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CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

JANUARY 12, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, January 12, 1999, at 10:25 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 Philip Owen Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL:	Denise Salmon

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,

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
January 12, 1999

Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:

Cl.1: Bike Lanes on University Boulevard
Cl.2: Citizen Advisory Committees on Transit and Bus Impact Task Force

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 and 2 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. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

* * * * *

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

JANUARY 12, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, January 12, 1999, at approximately 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Gordon Price, Chair Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan
CLERK TO THE COMMITTEE:	Denise Salmon

RECOMMENDATION

1. Bike Lanes on University Boulevard File: 5553

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated December 16, 1998 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommends Council support the University of British Columbia's proposal to improve bicycle access to the University by modifying the function of University Boulevard from two general purpose moving lanes in each direction to one general purpose lane and a bike lane. UBC has requested the City support this proposal.

Also before the Committee was a report from the Bicycle Advisory Committee, dated January 4, 1999, which, in addition to its support for the proposal, recommends sufficient widening at bus stop so bikes can safely pass stopped busses without going into the adjacent travel lane; and also that the bike lane be extended across the Blanca intersection eastbound.

Clause 1 Cont'd

Wayne Pledger, Strategic Transportation Planning Engineer, provided Council with an overview of the Administrative Report and advised the General Manager's recommendation is consistent with the University's OCP and also has the support of the West Point Grey Residents Association. In response to a question from Council staff advised the proposal to include University Boulevard in the Major Road Network has now been withdrawn.

Robert Delahanty, Chair, Bicycle Advisory Committee spoke in support of the Administrative Report's recommendation, and suggested two additions to enhance cyclist safety, as set out in the BAC Report before Council this day:

· the need for sufficient widening at bus stops so bikes can safety pass stopped busses without going into the adjacent travel lane; and
· extension of the bike lane across the Blanca intersection eastbound.

Guy Wera, Bicycle People, concurred with the need for widening and advised of his group's general support for bike lanes. However, he urged Council consider the opportunity for separating cyclists from motor vehicles by allowing each to use one side of University Boulevard. This would afford cyclists less exposure to diesel pollution, much of which comes from transit busses, as well as provide a safe environment for children who cycle.

Ted Buehler, UBC Bike Group, provided Council with an overview of the UBC Bike Co-op, and its goal to make bikes more accessible to the UBC community. He spoke in support of the Administrative Report's recommendation, with widening, as noted by the previous speakers. Mr. Buehler suggested a long-term ideal solution for the Boulevard would be to separate cyclists from motor vehicles. He urged Council contribute funds to allow for immediate construction of the proposal.

The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

THAT Council support the installation of bike lanes on University Boulevard and this support be forwarded to the University of British Columbia, the Ministers responsible for Transportation and Highways and Municipal Affairs, the Greater Vancouver Regional District and the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority;

Clause 1 Cont'd

FURTHER THAT sufficient widening at bus stops is suggested so bikes can safely pass stopped busses without going into the adjacent travel lane; and

FURTHER THAT the bike lane extend across the Blanca intersection eastbound.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Citizen Advisory Committees on Transit and
Bus Impact Task Force File: 3150/3152

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated December 22, 1998 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommends the establishment of two Citizen Advisory Committees and a Bus Impact Task Force.

One of the citizen advisory committees will provide input into specific aspects of Richmond RapidBus implementation, particularly the RapidBus stop and shelter design. The second citizen advisory committee will provide input into the review of express bus service on the Cambie corridor. An existing working group comprised of interested Councillors, staff and bus industry representatives has met on an ad-hoc basis in the past to discuss matters of safety, emissions, tour bus routings, etc. Staff recommend this be formalized into a Bus Impact Task Force.

Wayne Pledger, Strategic Transportation Planning Engineer, provided Council with an overview of the report, and responded to questions regarding:

· plans for contacting those most impacted by RapidBus shelters along Granville;
· Cambie express bus service as the focus of one Advisory Committee;
· the need for citizen representation on the Bus Impact Task Force; and
· potential for additions to the Advisory Committees or Task Force.

Ethel Karmel, Cambie Boulevard Heritage Society, (brief filed) advised of the willingness of the Cambie Boulevard Heritage Society to share the RapidBus system with Granville. She offered to serve on an Advisory Committee and suggested prior to design of bus stops, and consideration of routes, a ridership study be undertaken.

Clause 2 Cont'd

Nicki-Lee Keenlyside, Marpole Business and Land Owners Association, requested she be considered for appointment to the Advisory Committee to review the design of the RapidBus shelters, specifically in regard to the area between 62nd and 72nd Avenue. Ms. Keenlyside noted the loss of parking south of 70th Avenue, and need for alterative parking solutions. She urged Council strike a Parking Task Force; staff advised a meeting could be arranged with affected merchants to examine strategies to address this problem.

The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT two Citizen Advisory Committees be established with terms of reference, general membership structure and reporting period as described in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated December 22, 1998.

B. THAT a Bus Impact Task Force be created as set out in amended Appendix B (attached) of the Administrative Report dated December 22, 1998; with membership on the Task Force to include citizen representation.

C. THAT staff report back, for Council approval of the proposed members of the above two Committees and Task Force.

D. THAT the activities of the two Committees and Task Force be supported by funding in the amount of $8,000 from an increase in the 1999 Engineering Services Operating Budget.

E. THAT the Mayor appoint up to two liaison Councillors to the Bus Impact Task Force.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee adjourned at 10:25 a.m.

APPENDIX B

AMENDED AT COMMITTEE JANUARY 12, 1999 (amendment in italics & bold)

TERMS OF REFERENCE

BUS IMPACT TASK FORCE

Mandate

· to act as a channel of communication among the represented groups
· to advise Council from time to time on issues of air pollution, safety, noise, litter, tour-bus routing, and other impacts that may arise with respect to non-regularly scheduled buses in the City
· to advise Council from time to time on further developments related to Council's interest in the harmful health effects of fine diesel emissions
· to address such further issues as may be requested by Council in the future
· to provide a mechanism for interested public or organizations to present issues of concern with respect to impacts of buses

Membership

One representative to be nominated from each of the following groups to be forwarded for Council approval:

· Vancouver Airport Authority

· Bicycle Advisory Committee
· BC Trucking Association
· Tourism Vancouver
· Hotel Association
· Major tour bus operators
· Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre
· Cruise ship industry
· Motor Carrier Commission
· BC Transit
· Citizen Representation

In addition, up to two Councillors to be appointed by the Mayor.

Term

· one-year term
· term to start upon approval of the members by Council

Chair

· to be selected by the Task Force at the inaugural meeting

Meetings

· approximately monthly or at the call of the Chair with support by the City Clerk

Staff Resources

· Engineering
· GVTA
· Permits and Licenses
· Vancouver Police
· Environmental Health (Vancouver/Richmond Hospital Board)
· GVRD Air Quality
· Park Board
· City Clerk's Office

Other Procedures and Conflict of Interest

· same conflict of interest guidelines as followed by Council

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver