Pedestrian signal considered for Rotary trail crossing
City staff are recommending the installation of a crosswalk with a signal on Parkhill Rd. W. at Benson Ave.
Intended for the roughly 223 pedestrians and 179 cyclists on the Rotary Greenway Trail who cross Parkhill at that intersection, the signal would stop traffic to ensure a safe crossing. It would be located just west of the intersection of Parkhill and George St., at the bottom of the hill.
City staff studied traffic, sightlines and the required stopping distance before completing the report, which goes to council Monday night.
The report states there has been one collision a year at the spot over the past 12 years. Eight involved vehicles colliding with pedestrians or cyclists, six involved pedestrians or cyclists crossing at the trail, and all resulted in injury.
The project would involve realignment of the crosswalk, new street lighting, a “Prepare to Stop When Flashing ” sign and new markings.
If approved, the signal would be installed before the end of 2017, at a cost of about $250,000, the report states.
Bridge work
If approved by council, a project tender for work on the Donegal St. bridge – with reconstruction of streets in the area – would go to Coco Paving as recommended by staff.
The project would involve work on Donegal, McDonnel and Gilchrist streets.
The report recommends increasing the budget of the McDonnel-Gilchrist phase to $1,750,000 from $1,250,000 as originally proposed for the 2018 capital budget.
The bridge and street work on Donegal, McDonnel and Gilchrist would cost, with GST, $5,249,675.57.
Staff recommends using G.D. Jewell Engineering Inc. Of Belleville, at a cost of $332,220 including GST.
If approved, the project will begin June 26 and continue into 2018.
Development meeting
A public meeting will be held June 19 at 5:45 pm in city council chambers to present an Area Specific Development Charges Background Study and to hear public delegations, a staff report states.
Members of the public can speak to council about proposed new development charges in areas the city has targeted for growth. These changes could include increases ranging from two per cent to 10 per cent, or decreases of three or four per cent.
Members of council will not be expected to make recommendations or decisions during the meeting.
The study was carried out by a group that included senior city directors and managers, members of the Peterborough Kawartha Home Builders Association and consultants from Hemson Consulting Ltd.
The report notes that construction costs, including requirements from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, have escalated in recent years. The new charges would also take into account changes in the cost of borrowing, the report states.
Branding
Council, sitting as committee of the whole Monday, will hear a report on the ongoing branding plan for the city.
Paul Hickey, president of local firm Brand-Health Inc., has updated council on the process. A report will outline the next steps, which include presenting one idea or concept to represent the city and develop artwork and a logo before presenting that to council.
The budget for the process is $77,000
Summer Games
City council will be asked Monday to approve a staff plan to bid on the opportunity to host the 2020 Ontario Summer Games.
A report going to council will ask for a $135,000 commitment toward the bid process. As well, the report states that if Peterborough is awarded the games, council approve the formation of a games organizing committee, the hiring of a temporary games co-ordinator and the development of a budget for the games.
If council approves the request, staff would be asked to prepare a letter of intent to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Staff would also be asked to report back at a later date on whether to proceed with the bid.
The total budget of the games would be $1,445,000, with sponsorship and fundraising included.
The bid deadline is June 15. Games officials would visit sites from July 1 to 10, with the host city announced in September.
Council expenses
Council directed staff to provide a report on expense and professional development for councillors in December. That report goes to council Monday night.
City councillors currently have access to $5,100 in 2017 to attend conferences and conventions for professional development. A staff report states that the Mayor’s Office has agreed to increase that to $10,100 in 2018.
Councillors each have $1,000 available for spending on office supplies, meals, travel and other incidentals. Part of that can be allocated for professional development, the report states.
Phone lines, computer services and repair are not included in that $1,000. Councillors also have $500 to use for community meetings.
Departments merge
City council will be asked to approve the consolidation of the Environmental Protection and the Waste Management divisions under one manager. This staff recommendation is included in a report going to council Monday, which cites overlap, current vacancies, workload and pending changes to provincial regulations as factors.
The move would also involve the hiring of a full-time operational co-ordinator.
At present, the city doesn’t have a manager of environmental protection or a manager of waste management; both positions are vacant, the report states.
The new co-ordinator would be paid $85,000 a year, the report states.