Minutes of the 5Th Meeting of District Facilities Management Committee (2016-17) Central

Minutes of the 5thMeeting of

District Facilities Management Committee (2016-17)

Central and Western District Council

Date:28July2016 (Thursday)

Time:2:32p.m.

Venue:Conference Room

14/F, Harbour Building

38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

Present:

Chairlady:

Ms CHENG Lai-king*

Vice-chairman:

Mr NG Siu-hong*

Members:

Remarks: *Members who attended the whole meeting

( )Time of attendance of Members

Opening Remarks

The Chairlady welcomed all Members and representatives of government departments to the 5thmeeting of the District Facilities Management Committee (DFMC) (2016/2017).

Item 1: Adoption of Agenda

(2:32 p.m.)

2. The Committee adopted the meeting agenda.

Item 2: Confirmation of the Minutes of the 4thDFMC Meeting Held on 2June 2016

(2:33 p.m.)

3. The Committee confirmed the minutes of the4thDFMC meeting.

Item 3: Action Checklist on Matters Arising from the 4th DFMC Meeting

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 32/2016)

(2:33 p.m.– 2:35 p.m.)

4. The Committee noted the paper.

Item 4: Chairlady’s Report

(2:35 p.m.)

5. The Chairlady had nothing particular to highlight.

Item 5: Fund Application of District Minor Works Projects – “Landscape Beautification Works at Parks and Playgrounds of Central District”

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 37/2016)

(2:35 p.m.– 2:37 p.m.)

6. Ms CHOW Pui-shan,Deputy District Leisure Manager (District Support) Central and Western of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), presented the paper to the Committee.

7. Mr NG Siu-hong asked the LCSD about the site selection criteria.

8. Ms CHOW Pui-shanreplied thatvenues which located in more conspicuouslocations andwith higherpedestrian or traffic flows would be chosen for carrying out the beautification works, such as the Lan Kwai Fong Sittting-out Area, where a larger number of visitors would pass through on festive days.

9. After discussion, the Committee approved an allocation of $270,000 to the LCSD for implementation of the above project.

Item 6: Fund Application of District Minor Works Projects – “Landscape Beautification Works at Parks and Playgrounds of Western District”

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 38/2016)

(2:37 p.m.– 2:40 p.m.)

10. Ms CHOW Pui-shan,Deputy District Leisure Manager (District Support) Central and Western of the LCSD, presented the paper to the Committee.

11. After discussion, the Committee approved an allocation of $260,000 to theLCSD for implementation of the above project.

Item 7: Fund Application of District Minor Works Projects – “Installation of Fence for Planters and Beautification Works on Sands Street”

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 40/2016)

(2:40 p.m.– 2:44 p.m.)

12. Mr MAN Chi-chiu, Senior Executive Officer (District Management)(Acting) of the Central and Western District Office (C&WDO), presented the paper to the Committee.

13. The Chairladyenquired whether the fence material wasflammableor easily damaged.

14. Mr NGAN Suen-wa, Inspector of Works (Hong Kong)2of the Works Section of the Home Affairs Department (HAD), replied that the fence material was made of fibreglass-covered iron, and wascertified fire resistant and safe.

15. Mr CHAN Hok-fung asked whether the fence was too high.

16. Mr YIP Wing-shing said he conducted a site visit last week and found that some construction companies still dumped their construction waste at will. TheFood and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had alreadycleared away three vehicle loads of construction waste last week. If the fence was too low, it could not prevent such malpractices. Furthermore, considerationcould be given to inviting children to draw pictures in future with a view to beautify the fence.

17. After discussion, the Committee approved an allocation of $160,000 to the C&WDOfor implementation of the above project.

Item 8: Fund Application of District Minor Works Projects – “Provision of Benches on Pokfield Road”

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 41/2016)

(2:44 p.m.– 2:45 p.m.)

18. Mr MAN Chi-chiu, Senior Executive Officer (District Management)(Acting) of the C&WDO, presented the paper to the Committee.

19. Mr CHAN Hok-fung expressed that illegal parking was frequently observed at the said location. As there was no crash barrier at the upper section, he suggested the C&WDOto consider installing bollards to ensure that there was no illegal parking.

20. The Chairlady proposed that the C&WDO to followup the issue with the Transport Department.

21. After discussion, the Committee approved an allocation of $31,000 to the C&WDO for implementation of the above project.

Item 9: Fund Application of District Minor Works Projects – “Reinstallation of Seating Benches on Sands Street”

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 42/2016)

(2:45 p.m.– 2:49 p.m.)

22. Mr MAN Chi-chiu, Senior Executive Officer (District Management)(Acting) of the C&WDO, presented the paper to the Committee.

23. Mr CHAN Hok-fungsuggested the C&WDO should ensure that the design of the seating benches could allow users to place both feet on the ground and sit comfortably.

24. After discussion, the Committee approved an allocation of $85,000 to the C&WDO for implementation of the above project.

Item 10: Fund Application of District Minor Works Projects – “Provision of Rain Shelter at the Minibus Stand for Route No.3 on Conduit Road”

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 43/2016)

(2:49 p.m.– 2:51 p.m.)

25. Mr MAN Chi-chiu, Senior Executive Officer (District Management)(Acting) of the C&WDO, presented the paper to the Committee.

26. The Chairlady said that the owners’ corporations of nearby buildings would be consulted after the completion of the underground investigation works, and asked whether theC&WDO would notify the Committee when the underground investigation workswere completed.

27. Mr KAM Nai-wai expressed that providing rain shelter which had relatively large foundationor could not afford any shelter was not recommendedas the said location was not spacious. He also reminded the Chairlady to note the design of the rain shelter.

28. Mr MAN Chi-chiu of the C&WDO replied that according to usual procedures, the C&WDO would notify the proponentsand conduct local consultation upon the completion of underground investigation works, provided there was nothing amiss.

29. After discussion, the Committee approved an allocation of $125,000 to the C&WDO for implementation of the above project.

Item 11: Fund Application of District Minor Works Projects – “2016-2017 Central to Mid-levels Escalator System Decoration Projects”

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 44/2016)

(2:51 p.m.– 2:58 p.m.)

30. Miss LAU Yi-tak,Executive Assistant (District Council) 3 of the C&WDO, presented the paper to the Committee.

31. Subsequent to the meeting of the Working Group on District Minor Works (DMW Working Group),Mr NG Siu-hong reiterated the expectation that the C&WDO would enhance the decorative lighting design without incurring additional cost this year, and would submit the design to the DMW Working Group for reference upon completion. In addition, Mr NGpointed outthat the decorative lightning was found to be dumped under the footbridge of the Mid-levels Escalator after removal last year. He hoped that the contractor would clear away the discarded items as soon as possible after removing the decorative lighting.

32. Miss LAU Yi-takof the C&WDO replied that the C&WDO would require the contractor to submit several design proposals. Furthermore, the new permanent decorative fixturesin this year’s projectwould enliven the design, and so the design would also be different from the previous one. As regards the removal of decorative lighting, the C&WDO had alwaysrequested the contractor to clear away the discarded items immediately after removing the decorative lighting. This year, the C&WDO would follow up more closely with the contractor and reminded the contractor againabout this issue.

33. The Chairladyproposed that the C&WDOshould submit the draft of the large-scale lighting decorations to the Committee for Members’ reference before proceedingwith the works.

34. Miss LAU Yi-takof the C&WDO said that she would follow up on the issue.

35. After discussion, the Committee approved an allocation of $900,000 to the C&WDO for implementation of the above project. As the fund application exceeded $300,000, the paper would be submitted to the Finance Committee (FC) for approval by circulation.

Item 12: Fund Application of District Minor Works Projects – “Community Beautification Programme - 2016-2017 Pillar Decorations and Provision of Potted Plants on Railings of the Footbridge in Central”

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 45/2016)

(2:58 p.m.–3:04 p.m.)

36. Miss LAU Yi-tak,Executive Assistant (District Council) 3 of the C&WDO, presented the paper to the Committee.

37. The Chairladyasked the C&WDOwhat was meant by maps for permanent display, and would theartwork displays on the theme of community activities be replaced.

38. Miss LAU Yi-tak of the C&WDO said that for pillar decorations relating to maps, the C&WDO would redesign the outlook and update the maps every year. As regards other artwork displays on the theme of community activities, they would be posted in three phases from November to February the next year with the contentsupdated according to the activity date of different community activities. If the artwork displays were damaged, the C&WDO would require the contractor to repair them. TheC&WDO had made a request to the Highways Department for the permanent use of the pillars which displayed maps, and would update the maps regularly to ensure accuracy.

39. Mr MAN Chi-chiuof the C&WDOsupplemented thatthe C&WDO changed the artwork displays of maps once a year to update the information aboutvarious facilities on the maps. Except for the five pillars which displayed maps, the other pillars were leased for a fixed period.

40. After discussion, the Committee approved an allocation of $230,000 to the C&WDO for implementation of the above project.

Item 13: Fund Application of District Minor Works Projects – “Conversion of the Green Space at Wui On Lane into Sitting-out Area”

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 46/2016)

(3:04 p.m.–3:05 p.m.)

41. Mr MAN Chi-chiu, Senior Executive Officer (District Management)(Acting) of the C&WDO, presented the paper to the Committee.

42. After discussion, the Committee approved an allocation of $160,000 to the C&WDO for implementation of the above project.

Item 14: Fund Application of District Minor Works Projects – “2016/17 Central to Mid-levels Escalator System Decoration Projects and Provision of Potted Plants on Railings at the New Greening Areas in the Central and Western District”

(C&W DFMC Paper No. 47/2016)

(3:05 p.m.–3:20 p.m.)

43. Mr MAN Chi-chiu, Senior Executive Officer (District Management)(Acting) of the C&WDO, presented the paper to the Committee.

44. The Chairlady expressed that seasonal flowers were relatively difficult to take care and asked whether the C&WDO would focus on providing evergreen plants.

45. Mr MAN Chi-chiuof the C&WDO said thatC&WDO had begun to plant perennial plants two years ago in response to the Guidelines on Yard Waste Reduction and Treatment issued by the Development Bureau. Although not as attractive as seasonal flowers, perennial plants were green all year round.

46. Mr NG Siu-hongindicated thatone of the speciesprovided last year always withered, and asked whether the C&WDO would replace it with other plants.

47. Mr MAN Chi-chiuof the C&WDOsaid that the C&WDO chose Loropetalum chinense last year because they wanted to use plants which were more colourful, but the red-brown colour of Loropetalum chinensecould easily lead people into mistaking it as withered. The C&WDO would follow up with the contractor and would consider changing the ratio of Loropetalum chinense provided or choosing other greener plants, such as Epipremnum aureum. Furthermore, the C&WDO would keep the conditions of the plants in view and would urge the contractor to follow up as soon as possible if the plants were found withered.

48. Mr KAM Nai-wai expressed reservation on the “32 Des Voeux Road West”proposal. He worried that installing planters would affect pedestriansor hawkers as the said location was quite crampedand had hawking activities. He suggested the C&WDO to consult the residents of Queen’s Terrace on the works,and to choose the location outside Western Centrenear HSBC, which was more spacious, instead of the said location. In addition, Mr KAM said that how to monitor the hygienic conditions was also very important and hoped the C&WDOwould better address this issue. He also stressed that the best option was to set aside provision for engaging staff to conduct inspections every week and attend to environmental hygiene problems immediately.

49. Mr CHAN Choi-hi said the DMW Working Group had discussed this issue and agreed that the location was quite cramped. Also, the C&WDO had conducted a site visit. It was expected thatonly a limited number of potted plants on railings would be provided, and there was still somedistance between 32 Des Voeux Road West and the hawking location. Mr CHAN further suggested that Members could monitor the situation together by sending photos to notify the C&WDO immediately through mobile phoneswhen they discovered any problems relating to the potted plants on railings.

50. Mr MAN Chi-chiuof the C&WDO said that staff of the C&WDO had conducteda site visit. As there were hawkers and posting box at the site, the C&WDO had contacted Mr CHAN and pointed out that the location around the rail bend could probablyaccommodate onlytwo to three potted plants on railings. Mr Man proposed to address Mr KAM’s proposal under this project as well, and provided five to six potted plants on railings at Western Centre. He estimated thatthe additional expenditure could be absorbed by the project. The C&WDO would conduct another site visit and carry out local consultation before implementing the works. Furthermore, the C&WDO had noted the views of the Members on the conditions of the plants and environmental hygiene at the beginning of this year, and had explained at the time that some plants had withered in January and February because of the particularly cold weather this year. The C&WDO had inspected all the plants in the district in March and replaced them as necessary. As the contract with the original contractor had expired in April, the C&WDO had changed the contractor and specified in the new contract that contractor had to water the plants at least three times per week and clear away the rubbish once every day. Also, after communicating with the FEHD, the C&WDO learnt that the FEHD would clean the rubbish and dirt in planters and other facilitiesin addition to cleaning the streets. Currently, staff of theC&WDO would inspect the plants in the district about three times each month. If problems were found, the C&WDO would reflect the problems to the contractor and required them to take actions within three days.

51. Mr CHAN Chit-kwai hoped that the C&WDO would provide planters withornamentalflowers atSt. Stephen’s Lane.

52. After discussion, the Committee approved an allocation of $700,000 to the C&WDO for implementation of the above project, and proposed to provide potted plants on the railings next to Western Centre on Des Voeux Road West. As the fund application exceeded $300,000, the paper would be submitted to the FC for approval by circulation.