Agenda Index City of Vancouver


REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS

MARCH 14, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets, was held on Thursday, March 14, 2002, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

*Councillor George Puil, Chair
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Vice Chair
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator

*denotes presence for a portion of the meeting.

RECOMMENDATION

1. City of Vancouver Shared-Ride Service Model (File 2801)

The Committee had before it a Policy Report (Licensing) dated February 25, 2002, in which the Chief License Inspector in consultation with the Director of City Plans and General Manager of Engineering Services outlined a process to allow a shared-ride service that could provide a valuable additional transportation option in the City of Vancouver, and recommended approval. An update report would be presented to Council after the first full year of operation. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.

Paul Teichroeb, Acting Director of Licenses and By-law Enforcement , and Alena Straka, Policy Analyst, provided an overview of the report and noted the recommended model is not designed to address specific applications. Mr. Teichroeb advised of options available to Council should the City receive an application from a company with an associated history of violations. He further advised the licenses would be issued on an annual basis.

Discussion followed on opportunities for covering the cost of making vehicles wheelchair accessible, the rationale for the recommended maximum of 30 vans per company, and the need to pre-book the service in advance. Potential for transfers into the TransLink system was also discussed. Staff noted all applications must first go through the Motor Carrier Commission.

The following delegations addressed Council:

· Gunter Schlieper, Straightline Consulting Service (brief filed)
· Alec Caruth (brief filed)
· Brian Canfield, Farris & Co. for EasyLINK Shuttle (brief filed)
· Amirjit Johal, EasyLINK Shuttle
· David Sutherland, David F. Sutherland & Associates for Local Minibus (brief filed)
· Jazzs Siekham, Local Minibus
· John Palis, Yellow Cabs

Comments by the foregoing speakers included the following:

· supportive of goals and potential; however this type of service should be encouraged by the city, rather than impose potentially crippling restrictions and requirements;
· the service model must not be overly regulated and should be flexible in adapting to required changes from time to time;
· objection to model including requirement of designated location for pick-up/drop-off of passengers; city should remain flexible in this regard;
· passengers will expect a shared-ride service to pick them up or drop them off conveniently;
· occupancy size of shared-ride services should remain flexible depending upon use, i.e. within municipalities or trips to the Airport;
· the City should permit existing applications to be considered, i.e. Local Minibus, not subject to Motor Carrier Commission review; and
· the shared-ride service model should be a pilot project rather the outright licensing of applicants.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council support granting up to 60 licenses for shared-ride vans to be issued at a maximum of 30 to each individual company, subject to Motor Carrier Commission approval.

CARRIED
(Councillor Louis opposed)

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Amendment to Vehicles for Hire By-law No. 6066:

The Committee had before it a Policy Report (Licensing) dated February 27, 2002, in which the Chief License Inspector in consultation with the Director of Legal Services proposed an amendment to the Vehicles for Hire By-Law No. 6606 to include a School Shuttle Van as a new Vehicle for Hire classification. This amendment will allow the operation of a school shuttle van service(s) transporting children, from preschoolers up to grade 12 exclusively, to and from schools within the City of Vancouver.

Paul Teichroeb, Acting Director of Licenses and By-law Enforcement , and Alena Straka,Policy Analyst were present to respond to questions.

David Sutherland, David F. Sutherland & Associates, and Jazz Siekham, Local Minibus spoke in opposition to the School Shuttle Van Classification. They queried how the City was able to approve a license without MCC approval, as the application appeared to be a variation of the shared-ride van concept. Mr. Teichroeb advised the Motor Carrier Commission has concluded that the operation of the proposed school shuttle van is structured in such a way that the Motor Carrier Act does not apply to it. Therefore, the City is in a position to allow a school shuttle van service exclusive to children.

Duncan Williams, and Wendy Birks, owner, Kids Coach provided a brief overview of this transportation services for children and spoke in support of staff's recommendations.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council approve amendments to the Vehicles for Hire By-Law No. 6066 to include a School Shuttle Van as a new Vehicles for Hire classification and to set out conditions for the licensing of such a service carrier as outlined in the Policy Report dated February 27, 2002, entitled "Amendment to Vehicles for Hire By-law No. 6066: School Shuttle Van Classification".

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Heather Civic Marina 2002 Moorage Rates and Other Fees (File 1757)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 1, 2002, in which the General Manager of Corporate Services/Director of Finance sought Council's approval of moorage rates and other fees and charges at the Heather Civic Marina for 2002.

Ken Bayne, Director of Financial Planning and Treasury, was present to respond to questions and provided details on timing of the advance notification provided to users of the Marina.

Ken Petrie advised of the inadequate notification time given to marina users related to the proposed fee increases at the Heather Civic Marina. Mr. Petrie requested earlier notification be provided in future. Council acknowledged the need for adequate notification.

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT the 2002 moorage rates and boat lift fees at the Heather Civic Marina be increased by 2.8%, reflecting an increase in anticipated expenses. Proposed fees are outlined in Appendix III of the Administrative Report dated March 1, 2002, entitled "Heather Civic Marina 2002 Moorage Rates and Other Fees" to be effective April 1, 2002.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

- - - - - -

At this point in the meeting Councillor Puil left the meeting and Councillor Clarke assumed the Chair.

- - - - - -

Due to time constraints, Council recessed at 12:30 p.m. mid-way through the hearing of delegations on Item No. 4 and reconvened at 1:45 p.m. with all Councillors present with the exception of Councillor Kennedy (Civic Business). At the beginning of the reconvened session Council waived Section 3.8 of the City's Procedure By-law to enable the hearing of delegations beyond the required Planning and Environment Committee start time of 2:30 p.m.

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4. False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study - Final Report (File 5553/5702)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February 14, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services and Director of Current Planning summarized the work of the consultants, most particularly the findings and recommendations of the study, outlined a strategy for improvements and recommended further work be done so that Council will have sufficient information to make a decision on where and when cycling and pedestrian improvements across False Creek should be undertaken.

Karis Hiebert, Planner, and Dale Bracewell, Transportation Engineer, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, provided an overview of the report. Wayne Pledger, Strategic Transportation Planning Engineer, advised a demand analysis for the Cambie, Granville and Burrard Bridges could be provided to Council.

The following delegations addressed Council:

· David McCann, Creekhouse Gallery
· James Burton, Vice Chair, Vancouver Heritage Advisory Commission
· Deming Smith, SPEC
· Don Buchanan, West End Residents Association
· Robert Buller, Chair, Transportation Sub-Committee VCPC
· Bev Ballantyne, "Putting Pedestrians First" (brief filed)
· Janet Leduc, Heritage Vancouver (material filed)
· Richard Campbell, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition
· Paul Barrett, AquaBus Ferries
· Ray Straatsma, Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST)(brief filed)
· Phil Boname, Urbanics Consultants
· Rob Grant, S'nauqway proponent
· Peter Reese, S'nauqway proponent

Comments by the foregoing speakers included the following:

· equal priority should be given to the Granville Street Bridge; Granville Island is the busiest tourist location between Japan and Niagara Falls;
· recommendations relevant to conservation guidelines contained in Appendix B "Summary of Consultant Report - Burrard Bridge Heritage Study", should be given as much priority as the Design Criteria set out in the Terms of Reference (Appendix C);
· Option Burrard (B1): Outward Sidewalk Extensions, will destroy proportions of the Bridge, a recognized landmark structure;
· a strategy including all bridges and water structures should be encouraged, with the need to address the dangerous Burrard/Pacific highlighted;
· in favour of Burrard (B2): Inward Sidewalk Widening (Reduce the 6 lanes on the bridge to 5);
· support for whole process, Granville Bridge least friendly to anyone but cars, Burrard Bridge needs attention;
· little work has been done to encourage non-auto uses;
· make improvements to Burrard Bridge, but consider Granville Corridor and include access for people already at water's edge (at present only alternative is pay ferries);

· no new infrastructure is required; existing facilities can be modified with good results in a short period at reasonable cost;
· act now on Burrard (B2), including bridge head redesign on the two western crossings; (B2) is the simplest, quickest, cheapest and most direct solution;
· take Burrard (B1): Outward Sidewalk Extensions off the table; it does not work;
· Burrard (B1) is the best option in regard to pedestrian and cyclists safety;
· an opportunity exists for bike lanes on the west side of Cambie without impacting traffic;
· ferry proposals were discussed as early options, but are no longer part of this planning process;
· an additional ferry dock at Charleson Park would provide a much needed link between Cambie and Burrard Street Bridges from David Lam Park;
· in addition to low-level crossings under Granville Bridge, additional and innovative approaches to marine crossing all through False Creek deserve equal consideration;
· Burrard (B2) should be examined further; both (B1) and (B2) options deserve further consideration and comparison;
· support of Burrard (B3): Low Level Crossing Beneath the Bridge, which offers potential benefits of linking the park system across False Creek, and offers the least heritage impediments;
· S'nauqway could have a positive impact on adjacent real estate values and has potential for funding from senior levels of government; and
· study all options at the same time; give S'nauqway a chance.

After hearing all registered speakers, Council agreed on the need for further discussion on this important issue. Council was advised to direct questions arising from today's discussion to both the Director of Current Planning and Deputy City Engineer.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT consideration and decision on the False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study - Final Report dated February 14, 2002, be referred to the March 26, 2002, Regular Council meeting, to be dealt with as Unfinished Business.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

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CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON

CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS

MARCH 14, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, March 14, 2002, at 2:40 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.

PRESENT:

Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Lynne Kennedy, (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
March 14, 2002

Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:

Clause 1

MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED
(Councillor Louis opposed to Recommendations A, B, C and D)

Clauses 2, 3 and 4

MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Daniel Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 2:42 p.m.

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