CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
COURT OF REVISION

June 20, 2000

A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, June 20, 2000, at approximately 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Fred Bass Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Tim Louis Councillor Sandy McCormick Councillor Gordon Price Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor George Puil
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,

THAT this Council resolve itself into a Court of Revision for the purpose of hearing complaints against the proposed assessments or the accuracy of frontage measurements, or any other complaint which persons interested may desire to make and which is by law cognizable by the Court, Mayor Owen in the Chair.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COURT OF REVISION

LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS

Projects by Petition
Court No. 596

Lane Lighting
Pavement, Curbs, Trees and Bulges - Higher Zoned
Pavement, Curbs, Trees and Bulges - Local Residential
Lane Pavement - Local Residential
Speed Humps
Traffic Circle

Projects by Initiative
Court No. 597

Pavement, Curbs, Trees and Bulges - Higher Zoned
Pavement, Curbs, Trees and Bulges - Local Residential
Lane Pavement - Higher Zoned
Speed Humps
Pedestrian Collector Sidewalks
Sidewalk Reconstruction

Before Council was a report from the Collector of Taxes with respect to Local Improvement Court of Revision Numbers 596 and 597.

COURT NO. 596 - PROJECTS BY PETITION
JUNE 20, 2000

The Collector of Taxes certified that the projects in this report have been requested by the majority of the assessed owners by means of a sufficiently signed petition.

In a late report dated June 20, 2000, the Collector of Taxes noted one withdrawn signature was received for Project 029, resulting in the final tally of signatures being one more than the required number of 32. It was recommended that the Project proceed.

COURT NO. 597 - PROJECTS BY INITIATIVE
JUNE 20, 2000

In the report from the Collector of Taxes, it was noted that Schedule Items 3, 7, 14, 16, 20, 22 and 23 were objected to by at least more than one half (1/2) the owners of the properties who represent at least more than one half (1/2) the total value of all the properties on the project, and were defeated. Item 25 was withdrawn because two of the three companies involved with the project are opposed. Each of the two companies own a separate property which together represents three quarters of the length of the project.

In a late report dated June 20, 2000, the Collector of Taxes noted an amendment forProject 025 was included in the 1st and 2nd step report and referred to in the subsequent procedures report but not included in the collectors report. It was recommended that this project be withdrawn.

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bass,

THAT the report of the Special Assessment Roll for Court Nos. 596 and 597 submitted by the Collector of Taxes, dated June 20, 2000, be approved, with the corrections and changes noted herein.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COURT OF REVISION

MOVED by Cllr. Bass,
SECONDED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,

THAT the Court of Revision rise and report.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COUNCIL

RECEIVE REPORT OF COURT OF REVISION

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis,

THAT the report of the Court of Revision be received.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

City Manager's Administrative Report
Local Improvements Subsequent Procedure
May 31, 2000

Prior to considering the recommendations in the Administrative Report dated May 31, 2000, the following delegations were heard and actions taken as follows:

COURT NO. 596 - PROJECTS BY PETITION

Project No. 596/008

Keith Russell, for owner, Shirley Russell, spoke against the project, noting lane lighting will increase the traffic problem. He requested the speed humps currently installed be modified or relocated to better assist in calming traffic.

Staff agreed to investigate modifications to the speed humps or a right-in right-out diverter to address this issue, with a report back if required.

MOVED by Cllr. Bass,
SECONDED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,

THAT this project be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 596/009

Tom Lee registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT this project be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 596/017

Stephanie Bogaert spoke against the project, and noted the cost of providing lane lighting as a means to deter crime would be better spent on alternate crime prevention solutions. The light pole would also ruin her view and light up her back yard in the evening.

Staff advised a shield could be installed to deflect light from Ms. Bogaert's yard.

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bass,

THAT this project be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 596/019

Mrs. Huilian Guan, and Wendy Chan for Raymond Chan, the owner, spoke inopposition to the project. They noted the cost would impose a financial burden on those with fixed incomes.

Staff provided information on the Provincial tax deferral program. Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, advised both lots may be eligible for Special Relief which would reduce the cost per foot. Mr. Chan's corner lot may also be eligible for Residential Flankage Relief, which would considerably reduce his assessable footage.

Catherine King advised her major concern was traffic; as no left turn is allowed at 1st Avenue and Clark, trucks often turn onto McLean Drive. She noted a number of residents, including herself, had signed the petition in the hope the project would assist with traffic calming in their neighbourhood.

Staff advised bulges planned for in the project would assist with slowing traffic entering the street. New left-turn restrictions could also be examined.

MOVED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT this project be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 596/022

Julio Tome, Joao Bulhoes and Mr. Kumar registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT this project be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 596/023

Jay Liang, for the owners, spoke in opposition to the project and noted Mrs. Liang has now withdrawn her support.

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, advised this petition now has insufficient signatures to pass, and recommended a reballot.

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick,

THAT this project be reballoted.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 596/025

Anand Bissoon, for owner, Una Bissoon, spoke in support of the project, and requested the lane be made as wide as possible; speed humps were also requested.

Staff advised the lane would be wider when paved; speed humps would require a further petition.

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick,

THAT this project be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 596/029

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, drew to Council's attention one letter received withdrawing a signature, and one further withdrawal of signature at the registration table bringing to 32 both the final count and the number of signatures required. Ms. Norris also noted a letter received from the Principal of David Livingstone Elementary School noting the benefits of the project.

Cecelia Matsalla; K.K. Wong for owner, King Ming Wong; Joseph Wong; and Wah Wong, on behalf of the owner, spoke in opposition to the project. They noted:

· cars do not stop at traffic circles; a four-way stop or traffic humps would be more appropriate
· traffic speeding is not an issue at this intersection
· some residents were not aware of the petition or project
· large buses, trucks and emergency vehicles accessing the school would have problems navigating the circle
· prohibitive cost of project
· concern with children playing on the circle
· the School Board should share the cost

Kwok Ng registered opposition to the project, but did not speak.

Staff advised:

· emergency vehicles are able to drive over the circle
· provisions exist for seniors to defer the cost of the project
· owners are notified twice on projects by petition -- initially when a petition is sent out -- and once the petition is returned to the City Hall, the owners are notified of the Court of Revision date; notice of the material's importance, and the need to have it translated, is provided in five languages

Henry Wittenberg, Bruce Law and Leslie Rawling spoke in support of the project. They noted:

· cost of the project is not a great price to pay for children's safety
· four-way stops are not effective
· a traffic circle will slow down speeding vehicles
· traffic calming is required in the neighbourhood due to the increase in both traffic and children
· cost of the project is increased due to modifications made to accommodate the school, therefore the school should be responsible for a portion of the cost

Marie Weaver registered support for the project, but did not speak.

Staff advised the Vancouver Charter precludes recovering a portion of a project's cost from the School Board.

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,

THAT this project be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COURT NO. 597 - PROJECTS BY INITIATIVE

Council then considered the Administrative Report dated May 31, 2000.

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,
SECONDED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT Recommendations A and B of the General Manager of Engineering Services, as contained in the Administrative Report dated May 31, 2000, and quoted below, be approved, taking into account the specific actions taken this day:

A. THAT the projects "By Petition" in Court #596 be approved.

B. THAT projects by "Initiative Principle" in Court #597 be approved except for the defeated items and special items #25 as explained in this report.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Special Council adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver