PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION
DATE: March 22, 2016
TO: Chair and Members
REPORT NO. PW2016-026
Committee of the Whole – Operations and Administration
FROM: E. (Beth) Goodger, General Manager
Public Works Commission
1.0 TYPE OF REPORT
2.0 TOPIC
CONSENT ITEM [ ]
ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION [ X ]
Development of Design Criteria, Standards and Specifications for Municipal
Infrastructure [Financial Impact - $0]
3.0 RECOMMENDATION
THAT Report No. PW2016-026 titled “Development of Design Criteria, Standards and Specifications for Municipal Infrastructure” BE RECEIVED for information.
4.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with an introduction to the
Development of Design Criteria, Standards and Specification Manuals for Municipal
Infrastructure project that has been initiated. This is a first in a series of reports that will be coming forward during 2016 and 2017 as the project progresses to develop
Council approved manuals for the City’s linear and vertical infrastructure.
5.0 BACKGROUND
In May 2015, City Council approved the development and implementation of a comprehensive set of Design Criteria, Standards, Specifications and Drawings for municipal infrastructure. The following recommendation was presented in the
May 11, 2015 Report No. PW2015-049, titled “Additional Funding to Develop
Design, CADD and Project Delivery Specifications for Municipal Infrastructure ”.
C. THAT the General Manager, Public Works Commission and the
Purchasing Officer BE AUTHORIZED to award the Design, CADD and
Project Delivery Specifications for Municipal Infrastructure project in accordance with the City of Brantford’s Purchasing Policy.

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 2
Pursuant to the City’s Purchasing By-law, staff procured the professional services of
GM BluePlan Engineering to undertake a consulting assignment to review and develop a complete all-encompassing set of municipal manuals to consider current
Industry Standards and Best Practices that will enhance and supersede the City’s current documentation. The manuals will be developed over two years, starting with linear infrastructure in 2016. The vertical infrastructure manuals will be developed in
2017.
In December 2015, GM BluePlan submitted a Project Charter for the Design Criteria,
Standards and Specifications for the Linear Infrastructure Manuals. The Project
Charter, which was agreed to by the project team, provides the following information;

Sets out the purpose and objective of the project

Defines the scope of the project with risks

Identifies the key milestones and deliverables

The project approach (work plan)
One of the first deliverables submitted, was the February 29, 2016 Technical
Memorandum: Background and Best Practices Summary Review that assessed the
City’s current documentation, attached as Appendix “A”. The insight gathered through this review provided information (content) to facilitate discussion topics for the introductory and future workshops for the five categories of linear infrastructure: watermain; sanitary sewer; storm sewer; road/transportation; and utilities.
The objectives of the review carried out were as follows;
1. Establish the existing documentation guiding the design and construction of linear infrastructure in the City of Brantford;
2. Formulate content and themes for discussion at the technical workshops that will ultimately drive the development of the manuals;
3. Benchmark the City’s current practices against other municipalities; and,
4. Identify “best practices” that could be incorporated into the manuals.
It is anticipated that additional examples of municipalities and industry best practices will come to light throughout the course of the project. As such, this background review may be enhanced as the project moves forward.
In year two (2017) a Project Charter that clearly establishes the key objectives, tasks, milestones and costs will be necessary for a renewed focus and approach in the development of the Vertical Design, Criteria, Standards and Specification
Vertical Infrastructure Manuals.
6.0 CORPORATE POLICY CONTEXT
A city-wide Design Criteria, Standards, Specifications and Drawings for Municipal
Infrastructure Guidelines falls in line with Goals 3 and 4 of the City’s adopted
Strategic Plan, “Managed Growth and Environmental Leadership” and “excellence in

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 3 governance and Municipal Management”. This includes the Long Term desired
Outcome outlining that Brantford will be recognized as a fiscally responsible and well-managed City that provides efficient and effective government services.
7.0 INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES
Not applicable.
8.0 ANALYSIS
The first year (2016) of this project will focus on the development of the design manuals for linear infrastructure. The recommended approach is essential as the initial information collected forms a base in the development for additional guidelines and the Vertical Infrastructure manuals in the second year (2017).
An Introductory Workshop was held on February 25, 2016 with all stakeholders and sponsors. The workshop provided an overview of the expectation and commitment required by staff that is critical to the success of a corporate wide set of Design
Criteria, Specifications and Standards Manuals.
The next major step in the process is to initiate the coordination and preparation of material gathered for the technical workshops over the upcoming months that will form the basis of the manuals.
The first technical workshops begin in March to meet the key milestones and deliverables as follows:
1. Stage 1 - Introductory Workshop for Guiding Principals, Opportunities and Vision
2. Stage 2 thru 3 - Workshops for Linear Infrastructure and Technical Review
March 2016 thru October 2016
3. Presentation to Update Council
September 2016
4. Stage 4- Review and Final Deliverable of Linear Infrastructure
December 2016
5. Presentation to Council of Final Submission of Linear Infrastructure for approval by Council and utilization by the City in 2017
December 2016
6. Review of Workplan, Milestones and Budget for Vertical Infrastructure
January 2017

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 4
The envisaged outcome, when completed in December 2016, is to provide a comprehensive set of Design Criteria, Specifications and Standards for Linear
Infrastructure that meet the current industry standards and best practices. Council
’s approval of the manuals will assist in guiding Council and City staff, to be recognized as a leader in municipal infrastructure by delivering efficient and effective government services in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner.
9.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
10.0 CONCLUSION
The Engineering Services Department has commenced the project to develop
Brantford’s Design Criteria, Specifications and Standards for the municipal linear infrastructure, with completion expected by end of 2016. The vertical infrastructure manuals will be developed in 2017. Further updates to Council will be provided as the project progresses.
________
Russ Loukes, P.Eng., PTOE
Director of Engineering Services
E. (Beth) Goodger
General Manager
Public Works Commission
________________________________
Wendy Teufel, CMMIII, CET
Manager of Design & Construction
Attachments:
Appendix “A” – Technical Memorandum (February 29, 2016): Background and Best
Practices Summary Review
In adopting this report, is a by-law or agreement required? If so, it should be referenced in the recommendation section.
By-law required
Agreement(s) or other documents to be signed by Mayor and/or City Clerk
Is the necessary by-law or agreement being sent concurrently to Council?
[ ] yes
[ ] yes
[ ] yes
[ X ] no
[ X ] no
[ X ] no

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 5
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM
(Background and Best Practices Summary Review)
APPENDIX “A”

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 6

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 7

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 8

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 9

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 10

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 11

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 12

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 13

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 14

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 15

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 16

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 17

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 18

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 19

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 20

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 21

Report No. PW2016-026
Date: March 22, 2016 Page 22