Brian Lee, Director of Engineering presented the “2020 Engineering Capital Budget Presentation”.
Staff provided the following responses to Committee inquires:
Engineering Fees
Staff advised that it can be challenging estimating the revenue collected from Engineering Fees, but the intent is to cover the City’s expenses and a reserve equivalent to 1.5 times the annual fee funded operating costs. The Development Fee Reserve deficit was eliminated in 2018. The 2019 year-end forecast has identified draws from reserves from Planning & Design and Engineering which will put the reserve back into a deficit position. A consultant was hired in the late summer to perform a development process review and identify opportunities to improve the review process.
ePlan
Staff advised that redundant administrative tasks, like data entry have been eliminated with the implementation of ePlan.
Support Services Charged by the City
Staff advised that the Engineering Department’s cost of support services charged by other tax based City departments has increased in 2020 mainly due to an increase in the cost of ITS contracts. All City departments share the cost of ITS contracts.
Councillor Reid McAlpine requested a breakdown of the cost of support service charged to the Engineering Department by other tax based City departments.
Gridlock
Staff advised that they are undertaking the following actions to address gridlock in Markham:
- Permitting higher density development in areas with rapid transit;
- Strategically building sidewalks and cycling lanes;
- Educating the public on alternative ways to get around the City or to commute to work;
- Prioritizing road work that will improve traffic flow;
- Partnering with other levels of of government to improve transit in Markham.
- Traffic Signals and Bus Stop Locations
Staff advised that when there is a reconstruction of an existing area or a new development the location of traffic signals and bus stops are determined through the environmental assessment. City staff and other stakeholders provide input regarding the location of traffic signals and bus stops.
A Committee Member noted that residents have been complaining about the following: 1) trees interfering with the visibility of traffic signals in some areas of Markham; and 2) that there are no crosswalks or traffic signal where bus stops are located.
Photo Radar
Staff advised that they are speaking to York Region regarding the possible implementation of photo radar now that it is legally permitted. A report on road safety will be brought forward to a future Development Services Committee.
Engineering Capital Budget Items
Staff provided the following responses to Committee inquires:
20031 – 404 North District Water Supply
Staff advised that they are proceeding with the installation of a second watermain and system security for the 404 North District, as it is needed by residents and businesses in the area. This work was not anticipated in the last Development Charges Background Study update and will be included in the next update.
20032 – Active Transportation Program
Staff provided a high-level overview of the Cycling & Pedestrian Committee budget. The funds are spent on cycling awareness activities, including the Transportation Expo.
Committee deferred this item, as they requested a breakdown of how all of the funds are being spent.
The approval of this item was deferred.
20033 – Denison Street Extension Environmental Assessment
Staff advised that the extension of Denison Street in this section of the road is costly due to the environmental sensitivity of the area, but the extension is imperative as there are few roads going east west in the Box Grove area due to the constraint of the Rouge River.
20036 – Honda Blvd Extension
Staff advised that this project will be funded by Development Charges. An environmental assessment is required, as the road network cannot be disrupted. This work was not anticipated in the last Development Charges Background Study update and will be included in the next update.
20037 – Main Street Unionville Road Construction
Staff advised that this capital budget item is to approve the design portion of the Main Street Unionville Road re-construction. Heritage Staff are working with the community on the design of the street. Staff are also working with the Director of Operations to determine what the City is able to maintain on a long-term basis. It was anticipated that the design of the Main Street Unionville will be complete in the end of 2020 or in early 2021. All project costs are based on other recent similar City projects.
The following feedback from the Committee was provided on this item:
- Ensure the City learns from the reconstruction of Main Street Markham, and the issues that were experienced;
- Requested that the re-construction of the streetscape include the Varley Art Gallery, suggesting that the Gallery should be drawn into the streetscape.
Staff agreed to bring back these suggestions to the team working on the project.
20039 – Markham Centre Trail System
Staff advised that they will be seeking Council’s direction on the phasing of the Citywide trail system, and confirmed that this portion of the trail will go over the Stouffville GO line.
20040 – New Traffic Signals –Kirkham/New Delhi (D & C)
Staff advised that traffic signals are being added to the intersection of Kirkham and New Delhi to improve the safety of the intersection. The intersection is far enough from Markham Road to permit enough space for queuing.
A Committee Member noted that the traffic signal will need to be timed with the traffic signals at Markham Road. They also questioned how the traffic signal will impact the gas station located at Markham Road and 16th Avenue.
Staff agreed to do a traffic analysis in regards to this inquiry and report back at a future Budget Committee meeting.
This item was pulled until staff report back.
20042 – Rouge Valley Trail (Kennedy Road North) - Design
Committee suggested that the City needs to think about its wayfinding on the Rouge Valley Trail, as residents are getting lost.
A Committee Member also suggested that the City should investigate the possibility of providing some funding to Milliken Cycles.
20043- Update on Markville Secondary Plan
A Committee Member requested that a meeting be set-up with York Region to discuss this project, and suggested that the entrance to FoodyMart be closed off.
The approval of this capital budget item along with project 20052 was deferred until Staff report back with additional information.
The approval of this item was deferred.
20045 – Sidewalk Program Design
Staff advised that Windridge work would be removed and agreed to add Elgin Street to this year’s sidewalk program.
20046 – Smart Commute Markham-Richmond Hill
Staff advised that Smart Commute has reduced its services and maintained its core services in light of recent reductions to funding. Both York Region and Richmond Hill are retaining their contributions to the program. The City supports this program, as it strives to change behavior, and promote public awareness regarding ride sharing and other alternative ways to commute to work.
Committee requested that Smart Commute be invited to the next Budget Committee to provide a presentation on its program.
The approval of this capital budget item was deferred until after the presentation from Smart Commute.
The approval of this item was deferred.
20048 – Streetlight Program Construction
The approval of this capital budget item was deferred until Staff report back with additional information.
This approval of this item was deferred.
20050 – Traffic Asset Replacement
Staff advised that it is the City’s preference is to rotate the traffic boards versus having them in fixed locations, as overtime residents will stop abiding to them.
Committee requested that City purchase eight additional speed boards in addition to replacing the two board at the end of lifecycle.
The approval of this capital budget item was deferred until Staff report back on the additional speed boards.
This approval of this item was deferred.
20052 – Transportation Study – Markville Secondary Plan
Committee suggested that all Markham Secondary Plan items should be approved as one project.
Staff advised that a holistic view is being taken with respect to the approval of each project related to the Markville Secondary Plan. Funding options for this project are still being determined.
Staff also advised that the Transportation for Tomorrow Study is conducted by the University of Toronto to understand how GTA residents travel on a daily basis. The results of the study are used to forecast transportation models, and funding.
The approval of this capital budget item along with project 20043 was deferred until Staff report back with additional information.
This approval of this item was deferred.
Major Mackenzie - Highway 48
Staff advised that York Region has plans to extend the Donald Cousens By-Pass in the next ten years. The funds have been diverted to other priority projects in the short-term. This matter can be discussed further at the October 15, 2019 Development Services Committee meeting when the report on York Region’s Capital Acceleration Program is discussed.
It was noted that the extension of the By-Pass is required to alleviate traffic congestion in the area.
Staff were requested to advise Regional Councillor Jones if there were funds put aside in a previous budget for the Mount Joy Visioning Project.