TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
2004-05-17
Meeting
No. 5
Attendance
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J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of
Corporate Services
A. Brown, Director of
Engineering
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
A. Mukherjee, Manager,
Transportation/
Engineering
D. Smarrelli, Engineering
Technician
C. Raynor, Committee Clerk
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The Transportation Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with
Councillor K. Usman in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed
1. MARKHAM SAFE STREETS
TASK FORCE (5.12, 16.34) Weblink 1 2 3
Mr. G. Schaeffer, the Ward 5 representative
on the Markham Safe Streets Task Force, and Councillor S. Daurio, Chair of the
Task Force, gave a brief outline of the potential benefits of the Task Force’s
recommendations. Mr. A. Mukherjee, Manager, Transportation, provided a detailed
analysis of the objectives and strategy of the Task Force. Staff Sergeant T.
Carrique, York Region Police, also provided input.
It was stated that there would be an emphasis
on enforcement, education and engineering with the aim of reducing operating
traffic speeds on Town roads. Staff will provide to York Region Police a list
of the priority streets for increased enforcement action. The list of streets
will be based on the same criteria as used for prioritizing traffic calming
measures in the Town. Staff also noted that the recommendations in the budget
for the Safe Streets project, including possible traffic-calming measures, will
be made by the Traffic Safety Committee.
There was some discussion surrounding the
specific roads defined as ‘Major Collectors’ and ‘Priority Roads’. The
Committee requested that staff include a detailed list of these in its
September 27, 2004 report, at which time Committee will consider any additional
public notification.
The Committee also made the following
comments:
- branding of the Safe Streets
program should be aligned with existing Town branding, and that staff review
the use of the “Catch the Wave” slogan for its similarity to a previous “Coke”
campaign;
- work should be done to
prioritize intersections that would benefit from red light cameras so that they
can be installed quickly following legislation permitting such. Staff stated
that a report on the matter would be presented at a future meeting of the
Committee;
- the Province should be
requested to allow lower-tier municipalities to install photo-radar;
- staff should identify in the
report the traffic-calming measures available where other steps fail;
- the report should clarify the
criteria of “50 km/h and greater” for consideration of the Safe Streets
program;
- the report should clarify that
the Town is seeking the implementation of red light cameras and photo-radar on
local streets;
- the report, once finalized,
should be sent to the Minister of Transportation with a further request to
approve photo-radar legislation for local municipalities.
The Committee thanked Mr. A Brown, Mr. A.
Mukherjee, Mr. D. Smarrelli, and Mr. D. Porretta for their work and assistance
with regard to this matter.
Moved by Councillor S. Daurio
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the May 17, 2004 report and presentation
entitled “Markham Safe Streets Task Force” be received;
And that staff be authorized to present the
draft strategy and implementation plan to the Neighbourhood Transportation
Committees and public on June 14, 2004 and June 21, 2004, respectively;
And that staff report back with the final
strategy and implementation plan at the September 27, 2004 Transportation Committee
meeting;
And that staff be authorized to retain a
marketing consultant and data collection contractor in accordance with
purchasing by-laws;
And that funds for a Marketing Consultant,
Communication Material and data collection be funded from the Engineering
Department’s 2004 Capital Account #830-5399-6144-005 to a maximum of $97,000.
CARRIED
2. SCIBERRAS ROAD EXTENSION
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
(5.10) Weblink
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That the report entitled “Sciberras Road
Extension Class Environmental Assessment” be received;
And that the preferred alternative for the
Sciberras Road extension from Highway 7 to approximately 140 metres south of
the Rouge River as detailed in the Environmental Study Report be endorsed;
And that Engineering Department staff be
authorized to file the Environmental Study Report for the 30-day public review
commencing May 28, 2004.
CARRIED
3. MEADOWBROOK LANE PARKING
PROHIBITION – UPDATE
(5.12.4) Weblink 1 2
Moved by Councillor S. Daurio
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That Schedule 1 of Parking By-law 336-88, be amended to include a “No
Parking Prohibition” on the east side of Meadowbrook Lane from Highway 7 East
to the shared property line of Houses 23 and 25 Meadowbrook Lane;
And that the attached by-law be approved;
And that the Operations and Asset Management Department be directed to
install the appropriate signs upon approval of the attached by-law.
CARRIED
4. REGION OF YORK
2005 AND 10 YEAR CAPITAL
PROGRAM (5.10, 5.14) Weblink
Mr. A. Brown, Director, Engineering briefly outlined the projects that
the Town is seeking the Region accelerate, defer, or add to their 2005 and 10
Year Capital Plans. There was considerable discussion surrounding a number of
the projects. Staff advised that there would be a further report in June
dealing with Town roads.
There was some discussion regarding the synchronization of traffic
lights, in particular on McCowan Road north of Highway 7. Staff agreed to
request the Region for signal optimization in that area.
There was also discussion as to whether or not the Town should
initially pursue projects to widen two (2) lane highways to four (4) lane
highways, before pursuing the widening of existing four (4) lane highways.
Staff advised that the widening of Warden Avenue from 16th
Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive involves some environmental issues and that
this should be considered to ensure a consistent message in requesting road
widenings from the Region.
**Moved by Councillor S. Daurio
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the staff report entitled “Region of York – 2005 and 10 Year
Capital Program” dated May 17, 2004, be received;
And that the Region of York be requested to incorporate into their 2005
and 10 Year Capital Programs, Markham’s requirements as noted in the May 17,
2004 staff report and Council’s March 9, 2004 resolution, including the following requirements:
- that enhanced
streetscaping be added as a new project;
- that a
Highway 407 crossing on Birchmount Road be added;
- that
additional Highway 404 crossings north of 16th Avenue be added;
- that work on
the York/Durham Line from Steeles Avenue to Highway 7 be deferred until 2012;
- that Steeles
Avenue be widened from two (2) to four (4) lanes from Highway 48 to Ninth Line,
to be completed by 2007;
- that Steeles Avenue be widened from two (2)
to four (4) lanes from Ninth Line to York/Durham Line, to be completed by 2008;
- that McCowan
Road be widened from four (4) lanes to six (6) lanes from 14th
Avenue to 16th Avenue, to be completed by 2006;
And that the Region of York be requested to prepare in consultation
with area municipalities a 10 Year Program for signal and intersection
improvements;
And that Kees Schipper, Commissioner, Transportation and Works be
advised accordingly and thanked for seeking municipal input into their Capital
Program;
And that Ms. R. Burkholder, Markham Board of Trade, Ms. A. Yip,
Scarborough/York Chinese Business Association, and Mr. K. Schipper,
Commissioner of Works, Region of York be advised accordingly.
CARRIED
5. MUNICIPAL SPECIAL CONSTABLES
(5.12) Weblink
The Committee requested clarification on some points. Staff advised
that this is a first step to establish whether or not Special Constables could
be permitted. Following this there will be a more detailed report outlining the
scope, cost and other details of the project.
Staff agreed to clarify that certain traffic-calming measures still
remain an effective option.
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That the report entitled “Municipal Special Constables” be received;
And that the Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, Town Solicitor and the Commissioner of
Corporate Services be authorized to negotiate with the York Police Services
Board and the Provincial Government, if necessary, for the appointment of
Special Constables (SC), and/or other
enforcement measures on Town of Markham roads;
And that staff
report back to the Transportation Committee and the Markham Safe Streets Task
Force.
CARRIED
6. ANTIWHISTLING
– REGIONAL AND
TORONTO ROAD INTERSECTIONS (5.13)
Staff advised that it will be difficult to proceed with eliminating
whistling at Regional and Toronto road intersections without the co-operation
of York Region.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the letter from York Region, dated April 23, 2004, advising that
no further action will be taken in response to a letter from the Town of
Markham, dated March 10, 2004 regarding antiwhistling at regional and Toronto
road intersections, be received;
And that the Mayor and Regional Councillors
be requested to further pursue the matter with York Region;
And that York Region be advised as to the
budget already allocated by the Town of Markham in order to proceed with
eliminating whistling at rail intersections.
CARRIED
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Other matters considered by Transportation Committee on May 17, 2004
7. REQUEST
FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS - INTERSECTION OF
NINTH LINE (Y.R. 69) AND DELMARK BOULEVARD,
TOWN OF MARKHAM FILE NO. T09 GMA (5.12.1)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That the letter from York Region, dated April 8, 2004, advising that
the intersection of Ninth Line and Delmark Boulevard does not warrant traffic
signals, but that a further review of the intersection will occur once the east
leg of Delmark Boulevard is opened to residential development, be received.
CARRIED
8. PROPERTY
TAXATION OF THE 407
AND FUTURE EXPRESS TOLL ROADS (ETR) (5.10, 7.1)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That the letter from the City of Vaughan, dated April 30, 2004,
containing a resolution requesting the Province of Ontario to allow
municipalities to charge ETRs property tax, or charge payments in lieu of
taxes, or receive an equivalent portion of ETR revenue, be received.
CARRIED
9. REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
KENNEDY ROAD, TOWN OF MARKHAM
TASTE OF ASIA FESTIVAL – JULY
3 AND 4, 2004 (5.10)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the letter from York Region, dated April 30, 2004, approving a
request for a temporary closure of Kennedy Road for the Taste of Asia Festival
on July 3 and 4, 2004, be received.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Transportation Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 11:00
a.m.