TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES

Tuesday, 2016 December 06

An Open meeting of the Traffic Safety Committee was held in the Council Chamber, Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Tuesday, 2016 December 06 at 6:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

ABSENT:

Councillor Paul McDonell, Chair

Councillor Pietro Calendino, Vice Chair

Councillor James Wang, Member

Mr. Stephen Baron, Senior Citizen Representative

Mr. Terry Gomez, School Board Representative

Mr. Eric Laity, Citizen Representative

Ms. Jen Mezei, District Parent Advisory Council Representative

Mr. Ken Robb, Burnaby HUB Representative

Mr. Harjit Sidhu-Kambo, Coast Mountain Bus Company

Mr. Nik Vizniak, Citizen Representative

Mr. Tom Webster, ICBC Representative

Mr. John Artuso, Citizen Representative

Mr. Cory Redekop, Burnaby Board of Trade

STAFF:

Mr. Stu Ramsey, Manager – Transportation Planning

Sgt. Dwayne Beckerleg, Burnaby RCMP

Mr. Moudad Hasan, Senior Transportation Engineer

Ms. Nikolina Vracar, Administrative Officer

Ms. Eva Prior, Administrative Officer

The Chair called the Open meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.

2.

MINUTES

a)

Minutes of the Traffic Safety Committee Meeting

held on 2016 October 04                                                 

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WANG

SECONDED BY MR. ROBB

THAT the minutes of the Open meeting of the Traffic Safety Committee held on 2016 October 04 be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CALENDINO

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR WANG

THAT the correspondence be received.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Correspondence from Amit Varma

Re: Traffic Safety Concerns at Kincaid Street and Canada Way

Correspondence was received from Mr. Amit Varma expressing concerns for traffic safety at Kincaid Street and Canada Way.  Mr. Varma recommended that the City allow right turn only entry on Kincaid Street and right turn only exit on Canada Way.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CALENDINO

SECONDED BY MR. LAITY

THAT this item of correspondence be REFERRED to staff for review.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

b)

Correspondence from John Ratard

Re: Road Deaths and Enforcement

Correspondence was received from Mr. John Ratard expressing concerns for the number of road fatalities in British Columbia and lack of enforcement of speed limits.  Mr. Ratard suggested that citizens with car mounted cameras can record and forward driving infractions to the police.  Mr. Ratard recommended that the City introduce a telephone line for citizens to report offenders and implement speed cameras, higher fines, and removal of driving licenses to deter driving infractions.

The Committee noted that the proposed measures fall under the purview of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY MR. WEBSTER

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR CALENDINO

THAT the Committee refer this item of correspondence to Council with a recommendation to forward correspondence to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

c)

Correspondence from Cathy Griffin

Re: Pedestrian and Cycling Safety Concerns at Underhill Avenue and Lake City Station                                                   

Correspondence was received from Ms. Cathy Griffin expressing concerns for pedestrian and cycling safety at Underhill Avenue and Lake City SkyTrain Station.

Ms. Griffin recommended that the City implement following measures:

·         install pedestrian controlled crossing at three way stop at Underhill Avenue and Eastlake Street;

·         install pedestrian crossing with lights at Lake City Way and Enterprise Street;

·         prohibit vehicles from parking within 10 meters on the west side of Underhill Avenue and Enterprise Street; and,

·         improve cycling signage on poles, markings on the street, and cycling infrastructure in and around the Lake City SkyTrain Station, along Enterprise Street, and on both sides of both sides of Underhill Avenue.

Staff advised that future street improvements on Broadway may include construction of an urban trail along Broadway, between Bainbridge Avenue and Lake City Way.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CALENDINO

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR WANG

THAT this item of correspondence be REFERRED to staff for review.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

d)

Correspondence from Tyson Ashford

Re: Request for Flashing Crosswalk at 7250 Halifax Street

Correspondence was received from Mr. Tyson Ashford expressing concerns for pedestrian safety of senior residents living at the Swedish Village and accessing the shopping centre on the corner of Burnwood Drive and Greystone Drive.  Mr. Ashford requested that the City install a flashing crosswalk on 7250 block of Halifax Street.

Staff noted that there is a safer crossing with a stop sign at the corner of Phillips Avenue and Halifax Street. 

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY MR. VIZNIAK

SECONDED BY MS. MEZEI

THAT this item of correspondence be REFERRED to staff for review.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee recommended that staff correspond with Mr. Ashford to find out if using the crossing at Phillips Avenue and Halifax Street is a feasible alternative for residents.

Staff undertook to contact Mr. Ashford.

4.

REPORTS

MOVED BY councillor calendino

SECONDED BY councillor wang

THAT the reports be received.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Report from Director Engineering

Re: Mid-Block Crossings along Willingdon Avenue between Kingsway and Kingsborough Street                                                   

A report was received from the Director Engineering recommending the installation of a centre median fence along Willingdon Avenue between Kingsway and Kingsborough Street to discourage pedestrian mid-block crossings.

The Director Engineering recommended:

1.  THAT the Committee recommend that Council approve the installation of a fence in the median along Willingdon Avenue between Kingsway and Kingsborough Street as described in this report to discourage mid-block pedestrian crossings at an estimated cost of $25,000 to be funded from the 2016 Capital Budget (Minor Traffic Management Project EMF.0051).

MOVED BY councillor calendino

SECONDED BY councillor wang

THAT the recommendation of the Director Engineering be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

b)

Report from Director Engineering

Re: 2017 Local Area Service Program for Speed Humps

A report was received from the Director Engineering reviewing applications for the 2017 speed hump program and recommending streets that should proceed to the Local Area Service Program (LASP).

The Director Engineering recommended:

1. THAT the Committee recommend that Council advance the requested speed humps, as discussed and recommended in this report, to the 2017 LASP process.

2. THAT the Committee recommend that Council send a copy of this report to the residents who requested speed humps as part of the 2017 LASP.

MOVED BY councillor calendino

SECONDED BY councillor wang

THAT the recommendations of the Director Engineering be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

NEW BUSINESS

Jen Mezei

Ms. Mezei advised that the District Parent Advisory Council has requested that a City representative meet with representatives from schools to provide information on traffic issues under the RCMP jurisdiction versus bylaw jurisdiction.  Ms. Mezei will forward the request to Mr. Doug Louie, Assistant Director Engineering – Transportation Services.

Ms. Mezei inquired about installation of a four-way stop at Government Road and Lozells Avenue intersection to improve pedestrian safety in the area. 

Staff advised that four-way stops are generally installed at intersections that have a similar traffic flow on each approach.  Lozells Avenue is quieter than Government Road. 

Staff undertook to investigate potential measures.

Councillor Wang

Councillor Wang advised that he was contacted by a resident regarding installation of a pedestrian crosswalk on Oakland Street at Dufferin Avenue to improve safety of pedestrians accessing Deer Lake Park.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CALENDINO

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR WANG

THAT this item of correspondence be REFERRED to staff for report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Ken Robb

Mr. Robb inquired if cycling groups will have an opportunity to provide input on urban trail that may be constructed along Broadway, between Bainbridge Avenue and Lake City Way.

Councillor Calendino noted that public consultations will likely be conducted as part of the project.

Nik Vizniak

Mr. Vizniak inquired if it is feasible for the City to implement a bylaw requiring pedestrians and cyclists to wear reflective gear at night.

Staff advised that activities within roads are governed by the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act.

6.

INQUIRIES

There were no inquiries brought forward at this time.

7.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY mr. laity

SECONDED BY councillor calendino

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Nikolina Vracar

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Paul McDonell

CHAIR