CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC
MARCH 11, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Tuesday, March 11, 1997, at approximately 12:10 p.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 Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
ABSENT: Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Civic Business)
Councillor George Puil (Civic Business)
Councillor Sam Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COUNCIL: Denise Salmon
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor
Owen in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee
on Transportation and Traffic
March 11, 1997
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl. 1: Transportation Demand Management - Policy Discussion
Cl. 2: City Hall Pay Parking Proposal to Reduce Auto Commuting
(Deferred)
Cl. 3: Maximum Gross Weights and Fine Structure for Overweight
Vehicles
Cl. 4: 1997/98 Annual Transit Service Plan
Cl. 5: Broadway Express Service - "#99 B-Line"
MOVED by Mayor Owen,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses
1, 3, 4 and 5 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. 37th Avenue Greenway File: 5767
Councillor Price requested staff report on timing details for the
Official Opening of the 37th Avenue Greenway.
The Council adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC
MARCH 11, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on
Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, March 11, 1997, at
approximately 9:30 a.m., in the No. 1 Committee Room, Third Floor, City
Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Price
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Civic Business)
Councillor George Puil (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COMMITTEE: Denise Salmon
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
meeting of February 5, 1997, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Transportation Demand Management -
Policy Discussion File: 5560-1
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated January 28, 1997
(on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services outlined
the G.V.R.D s September 1996 report and provided an overview on its
recommendations and the implementation of various Transportation Demand
Management measures in the region.
Mr. Clive Rock, Administrator, Transportation Planning, G.V.R.D.,
with the aid of slides, provided Council with an overview on
Transportation Demand Management, focusing primarily on:
Context
Current Transportation Situation
Public Opinion
TDM Components
Conclusions
He further advised Metro Vancouver has both the highest automobile
ownership and lowest number of transit seats per capita in the country,
although Vancouver residents demonstrate a willingness to use transit.
This lack of transit capacity is a major constraint to TDM.
In answer to a question from Council, Mr. Rock clarified the target
10% reduction in Transportation Demand Management by the year 2021 does
not relate to a 10% decline in today s traffic volume, but rather that
projected for 2021.
Council members commented on the major issue of parking, and agreed
many communities are not designed for pedestrians, but rather focus on
automobile use. It was also observed Park and Ride facilities further
perpetuate auto dependency. Parking standards which focus on simple
solutions are needed, i.e., preferential parking for car pools, bicycle
lockers, etc. Note was made of the punitive TDM measures recommended to
accomplish single occupant vehicle (SOV) trip reductions before
alternative travel modes are in place.
Mr. Rock then proceeded to discuss the three main implementation
phases:
Short-Term (1-2 years)
- Regional Trip Reduction Service
Medium-Term (3-5 years)
- Comprehensive Parking Management
- Conversion of Automobile Fixed Costs
Long-Term (6+ years)
- Road Pricing/Tolling
A Council member suggested the above time frames would not allow
for sufficient flexibility during upcoming negotiations with the
G.V.R.D.
Ms. Jennie Moore, Employee Transportation Co-ordinator, G.V.R.D.,
verbally presented a brief outline of the G.V.R.D. s own employee trip
reduction initiatives.
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the report on Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
outlining a strategy that includes:
- Regional Trip Reduction Service;
- Comprehensive Parking Management
and Usage-Based automobile
insurance and licenses; and
- Road pricing/tolling
be endorsed;
FURTHER THAT road pricing and tolling be used as a
financial mechanism to pay for transit and transportation
improvements in the transportation system;
AND FURTHER THAT the above be accompanied by a regional
public involvement process.
B. THAT specific implementation plans for each of the TDM
strategies be submitted to Council for review and
comment.
C. THAT the TDM Program be included in the soon to be
initiated negotiations on regional transportation
governance and funding.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
D. THAT staff be requested to report back on the design
interface of parking lots as they relate to transit,
pedestrians and cyclists.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
E. THAT staff be requested to report back on whether or not
Park and Rides are appropriate in the city transportation
system and experiences of other municipalities.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. City Hall Pay Parking Proposal File: 1307-1/5653-1
to Reduce Auto Commuting
This item was deferred at the request of CUPE 15, pending
discussions with Human Resources.
3. Maximum Gross Weights and File: 113
Fine Structure for Overweight Vehicles
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February
6, 1997 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services
recommended Part II of the Street and Traffic Bylaw pertaining to
commercial vehicle weights and fines be made consistent with the
provincial guidelines to make it easier to understand and enforce.
Schedule A (weight categories and wheelbase) would be amended, Section
103(4) revised, and Schedule C (current fine schedule) deleted.
Elizabeth Ballard, Traffic Management Engineer, reviewed the main
points of the report and Constables Sean Lane and Jim Rexin briefly
discussed axel spacing and safety issues with Council members.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the Street and Traffic By-law No. 2849 be revised to
make the axle spacing, weight limits and overweight fines
of commercial vehicles consistent with the Commercial
Transport Act.
B. THAT the Director of Legal Services be requested to
prepare the necessary by-law amendments to the
Street and Traffic By-law.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. 1997/98 Annual Transit Service Plan File: 5551-1
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February
12, 1997 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services
discussed the Annual Service Plan and noted it is an improvement over
past plans as it focuses improvements into the metropolitan growth concentration area, including Vancouver, and therefore supports the
GVRD s Livable Region Strategy. However, it was noted the plan still
lacks detail.
Also before Council was a memorandum dated March 11, 1997 (on
file), from the General Manager of Engineering Services, responding to
Council s request for report back on Burnaby s proposal to terminate the
new North Burnaby express services in the southern portion of the
downtown.
Wayne Pledger, Strategic Transportation Planning Engineer,
summarized the above noted report and made reference to a memorandum
dated February 27, 1997 (on file), from the General Manager of
Engineering Services providing Council with an update on transit to the
Fraser Lands/Riverside.
Council discussed problems relative to finding a terminus in
south-eastern downtown large enough to hold four of Burnaby s new
express buses in peak periods. Discussion followed on Vancouver s fleet
of trolley buses, and the substitution of diesel buses along portions of
routes, and especially into Stanley Park. Mr. Jim Prokop, Manager of
Service Review and Development, BC Transit, confirmed no new trolley
buses had as yet been ordered, and the low floor/accessible trolleys are
not readily available in North America. The remaining life expectancy
of trolleys currently on the road is from five to seven years.
Engineering staff advised a report is underway on maintaining trolley
service in Vancouver, and commented on the advantages of trolleys,
including their long life, and the fact Vancouver has the infrastructure
for trolleys in place. In reference to the Ballard fuel cell powered
bus, the General Manager of Engineering Services advised this technology
is not without risk.
Mr. Prokop provided an overview of Transit s service plan and
advised 50 new additional buses are already in use. The summer break
for school and universities will allow for extensive maintenance of
Transit s bus fleet.
A Council member requested figures on transit usage to UBC.
Engineering staff agreed to obtain these figures, and noted the OCP Plan
for UBC will also be reported back to Council.
Discussion continued on the downtown loop bus service. Some
members suggested this service be differentiated from BC Transit s
regular bus routes through the use of new colours, maps and schedules at
station stops, and the name The Loop for its terminus.
Nathan Davidowicz, speaker, advised the maps appended to the
previously noted North Burnaby Express Service memorandum were
incorrect, and not approved by Burnaby. The new routing will create
problems for both Vancouver and Burnaby residents. Commencing April 14,
diesel buses will replace trolleys along the Hastings route. Routes
have been split and riders will be required to transfer downtown. Mr.
Davidowicz noted the 1997/98 Annual Transit Service Plan is Transit s
biggest in twenty years, and the City was not involved in its planning.
He further noted any changes Transit makes to route structure and
frequently should be forwarded to the Transportation and Traffic
Committee. It was also pointed out the much needed First Avenue bus is
not mentioned in Transit s Plan.
The General Manager of Engineering Services advised BC Transit
officials would be present at the Committee s next meeting which would
allow for discussion on Transit s consultation process. Council
requested Engineering staff prepare a report of outstanding transit
issues for presentation to the next meeting of the Committee.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the 1997/98 Annual Transit Service Plan be received
for information and that staff report back, where
necessary, to implement specific proposals.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B. THAT this report be forwarded to the Park Board for its
review and comment in relation to the Park Board s
Transportation Plan for Stanley Park.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Broadway Express Service - #99 B-Line File: 5554-1
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February
4, 1997 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services
provided an updated on the new #99 B-Line express bus service.
Wayne Pledger, Strategic Transportation Planning Engineer, advised
the service runs along Broadway, between Lougheed Mall and UBC. BC
Transit plans to install additional #99 service bus stops in Vancouver,
including Broadway at Clark Drive and on 10th Avenue potentially at
Sasamat Street. Mr. Pledger added a review of the westbound stop at
Broadway station was initiated with BC Transit in consultation with
local merchants which resulted in an improved stop location west of
Commercial Drive. He further noted two additional bus stops had
inadvertently been left off Appendix A - those at Alma and Boundary
Road.
Members of Council questioned the need for two separate stops for
the #9 Broadway and the #99 express service and the resultant budget
increase for emptying of added litter receptacles. It was also noted
signage for the express buses should be made larger. Mr. Prokop,
Manager of Service Review and Development, BC Transit, advised the use
of two stops was partly a marketing issue, as well as a means to avoid
slow downs when four or five buses are lined up for loading.
Nathan Davidowicz, speaker, advised each bus stop needs to be
examined individually depending on bus volume at each location.
Broadway and Macdonald would not be a problem as one stop; however,
express buses at Broadway and Granville would benefit from a separate
stop.
The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the use of buses on 12th Avenue between Granville
and Fir Streets, and Fir Street between 12th Avenue and
10th Avenue, be approved.
B. THAT a bus stop on southbound Granville Street at 10th
Avenue in the AM peak period only, be approved.
C. THAT the approval for recommendations A and B above, be
reviewed once express buses can be routed on 10th Avenue
after it is improved between Granville and Fir Streets.
D. THAT a bus stop on westbound Lougheed Highway at Boundary
Road be approved.
E. THAT BC Transit be requested to provide additional
express bus stops on Broadway at Renfrew Street and Clark
Drive, and on 10th Avenue in the vicinity of Blanca
Street.
F. THAT BC Transit conduct appropriate consultation
processes in future with affected communities along new
transit routes or facilities (e.g., Richmond/Vancouver
Rapid Bus and Broadway LRT).
G. THAT the Vancouver Regional Transit Commission not
approve any reduction in the frequency of service of the
#9 Broadway bus route until a comprehensive ridership
review of both the #9 and #99 services is complete and
overloads on the #9 are significantly reduced.
H. THAT further to recommendation G, the proposed
discontinuation of the #9 service west of Alma Street
this summer in the peak AM and PM travel periods be
deferred until ridership information is available to
assess the impacts of this proposal on transit riders.
I. THAT the 1997 Sanitation Operating Budget be increased by
$5,300 in order to provide new litter receptacles at #99
B-Line bus stops.
J. THAT the Sanitation Operating Budget be increased by
$7,400 annually for the emptying of the added litter
receptacles.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
* * * * *