1

CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

JUNE 15, 1999

A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, June 15, 1999, in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, commencing at 9:15 a.m., for the purpose of determining whether or not a 1999 Business Licence ought to be granted to the applicant, Mr. Aristides Katsiamitas, doing business as Blossom Escort Agency, 2228 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C.

PRESENT:	Deputy Mayor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Don Lee Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Mayor Philip Owen (Civic Business) Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Gord Spencer, City Manager's Office
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL:	Denise Salmon

1. Blossom Escort Agency - 2228 Kingsway File: 2711-14

Vancouver City Council had before it for consideration a copy of a petition and advertisement for Blossom Escort Agency, submitted by Strata Council LMS 2835, 2238 Kingsway, the evidence of witnesses, and an Evidence Brief prepared by the City's Legal Department which contained the following material (petition and brief on file in the City Clerk's Office):

Clause 1 Cont'd

Tab

1 Letter to Aristides Katsiamitas, doing business as Blossom Escort Agency, from Frances J. Connell, Director of Legal Services, dated May 27, 1999

2 Licence Application information, 2228 Kingsway, dated December 20, 1998

3 February 16, 1999:

- Memo re Suite 1083, The Carlyle Apartments
- Vancouver Police Department, Miscellaneous and Supplementary Report, Case No. 99-316131

- Permits & Licenses Department, Inspection Report, I.R. 353927

- Three photographs

4 Site Location Plan and map, 2228 Kingsway

5 March 25, 1999:

- Permits & Licenses Department, Inspection Report, I.R. 353595
- Report of Acting Sgt. 440 R. Davies

6 - Permits & Licenses Department notes, dated April and May, 1999
- Blossom Escorts' brochure

7 May 13, 1999:

- Property Use Inspection Report, I.R. UI 1626
- Report of Sgt. 206 Nelmes, Case No. 99-104793
- Five photographs

8 - Two copies of a letter to Ari Katsiamitas from Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, dated May 18, 1999 (one annotated)
- Notes of Paul Teichroeb dated May 20, 1999
- Letter of Appeal of Ari Katsiamitas, undated
- Property Use Inspection Report, I.R. UI 1722, dated May 25, 1999

Clause 1 Cont'd

9 June 4, 1999:

- Property Use Inspection Report, I.R. UI 1831
- Letter to Blossom Social Escort Services from Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector
- Report of P.C. 1935 P. Wimmer, Case No. 99-120661
- Residential Tenancy Agreement for Suite 201 - 1459 Kingsway, dated May 19, 1999

10 Notes of Pacifica First Strata Management Ltd.

Catherine Kinahan, Solicitor, was present on behalf of the City, and Brent Lokash, Barrister & Solicitor, represented the applicant, Aristides Katsiamitas, doing business as Blossom Escort Agency.

Ms. Kinahan advised the proceedings were taking place pursuant to Section 275 of the Vancouver Charter, which provides that Council may suspend or revoke a business license and Section 4 (2a) of the License By-law. Council's attention was then directed to a memorandum dated May 27, 1999, from the City's Director of Legal Services, to Aristides Katsiamitas, doing business as Blossom Escort Agency, which set out the allegations that the Applicant has failed to properly manage the licensed business and failed to control the conduct of his employees and has carried on business to the detriment of the safety and well being of the public.

In support of these allegations, Ms. Kinahan called the following witnesses:

· Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector
· Detective Bunt
· Detective Bob Davies
· Guy Gusdal, Property Use Inspector
· Tom Chiu
· Sergeant Nelmes
· John Chadwick
· Constable Greg Neufeld

Mr. Lokash directed questions to the witnesses, and then called on Aristides Katsiamitas as a witness. Mr. Katsiamitas circulated, for Council's consideration, a copy of a letter of support signed by four local businesses, and copies of applications for business licenses obtained from women working for Blossom Escort Agency (on file in City Clerk'sOffice).

Clause 1 Cont'd

Ms. Kinahan directed questions to Mr. Katsiamitas, as did the Deputy Mayor and Councillors.

Ms. Kinahan submitted that the evidence presented at this Hearing accords with the allegations set out in the May 27, 1999, letter delivered to Aristides Katsiamitas and sets out the legal test for Council to apply in determining whether or not a 1999 business license ought to be granted to the applicant, Aristides Katsiamitas, doing business as Blossom Escort Agency. Mr. Lokash submitted no direct evidence of the allegations had been produced this day.

Council Discussion

Prior to a decision on this matter, Council members noted the demonstrated history of the allegations set out above, including demonstrated repeated breaches of the Zoning and Development By-law, and failure of the applicant, Aristides Katsiamitas, to understand the operating and licensing requirements for his business.

MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,

A. THAT a 1999 Business License not be granted to the applicant, Aristides Katsiamitas, doing business as Blossom Escort Agency, 2228 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C., due to the substantiated allegation that the applicant has failed to properly manage his business by demonstrating his inability to maintain proper care and control of the premises to a reasonable level.

B. THAT the member municipalities of the Greater Vancouver Regional District be notified of Council's decision on this matter.

C. THAT Council be informed by the Chief License Inspector if any further applications for a business license are made by Aristides Katsiamitas to the City of Vancouver.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver