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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
MAY 13, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Fred Bass, Chair
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ABSENT: |
Councillor Tim Stevenson (Leave of Absence, Civic Business) |
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator |
* denotes presence for a portion of the meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of April 8, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. 2003 Traffic Signal Program (File 5761)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 22, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval of the locations recommended for traffic signal installations or modifications.
Winston Chou, Traffic Management Branch, provided a PowerPoint presentation which reviewed components of the annual traffic signal program such as signal types, special crosswalks, pedestrian vs. traffic controlled signals, and the factors used in determining work to be undertaken each year. Mr. Chou, with Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation, responded to questions regarding funding, public consultation, the rationale for a pedestrian signal at Denman at Comox, the proactive approach taken by staff in anticipating where there is the most potential for accidents, and enforcing driver and pedestrian behaviour. In response to a question, Mr. Chou confirmed a traffic signal was recently added at 10th Avenue and Kingsway.
Sergeant Kinder Sandhu, Traffic Section, Vancouver Police, responded to questions, reviewed the "intersection campaign" program and other programs provided in conjunction with ICBC and the media. These programs are targeted at pedestrian safety, aggressive driving, signal offences, and road racing. Mr. Sandhu agreed to include a summary on enforcement programs as part of the annual traffic signal report from Engineering. Discussion ensued regarding the need for more traffic safety education. Mr. Sandhu noted citizens can report bad drivers to the Traffic Section by calling 604-717-3535.
Council requested staff to provide information on the number of accidents and fatalities at intersections, the number of tickets issued for vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians, and the number of tickets issued to pedestrians.
Mr. Adams agreed to follow up on the status of Council's request to the provincial government regarding the dangers of driving with cell phones.
Susan Buie expressed concern regarding pedestrian safety at the intersection at Dunbar Street at 33rd Avenue, in light of a recent pedestrian fatality at that location. she noted the accident had taken place in morning and that the pedestrian had been wearing reflective gear. Ms. Buie requested that a pedestrian controlled signal at this location be included as part of the 2003 Traffic Signal Program rather than as part of Appendix A of the report which lists "Locations for Further Review". Ms. Buie submitted there is strong community support for a pedestrian controlled signal as the most appropriate solution to the pedestrian safety problem at Dunbar at 33rd.
Joyce Groote, Netcom, also expressed concern regarding pedestrian safety at Dunbar at 33rd. and requested that in addition to the installation of a pedestrian controlled at the intersection, speed bumps should be installed along 33rd to slow traffic, and corner bulges should be implemented to protect children and seniors along the Highbury Corridor. Ms. Groote requested that this work take place in 2003, and confirmed the Netcom community group would continue to work with the City on improvements in the area.
Gabrielle Fong spoke in support of the proposed traffic signal at Joyce Street and 29th Avenue.
John Whistler, West End Residents Association, expressed concern regarding the proposed pedestrian controlled signal at Denman at Comox Street, noting the Association would prefer the use of a wider variety of traffic calming measures on Denman. Mr. Whistler also expressed concern regarding the general lack of community consultation in the redesign of Denman Street which has resulted in insufficient improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, rollerbladers and transit. Mr. Whistler requested that the staff recommendation to install a pedestrian controlled traffic signal at Denman at Comox be withdrawn pending the exploration of alternatives.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve the 2003 Traffic Signal Program with funding of $1,027,000 provided in advance of the 2003 Streets Basic Capital Budget, submissions A-3a: New Pedestrians and Vehicle Signals, with the exception of the Pedestrian-Controlled Signal at Denman and Comox Streets, which will be held back to allow for community consultation, and A-3b: Modifications of Existing Signals; and that the General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to install and modify pedestrian and traffic signals, as described in the Administrative Report dated April 22, 2003, entitled "2003 Traffic Signal Program";
THAT additional annual costs of $20,000 related to ongoing maintenance be reflected in future Operating Budgets, subject to the 2004 budget review process; and
THAT following community consultation, staff be instructed to report back to Council, as expeditiously as possible, with recommendations on pedestrian signal, traffic signal or traffic calming options for the intersection at Denman and Comox Streets; and
FURTHER THAT following community consultation, staff be instructed to report back to Council, as expeditiously as possible, and no later than September 16, 2003, with recommendations on pedestrian signal, traffic signal or traffic calming options for the intersection at Dunbar Street at 33rd Avenue.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Woodsworth absent for the vote)
2. 2003 Enhancements at Pedestrian Crossings (File 5702)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 23, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval to construct pedestrian corner bulges and make geometric modifications as identified in the report.
Winston Chou, Traffic Management Branch and Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation, were available to respond to questions.
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve the 2003 Enhancements at Pedestrian Crossings report with funding of $214,000 provided in advance of the 2003 Streets Basic Capital Plan, from submission A-4a: Arterial Improvement: Enhancements at Pedestrian Crossings to fund the installation of the corner bulges and geometric modifications; and that the General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to install corner bulges, as described in the Administrative Report dated April 23, 2003, entitled "2003 Enhancements at Pedestrian Crossings"; and
FURTHER THAT the Operating Budgets for Signage and Horticultural Maintenance be increased by $2,100, without offset and subject to budget review, commencing in 2004.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Woodsworth absent for the vote)
3. Pedestrian Enhancements for School Crosswalks, 2003 Program (File 5701)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 22, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommended approval to construct curb bulges at six existing school crosswalks and to construct median refuges at one existing mid-block school crosswalk and at one proposed mid-block crosswalk.
Peter Stary, Neighbourhood Transportation, was available to respond to questions.
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve the construction of corner bulges on:
· Commercial Dr. at 4th Av.,
· Elliott St. at 52nd Av.,
· Matheson Cr. at Champlain Cr.,
· Nanaimo St. at 37th Av.,
· 10th Av. at Collingwood St. and
· 54th Av. at Killarney St.
and the construction of median refuges on:
· Matheson Cr. at Blake St. and
· Matheson Cr. north of Champlain Cr.
B. THAT funding of $125,000 be provided in advance of the 2003 Streets Basic Capital Budget, from submission A-5a: Local Area Traffic Plans and Other Improvements.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Woodsworth absent for the vote)
The Committee adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MAY 13, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at 11:55 a.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 Larry Campbell
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ABSENT: |
Councillor Jim Green
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Louie
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Campbell in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
May 13, 2003
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:
Cl. 1: 2003 Traffic Signal Program
Cl. 2: 2003 Enhancements at Pedestrian Crossings
Cl. 3: Pedestrian Enhancements for School Crosswalks, 2003 Program
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1-3 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Louie
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Cadman (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Louie
THAT Councillor Cadman be granted Leave of Absence for July 10, 2003.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 11:57 a.m.
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