CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was
held on Thursday, May 4, 1995, at 12:35 p.m., in Committee Room
No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the "In Camera" meeting
of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets, to
consider the recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: Mayor Owen
Councillors Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer,
Kennedy, Kwan and Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Bellamy [Civic Business]
Councillor Ip [Sick Leave]
Councillor Price [Leave of Absence]
Councillor Puil
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Tarja Tuominen
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the
Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of the Standing Committee
on City Services and Budgets
May 4, 1995
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl. 1: Additional Taxation Policy Consideration for 1995
Cl. 2: 1995 Basic Capital Budget
.../2
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONTINUED)
Report of the Standing Committee
on City Services and Budgets
May 4, 1995 [Continued]
Additional Taxation Policy
Considerations for 1995
Clause 1
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in
Clause 1 of this report, and quoted below, be approved.
A. THAT Council approve a $3 million shift of tax burden
(approximately 1% of the City's 1994 general purposes
tax levy) from Class 2, 4, 5 and 6 properties to Class
1 (Residential) properties in 1995, as further
described in the Policy Report dated April 26, 1995.
B. THAT Council not approve a 1995 Property Tax Limitation
Program for Residential (Class 1) properties for the
reasons discussed in the Policy Report dated April 26,
1995.
C. THAT Council instruct the Director of Legal Services to
prepare a 1995 Property Tax Limitation by-law
applicable to Commercial (Class 6) properties
containing the tax capping parameters outlined in the
Policy Report dated April 26, 1995, for submission to
Council for approval on May 16, 1995.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Puil opposed to A and
Councillors Chiavario and Kwan opposed to A, B and C)
1995 Basic Capital Budget
Clause 2
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in
Clause 2 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
.../3
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at approximately 12:40 p.m.
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REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
18 MAY 1995
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City
Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, May 18, 1995, at
9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Puil, Chair
Mayor Owen
Councillor Bellamy
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Clarke
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Ip
Councillor Kennedy
Councillor Kwan
Councillor Price
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: If any
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: _____
CLERK: Tarja Tuominen
Recorded Vote
Unless otherwise indicated, votes of the Committee on all
items are unanimous.
Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services &
Budgets meeting of April 27, 1995, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. 1995 Supplementary Capital Budget - File: 1603-1
Allocation Report
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report
dated May 11, 1995 (on file), in which the Director of Finance
reviewed the submissions to the 1995 Supplementary Capital
Budget, totalling $4.7 million, and sought approval of the
recommended civic projects.
Mr. Ken Stoke, General Manager of Corporate Services,
reviewed the report and with Mr. Ken Bayne, Comptroller of
Budgets & Research, responded to questions.
Mr. Ken Dobell, City Manager, and Mr. David Mitchell,
President, Vancouver Firefighters Union, responded to
questions on the firehall upgrading for dual gender. It is
the Fire Department's intent to recruit qualified
representatives, and therefore should prepare the workplace to
employee standards.
Mr. Randall Graham, Administrative Officer, Vancouver
Maritime Museum, requested approval of the Maritime Museum's
submission for altering the Museum entrance to manage the St.
Roch on a day-to-day basis.
The following motions by the Mayor were put and CARRIED.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the civic projects, identified as
"recommended" in Appendix 1 of the
Administrative Report dated May 11, 1995, and
totalling $947,000, be approved, with funding
from the 1995 Supplementary Capital Budget.
Clause No. 1 Continued
B. THAT the civic project, identified as B-3 (Fire
Department Local Area Network) and costing
$150,000, be approved, with funding from the
1995 Fire Department Operating Budget.
C. THAT the civic project, identified as B-10
(East Health Unit Trailer) in Appendix 1 of the
Administrative Report dated May 11, 1995, and
costing $130,000, be approved, with funding
from the Provincial, Continuing Care Program
surplus.
2. Grant Request - Pathfinder Force Reunion File: 2203
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report
dated May 2, 1995 (on file), in which the Director of Finance
submitted a request for a grant of $1,500 for the installation
and maintenance of a plaque at the RCAF Garden of Remembrance
in Stanley Park in honour of the "405 City of Vancouver
squadron" of the Pathfinder Force. The source of funds would
be the 1995 'Other' grants budget.
Mr. Ken Stoke, General Manager of Corporate Services,
noted the Board of Parks & Recreation has approved the
location for the plaque in the RCAF Remembrance Garden.
Ms. Irene Bradley, Chairman, Pathfinder Force Reunion,
presented a brief history of the "405 City of Vancouver"
squadron of the Pathfinder Force. The Squadron was adopted by
the City of Vancouver in 1943. The squadron is still
distinguishing themselves as a Maritime Patrol Squadron. In
August, the Pathfinder Force will be holding a reunion in
Vancouver. Ms. Bradley requested the City's recognition for
the Force by approving a grant of $1,500 for the purchase and
maintenance of a plaque commemorating the squadron to be
placed in the RCAF Remembrance Garden in Stanley Park.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and
CARRIED. The Committee
RECOMMENDED
THAT a grant of $1,500 be approved for the installa-
tion and maintenance of a plaque at the RCAF Garden
of Remembrance in Stanley Park, in honour of the
'405 City of Vancouver' squadron of the Pathfinder
Force; source of funds to be the 1995 'Other'
grants budget.
3. Better City Government - Next Steps File: 1006
At its meeting on May 2, 1995, Vancouver City Council
received a Report Reference from the City Manager on Better
City Government - Next Steps. As a delegation request was
received from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE),
Local 1004, consideration of the five related Administrative
Reports, dated April 24, 1995, were referred to the Standing
Committee meeting.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it the relevant
Extract of the Council meeting of May 2, 1995, and the
following Administrative Reports (on file):
(a) Better City Government - Next Steps
(b) Better City Government - Human Resources Strategy
(c) Better City Government - Financial Strategy
(d) Better City Government - Technology Strategy
(e) Better City Government - Communication Strategy
Also before the Committee was a letter dated May 16, 1994
(on file), from the Board of Parks & Recreation endorsing the
participation by Park Board staff in the Better City
Government Program.
Mr. Ken Dobell, City Manager, was present to respond to
questions.
Mr. Ken Davidson, President, CUPE 1004, expressed several
concerns: the role Unions would play in the implementation
program for a better City government; the amount of money set
aside for consultants to facilitate process reviews and to
work with staff in finding local solutions; and a potential
major loss of jobs. The Union wishes to properly represent
its members and definitely would like to work with the City in
making sure effective systems are identified. The Civic
Unions will be meeting next week to discuss their concerns.
Clause No. 3 Continued
The City Manager advised process consultants will be used
in 15 different projects. The consultants are skilled in
working with a mixed group of people to help them identify
problems.
During discussion, members of the Committee emphasized it
was never the intent for a massive reduction of staff. The
focus of the program is not to cut the job force.
The following motion by Councillor Kwan was put and LOST.
THAT Council approve the work program set out in the
Administrative Report, dated April 24, 1995, on
Better City Government - Next Steps, subject to a
report back on the details of the process review for
each of the 15 major civic processes identified in
the report, with specific reference to the steps to
be taken to formalize public consultation on
processes that involve the public interest or public
services.
(Councillors Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer, Ip, Kennedy,
Kwan, Price, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
The following motions by Councillor Clarke were put and
CARRIED. The Committee. therefore,
RECOMMENDED
a) Better City Government - Next Steps
A. THAT Council approve the work program set out
in the Administrative Report dated April 24,
1995.
B. THAT Council request the Library Board, Police
Board, and Board of Parks & Recreation to
endorse participation by their staffs in the
proposed program.
Clause No. 3 Continued
b) Better City Government - Human Resources Strategy
A. THAT Council approve in principle the human
resources strategy described in the Adminis-
trative Report dated April 24, 1995, as one of
the support mechanisms for the City's recently
approved program to review and re-design major
processes.
B. THAT Council instruct the General Manager of
Human Resource Services to submit periodic
reports to Council on the effectiveness of the
specific human resource actions outlined in the
Administrative Report dated April 24, 1995.
c) Better City Government - Financial Strategy
A. THAT Council approve the financial strategy
described in the Administrative Report dated
April 24, 1995, as one of the support
mechanisms for the City's recently approved
program for "Better City Government".
B. THAT Council approve the sources of funding for
the review and re-design work connected with
the 15 major work processes identified in the
"Better City Government - Next Steps" report,
as follows:
- $264,000 from salary funding for senior
positions vacated in the interim re-
organization and included in the 1995
operating budget. This allocation to be
reported annually for approval;
- $800,000 from the $1 million of Strategic
Initiative funds set up in the 1995
operating budget for priorities identified
by the Corporate Management Team. This
allocation, up to the limit set by Council,
to be reported annually for approval; and,
- the establishment of a Service Improvement
Reserve to be seeded from a $4 million
advance from the Solid Waste Reserve, with
interest.
Clause No. 3 Continued
C. THAT Council authorize the City Manager, with
the advice of the Corporate Management Team, to
approve projects and/or consultant contracts up
to $100,000 to support review and re-design of
the identified major processes, using the
sources of funds identified above.
D. THAT the Service Improvement Reserve be managed
as follows:
- The Corporate Management Team will review
and determine priorities with respect to
projects competing for Reserve funding, and
report their decisions to Council for
approval, subject to the $100,000 limit
identified above.
- The City Manager and Corporate Management
Team will report annually to Council on the
funding activities and status of the
Reserve.
d) Better City Government - Technology Strategy
THAT the Administrative Report dated April 24, 1995,
on Better City Government - Technology Strategy, be
received for information.
e) Better City Government - Communication Strategy
A. THAT Council approve the Communications
Strategy described in the Administrative Report
dated April 24, 1995, as one of the support
mechanisms for the City's recently approved
review and re-design of key corporate
processes.
B. THAT the financial requirements of implementing
the Communications Strategy be funded from the
Strategic Initiatives Fund.
4. Grant Requests - File: 2053-2
Vancouver Museum Association
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report
dated May 10, 1995 (on file), in which the Director of
Finance, in consultation with the Director of the Office of
Cultural Affairs, recommended an operating grant for 1995 of
$636,800 to the Vancouver Museum Association, with source of
funds to be the 1995 'Other' Grants budget.
However, the Directors did not recommend approval of a
one-time grant request of $95,000 to cover the operating
losses due to the 1994 labour dispute, or of a one-time grant
of $150,000 ($50,000 per year for three years) to partially
fund the collection management project. The Directors felt a
comprehensive operating review of the Vancouver Museum be
conducted, and therefore recommended terms of reference for
such a review, with a report back on the selection of the
consultant and the cost of the review.
Circulated this date was a brief from the Vancouver
Municipal & Regional Employees' Union (VMREU) (on file)
commenting on the recommendations. VMREU supported approval
of the operating grant; the one-time grant of $95,000,
provided it was used to restore functions and rehire laid-off
staff; and a first-year grant of $50,000 to begin collection
management computerization, with quarterly progress reports.
VMREU suggested some additions to the terms of reference for
the operating review, including expanding the list of areas to
be analyzed to include education programmes, consulting all
Museum staff and the VMREU, Canadian Museum Association, B.C.
Museum Association and Museum affiliates; appointment of a
VMREU representative for Museum Staff to the Steering
Committee.
Clause No. 4 Continued
Ms. Joan Myers, Vancouver Museum Board member and Co-
Chair of Very Concerned Members, supported approval of the
annual operating grant and the independent operating review of
the Museum. The staffing at the Museum has been reduced to a
bare minimum. The lack of sufficient professional staff and
apparent lack of expertise in the management gives the
Concerned Members grave concern.
Ms. Frances Worledge, member of Vancouver Museum
Association, read a letter from Dr. Ted Hunt, Chairman,
Committee on Education & Student Services, Vancouver School
Board, expressing support for the continuation of the school
program. The students benefit greatly from the museum tours.
Ms. Worledge advised only 6 out of 125 docents came back to
the Museum. There is much bemoaning museum tours are no
longer offered. She hoped the Committee would do everything
it can do to bring the museum back.
In response to questions, Ms. Wilma Wood, Director,
Vancouver Museum, advised Museum staff will be meeting with
the School Board to develop programs for the summer and fall,
and will continue to work with the Board to develop programs
in the coming year. In addition, organizations and
individuals in the community will be approached to develop
programming for students. Ms. Wood advised the Museum is
trying to encourage organizations in the community to help
fund-raise and establish collections in the galleries.
Clause No. 4 Continued
Ms. Elizabeth O'Kiely, Co-Chair of Very Concerned
Members, had many concerns with the operation of the Museum.
On June 8, 1994, the Museum fired staff, and eliminated all
programs. The Board was against having a general meeting.
The ethnological and natural history collections are in
disarray. Representatives of the union staff and the
volunteer docents should be appointed to the Steering
Committee to select a consultant for the operating review.
The Museum Board representative to the Steering Committee
should be one of the newly elected Board members. Ms. O'Keily
urged the approval of the operating grant but questioned the
wisdom of approving additional grants at this time. The
professional staff should be rehired and every effort taken to
put the education division on track.
Mr. Ken Madison, member, Vancouver Museum Board,
responded to questions on the Museum's financial situation.
Government funding has been decreased over the past few years.
The Museum must become more financially independent in the
future. The Museum will be working with the School Board to
develop education programs, and asking major corporations to
make significant contributions. In order to adequately fund
new programs, need support from the community and the users of
those programs. Other gift shops in other museums do much
better than the Museum's. Therefore, the Museum decided to
renovate and move the location of the shop in order to attract
more people. Mr. Madison believes the Museum can survive; the
gift shop performs well in the summer and in November and
December; fund-raising is up.
Clause No. 4 Continued
Mr. Doug Helmcken, Trustee, Vancouver Museum Board,
responded to questions on the dismissal of the docents. Mr.
Helmcken stated the docents have not been dismissed. The
Museum would like to get the docents involved once programs
are up and running. The reduction of staff had an impact on
the education programs.
The Committee thanked the volunteers and Board members.
During discussion, members noted the difficult times for all
museums, but everyone wants the Museum to continue. Some
concerns noted were: existing reviews of the Museum operation
have already been done and should be included in the upcoming
operational review; young people and the youth should also be
consulted during the review; the review's terms of reference
should include assessment of educational programmes; the
Canadian Museum Association, B.C. Museum Association, and
volunteer groups should also be consulted; the consultant
should explore the potential for the Museum to be a regional
museum. It was noted G.V.R.D. will be doing an inventory of
cultural institutions within the region at the same time of
the Museum's operational review; the materials could dovetail
with each other. Both sides were urged to work together; the
future entails a great deal of fund-raising.
The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put and
LOST.
THAT a one-time grant of $50,000, for one year, to
the Vancouver Museum Association to begin the
collection management project be approved.
(Councillors Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer,
Price and the Mayor opposed)
Clause No. 4 Continued
The following motions by Councillor Kennedy were put and
CARRIED. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT a 1995 operating grant of $636,800 be
approved to the Vancouver Museum Association;
source of funds to be the 1995 'Other' Grants
budget.
B. THAT the one-time grant request of $95,000 from
the Vancouver Museum Association, to cover the
operating losses due to the 1994 labour
dispute, NOT be approved, until the operating
review is completed.
C. THAT the one-time grant request of $150,000
($50,000 per year for three years) from the
Vancouver Museum Association, to partially fund
the collection management project, NOT be
approved, until the operating review is
completed.
D. THAT the terms of reference of the operating
review, as detailed in Appendix A of the
Administrative Report dated May 10, 1995, and
including a review of existing reports and
studies, be approved and the Director of
Finance and the Director of the Office of
Cultural Affairs be requested to report back on
the selection of the consultant and the cost of
the review.
AND FURTHER THAT Section 2.1 of the terms of
reference include analysis of educational
programme.
(Councillor Puil opposed to B)
Clause No. 4 Continued
The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put.
THAT the Museum Board be invited to appoint a
representative to the Steering Committee for the
operating review.
(amended)
The following amendment by Councillor Kwan was put and
CARRIED.
THAT the above motion be amended by the addition of
"the Vancouver Municipal Regional Employees Union"
after the Museum Board.
(Councillors Clarke and Kennedy opposed)
The amendment having CARRIED, the motion, as amended, was
put and the Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
E. THAT the Museum Board and the Vancouver
Municipal Regional Employees Union be invited
to appoint a representative to the Steering
Committee for the operating review.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:40 a.m.
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