ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: February 14, 1997
Dept. File No. EZ1595
CC File No. 5761-1/5806-1
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services,
in consultation with the Director of Legal Services
SUBJECT: License Agreement for Traffic Signal Pole base at the
intersections of Vanness Avenue at Earles and Rupert Streets
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council authorize the General Manager of Engineering Services
to negotiate and conclude a license agreement with BC Hydro to
permit the City to install bicycle-related traffic signals on BC
Hydro lands adjacent Earles and Rupert Street at Vanness Avenue on
the terms and conditions set out in this report and others
satisfactory to the General Manager of Engineering Services and the
Director of Legal Services, it being understood that no legal
relations are hereby created and none shall arise until an
agreement drawn to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal
Services is executed by her on behalf of the City.
COUNCIL POLICY
On September 26, 1996, Vancouver Traffic Commission approved upgrading
of the BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle Route.
PURPOSE
This report seeks Council's authority to enter into a license agreement
with BC Hydro to allow construction of two pedestrian and cyclist
actuated signals.
BACKGROUND
Council approves the installation of new traffic signals through
programs such as the Annual Traffic Signal program and other reports for
specific projects such as Greenways and Bikeways.
Council has approved the installation of the signals along this corridor
as part of an upgrade of the existing BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle
Route. The proposed route improvements are being installed with the
assistance of the Provincial Cycling Network Program.
The Cycling Network Program was created by the Province in 1995 as a
cost-sharing program designed to encourage local municipalities to build
commuter cycling facilities. Since then, the City of Vancouver has
applied for, and received, funding towards several cycling projects.
DISCUSSION
To construct the traffic signals for these two intersections it is
necessary to locate some of the equipment on the BC Hydro Right of Way.
At the intersection of Rupert Street and Vanness Avenue and at Earles
Street and Vanness Avenue traffic signal poles and other permanent
equipment are to be located off the existing City Right of Way and on
the BC Hydro corridor which parallels Vanness Avenue (Appendix A).
All costs pertaining to the construction and implementation of these two
signals are cost shared with the Province as part of the Cycling Network
Program. BC Hydro has agreed to enter into a licence agreement for the
land needed to locate the traffic signal poles. The basic terms upon
which BC Hydro is prepared to permit the City to install these traffic
signal works are as follows:
- The license is offered on a twenty year license and
subject to an applicable annual fee.
- Annual rental fee is set by BC Hydro and reviewed on
a five year basis. The City is responsible for any
increase in annual land rental fee as set out by BC
Hydro through this license agreement. For the first
five year period the rental is $1.07 per annum.
- Our Rights present and future are subject to the
rights of: BC Hydro, BC Gas, Southern Pacific
Railway of British Columbia Limited and BC Transit.
- This license agreement may be terminated by either
party on one years notice and on other bases.
- The City must indemnify BC Hydro for all losses
relating to these installations by the City.
Staff recommend that the City secure a licence agreement to allow the
placement of the traffic signal poles as necessary to construct these
signals.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
All short-term costs can be accommodated within the approved budget for
these projects. BC Hydro has agreed to provide the licence agreement to
the City for a nominal annual fee. Upon completion of the traffic
signals the City will retain ownership, liability and maintenance
obligation for the signals and related equipment.
The Provincial cost-sharing on this project expires on March 31st, 1997.
BC Hydro has already been contacted and is willing to enter into the
agreements necessary for construction to begin. Without Council's
approval the construction cannot begin and the Provincial cost sharing
would then be forfeit.
* * * * *