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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
JULY 29, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Peter Ladner, Vice-Chair
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator |
*Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of July 8, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Cyclist Push Buttons for Existing Pedestrian Signals (File 5702)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 9, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval to install 40 cyclist push buttons at selected existing pedestrian signals.
Peter Stary, Engineering Services, reviewed the Administrative Report, and along with Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer - Transportation, Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, and Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, responded to questions concerning signal reaction times, funding, how it is decided which signals should be retrofitted and whether all pedestrian push buttons will eventually be retrofitted.
Ken Wuschke spoke in support of the staff recommendation and also urged Council to move as quickly as possible towards retrofitting all existing pedestrian push buttons in the city with cyclist push buttons. He noted these push buttons are one of the best tools for encouraging cyclists to move about the city.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve the installation of forty cyclist buttons at selected pedestrian activated signals as described in the Administrative Report dated July 9, 2003, entitled "Cyclist Push Buttons for Existing Pedestrian Signals" at a cost of $100,000 with 50% of this total provided by the Translink Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost Sharing Program;
AND FURTHER THAT funding in the amount of $50,000 be allocated for the balance of the cost from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account Group SCA2E-UNAP, Bicycle Network.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Bass and Sullivan absent for the vote)
2. 2003 Traffic Signal Program Report Back - Denman & Comox (File 5761)
At its meeting on May 13, 2003, the Transportation & Traffic Committee, while considering the 2003 Traffic Signal Program, instructed staff to report back with recommendations for a pedestrian signal, traffic signal, or traffic calming options for the intersection of Denman and Comox Streets.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it this day an Administrative Report dated July 14, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommended the approval of the proposal for a pedestrian signal to enhance the existing marked and signed school crosswalk at the intersection at Denman and Comox.
Winston Chou, Traffic Management, reviewed the report and, along with Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer - Transportation, responded to questions concerning whether this proposal fits into the comprehensive traffic plan for Denman, anticipated changes in traffic patterns on the street, and the numbers of seniors and children crossing at this location and their preference for the intersection. Staff also responded to questions on various traffic calming options and their appropriateness to this location.
Craig Norris-Jones, General Manager, Coast Plaza Hotel, spoke in support of the recommended pedestrian-controlled signal. He also expressed opposition to any traffic calming initiatives in that intersection, such as curb bulges, which would impede motorcoaches and other large vehicles from leaving the hotel and exiting onto Denman.
John Whistler (brief filed) and Rob Wynen (materials filed), West End Residents' Association, expressed opposition to the proposed pedestrian-controlled signal at Denman at Comox without a comprehensive plan for Denman to improve the pedestrian environment, accommodate cyclists and bladers on the roadway, facilitate public transit, and enhance the unique character of Denman Street. Mr. Whistler and Mr. Wynen expressed support for various traffic calming methods, such as raised crosswalks and corner bulges, noting bulges could be configured in such a way as to accommodate tour buses, and further suggested that the street could be redesigned to provide for bicycle lanes, extended sidewalks and the removal of parking. It was noted that a pedestrian controlled traffic signal actually takes the right-of-way away from the pedestrian and gives it to the motorist.
Betty Rumpel, outgoing Chair of the Parents' Advisory Council at Lord Roberts Elementary School, noted that perhaps the proposed pedestrian-controlled signal provided the best short term solution. She also noted, however, the excessive speed limits along Denman, and felt that traffic calming measures to slow down cars and buses such as a lower speed limit and raised crosswalks should be considered.
Jeff Salmon, on behalf of West End Seniors' Network and the West End Community Policing Office, and Cam Cathcart, on behalf of West End Seniors Network, expressed strong support for a pedestrian-controlled signal at this intersection. Support was also expressed for general traffic calming measures for the street. It was noted the signal would provide seniors and other vulnerable pedestrians with a safe method of crossing the street.
Staff responded to questions concerning the cost of installing a raised intersection, the percentage of pedestrians in this area who are seniors, accident rates for this intersection, and whether there were traffic signals which would respond to the length of time it took a pedestrian to cross and adjust the timing appropriately.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT a pedestrian-controlled signal be approved for the intersection of Denman & Comox with funding of $40,000 provided in the 2003 Streets Basic Capital Budget, submissions A-3a: New Pedestrian and Vehicle Signals.
B. THAT staff be directed to develop options to enhance the pedestrian/cyclist environment as well as traffic calming measures on Denman Street, in consultation with all the stakeholders, as part of the Downtown Transportation Plan implementation program.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Celebration Grants: Costs of City Services to Major Parades (File 2051)
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated July 8, 2003, in which the Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, provided a report back on the staff review of the impact of City service costs on major parades, and recommended changes to the Celebration grants program. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of the proposed changes.
Lorenz von Fersen, Cultural Planner, Office of Cultural Affairs, reviewed the report and responded to questions concerning varying costs for Engineering and Policing services between the three events, and the estimated numbers which attend each event.
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve establishment of a new component in the Celebration grants program to assist major parades by recognizing up to 50% of their City service costs as eligible for grant support, as outlined in the Policy Report dated July 8, 2003, entitled "Celebration Grants: Costs of City Services to Major Parades.
B. THAT Council approve an increase of up to $25,000 in the 2003 allocation to the Celebration grants program budget, for a "City services" component for qualifying parades as provided for in Recommendation "A" of the Policy Report dated July 8, 2003, entitled "Celebration Grants: Costs of City Services to Major Parades". Source of funds this year to be a one-time allocation from the "Opportunities" budget authorized in 2002 and reserved for festivals and celebrations activity, with the increase to the Celebration grants program to be included in the 2004 Operating Budget.
C. THAT Council approve an allocation of up to $8,000 to the Vancouver Pride Society toward a maximum of 50% of the cost of City services for the 2003 Pride parade. Source of funds to be the new "City services" component of Celebration grants.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Green absent for the vote)
4. Permanent Conversion of School Avenue to One-way Westbound Between Joyce and Tyne Streets (File 5757)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 7, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval for the permanent conversion of School Avenue, between Joyce and Tyne Streets, to one-way westbound and the trial conversion of the lane south of School Avenue, between Joyce Street and the lane west of Harold Street, to one-way westbound.
Fred Lin, Neighbourhood Transportation, provided a brief overview of the report.
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the temporary conversion of School Avenue from a two-way street to a one-way westbound street between Joyce Street and Tyne Street be made on a permanent basis.
B. THAT the lane south of School Avenue between Joyce Street and the lane west of Harold Street be converted to one-way westbound on a trial basis.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Bass and Green absent for the vote)
The Committee adjourned at 11:43 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JULY 29, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at 11:43 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 Fred Bass
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Louie
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
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
July 29, 2003
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:
Cl.1: Cyclist Push Buttons at Existing Pedestrian Signals
Cl.2: 2003 Traffic Signal Program Report Back - Denman and Comox
Cl.3: Celebration Grants: Costs of City Services for Major Parades
Cl.4: Permanent Conversion of School Avenue to One-Way Westbound Between Joyce and Tyne Streets
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1-4 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 Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 11:45 p.m.
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