MINUTES OF THE JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES OF THE JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE- COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT R. Bickel – PREAC I. Brown – PREAC S. Brown – PDAC D. Faulks – TAC A. Hanes – TAC J. Higginson – TAC J. Jakobsen – PREAC R. Lapshinoff – PREAC L. Malcolm – PREAC A. Martay – PDAC R. McLeod – TAC J. O’Grady – PDAC D. Pauls – TAC D. Screech – Mayor H. Sharma – PREAC J. Skrlac – PDAC S. Tobias – PDAC A. Weisgerber – Council Liaison – PDAC

ALSO PRESENT D. Becelaere, Deputy Director of Engineering J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering J. Crockett, PREAC Recording Secretary D. Miles, PDAC Recording Secretary J. Smith, TAC Recording Secretary

0 members of the public 0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER – at 6:39 pm.

2. WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: J. Skrlac SECONDED: A. Hanes

THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED

4. MINUTES, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF

5. CHAIR’S REPORT

6. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

a) BC Transit Presentation

Tania Wegwitz, Manager of Planning and James Wadsworth, Lead Senior Planner, for the Victoria Regional Transit System made a presentation on the Victoria Regional Transit System Overview to new and returning Advisory Committee members. Topics of the presentation include:

• BC Transit operation model;
• Victoria Regional Transit Commission and members;
• Victoria Regional Transit’s Suite of Services including conventional; transit and custom transit (HandyDART);
• View Royal’s current network of transit routes;
• Victoria conventional system performance;
• Engaging customers through outreach and the Commission;
• Coordinating with communities;
• The Victoria Regional Transit fleet and facilities;
• Service challenges;
• Key guiding documents;
• The Future Plan - travel patterns, destinations, engagement, implementation, long-term strategy;
• Rapid & frequent transit network;
• View Royal’s Land Use and Transportation Master Plans;
• Campus Transit Plan;
• Uptown Exchange;
• Rapid Transit Project;
• Alignment options considered;
• Transit Priority Study, including Island Highway (View Royal to Colwood), people movement during peak hours, concepts;
• Customer information resources such as improved website with trip planner function and more intuitive map design;
• Operating Centres;
• Service design standards & performance guidelines;
• Recent service changes;
• Future service & infrastructure priorities;
• Three year budgeting process;
• Transit Commission direction;
• Annual planning process;
• Revenue/Funding for 2015/16.

Topics discussed during the question period included:

• Future plan for development from Westhills in Langford to Downtown;
• Integration with service similar to that of the Seabuses in Vancouver or the former Blue Boat is not a viable solution at this time as docks are very expensive and in an open water environment such as Victoria public transportation would not be reliable in inclement weather. Transit feels it is a better option to look at land activities;
• What is being considered to deal with the Colwood Crawl? The E&N Rail will not happen quickly. BC Transit is open to proposals from municipalities to look at alternate bus/rail systems. Transit is looking for the best option to connect a network providing the most amount of people the opportunity to move, and they are flexible to either roads or rail options;
• It was discussed that overseas it is much easier to access transit and to get around without a car, while here we are building parking lots to accommodate cars. To reach the Transit goal of 12% ridership improvements should include faster service, and provide a good deal on bus passes;
• The current Commission consists of 7 provincially appointed representatives. With recent population changes and Westshore Development the Commission have asked Transit staff to look into issues and solutions for this representation. Transit is open to requests and willing to work with Municipal Councils;
• When substantial changes occur quickly BC Transit is able to adapt to changes in service requests, such as expansion opportunities. Transit is open to change and working with stakeholders;
• Discussion on the differences between BC Transit and Ministry of Transportation Park & Rides.

7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

9. REPORTS

10. CORRESPONDENCE

11. BYLAWS

12. NEW BUSINESS

b) Advisory Committee Orientation

The Director of Engineering gave an orientation presentation to new and returning Advisory Committee members. The Director of Engineering reviewed the following:

• Functions of Council;
• Functions of Advisory Committees;
• Mandates and procedures;
• Flow of information;
• Conduct;
• What constitutes a meeting and tips on running a good meeting;
• Agendas and minutes;
• Roles of Council liaison and staff;
• Conflict of interest and media communication;
• The need to confirm attendance to the Recording Secretary; and
• The need to have a quorum for a meeting to take place.

13. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION

14. TERMINATION

MOVED BY: J. Higginson SECONDED: J. Jakobsen

THAT this meeting now terminate at 8:03 pm. CARRIED

RECORDING SECRETARY