CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 14, 1999

A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, September 14, 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, third floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil
ABSENT:	Councillor Sam Sullivan (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL:	Nancy Largent

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

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

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the Chair, to hear speakers on priorities for the 2000 - 2002 Capital Plan.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

1. Priorities for the 2000 - 2002 Capital Plan File # 1611

Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager, described the Capital Plan's purposes, related policies, and public process, and reviewed proposed areas of expenditure, amounts, and sources of funding. The balanced Capital Plan before Council has been endorsed by both the Corporate Management Team and the Capital Plan Staff Review Group. In response to queries, Mr. MacGregor clarified funding for community centres, and advised that the Waterworks Capital Plan will be submitted to Council for approval on September 21, 1999. Mr. MacGregor also clarified borrowing parameters for the Capital Plan, noting that Council previously established a maximum plan of $173 Million. Up to $184 Million would have been possible while remaining ithin Council's policy on debt charges.

Council heard from the following speakers:

John Whistler, Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC), felt the Capital Plan is a good tool to develop a sustainable city, and key performance indicators should be established accordingly. Mr. Whistler encouraged focussing on transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities; management of water demand and protection of the watershed; and growth management.

In response to a query, Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, advised that 90% of the increase in water mains is related to fire demand.

W. T. Lane felt the public process had been satisfactory and the poll good. However, Mr. Lane recommended that the City review the whole concept of local improvements in residential areas in consultation with neighbourhood groups, to arrive at an improved system.

Matt Toma questioned the methodology and completeness of the survey, and felt it manufactured consensus.. For example, information was not provided on wages paid to workers and associated stimulation of the local economy. Mr. Toma also noted the City has greater borrowing capacity than is utilized in this plan. Funding should be increased on social needs such as housing.

Kathleen Bigsby, Vancouver Community Centre Community Association Presidents, stressed the need to upgrade or replace community centres. Demand for service is growing and there are many beneficial impacts. Ms. Bigsbey supported the Park Board Capital Plan. In addition, the Community Associations request that a separate referendum question be put to provide community centres with an additional $6-7 Million over three years, by a levy of $15 per household.

In response to a query, Ken Bayne, Director, Financial Planning and Treasury, advised City Council does not have the authority to impose what is, essentially, a flat tax asproposed by the Community Associations.

Ms. Bigsby was confident a different funding formula could be worked out. She also responded to questions regarding the assigning of funding priorities, and acknowledged that are many needs within the Park Board area alone.

Responding to a query, Alan Fetherstonhaugh, Chair, Board of Parks and Recreation, indicated the Board has not passed a specific resolution of support for the Community Associations' request, but feels citizens should be free to raise their own initiatives.

Susan Mundick, General Manager of Parks and Recreation, responded to queries regarding seismic upgrading of community centres. Five community centres in need of seismic upgrading have been identified. Of these, two to three could be upgraded with the funding identified.

Helmut Benz asked where and how the City disposes of solid waste, if solid waste is incinerated, and whether "user pay" would permit lower charges for less bags of garbage.

The Mayor requested the Assistant City Engineer, Solid Waste and Information Services, to provide Mr. Benz with the requested information.

Gillian Doan, CUPE Local 391, reviewed Capital Plan projects submitted by the Vancouver Library Board. Of the $17.8 Million requested, only $500 Thousand has been included in the plan for 2000 - 2002. Improvements are greatly needed in order to continue giving good service. Also, if funds were included to expand the Mt. Pleasant Branch Library at the same time funding is approved for the Mount Pleasant Community Centre, there would be cost savings.

In response to a query, Mr. MacGregor clarified that location of the Mount Pleasant Community Centre is one issue, and there are various potential partnerships.

Ms. Mundick advised the Park Board has commenced a planning process to establish partnerships, site, etc. for the Mount Pleasant Community Centre. There will be a further report to Council.

Anita Romaniuk, COPE, noted more funding is needed for the Park Board, including funds for upgrading and replacement of aging facilities, and more playing fields. The question of total Capital Plan funding - i.e. $173 Million versus $184 Million - should be put to the public in a referendum. Ms. Romaniuk supported the Communty Associations' request for more money for community centres, but not through a flat tax.

David Fairey, Alternative City Budget Working Group, felt the public process did notprovide enough information or allow enough time, and should have been more open and consultative at an earlier stage. A pre-determined limit on the total funding to be allocated in the Capital Plan precludes genuine participation. This is the lowest three-year Capital Plan in the last decade, yet serious social challenges require increased investmentin, for example, child care and low-cost housing.

Rosalind Castle, Vancouver Green Party, opposed Council's unilateral decision to provide funds to expand the Vancouver Aquarium by adding a salmon stream.. This should have been a referendum question. There were no salmon runs, historically, in Stanley Park. Funds would be better given to volunteer groups working to restore historic salmon runs. Ms. Castle objected to cruelty to animals, providing examples, and to the profit motive.

Mr. MacGregor clarified that the decision to support a salmon run at the Vancouver Aquarium was decision unrelated to the Capital Plan. The funds were allocated from Bayshore development lease money.

Michael Horn asked Council to reconsider its priorities, since the social situation is rapidly deteriorating. Mr. Horn supported increased funds for libraries and community centres, and recommended a major new library in the Downtown Eastside. Seismic upgrading to community centres is essential to have them available as post-disaster shelters. Any Aquarium allocation should be put as a separate ballot question.

Colin Stark, Canadians for Direct Democracy, supported the role of referendums in the democratic process, assuming there is a system for citizen initiated referenda. The public is well educated and informed. Referenda enable citizens to feel that their wishes count and place a brake on dictatorial tendencies.

Marilyn Pollard, Little Mountain Neighbourhood House, reviewed the need to replace Little Mountain Neighbourhood House to fulfill its dream of neighbour helping neighbour. Ms. Pollard supported a $2.9 Million Capital Plan allocation for this purpose, which could be used to leverage senior government funds. Little Mountain has allocated 25% of space to the Riley Park branch library, and would be happy to discuss other partnership options.

This concluded the list of speakers present at the meeting. The Mayor advised that Council would make its decision on the 2000 - 2002 Capital Plan on September 21, 1999.

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,
SECONDED BY Cllr. Price,

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Special Council adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver