The Corporation of the City of Stratford Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee MINUTES Date: Time: Location: Committee Present: Regrets: Staff Present: Also Present: Monday, 9:12 P.M. Council Chamber, City Hall Councillor McManus - Chair Presiding, Mayor Mathieson, Councillor Bunting, Councillor Clifford, Councillor Henderson, Councillor Ingram, Councillor Mark, Councillor Ritsma, Councillor Vassilakos Councillor Brown - Vice Chair, Councillor Beatty Rob Horne - Chief Administrative Officer, Ed Dujlovic - Director of Infrastructure and Development Services, David St. Louis - Director of Community Services, John Paradis - Fire Chief, Michael Humble - Director of Corporate Services, Jodi Akins - Council Clerk Secretary, Carole Desmeules - Director of Social Services, Jeff Leunissen - Manager of Development Services, Mike Beitz - Corporate Communications Lead, Tatiana Dafoe - Deputy Clerk Ballantyne Street residents (Item 5.1), Members of the public and media 1. Call to Order The Chair called the Meeting to Order. Councillors Beatty and Brown provided regrets for this meeting.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee Minutes 2 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires any member of Council declaring a pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof, where the interest of a member of Council has not been disclosed by reason of the member s absence from the meeting, to disclose the interest at the first open meeting attended by the member of Council and otherwise comply with the Act. Name, Item and General Nature of Pecuniary Interest No declarations of pecuniary interest were made at the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee meeting. 3. Sub-committee Minutes Sub-committee minutes were attached for background regarding the discussion held at the November 29, 2017 Sub-committee meeting. 4. Delegations Motion by Councillor Ingram Seconded by Councillor Bunting Committee Decision: THAT the presentations by Justine Brotherston, Ian Brotherston, Bruce Graham and Ray Harsant regarding Ballantyne Avenue Road Reconstruction, be heard. Justine Brotherston asked Committee not to approve the one sidewalk option and to stop implementing the policy. She expressed concerns with losing one sidewalk, including creating barriers for walking and accessibility, safety concerns and the creation of a disconnected sidewalk system. Ian Brotherston suggested that this matter comes down to how they want their communities to be and this issue should be discussed widely and publicly. He requested that the street be preserved as it is now until a broader public discussion takes place. Bruce Graham, Water Street resident, stated that when he lived in a suburb with no sidewalk on his side he did not know his neighbours. He suggested that you can tell the time of day by how many people are on the sidewalks and there is a sense of community as people walk by. He expressed concern that Water Street could lose one of its sidewalks under this policy and stated that removing sidewalks is a bad idea.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee Minutes 3 Ray Harsant, Water Street resident, referred to a PowerPoint presentation and handed out copies to Committee members. He suggested that losing one sidewalk would chip away at the heritage component of the neighbourhood and will have a negative impact on the community. He referred to several documents including the City's Official Plan, the Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan and various Sub-committee and Committee minutes. He suggested that there be no deferral of this matter so that construction could take place in the spring as the infrastructure work is required. Issues that need to be taken into consideration include safety, accessibility and preservation of trees. He proposed a third design option with two 1.5 meter sidewalks, one way traffic and a road width of 6.5 m. 5. Report of the Project Engineer 5.1 Ballantyne Avenue Road Reconstruction Request for Council Direction (ITS17-074) Staff Recommendation: THAT Council accept the new information including the description of Design 2, the preliminary sidewalk on both sides design for discussion; THAT Council approve Design 1, the original design to reconstruct Ballantyne Avenue, as described in ITS17-002 report dated January 13, 2017; AND THAT Council confirm the acceptance of the planned public consultation for the continuation of this project as described in Report #ITS17-074. Committee Discussion: The Director of Infrastructure and Development Services reviewed some background on this matter. Large size drawings were handed out to the gallery of the drawings attached to the agenda. Discussion took place around different options for design. A Committee member suggested that Design Option #1 is a compromise between pedestrians, cyclists and minimizes loss to the tree canopy. It was also suggested that every time two sidewalks are replaced, it delays the installation of one needed somewhere else in the City. In response to how the one sidewalk replacement policy came about, the Director explained that it came up in 2013 as a result of a Sub-committee report on missing sidewalks in the City. A motion came forward to replace only one sidewalk in reconstruction projects.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee Minutes 4 In response to a question, the Director advised that typically arterial and collector roads have sidewalks on both sides and local roads have one sidewalk. There was a report done in 2015 that noted $6.3 million dollars of missing sidewalks at that time, $1.4 million being considered high priority. Further discussion on various road widths and the potential ramifications took place. A Committee member suggested that it is good to have policies and standards but they don't work everywhere and only one sidewalk is this area would destroy the character. Motion by Councillor Clifford Seconded By Councillor Henderson Committee Decision: THAT delegations be heard on this matter. Cynthia Reynolds, Front Street resident, stated that each neighbourhood is unique and people choose to buy based on the character of the neighbourhood. She advised she doesn't think that every street should be designed for bicycle traffic and feels that one sidewalk would reduce the charm of the area. She requested that the decision be revisited and doesn't think every neighbourhood should have to fight to retain their sidewalks. It was clarified by Committee that every meeting in which the sidewalk policy or reconstruction was discussed was open to the public. Discussion took place about various considerations, including Book 8, which sets standards for traffic volume and safety for cyclists, lack of equity in the City regarding sidewalks, minimum widths to meet AODA standards and impacts on budgets. The Director requested direction from Committee as to whether there should be one sidewalk or two. He further advised that staff would take the information back and complete another design.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee Minutes 5 Motion by Councillor Mark Seconded By Councillor Ritsma Committee Recommendation: THAT the Ballantyne Avenue Road Reconstruction (ITS17-074) be referred to staff to develop a design that incorporates two sidewalks at a minimum width of 1.5m, minimal disruption to the tree canopy and a one-way traffic option. Discussion took place regarding the original reason for implementing the policy. It was suggested that a seasonal traffic and pedestrian count would be more appropriate. Dan Graver, Water Street resident, stated that there is an abundance of pedestrian traffic on Ballantyne Street when the theatre lets out and the neighborhoods were not built for traffic. Widening the road can be done but it will ruin the character of the neighborhood. Wade McLeod, Ballantyne Street resident, advised that the Project Engineer came out and met with him and alleviated his concerns regarding the grade of the driveways. He spoke with councillors and understands the concerns regarding cycling, however, two cars and one cyclist passing at the same time on this road are not likely. Kevin Larson advised public consultation should be undertaken on the sidewalk policy. Chair McManus then called the question on the motion on the floor. 6. Report of the City Clerk 6.1 Request for Special By-law Enforcement Officers for 34 Brunswick Street (ITS17-073) Staff Recommendation: THAT the request from the owner of 34 Brunswick Street, Anthony Jordaan, to be appointed as a Special By-law Enforcement Officer to enforce certain parking restrictions on private property at 34 Brunswick Street be approved;
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee Minutes 6 AND THAT an agreement be entered into with respect to the appointment of the Special By-law Enforcement Officer. Motion by Councillor Mark Seconded by Councillor Bunting Committee Recommendation: THAT the request from the owner of 34 Brunswick Street, Anthony Jordaan, to be appointed as a Special By-law Enforcement Officer to enforce certain parking restrictions on private property at 34 Brunswick Street be approved; AND THAT an agreement be entered into with respect to the appointment of the Special By-law Enforcement Officer. 7. For the Information of Committee 7.1 Capital Project Update Committee Discussion: The Director of Infrastructure and Development Services reviewed the highlights of the Capital Project Update, the entirety of which will be attached to the Committee agenda. It was noted the Quinlan Pump Station is scheduled for March/April construction. It was noted that it is the same developer that is developing both sides of McCarthy Road and there is a piece of land behind the Rotary Complex that will be dedicated as park land. Mornington/Vivian reconstruction is going well and the road will be open for the winter. 95% of flow monitors have been installed. The sewer relining project is 99% complete. OCWA has reported that they have noticed an improvement in flows during weather events. A report will come to Council at a later date. Erie Street paving is proceeding well. Discussion took place regarding width of the road and when top course asphalt would be poured. The Director noted it is typically done later but needs to be done sooner due to how the funding is structured.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee Minutes 7 7.2 Advisory Committee/Outside Board Minutes The following Advisory Committee/Outside Board minutes were provided for the information of Committee: Accessibility Advisory Committee Minutes of September 5, 2017 Energy and Environment Committee Minutes of September 14, 2017 Stratford Town and Gown Committee Minutes of September 21, 2017 8. Adjournment Motion by Councillor Bunting Seconded By Councillor Ingram Committee Decision: THAT the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee meeting adjourn. Meeting Start Time: 9:12 p.m. Meeting End Time: 10:30 p.m.