Directors Present: Andrew, Jim, Bruce, Robert, Derrick. Alexandra
Neighborhood House
1) Call to order at 7:33 PM
Andrew welcomed Councillor Linda
Annis and the over 60 members in attendance.
2) Presentations: 2:1) Tindi Sekhon, City of Surrey, gave a
presentation on the Drainage and Paving Project.
More complex archeological work delayed last year’s Phase 1 completion
into 2019. This work is expected to be completed by the end of the month with
some restoration work still be carried out. Phase 1 came in at triple the
expected cost through the additional archeological work - a lot of tools were
found and some baskets, preserved in a clay layer. Phase 2 will concentrate on underground
costs.
The 2019 Phase 2 work will start in late June and is scheduled to take
four months, depending on the archeology uncovered. There had to be a change in
the archeological consultant so there have been some permit delays accounting
for the later start.
The phase 2 work will utilize the same contractor as last year and those
affected last year were happy with the contractor’s performance. The work will start on McBride and work
Sullivan to Target to Wickson. Then work
O’Hara Lane.
It is recognized that the work will be occurring in peak season, traffic
control must be effective and the contractor is aware of O’Hara Lane being used
by children on bicycles in July and August. Most likely the O’Hara work will be
September time.
On O’Hara, unlike the other streets, the final road surface will have a
slight dip to the road centre, like a reverse crown. Excavation through tree root zones will be by
hydro-vac with an arborist on site and two trees will be removed. A nest survey
will be carried out. It is recognized that this is a tight location and any excavated
material requiring to be sieved will be moved out. Garbage trucks may have to
back up and the contractor will help with the bins.
In answer to questions Tindi will talk to the contractor about surface
puddles and directing visitor traffic.
Tindi stated that he will make a map available; he is happy to meet with
residents and has provided his e-mail address if anyone has detailed
questions. THSekhon@surrey.ca
The members thanked Tindi with a round of applause.
2:2)
Greame Cross, City of Surrey, Fence and Whistle Cessation.
Graeme outlined the history of the pursuit of whistle cessation and that
City staff have been persistent for quite some time.
2012 – Surrey hired a consultant to carry out a safety assessment for the
rail crossings and this was discussed with BNSF.
2012/13 no resolution/ agreement
2014 – The Federal Government passed new rail crossings regulations and
standards and a whistle cessation procedure. This requires an agreement be
reached between the Rail Company and the Local Authority, following which the
Local Authority issues an order and the Rail Company has 30 days to comply.
2015 – Another safety assessment, under the new regulations, was carried
out. BNSF told Surrey they had concerns about pedestrian trespass and a fence
along the line would be required.
2016 – A conceptual alignment for the fence was developed and many
enquiries from Surrey to BNSF with little or no response back. Long e-mail
chains from Surrey, no action from BNSF.
Feb 2017 – Four follow-ups from Surrey – the fence jogged along the
City/Railway property line and BNSF brought up the topic of a lease payment for
the fence placement.
2017 – had an in-field meeting with BNSF and they said they required an
annual lease of $225K.
Feb 2018 – BNSF remain resolute on the amount of the lease cost so let’s
forget about trying to install a fence on rail property and install it on the
City side of the property line.
May 2018 – Bayview residents raise concerns about loss of parking and
driveway access issues so needed to do more consulting to try to reach a
compromise.
2018 – Transport Canada to provide cost sharing of $122K for the fence
and crossings.
Looking in more detail in the zone where a fence could potentially be
installed on City property.
Nov 2018 meet with BNSF at City Hall. The annual lease amount ask has
been substantially reduced to an acceptable figure and have a verbal agreement
with BNSF that they will prepare a lease that allows the fence to be located on
BNSF property. Walked the line again with BNSF for clarity on the fence
alignment and BNSF, for rail safety, now requires the fence to extend further
south than the end of Bayview, to the steep bank and their slope detection
cable system.
Jan 2019 – Surrey provides another line drawing of the fence alignment.
2019 Jan to May – repeated requests made to BNSF about when the lease
will be forthcoming. No responses received. Took a more detailed look at where the
fence could potentially be placed on City property – found serious issues with
underground utilities in the fence location zone – two large dia. Vancouver
managed sanitary mains, a large storm water pipe and a Fortis gas main.
Current situation: the Federal funding ended on the April 1st year
end; funds do not carry over from year to year. Will have to reapply.
Unable to obtain a lease document from BNSF or even a response as to when
a lease document might be available.
Limited opportunity to place the fence on Surrey property because of
underground utilities.
There is a meeting scheduled within the City to consider what might be
done to pressure BNSF to respond. This, in the context of the rail speed
boundary extension to the south and continuing issues with the slope stability
of the escarpment. What role can Transport
Canada play towards gaining resolutions to these issues?
There followed an active question and discussion session, including what
technologies, beyond the 100 year old whistles and horns, might be employed to
further rail safety and whistle cessation.
As discussed, for those who want to offer their ideas and/or frustrations
directly, they should send an e-mail to the Federal and Provincial Ministers of
Transportation.
The e-mail should cc our local Federal MP and Provincial MLA, who are:
The members thanked Graeme with a
round of applause.
Given that the time was now 8:45 PM, the President called a short break.
Many members left the meeting.
Continuing with the circulated genda:
3) Neighborhood Concept Plan for
Crescent Beach, (NCP), – is this something the membership wish the Directors to
pursue with the City? Deferred to a future meeting.
4) Adoption of the March 6th,
2019 General Meeting draft Minutes. Proposed: Jim, Seconded: Dave. All in favor.
5) Matters arising from the
minutes: None.
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