PERIOD REPORT
DATE: May 26, 2025 Report No. EPW-25-006
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT:TITLEEngineering & Public Works Departments - 2025 First Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Engineering & Public Works Departments from January 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Sanitary Sewer
• 2 new service laterals installed this period (2 total for the year).
• 16 service laterals replaced (due to blockages) this period (16 total for the year).
• Test and clear inspections as and when required.
• 0 new manholes installed this period (0 total for the year).
2. Pump Stations
• Crews have been carrying out routine maintenance activities.
• Annual pump maintenance/controls inspections of kiosks to be completed in the second period.
• Program also includes coordinating similar activities for View Royal pump stations.
• No overflow events to report in the first period.
3. Storm Drains
• 1 new service lateral installed this period (1 total for the year).
• 4 service laterals replaced (due to blockages) this period (4 total for the year).
• Test and clear inspections as and when required.
• 0 new manhole installed this period (0 total for the year).
• 0 catch basins replaced this period (0 total for the year).
• 0 new catch basins installed this period (0 total for the year).
4. Liquid Waste Management Plan
• Participated on the Esquimalt Liaison Committee, with a meeting in February 2025. CRD continues to receive and investigate odour complaints.
• CRD completing update to the I&I section of the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan with ongoing work by CRD expected to progress throughout 2025.
• In the first period, Council directed staff to enter negotiations with Xʷsepsəm Nation for the reallocation of up to 0.07 ML/day of allocated sewer capacity. Reallocation expected to be complete in the second period of 2025.
5. Roads
• Pothole repairs being carried out as required.
• Painting of curbs, driveway tips, crosswalks and stop bars will occur in the second period.
• Centre line painting on roads expected in the second period.
• Crack sealing to occur in the second period of 2025.
• Mill and pave to accommodate thermoplastic to refresh crosswalks will begin in the second period.
• Major repair/minor capital works to begin in the second period with several locations requiring repairs via asphalt removal and replacement.
• Approximately 130.61 tonnes of asphalt placed for the period (130.61 tonnes total for the year).
6. Traffic Management
• 2025 traffic signal maintenance program was actioned in the first period for crosswalks and traffic signals. Maintenance activities to continue in the second and third periods.
7. Sidewalk Maintenance
• Carried out surface restoration for third parties.
• Approximately 31.9 cubic meters of concrete (includes curb and gutter and sidewalk panels) was placed in the third period (31.9 cubic meters total for the year).
• Approximately 41.7 linear meters was replaced in the period (41.7 linear meters total for the year).
8. Sidewalk Ramps
• Accessibility improvements at Lampson and Dunsmuir are planned for installation in the second period.
9. Trip Hazards
• As per Council Policy PLAN-17 Sidewalk Maintenance, trip hazard inspection survey scheduled for second period this year as part of the 3-year review cycle.
• Work completed:
o 31 - No.1 trip hazards completed this period.
o 0 - No. 2 trip hazards completed this period.
o 0 - No. 3 trip hazards completed this period.
10. Bus Shelters
• Maintenance is ongoing, including refuse collection and graffiti removal.
• Due to increased demands on resources and increased graffiti, cleanliness at bus shelters has decreased. Staff are exploring options to increase capacity to address cleanliness of bus shelters. In the first period, significant graffiti removal was completed at the bus shelters.
11. Solid Waste Management
Garbage and Kitchen Scraps Collection
• Operations normal.
• Number of additional garbage and organics bins purchased to the end of period = 16 (total additional bins purchased since 2014 = 568).
• Tonnage of garbage waste stream collected for period = 325.6 (total for the year = 325.6).
• Tonnage of kitchen scraps stream collected for period = 173.68 (total for the year = 173.68).
• Tonnage for garbage and kitchen scraps streams for the year = 499.28 (total for same period 2024 = 517.87).
• Garbage bins from initial 2014 program rollout are failing. Purchase of new waste bins to occur in the second/third periods.
Yard and Garden
• Usage of transfer station during period: January 1 to April 30, 2025:
o Esquimalt residents = 3,976 (3,976 total for the year).
o View Royal residents = 3,123 (3,123 total for the year).
o Commercial = 11 (11 total for the year).
o Tonnage removed from site = 427.74 (427.74 total for the year).
o Tonnage removed in 2024 first period = 539.25 (total for 2024 = 2,169.32).
Recycling
• Operations normal for first period.
• Staff preparing a new contract for tender in 2025 for municipal facilities.
12. Fleet
• Operations normal.
• Council approved the Fleet Electrification Plan in the second period of 2024. Staff began work with consultant to develop a plan for charging infrastructure in the third period of 2024 and continued in the first period of 2025.
• Contracts awarded in the first period of 2025:
§ Garbage truck
• Exploring options, including lighter duty or used vehicles, for a Garbage Packer (Curbster)
• Vehicles in progress:
§ Street Sweeper purchased in third period of 2024 with delivery expected in the second period.
13. Work Orders
• Work orders for call outs and/or repairs at View Royal pump stations for the period = 5 (total for the year = 5).
• Work orders issued for asphalt/sidewalk repairs following work by other utilities for the period = 17 (total for the year =17).
• Work orders issued for new sanitary and storm services to accommodate new development in the period = 4 (total for the year = 4).
• Work orders issued for new curb/gutter/sidewalk in preparation for new development in the period = 2 (total for the year = 2).
• Work orders issued to cap sanitary and storm services in preparation for new development in the period = 2 (total for the year = 2).
14. Public Works Calls For Service
• Number of Calls for Service assigned to Public Works this period = 392 (total for the year = 392).
• Number of Calls for Service completed by Public Works this period = 377 (total for the year = 377).
15.00. Capital Projects
15.01. Aerial Photograph
• Coordination with CRD underway for bi-annual aerial photo fly over.
15.02. Review of SCADA Upgrade System
• A formal agreement to continue to use CRD’s SCADA system for sanitary pump stations is expected in 2025. No changes to the existing operations are expected from this agreement.
15.03. Public Works Fuel Tanks
• Replacement of the two below ground fuel tanks with one dual compartment tank above ground finished in the first period of 2025 and is in use.
15.04. Coastal Infrastructure Management
• Due to staffing/competing priorities, work on this project has been on hold.
15.05. Westbay Walkway Design
• The wooden structure is showing its age and requires increased maintenance.
• Engineering is developing a scope of work for an RFP to complete a structural assessment of the walkway. Assessment expected to occur in 2025 and include recommendations for maintenance and repairs.
15.06. Parking Study
• The Integrated Parking Management Plan was endorsed by Council in the first period of 2024. The corresponding Action Plan that provides priorities and impacts was endorsed by Council in the second period of 2024.
• As part of the 2025 budget process, a Project Manager was identified to begin implementation of the actions in the Action Plan, starting with transitioning Residential Parking to Permit Parking. The position wasn’t funded, and the delivery of this program will be delayed.
15.07. Integrated Resource Management Business Case Development
• Staff provided a report and associated information for Council’s consideration of next steps in September 2023. Council directed staff to explore biochar testing and confirm funding availability from CRD.
• CRD confirmed $50,000 of funding is available to Esquimalt for this project.
• Through discussions with consultants, staff explored biochar testing options in the second period. Staff are awaiting results of CRD work to trial thermal technology to manage biosolids. An update to Council will follow this and is expected in the second period of 2025.
15.08. Municipal Hall Roof Replacement
• Council awarded a contract to Flynn Canada at the end of the third period of 2024 to replace the upper roof in 2025. This is the last remaining section of the original roof to be replaced. Replacement began in the first period of 2025 with completion expected early in the second period.
15.09. Street Light Replacement Program
• Staff work with a consultant to calculate required lighting levels when each light is replaced.
• 86 replacements are scheduled for 2025.
• Staff completed another Township wide review in the third period of 2024. 32 purple lights were identified. These 32 lights were replaced in the first period of 2025. These lights were replaced under warranty by a third-party contractor.
15.10. Banners
• Public Works installed new banners in the third period that were procured by a staff working group led by Human Resources and Community Relations staff. Further replacements are expected in 2025.
15.11. Active Transportation Network Plan Implementation
• Pedestrian Facilities:
§ New sidewalk on Munro between Kinver and Lampson to be completed in the second period of 2025, after a short section of drain main is replaced on the north side.
§ Staff developed concepts for the sidewalk connections between Lyall and Munro (ATNP Action 1D) on Swinford Street, Heald Avenue and Kinver Street. This project is on hold until further review of ATNP priorities.
§ In coordination with the proposed sidewalk as part of 820 Dunsmuir Street frontage works, staff will reconstruct the northeast and northwest corners of Wollaston and Dunsmuir and establish a new pedestrian crossing across Dunsmuir. Due to tree conflicts, much of the asphalt sidewalk replacement has been removed from Wollaston to Esquimalt Road. Surface improvements will be made in lieu. Construction expected in the second period of 2025.
• Cycling Facilities:
§ Bike/Scooters Traffic Counter on Tillicum Rd south of Gorge Point Park was installed in late May 2024. Bike/E-Scooter counts are as follows:
• First Period of 2025: 29,405 counts. 79% Bikes, 15% Cargo Bikes, 6% E-Scooters
§ Esquimalt Road Phase 1 - Dominion to Joffre - Active Transportation Improvements
• Further refinements to the detailed design continues, with construction expected to start in the second period of 2025.
• Awarded a $500,000 BC Active Transportation grant in the first period of 2025.
§ Esquimalt Road Phase 2 - Joffre to Canteen - Active Transportation Improvements
• Routing engagement on Phase 2 finished in the first period of 2025. After receiving the What We Heard Report, Council provided direction on next steps, which includes a phased approach. Design engagement on segments between Joffre and Fraser, and Admirals to Canteen expected in late summer / early fall 2025.
• Complete Street, Complete Intersections:
§ Esquimalt and Dunsmuir Intersection Review (ATNP Action 3B)
• Staff finalized design concepts that are included in Esquimalt Road Phase 1 engagement materials.
§ Craigflower Crossing Improvements (ATNP Action 3C)
• Staff completed conceptual designs and retained a consultant in first period of 2025 to complete detailed design on all existing crosswalks along Craigflower. Pedestrian activation to be included for all crossings. Implementation planned with Esquimalt Phase 1 in 2025.
§ Devonshire/Fairview (ATNP Action 3D)
• Staff performed manual traffic counts in 2023. Staff to complete 4-way stop warrant in 2025.
§ Conduct Minor Intersection Reviews (ATNP Action 3F)
• Further reviews to occur following other reviews listed or as part of traffic calming opportunities.
§ Admirals/Colville Intersection Review (ATNP Action 3G)
• Staff to review signal timing and phasing and explore opportunities for minor intersection changes in 2025. Detailed design and construction to follow in 2026.
§ Esquimalt/Head Intersection Review (ATNP Action 3H)
• Sidewalk/corner ramps and traffic signal cabinet/controller upgrades currently identified to be upgraded in 2025 with Esquimalt Road Phase 1.
§ Fraser Street / Munro Street / Bewdley Street Intersection Review (ATNP Action 3I)
• Engineering working with Parks and Recreation staff to complete street mural that was delayed in 2024. Work is scheduled for the second period in 2025.
§ Esquimalt/Admirals Intersection Review (ATNP Action 3J)
• Sidewalk/corner ramps and traffic signal cabinet/controller upgrades currently identified for inclusion in Esquimalt Road Phase 2.
§ Dominion/Ellery/Powderly Crosswalk:
• Construction began in first period of 2025, with completion expected in the second period.
• Lower Speeds (ATNP Action 3M):
§ Adjusted and added speed limit signs as required in the first period of 2025.
§ Procured 6 permanent speed reader boards with installation expected in the second period of 2025.
§ Will utilize the annual traffic calming budget to identify/implement temporary and permanent improvements throughout 2025 and will apply to ICBC for grant support when eligible.
15.12. ETAG (Esquimalt Together Against Graffiti)
• Public Works and Parks Departments continue to carry out work on the public realm as required.
• In the third period of 2024, Council incorporated ETAG into the Council Priorities Plan. Staff expect to complete a call for volunteers to revive ETAG in late 2025.
15.13. Sewer and Drain Capital / I&I
• Public Works will replace a 10 metre section of storm main on Munro Street near Lampson Street in the second period of 2025.
• Consultant was retained in first period of 2025 to complete detailed designs for repairs on Gosper Crescent, and upgrades at the Uganda Pump Station. This includes 252 metres of sewer and drain mains causing contamination at Gorge Creek outfall. Construction expected in late 2025.
15.14. Sewer Asset Management Plan
• In the first period of 2025, Council received the Sewer Asset Management Plan, the final deliverable for this project. Implementation of the plan to continue on an ongoing basis.
15.15. Storm Asset Management Plan
• This project is to develop an overall asset management plan for the storm sewer network that identifies long term funding requirements in order to maintain current levels of service. Consultant expected to be retained in the second period of 2025, with completion expected in 2026.
15.16. Facilities Asset Management Plan
• This project is to develop an overall asset management plan for municipal facilities. Consultant hired to complete facility condition assessments in the first period of 2025 to inform the development of the asset management plan that is expected to begin later in 2025.
15.17. Pavement Condition Assessment & Management Plan
• The purpose of this project is to collect updated condition data on all roads in the Township. This information will be utilized to develop a high-level asset management plan that prioritizes asset renewals based on condition, life span, and impact. Condition assessment expected to take place in the second and third periods of 2025.
16.0 Traffic Orders
• Number of Traffic Orders issued this period = 1 (total for the year = 1).
17.0. Development Applications
• Number of development applications for Engineering comments this period = 16 (total for the year = 16). This number includes rezoning and subdivision applications.
• Number of building permit applications for Engineering comments this period = 15 (total for the year = 15). This number includes demo permits.
II. COMMITTEES
• No Engineering staff is appointed to sit on any Council appointed committees.