REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 15, 1998

ACTIONS

COUNCIL CHAMBER - 2:00 P.M.

PRAYER

ROLL CALL

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Mayor Owen and Carole Taylor - signing of agreement with the Port Authority.

PRESENTATION

Representatives of the Transit Museum Society will be in attendance to present the proceeds from the first month of operation of the City’s Streetcar.

"IN CAMERA" MEETING

There are personnel and property matters to be considered "In Camera" later this day.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

LATE DISTRIBUTION

1.Regular Council Meeting (with the exception of the ‘In Camera’ portion) - September 8, 1998

APPROVED

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

LATE ITEM

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. East First Avenue - Traffic Review

THAT consideration of recommendation ëD' included in the Administrative Report dated August 20, 1998 be deferred. - CARRIED

A. THAT staff prepare with the residents a pilot project for reducing noise impacts on East First Avenue, including measures such as quieter pavement, berms, landscaping, fencing, and speed enforcement, with a target budget in the range of $50,000 to $75,000, to be reported back to Council.

B. THAT funding of $10,000 be allocated from Streets Basic Capital Account number 13/32/9801/999 - Local Area and Other Improvements, for an acoustical consultant to evaluate the alternatives for the pilot project. - CARRIED

C. THAT signage be improved so trucks accessing the Downtown are directed away from East First Avenue to routes such as Hastings Street, and the Ministry of Transportation and Highways be requested to place signage on Highway 1.

E. THAT B.C. Transit be encouraged to work with major event organizers to include transit fares with event tickets.

F. THAT the Police be requested to consider increased speed and commercial vehicle enforcement on East First Avenue.

G. THAT the Provincial Government be requested to consider photo radar enforcement on East First Avenue, when suitable equipment is available. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

H. THAT staff continue negotiations and discussions with B.C. Transit around the issue of re-routing all empty buses from East First Avenue and that the report back to Council include clarification of: a) the number of empty buses that use East First Avenue; b) the costs involved in re-routing the empty buses and how those costs are determined; c) any other related issues. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

I. THAT the City restore parking on East First Avenue between midnight and 6:00 a.m. - LOST

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

1.Tender 9815 - Construction of Left Turn Bays on 57th Avenue at Knight Street

RECOMMENDATION APPROVED

2.Cambie Works Yard Site: Ground-water Control System in the Asphalt Plant Area

RECOMMENDATION APPROVED

3.Extension of Building Permit No. BU402238 - 75 East Pender Street

RECOMMENDATION APPROVED

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (CONT’D)

4.Reconstruction of Intersections at Cambie Street and 12th Avenue, and Boundary Road at 49th Avenue

RECOMMENDATION APPROVED

5.Taxicab Fare Increase

RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED

6.Awad of Contract No. 9813 for the Supply and Installation of Distribution Watermain

REPORT WITHDRAWN

LATE DISTRIBUTION

7.Transfer of Community Services Grant from Sunset Community Centre to Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre

RECOMMENDATION APPROVED BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY

POLICY REPORTS

1.CD-1 Rezoning - 1742-1752 West 2nd Avenue

RECOMMENDATION APPROVED

Staff was requested to provide, at the Public Hearing, a full report about traffic conditions on this street.

BY-LAWS

1.A By-law to amend By-law No. 6066, being the Vehicles for Hire By-law (Taxicab Fare Increase)

APPROVED - BY-LAW NO. 7934

2.A By-law to amend the Parking Meter By-law , being By-law No. 2952 (New Provisions to Permit Use of Debit Card and Change Parking Meter Space And to Implement Several Housekeeping Amendments)

APPROVED - BY-LAW NO. 7935

MOTIONS

LATE DISTRIBUTION

A.Conveyance of Land for Municipal Purposes (Establishing Road, West Side Street, North of 41st Avenue, adjacent to 5642 Knight Street)

APPROVED

NOTICE OF MOTION

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Explosion in False Creek

Councillor Clarke referred to an explosion which had occurred in False Creek earlier this day, acknowledging that residents are concerned and would like information on the matter. She wondered what steps have been taken by the City to investigate the cause. The City Manager explained that a reason for the explosions has not yet been determined, however City staff are investigating and have asked the owner of the building involved to hire an independent consultant. Residents who have questions should contact Tom Timm, the City Building Inspector.

2. Vancouver-Richmond Rapid Bus

Councillor Clarke recalled that at its meeting of July 28, 1998, Council approved recommendations related to the Vancouver-Richmond Rapid Bus, one of which called for a Rapid Bus Advisory Committee to be struck. She requested an information memo from staff on the progress toward setting up this committee. Councillor Clarke also felt that more signage is required on Granville Street to remind people of the speed limit. The Mayor advised that staff are looking at the issue of more signage on Granville Street and agreed an information memo advising of the status of the Advisory Committee would be appropriate.

3. Sidewalk Vending

Councillor Daniel Lee explained he had received complaints about the selling practices of a sidewalk flower vendor, on Dunsmuir Street, between Hornby and Howe Streets, which has been a problem since 1994. Flower shop businesses inside Cathedral Place are subject to rent and maintenance costs which do not affect the street vendor, creating an unfair situation. The complainant has requested that the vendor be relocated on the size of his business be limited and the City Manager was requested to investigate the matter and provide an information memo to Council. The Mayor responded that he was aware the vendor is increasingly using more of the sidewalk to display his sizeable stock. He believed it was appropriate to have staff decide if the vendor was violating his permit.

4. Policing of Drug-related Activities in the Downtown Eastside

Councillor Daniel Lee referred to problems in the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Strathcona and Gastown related to drugs and illegal activities, which have adversely affected these neighbourhoods for many years. He referred to letters recently received from associations in these neighbourhoods urging Council to not restrict increased policing of these areas, which has provided a noticeable change over the past several weeks. The Mayor was requested to bring this matter to the attention of the Police Board, at its next meeting. The Mayor so agreed.

5. Beach Avenue - Bicycle Route Signage

Councillor Kennedy advised she had received a number of telephone calls about the safety hazards that exist on Beach Avenue, as the paths for pedestrians and bicycles are easily confused. She noted there is no signage on the asphalt pavement and questioned whether the City or Park Board is responsible for this oversight. The Mayor explained he had discussed this matter with the General Manager of the Park Board and Park Board staff will follow up the complaints.

6. Granville Bridge - Vagrant

Councillor Puil noted that an individual has "set up house" at one of the access roads to the Granville Street Bridge, and efforts to relocate him should be taken. The City Manager responded that housing relocation services have been in touch with him and will continue to pursue the matter.

OTHER BUSINESS

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver