ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: January 20, 1998

Author/Local: Don Klimchuk / 7283

CC File No. 5768

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Proposed National Technical Guide for Urban Infrastructure

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RECOMMENDATION

THAT the City of Vancouver support the preparation of a National Technical Guide for Urban Infrastructure, subject to reporting back and approval of suitable cost sharing arrangements.

COUNCIL POLICY

In 1985, Council endorsed the conclusions and recommendations of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) National Task Force on Municipal Infrastructure for halting the significant decline in the condition of infrastructure in urban areas, including establishing intergovernmental partnerships, providing greater exchange of information between municipalities and setting service standards.

In dealing with the last two Capital Plans, Council has endorsed maintaining existing infrastructure as one of the first priorities for project submissions.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s support for a proposal to create a National Technical Guide for Urban Infrastructure, in partnership with senior governments, other municipalities and the National Research Council of Canada. It is recommended that this support be subject to reporting back and approval of a suitable cost-sharing arrangement with the other partners.

BACKGROUND

In 1984, the City played the lead role in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ study of infrastructure needs across Canada. The study found that $12 billion would need to be spent nationwide to upgrade roads, bridges, water and sewer works to an acceptable condition. A follow-up study done by the Union of B.C. Municipalities and coordinated by the City in 1985 indicated that, at that time, $1 billion was required to upgrade municipal infrastructure in B.C. The Canada-B.C. Infrastructure Program has been one of the products created as a result of these initiatives.

The study by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities also recommended initiating:

·Intergovernmental partnerships for cooperative efforts in addressing infrastructure solutions,

·Greater interchange of information between Canadian municipal officials through the publication of manuals on management practices, and

·Service standards to achieve a greater degree of national consistency in levels of infrastructure service.

The study also recognized that setting service standards was a long term effort.

The idea of a uniform, national approach to the design, construction and rehabilitation of urban infrastructure was proposed at the 1991 International Conference on the Rehabilitation of Infrastructure in Montreal. In 1992 a feasibility study recommended development of national infrastructure standards, and recognized that the National Research Council (NRC) was best suited to develop them. In 1993 and 1994 the NRC conducted consultations on this proposal with infrastructure stakeholders across the country, including the infrastructure industry. The resulting feedback indicated that there was virtually unanimous support for the concept.

DISCUSSION

With the proposed National Technical Guide for Urban Infrastructure, this project is now close to being implemented. A significant funding commitment has been received from the Federal Government. Plans are in process for attempting to secure the remainder of funds that would be needed.

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The method for producing the National Technical Guide would be similar to the way the NRC produces the National Building Code. However, a key difference from the Building Code is that the National Technical Guide would not be regulatory. Rather, it would be a guide which provides advice on best practices for constructing and repairing municipal infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks, watermains and sewers. Variances across Canada that impact infrastructure design, such as climate and soil conditions, would be accommodated.

The benefits identified from having a National Technical Guide include the following:

·Reduced costs from standard designs and construction practices,

·Easier introduction of new technology, and

Potential export market for Canadian consulting and construction companies.

The proposed National Technical Guide is supported by both the Canadian and British Columbia Public Works Associations. Municipal engineers in the Vancouver region have also reviewed this initiative and support the concept of the National Technical Guide.

The NRC estimates it will cost $20 million over 5 years to produce the National Technical Guide. Although this is a significant expenditure, it should be looked at in context of the massive investment Canadian municipalities make each year to maintain and repair their infrastructure. These annual expenditures are estimated to be in the order of $12 to $15 billion. The NRC estimates that potential annual savings that could be achieved through the adoption of best practices exceeds $1 billion (see examples - Appendix A).

The Federal Government recognizes the benefits that a National Technical Guide would provide and has committed to providing half of the funding for this project ($10 million). The NRC expects to secure another $5 million from the private sector, with the remaining $5 million coming from the provinces. Based on population, British Columbia would be expected to contribute $700,000 over 5 years. B.C.’s funding could come from the provincial government, regional districts, municipal governments, or some combination of the three.

The General Manager of Engineering Services has actively supported the NRC’s efforts. To assist the NRC with securing funding for British Columbia, the General Manager wrote the Union of B.C. Municipalities, in December 1997, requesting their assistance. It is hoped that the UBCM will be able to work with its members and the Provincial Government to develop a cost-sharing mechanism that would support the National Technical Guide.

The proposed National Technical Guide was also presented by the NRC at the November 1997 Big City Mayors Conference.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

At this time, it is not known whether there will be any direct funding required from the City towards the British Columbia share of the National Technical Guide costs. If the UBCM identifies the need for a contribution from the City, or if they are not able to assist with this initiative, staff will report back to Council on any funding implications. Once all project funding is in place, it is expected that some Engineering Services staff will participate on the national committees that would develop the details of the guide. Any out-of-pocket expenses would be funded by the NRC, and staff time would be accommodated within existing budgets.

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(c) 1997 City of Vancouver