Minutes of the Abbotsford Traffic Safety Advisory Committee meeting held Wednesday, June 18, 1997, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 530 of Abbotsford City Hall

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1 Present: Chairman - Councillor M. Gill; Federal Superannuates - K. Whitby; School District No J. Ullyot; Members at Large - D. Greenhalgh and R. Morice; I.C.B.C. - D. Dagg and C. Schmidt; Upper Fraser Valley Health Unit - R. Nickel; Central Valley Cycle Club - G. Harder; Abbotsford City Police - Sgt. J. Davidson (part); City of Abbotsford - Manager, Transportation & Drainage - A. Kastelein, Recording Secretary - S. Kowalchuk 1. Call to Order Councillor Gill, who was chairing the meeting in Councillor Warawa's absence, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 2. Approval of Agenda The Chairman stated that there was an addendum to the agenda, with three additional items to be discussed under New Business. Moved by J. Ullyot, seconded by K. Whitby, that the agenda and addendum for the Abbotsford Traffic Safety Advisory Committee meeting of June 18, 1997, be approved. 3. Minutes - May 21, 1997 Moved by D. Greenhalgh, seconded by J. Ullyot, that the minutes of the Abbotsford Traffic Safety Advisory Committee meeting held May 21, 1997, be approved. 4. Business Arising from Minutes.1 Pending Traffic Safety Items (a) Place mats for Restaurants - Bicycle Paths D. Dagg stated that the project is close to completion, and that K. Yates, Director of Parks and Recreation, would be contacted for input. The Manager, Transportation and Drainage, advised that urban area routes are

2 Page 2 identified; however the rural routes are not finalized. This will be coordinated with the Central Valley Cycle Club. (b) Speed Management Program (Photo-Radar) D. Greenhalgh reiterated the importance of the Committee retaining its role in the selection of sites for deployment of photo-radar cameras. With regard to deployment on the Abbotsford-Mission Highway, J. Davidson advised that he has spoken to I.T.C.U. which is conducting a preliminary study of the site. Moved by D. Greenhalgh, seconded by R. Morice, that the Abbotsford-Mission Highway be approved for deployment of photo-radar cameras. The process of selecting new sites was discussed. The Manager, Transportation and Drainage said that, due to M.V.A. reports no longer being provided by the Police Department, staff would no longer be able to prepare lists of high accident sites. D. Dagg said that I.C.B.C. is now using a map to identify accident types. It was suggested that sites be selected on an "as required" basis, with the Committee prioritizing locations. J. Davidson advised that I.T.C.U. has not completed preliminary studies on all the sites originally submitted for deployment. (c) Committee Operating Guidelines A draft will be provided at the September meeting. (d) I.C.B.C. Road Improvement Program The Manager, Transportation and Drainage, reported that Council approved the City's funding of the studies on June 16, It is anticipated that the studies will take three to five months to complete, depending on priorities.

3 Page 3 (e) Member at Large - Replacement It was suggested that the Youth Commission be contacted for possible representation on the Committee. J. Ullyot offered to pursue, with the secondary school principals, a nomination to the Committee. To be discussed at the September meeting.. 2 Crosswalk Safety The results of a public meeting regarding crosswalk safety, held January 15, 1997, were provided by the Manager, Transportation and Drainage, in his Report No. ENG Issues regarding pedestrian education and development of a volunteer program to assist seniors with crosswalk safety, were referred to the Committee. J. Davidson said that a crosswalk safety program will be implemented this summer which would see both pedestrians and motorists ticketed for crosswalk violations. It was suggested that the Seniors who are involved with Community Policing be enlisted to assist with an educational program for Seniors. K. Whitby volunteered his services on behalf of the Committee. On the list of suggestions made at the public meeting was a recommendation that the City enact a by-law to retain traffic fines. Revenue from ticketing is being diverted to the Provincial Government, rather than to communities to help defray costs of enforcement. Some Committee members felt that there was a direct correlation between funding, and staffing levels and law enforcement. It was noted that the City can enact a by-law which would incorporate moving offenses of the Motor Vehicle Act, thereby enabling the City to collect fine revenue. D. Greenhalgh reported that he had sent letters on this subject to several municipalities, including the Matsqui Police Department, two years ago, but had not received any responses. J. Davidson left the meeting at 3:45 p.m. Moved by D. Greenhalgh, seconded by J. Ullyot, that the collection and retention of traffic fine revenue be referred to the Abbotsford Police Board, with a recommendation that a by-law, to include moving offenses of the Motor Vehicle Act, be implemented and submitted to City Council for approval.

4 Page 4 5. Correspondence 1. Margaret Stenersen Elementary - Request for Crosswalk Correspondence dated April 29, 1997, was received from Margaret Stenersen Elementary School. The school requested installation of a crosswalk, with overhead lighting, west of the west entrance to the school. There are presently two patrolled crosswalks; one east of the east entrance to the school; and the other at the traffic signals on Old Clayburn Road and Immel Street. Some of the Committee members had viewed the area, and agreed that there is a significant conflict between pedestrians and traffic, particularly prior to, and after, school. J. Ullyot presented a proposal, on behalf of School District No. 34, to install a crosswalk on Immel Street, north of Immel Plaza, which would eliminate the need for students to cross at the traffic signals, where there is significant conflict between pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Students could then walk along the east side of Immel Street and the north side of Old Clayburn Road to the crosswalk east of the school. The Manager, Transportation and Drainage, expressed concern about the proposed location, noting that it is mid-block; visibility is inhibited by the curve in the road; and the location was unlikely to meet warrants. Other suggestions included: adding another guard at Old Clayburn Road and Immel Street; more aggressive enforcement from the crossing guardl s; and setting the lights to stop traffic in all directions, creating a "scramble" corner for pedestrians to cross. There were problems inherent with all solutions, and it was concluded that the eastern crosswalk, which was relocated to its present site, was the best location. It was further stated that the school should educate the students on the safest routes to school. It was also noted that the City had written to the school on this issue, suggesting that the crossing guard at Old Clayburn Road and Immel Street, direct students to use the south and west crosswalks, rather than the east and north ones. J. Ullyot agreed to follow-up with the school.

5 Page 5 6. New Business.1 Motorized Scooters and Wheelchairs K. Whitby addressed the need for motorized scooters and wheelchairs to carry red flags to alert motorists to their presence. It was suggested that a letter be written to the editors of the local newspapers with this concern, as well as the B.C. Paraplegic Association. It was felt that it might be worthwhile to invite a representative of the Association to a future Committee meeting. Moved by D. Greenhalgh, seconded by G. Harder, that a representative of the B.C. Paraplegic Association be invited to a future Committee meeting. CARRIED..2 M. Brulotte, High Drive - Request for "No Post" Barriers D. Dagg reported that she had received a request from M. Brulotte for installation of "no post" barriers due to vehicles failing to stop and driving through his yard. There have been four such incidents since May 1996, resulting in costs of $ to I.C.B.C. The Manager, Transportation and Drainage, responded that he has also received several requests and the City had installed a cable-restraint system. Other solutions have been offered to the owners, including installing a 4-x-8-foot warning sign. The City is reluctant to install "no post" barriers because of the potential danger to motorists, given that the barriers are solid and immovable. The Manager, Transportation and Drainage will investigate installing an overhead beacon at this location.. 3 Request for Crosswalk - Haida Drive and Nicola Street A request referred to D. Dagg, for a crosswalk on Haida Drive at Nicola Street, was discussed by the Committee. The Committee concurred that the location was not conducive to a crosswalk due to poor visibility. J. Ullyot noted that a new school is being constructed north of Chilcotin Drive, and students west of Gladwin Road would attend it, rather than crossing Gladwin Road to Chief Dan George School. A crosswalk exists at Haida Drive and Gladwin Road. The School District will be pursuing the installation of a crosswalk on Haida Drive at Qualicum Street for students attending the new school.

6 Page 6.4 Community Mobilization Committee - Traffic Safety Advisory Board D. Dagg introduced a strategic plan for a proposed Traffic Safety Advisory Board, which would provide a leadership role in developing a plan that allows for direct participation by the community and major stakeholders to deal with traffic safety and auto crime prevention policies. She reported that the strategic plan had been developed by I.C.B.C., in consultation with the Manager, Transportation and Drainage, the Director of Development Services, Police Chief, I.C.B.C. Claims Centre Manager and the Chairman of the Committee. Three issues felt to be a priority in Abbotsford were identified: (1) installing signs in high crash sites; (2) high visibility sign in school zones; and (3) prevention of auto crime. D. Dagg stated that there are presently five other communities in B.C. which have piloted the project. Moved by K. Whitby, seconded by R. Nickel, that the Traffic Safety Advisory Board Strategic Plan be tabled until the September Committee meeting..5 Bank Statements - March and April 1997 CARRIED. K. Whitby provided the bank statements for March and April There were no changes in the account balances. 7. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Committee was scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 1997, in Room 530 of Abbotsford City Hall. 8. Adjournment Moved by J. Ullyot, seconded by G. Harder, that the Abbotsford Traffic Safety Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned. (4:45 p.m.)

7 Page 7 Recording Secretary's Note: After the meeting adjourned, D. Dagg announced that this would be her last meeting, as she is retiring from her position at I.C.B.C. A letter of appreciation for her many years of service to the Committee will be sent.