WERA General Meeting September 27, 2011

Email: mywestend@telus.net
September 27, 2011: commenced 7:04 p.m.
Chair: Elmer Rudolph
Recorder: Gavin McLeod
Guests: David Guiney, James Crosty.
1) Approval of minutes of previous meeting: Moved Seconded and Carried to approve minutes of the April 26, 2011 meeting: moved by Bill Zander seconded by Mary Wilson.
2) Skytrain squealing near 22nd Street station (Bill Zander): Bill Zander reported on an increasing level of noise generated by Skytrain wheels in contact with the rails, this has been an ongoing problem since the construction of Skytrain. The problem has been remedied by rail grinding but Translink is reluctant to increase grinding as it would eventually require rail replacement. It has been suggested that maintenance has been reduced but Skytrain denies that. There have been noise problems in the past that have been mediated by sound barriers. Mr. Zander proposed a motion Move that WERA send a letter to city council regarding the increasing level of noise originating from the Skytrain roadbed. Moved/ Seconded/ Carried. It was also suggested that a presentation to the Environmental committee might be in order to bring attention to this problem.
3) 20th street traffic southbound using London street to cue jump (Ryan Tones): Ryan Tones reported on problems with southbound vehicles on 20th turning left onto London and speeding through the neighbourhood in order to bypass backups on 20th. Mr. Tones suggested flexible or movable barriers to limit left turn traffic during busy hours. Jonathan Cote wants to look at the problem, the city has assigned Jerry Behl to look into the problem. Mr. Tones proposed a motion that WERA send a supporting letter for residents of London Street when they send a delegation to City Council. The motion was seconded and carried. A second motion
4) Traffic Problems at Tweedsmuir School: Traffic and parking problems continue around Tweedsmuir school mostly during drop off and pick up times as parents deliver and pick up there children; in addition more traffic seems to be bypassing 8th Ave. to rat run down Hamilton street increasing the possibility of accidents.
5) 6th Ave pedestrian overpass (Mary Wilson): Mary Wilson reported on the attempts to establish a pedestrian overpass crossing 6th Ave., there has been much discussion over the past four years involving the city, the province, Translink and CBS outdoors, to date the city has not shown any desire to construct the overpass.
6) Traffic Committee Report: Gavin McLeod reported on the meeting at the Neighbourhood Traffic Advisory Committee, traffic congestion, speeding and enforcement continue to rank high on the list of problems reported by committee members. Elmer Rudolph reported that the city is asking for nomination of a delegate to the Traffic Advisory Committee for next year; Gavin McLeod was nominated and accepted the nomination. James Crosty suggested that the City’s Transportation Plan will provide an opportunity for citizen input.
7) Citizens Police Committee Report: Andrea Francis reported on the latest meeting of the CPC.
8) Treasurer’s Report: Gavin McLeod reported on the cash balance in the account.

Additional Agenda Items:
Improving communication with West End residents (Briana Tomkinson): Brian Tomkinson volunteered toward increasing communication amongst the residents in the West End of New Westminster; Briana suggested social media and community events to increase the feeling of community in the West End.

Adjourned: 8:55 pm.
Next meeting: tentatively scheduled for November 22nd, 2011 @ 7pm at Unity In Action Church.