Ferry Advisory Committee Page 1 of 5 August 29, 2012

Transcription

1 Ferry Advisory Committee Page 1 of 5 August 29, 2012 Adopted on November 14, 2012 BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY Minutes of the Bowen Island Municipal Ferry Advisory Committee Meeting held on Wednesday August 29, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Bowen Island Municipal Hall. COMMITTEE IN ATTENDANCE COUNCIL IN ATTENDANCE OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF AGENDA ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES Adam Holbrook, Chair Bill Van Luven Erwen Smith Councillor Alison Morse Bonny Brokenshire, Bylaw Services Officer* Darin Guenette, BC Ferries, Manager Public Affairs (via speakerphone)* Mike Pearson, BC Ferries Project Manager (via speakerphone)* Gayle Ferguson Minute Taker (* denotes partial attendance) The Chair called the meeting to order at 3: 05 p.m. It was Moved and Seconded That the agenda for the Bowen Island Municipality Ferry Advisory Committee August 29, 2012 meeting be approved as amended. CARRIED It was Moved and Seconded That the minutes of the Bowen Island Municipality Ferry Advisory Committee meeting held July 11, 2012 be adopted. CARRIED BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES Update from Councillor Morse on BCF AGM and meetings with other FAC Chairs. Councillor Morse provided the following update on recent meetings: Met with the Commissioner who is working on the price caps to be announced in September; Traffic projections using 2012 traffic data; Utilization data Brian Hollingshead s document on average capacity, for August and November 2011 traffic data; Public consultations BC Ferries indicated their understanding was that the public consultations were to start in mid October. BCF also indicated that the consultations were being held by the Ministry of Transportation, BCF is not involved. The Commissioner also advised that they were not involved in public

2 Ferry Advisory Committee Page 2 of 5 August 29, 2012 consultation process; FAC Chairs have a list of questions for Province on the process which will be sent to the Assistant Deputy Minister: Government has said that $30 million has to be found in service reductions. BIMFAC discussed the following key issues: Bowen Island Position how much of an economic consequence are we willing to take? Who will be affected? Knowing what the community wants and would accept; BIMFAC needs to understand utilization on our route. Usage patterns and preferences have to be looked at these are our core services; Nuances of data for Route 8 and Bowen Island demographics Next Steps 1) Councillor Morse to write an article or articles for the Undercurrent regarding the community consultation process. Develop strategy in dealing with BCF cost cutting consultations and long term strategy concerning service cuts/route savings Update from Councillor Morse re: Translink and BIM By law enforcement regarding The Chair noted that a strategy needs to be developed regarding the proposed community consultation process and cost cutting and service reductions. Councillor Morse provided the following update related to Translink: Translink made a PowerPoint presentation to Council, which can be found on the Municipality s website. Discussed signage, more bus stop signs and needing schedules posted. Translink are working on it; Schedule and service levels Translink have issued a request for proposals for all of their community shuttles Bowen Island Community Transit is being encouraged to submit a proposal; If Bowen Island wanted to try a new run sounds like they would be amenable to discussing this at the contract stage. The Chair suggested that the Bylaw Services Officer ticket

3 Ferry Advisory Committee Page 3 of 5 August 29, 2012 ferry marshalling cars parked in the ferry marshalling lane at random times after ferry departures, particularly those sailings with overloads The Bylaw Services Officer suggested she could report back to the Committee in September. Councillor Morse agreed to draw CAO s attention to the July Ferry Advisory Committee s recommendation. Posting of bus schedule The Chair noted that the issue of posting the bus schedule on the Queen of Capilano, at the Information Centre and on sign posts should be deferred until after discussions with West Vancouver Transit. BC Ferries have decided to continue summer schedule until Thanksgiving. NEW BUSINESS BC Ferries re: replacement of Dolphins Mike Pearson, BC Ferries Project Manager and Darin Guenette, Manager Public Affairs BC Ferry Services provided the following information (via speakerphone) regarding the Dolphin Project at the Snug Cove Ferry dock: Scope of project includes work on two of the three line dolphins. Dolphin 2 will be replaced due to age and condition with a steel structure. Dolphin 3 will be upgraded so can accommodate the Island Sky as the vessel is larger than the Queen of Capilano; Project dates November 2012 to February 2013 Work needs to be done at night to avoid disruptions in the ferry schedule; Constraints because of the position of the Municipal wharf float: could BIM potentially move some of it? Time for noise nights. Pile driving (6 10 nights in timeframe of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for 7 piles). Key queries/comments from the Committee: Interference with first sailings Mike: very little possibility to disrupt sailings; Communication Plan suggest a sketch of the berth, indicating dolphins that are being worked on. Need a press release for the Undercurrent; New vessel rumours Darin: longer term concerns can be addressed with an article;

4 Ferry Advisory Committee Page 4 of 5 August 29, 2012 Noise Mike: pile driving is the biggest issue; Location of BC Ferries barges work in previous years was done during the day as barges were able to fit between dock and dolphins. Mike: will talk to contractors on where the best place to tie up is Heron nesting requirements and times ; Refit dates for Queen of Capilano need to be on October BCF/BIMFAC agenda. Darin agreed and will send information on the refit to the Committee; Overhead unloading of foot passengers, the Island Sky was designed for that. Are you considering that with your project? Mike: our design captures current BC guidelines for interoperability. We are doing a small replacement if there is to be overhead loading, would have to fall within these guidelines. Mike agreed to: include a sketch in the Public handout; research previous methodology of construction for the dolphins ; find out where barges can tie up and if there is any benefit in using the public float for the contractors, Receive information from the Bylaw Enforcement Officer regarding heron nesting times. The Manager of Public Affairs noted that the present draft document regarding the Dolphin replacement Project would be added to and a final brochure produced to be included as an information item in the September 17, 2012 Council agenda. Need for development of briefing note for Mayor Letter dated August 14, 2012 from CAWES The Chair noted that a briefing note (letter) regarding the provinces engaging a consultant and the community public consultation process for ferry service was needed. The Chair agreed to request Corporal Nancy Joyce of the Bowen Island RCMP to write a letter to the Ferry Advisory Committee, to be forwarded to BC Ferries, including possibly posting a 40mkph sign on the Ferry dock. Discussion followed regarding the location of signage. It was suggested the item be added to the agenda for the meeting on October 30, 2012 with BC Ferries.

5 Ferry Advisory Committee Page 5 of 5 August 29, 2012 Councillor Morse agreed to look into having an existing poster amended for the Queen of Capilano Semi annual meeting with BCF Next Meeting ADJOURNMENT The Manager of Public Affairs for BC Ferries agreed to confirm the date and time for the meeting with BC Ferries and also the refit schedule dates. The Committee agreed to meet on September 19, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.