they are undersized and silting in, frequently choking the flow of water, and ultimately impairing fish migration. This project will greatly improve salmon habitat and meets the City of Vancouver's objective of incorporating enhanced sustainability into City Operations.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Sunset Community Centre Rebuild is a very recent application, approved by both Board and Council, and Infrastructure Program support is critical to its success. The Sunset Community Centre Association has also been very much engaged in and supportive of the application process. The replacement of Sunset Community Centre is identified as a high-priority, major-scale renewal project in the 2001 Community Centre Renewal Plan.

The Sunset project budget is $7,000,000, with $3,000,000 to be committed by the City, and $4,000,000 from senior governments. The source of funding for the City's share will be the $20 Million fund approved by the voters on November 16th. The amount requested from the senior governments exceeds the $2,000,000 cap in the Program guidelines; however, there is provision for exceptions to be made "for important and high priority projects." The application is being pursued with encouragement and support from the Honorable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada and Minister responsible for British Columbia, and the Member of Parliament for Vancouver South-Burnaby (in which constituency Sunset Community Centre is located). Minister Dhaliwal describes the proposal as "a tremendous opportunity for all levels of government to contribute to a community effort."

Playing Field Renewal:

The proposal is to reserve $1,000,000 of the 2003 - 2005 Capital Plan allocation for fields to support an Infrastructure Program application for $2,000,000, which would enable the accelerated implementation of the Playing Fields Renewal Plan. This long term Renewal Plan was jointly developed jointly by the Vancouver Park Board and the Vancouver School Board (the two Boards together being the providers of almost all playing field space in the City). The Vancouver Field Sports Federation, a group that represents organized recreational teams and leagues in the city, was actively engaged in the plan development and supports the Infrastructure Program application.

The work program for field renewal involves (1) an investment of $2.9 M. per capital plan cycle over the next three cycles to restore natural turf fields to optimal playability; and (2) the development of 6 new synthetic turf fields (having the collective playing capacity of 25-30 natural grass pitches) at a cost of $9.0 M. to serve added demand due to population growth, and the impact of initiatives of the Board towards gender equity in sport participation and youth league development in areas where these do not currently exist. The total capital cost of the renewal plan is therefore in the order of $18M. over 10-12 years.

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Concept Plan Phase 1A: The proposal is to apply for $2,000,000 from the Infrastructure Program to advance the first phase of upgrading visitor service facilities at the Garden. Park Board would commit the $250,000 allocated in the 2003 - 2005 Capital Plan as part of the required 1/3 share; the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association (VBGA), which jointly operates the Garden with the Park Board, is prepared to commit the required balance of $750,000. The Concept Plan was prepared by Downs/Archimbault & Partners, and details a long range renewal program to increase the visibility, functionality and revenue-generating potential of the Garden.

Phase 1A involves the construction of a new and larger gift shop, and upgrades to the Orientation Room, Arrival Hall and Plaza, Parking, and Special Event Entry. This work would trigger improved servicing (new water and power to the site) which has been factored into a cost estimate of $3.6 M.

The total cost of Phase 1 implementation (broken down into components 1A through to 1E) has been estimated at just under $7 M. A subsequent Phase been outlined for future consideration which would cost a similar amount.

SOCIAL PLANNING

Little Mountain Neighbourhood House - $5.1 million
A proposed replacement for the City-owned facility to include multi-purpose rooms used for child-minding, family, seniors and youth programs, a classroom, meeting rooms for small groups and one-to-one counselling, and a computer lab, a seniors lounge, a community kitchen, a staff lunchroom, staff offices and workspaces and a 25-space childcare centre. Currently examining opportunity to also incorporate Riley Park Branch Library. City-owned building/land. $1.1 million approved in 00-02 Capital Plan, proceeds from sale of existing site approved in July 2002 and balance of civic funding ($1.3 m.) approved in principle and to come from 06-08 Capital Plan.

Science World - $2.9 million
Science World application was endorsed by Council last June. Their application focused on base building upgrades including structural repairs to the buildings as well as the replacement and upgrading of aging building systems using environmentally sustainable practices and materials. They have not requested any capital contribution from the City for this project, having already raised the required 1/3 local share ($850,000) through private sector contributions. City-leased bldg. from Province on City-owned land.

CIVIC THEATRES

Renovation of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Auditorium

From 1991 to 1993 VCT worked with its community to develop both a Long Range Strategic Plan and a Long Range Capital Plan.

Over a period of a year and a half, working first with a specialist theatre architect and subsequently with a full team of consultants, VCT produced a plan, including schematic design and feasibility analysis, that included the wishes of the users and staff and had a price tag of $40 million. The plan was structured to be achievable over time, as money became available, in do-able chunks selected according to the priorities of the users.

Between 1991 and 2000, $11.3 million in projects have been completed, all financed from a revenue stream dedicated to capital improvements.

The renovation of the QET auditorium and the other projects included in this application represent the single biggest project in the plan to be attempted to date.

The Project budget is $15 million. Sources of funding as proposed are:

Civic Theatres Capital Reserve $5 million
Dep't. of Canadian Heritage grant - est. $3 million
Private fund raising $3 million
Infrastructure grant Federal $2 million
Infrastructure grant - Province $2 million

Core project - QET Auditorium

The details of the renovation are contained in the colour booklet included with this application. Briefly, the project includes:

The projects not illustrated in the colour booklet are:

1. The Acoustic Isolation of the Vancouver Playhouse.

When the Playhouse was built in 1961-62, the engineers, partly out of economy and partly because there was no reason at the time to not do it, structurally attached the Playhouse to the back wall of the QET.

At that time, rock bands carried their sound equipment in the back of a station wagon and sound transfer was not an issue. To-day, that same rock band will pull into the QET with 8 semi-trailers full of sound and lighting equipment. The sound transfer, conducted through the concrete slabs into the Playhouse, is now clearly audible. Simply refusing to accept their bookings is not an option economically nor in terms of the mandate of a civic theatre which must be equally responsive to all its constituents, especially the broader audience. Whenever possible, rock bands are presented in the Orpheum and when there is no other option, they are booked into the QET with, if there is a show next door, a 9:30 pm start time in the hope of minimizing the interference to the audience in the Playhouse attending a play or recital.

This project will cut the theatres apart and build a new wall on the Playhouse side leaving a 4 inch air space, eliminating any sound transference between the theatres.

A corollary benefit of this project is that a lobby elevator is the ideal structural element to seismically brace the newly separated Playhouse, something that is in increasing demand by the audience.

2. Performing Arts Company Office Space.

The plan is to demolish the QET Restaurant building on the Plaza and replace it with a new building twice the floor plate and 3 stories high. The new building is planned to contain a new, larger theatre restaurant on the main floor connecting to the QET lobby. Above this can be built 10,000 sq. ft. of office space to accommodate one or more performing arts companies.

NB Civic Theatres presently rents office space to Vancouver Symphony, Bard on the Beach and IATSE, the stage hands union.

3. Plaza

The plan provides for upgrades to the Plaza to make it more welcoming and useful. Elements include opening up the Georgia St. edge with stairs down to the sidewalk in place of the concrete wall, extending the QET canopy out to the Georgia St. corner to shelter patrons on their way to the theatre on rainy nights, relocation of the marquee to open up views into the QET, increased lighting and infrastructure facilities to support Plaza installations and performances.

4. QET Backstage Amenities

To the extent that the final budget can accommodate, the QET dressing rooms and performers accommodations will be upgraded and brought closer to the stage, and a green room added. The rehearsal hall will be enlarged, isolated acoustically and made accessible for groups separate from the one currently performing.

Some of the infrastructure for these improvements was built as part of the recent Salon project.

Stage lighting, sound and rigging systems will be variously replaced and upgraded.

5. Seismic Reinforcing

The remodeling of the lobby spaces will result in seismic reinforcement as part of the new configuration.

Results

The results expected from realizing this project are:

These results are entirely consistent with the mandate and mission of Vancouver Civic Theatres, expanding the possibilities for the local performing arts within the existing facilities.

APPENDIX B

ROUND I, 2001 APPLICATION ABSTRACTS

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-cyclebasis 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 $46,600,000. 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

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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:

$46,600,000

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.

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 - Various Projects

*(Please note that the following Chess Street Works Yard applications have been merged into one application)*

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 reduced energy 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.

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 Plant Account with recoveries from the Equipment Rental Rates. The estimated project cost is $500,000.

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.

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:

Total Costs $9.5 million

Davie Street Sidewalks/Transit Facilities

The sidewalks along Davie Street, one of the City's busier pedestrian and transit precincts, are generally in poor condition due to age and the effects of tree roots.

The proposed work along Davie from Denman Street to Pacific Boulevard will include:

Total Cost $1.2 million

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

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.

The proposed work along Robson from Denman Street to Beatty Street will include:

· Replacing damaged sidewalks;

Total Cost $1 million

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 $250,000budget. 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.

PARK BOARD SUBMISSIONS
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

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 seeking Infrastructure 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._

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