CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

April 4, 2000

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, April 4, 2000, at 2:00 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 George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S
OFFICE: Ulli S. Watkiss, City Clerk

Gail Johnson, Meeting Coordinator

* Denotes presence for a portion of the meeting.

PRAYER

The proceedings in the Council Chamber were opened with a prayer read by the City Clerk.

"IN CAMERA" MEETING

MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick,

THAT Council will go into a meeting later this day which is closed to the public, pursuant to Section 165.2 of the Vancouver Charter, to discuss matters related to paragraph:

(a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the city or another position appointed by the city.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

1. Special Council

(Public Hearing)
March 14, 2000

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

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved with an amendment noting that Councillor Lynne Kennedy was absent on Civic Business.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Regular Council

(City Services & Budgets)
March 16, 2000

MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick,

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved with an amendment noting that Councillor Lynne Kennedy was absent on Civic Business.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Regular Council

(Planning & Environment)
March 16, 2000

MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved, with an amendment noting Councillors Kennedy and Puil were absent on Civic Business.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Regular Council

March 28, 2000

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

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. Special Council

(Phase 2 Rapid Transit)
March 27 and 30, 2000

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

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Council members requested an information memo from the City Clerk clarifying reasons for absence from Council and Committee meetings.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the Chair.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

REPORT REFERENCE

1. Coalition Forums on the Continuum of Care File: 3701

Judy Rogers, City Manager, provided a verbal update on Coalition Forums on the Continuum of Care which have been held at Carnegie Centre, and Dunbar Community Centre, seeking community input on prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement measures. Ms. Rogers advised that the next forums will be held on April 12, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House, April 14, 2000 at 7:30 a.m. at the Plaza 500 Hotel, and on May 3, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. at the Vancouver School Board Offices.

MOVED by Cllr. Price,

THAT the verbal report by the City Manager be received for information.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. 2000 Operating Budget - Interim Report

March 27, 2000 File: 1605/RTS: 1380

Ken Bayne, Director of Financial Planning & Treasury, using a powerpoint presentation, provided a Report Reference on the Interim 2000 Operating Budget, as revised since Council considered the Preliminary Report on February 15, 2000 which indicated a property tax increase of 5.25%. At that time, staff was requested to report back with management proposals to allow the interim estimates to be developed with an increase in property taxes between 2 and 4%. Council's direction on bringing the budget into balance was being sought as well as a decision on the funding level for the Park Board Global Budget.

During discussion, Mr. Bayne was asked to provide an information memo on adjustment costs to be realized when Fire & Rescue Services joins the E-COMM services, as well as information on what other agencies will be included. In addition, more information was requested on the proposed ongoing use of casino funds.

Council noted that a delegation request had been received on this item, therefore consideration of the recommendations contained in the report was postponed to the April 6, 2000 meeting of the City Services and Budgets Committee, at which time speakers will be heard.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Phase 2 Rapid Transit - Commercial Drive West; Public Process

March 14, 2000 File: 5559/RTS: 1332

Vancouver City Council, at its special meeting on March 27, which was reconvened on March 30, 2000, and after hearing delegations, postponed deliberations on Recommendations B-E as contained in the Policy Report dated March 14, 2000, to today's Regular Council meeting. A Report Reference on this matter was also heard at the regular Council meeting on March 28, 2000, which was received for information.

Jane Bird, Project Manager, Rapid Transit Office, provided Council with a brief summary of the recommendations, issues and public process.

MOVED by Cllr. Price,
1. THAT Council recommend to the Province and TransLink that SkyTrain continue west from VCC, via the False Creek Flats and Broadway Corridor to Granville Street, as part of the present construction program, with a rapid bus connection to UBC, subject to: a financial agreement with the province being sustained; Translink's ability to incorporate costs in such a way that allows bus/trolley commitments to be sustained; mitigation and improvements for affected neighbourhoods.

2. THAT staff meet with the Province and TransLink to establish a process for the westerly extension and report back on a work program and budget to participate in the design of this extension, including:

- a plan for public realm improvements on Broadway with a view to implementing those improvements concurrently with construction of the SkyTrain extension, thereby realizing any economies, with any additional improvements to be considered for the City Capital Plan Program; and

- a plan that addresses the issues of a tunnel under the corridor, both during construction and in-service operation, with particular regard for the heritage and aesthetic value of properties along 10th Avenue and the medical precinct at VGH.

3. THAT staff be instructed to meet with TransLink to discuss planning for a north-south rapid transit line between Richmond and downtown and, following these discussions, report back on a work program and budget.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Bass, Louis, McCormick and Sullivan opposed to motions 1 & 2)

- - - - -
The Council recessed at 5:10 p.m. and reconvened at 5:20 p.m.,
with Councillors Bass, Clarke, Kennedy, Louis, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor present.
- - - - -

CITY MANAGER'S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

1. Computer Room Staffing - Vancouver Public Library

March 15, 2000 File: 1380/RTS: 1356

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,

THAT an additional System Support Technician Position estimated to cost $47,900 annually (including benefits) be established with source of funding to be from the Library's existing operating budget.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillors Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick, and Price absent for the vote)

2. Award of Tender No. PS00006:

Supply of 100 ft. Aerial Ladder Platform and Pumper Fire Truck
March 17, 2000 File: 1805/RTS: 1363

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,

THAT Council accept the low bid which represents best value from Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. for a model S100R3TPL 2000, 100 foot aerial ladder platform and pumper fire truck, at a total purchase price of $992,500 plus the 7% Goods and Services Tax (less any municipal rebate received), the Provincial Sales Tax and the Provincial Environmental Levy, subject to a contract satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillors Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick, and Price absent for the vote)

3. Form of Development: 699 Cardero Street

Austerville Properties Ltd.
March 21, 2000 File: 2604/RTS: 1365

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,

THAT the form of development for this portion (Sub-Area 1) of the CD-1 zoned siteknown as 1601 West Georgia Street (699 Cardero Street being the application address) be approved generally as illustrated in the Development Application Number DE404701, prepared by Hancock Bruckner Eng & Wright and stamped "Received, City Planning Department December 1, 1999", provided that the Director of Planning may approve design changes which would not adversely affect either the development character of this site or adjacent properties.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillors Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick, and Price absent for the vote)

4. Drug Policy Coordinator

March 28, 2000 File:1367/4113/RTS: 1372

Councillors Daniel Lee, Don Lee, and McCormick returned to the meeting at this point.

MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,

A. THAT Council approve the creation of a new three year exempt temporary full-time position within Community Services of Drug Policy Coordinator. The salary for this position will be in the low to mid $70 thousand range and will be subject to a formal classification review by the General Manager of Human Resources. Source of funds to be year 2000 Operating Budget.

B. THAT Council approve funding for the remainder of 2000 and subsequent years.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

5. Authority to Travel to Jersey Island, England, and Amsterdam,
To attend the 11th International Conference of the
Reduction of Drug Related Harm, April 9-20, 2000 File: 1310/RTS: 1386

MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,

THAT Council authorize Donald MacPherson, to travel to Jersey Island to attend a conference and follow up with site visits to Liverpool and Amsterdam.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

CITY MANAGER'S POLICY REPORTS

1. Text Amendment: 699 Cardero Street (Bayshore Gardens Neighbourhood)

March 21, 2000 File: 5304-1/RTS: 1369

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,

THAT the application by Hancock Bruckner Eng & Wright Architects to amend CD-1 By-law No. 7232 for 1601 West Georgia Street, 1601-1650 Bayshore Drive, to permit height of buildings along West Georgia Street to be measured from the Georgia Street building grade, be referred to a Public Hearing and approved, together with the draft CD-1 By-law amendments generally as presented in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated March 21, 2000; and

FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary amending by-law for consideration at the Public Hearing.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

2. Referral to Public Hearing of Amendments to the

RS-1/1S, RS-1A, RS-1B, RS-2, RS-3/3A, RS-4, RS-5/5S,
and RS-6 Zoning Schedules to Limit Impervious Surface
March 20, 2000 File: 5302/RTS: 291

MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,

A. THAT the Director of Current Planning be instructed to make application:

· To amend the RS-1/1S, RS-1A, RS-1B, RS-2, RS-3/3A, and RS-4 district schedules to limit impervious surface coverage to 60 percent, including a relaxation provision; and

· To amend the RS-5/5S and RS-6 district schedules to add a relaxation provision to the 60 percent impervious coverage limit;

generally in accordance with Appendix A of the Policy Report dated March 20, 2000;

FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary by-law for consideration at the Public Hearing;

AND FURTHER THAT the application be referred to a Public Hearing.

B. THAT the Director of CityPlans and the General Manager of Engineering Services be instructed to conduct two public information meetings prior to the Public Hearing.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

3. Implementation of the Proposed Sewer Utility

March 20, 2000 File: 1755/RTS: 1299

Council had for its consideration a Policy Report dated March 20, 2000 in which the General Managers of Corporate and Engineering Services presented basic fundamentals underlying the creation of a Sewer Utility which would allow the City to recover costs associated with the sewer system through direct user. In addition, before Council, was a letter dated March 23, 2000 from the Citizens' Advisory Group on Property Taxation.

Dave Rudberg, General Manager, Engineering Services and Ken Bayne, Director of Financial Planning and Treasurer responded to questions from Council.

Councillor Price returned to the meeting at this point.

POSTPONEMENT MOVED by Cllr. Bass,

THAT consideration of the Policy Report dated March 20, 2000 entitled Implementation of the Proposed Sewer Utility be postponed for the hearing of delegations.

- LOST

(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick
Price, Puil, Sullivan and Mayor Owen opposed)

.
MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,

A. THAT Council confirm its support for the implementation of a user-pay based sewer utility to include charges for sanitary and storm components, generallyapplied as follows:

- a sanitary sewer fee comprised of a charge based on water consumption (as a proxy for sewer use) and a charge based on lot size, and
- a storm sewer fee based on lot size and zoning.

B. THAT Council approve the implementation of the consumption based charge for sanitary sewer services effective July 1, 2000, with 50% of the annual costs being distributed in the general purposes tax levy and the balance being distributed as user fees, and THAT 100% of the costs be distributed as user fees beginning January 1, 2001.

C. THAT staff report back before January 1, 2001 on the timing of and options for implementation of the lot size fee.

D. THAT Council approve a sewer information management system budget and the addition of one Financial Analyst position and one Billing Clerk to support the Sewer Utility at a cost of $113,600 for 2000 ($212,800 annually), subject to classification by the Director of Human Resources.

E. THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary bylaw to give effect to the sewer utility implementation.

- amended

AMENDMENT MOVED by Cllr. Puil,

THAT motion A be amended to delete reference to "a storm sewer fee based on lot size and zoning".

- CARRIED

(Councillors Bass, Daniel Lee, Louis, Sullivan and Mayor Owen opposed)

MOTION AS AMENDED:

A. THAT Council confirm its support for the implementation of a user-pay based sewer utility to include charges for sanitary components, generally applied as follows:

- a sanitary sewer fee comprised of a charge based on water consumption (as a proxy for sewer use) and a charge based on lot size.

B. THAT Council approve the implementation of the consumption based chargefor sanitary sewer services effective July 1, 2000, with 50% of the annual costs being distributed in the general purposes tax levy and the balance being distributed as user fees, and THAT 100% of the costs be distributed as user fees beginning January 1, 2001.

C. THAT staff report back before January 1, 2001 on the timing of and options for implementation of the lot size fee.

D. THAT Council approve a sewer information management system budget and the addition of one Financial Analyst position and one Billing Clerk to support the Sewer Utility at a cost of $113,600 for 2000 ($212,800 annually), subject to classification by the Director of Human Resources.

E. THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary bylaw to give effect to the sewer utility implementation.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)

4. Smoke-Free By-law Amendments

March 30, 2000 File: 4105/RTS: 1220

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,

A. THAT the Vancouver Health By-law #6580 be amended to incorporate smoke-free provisions in adult-oriented establishments generally as described in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated March 30, 2000.

B. That consideration of the following recommendation be referred to a meeting of Council at which time speakers will be heard only on the size of the smoking room and ventilation options:

"THAT the Vancouver Health By-law #6580 be amended to remove the 5 square metre limitation from the requirements for a smoking room, leaving in place a 10% of publicly accessible floor area as a maximum size limit."

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

OTHER REPORTS

I. Report To Council

Family Court/Youth Justice Committee
March 22, 2000

1. Funding for Provincial Conference 2000

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,

THAT City Council approve Recommendations 1 to 5 as outlined below:

1. THAT City Council allocate $2,000.00 for the Provincial Family Court Youth Justice Conference is event, to cover expenses i.e. postage, printing, cleaning etc.

2. THAT the Mayor address the conference on the morning of Saturday, June 17, 2000.

3. THAT the City host a reception on Saturday evening, after proceedings close, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

4. THAT, while the bulk of the work will be performed by the Family Court Youth Justice Committee members, the Committee requests support from City staff to help provide continuity and expertise. We have been informed by the City Clerk's Office that the cost will be approximately $1,296.51 for an Auxiliary Clerk II.

5. THAT the event be held at Vancouver City Hall, in the Council Chamber and adjoining meeting rooms.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

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

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

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

BY-LAWS

1. By-law Amendments: Smoke-free Provisions of the Health By-law

By-law No. 8185

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bass,

THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillor Puil absent for the vote)

The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer declared the by-law open for discussion and amendment.

There being no amendments, it was

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bass,

THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillor Puil absent for the vote)

NOTICE OF MOTION

Unloading of PCB's in Vancouver Harbour File: 3759

The Council granted Councillor Louis leave to waive Notice of Motion for the following motion:

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,

WHEREAS the Chinese registered freighter Wan He is scheduled to unload 81 tonnes of PCBc (polychlorinated bi-phenyls) in Vancouver on Friday, April 7, 2000;

WHEREAS, PCB's are known to be highly toxic to human health and the environment;

WHEREAS, the PCB's on board the Wan He are the property of the U.S. Defence Department;

WHEREAS, the United States has prohibited the importation of PCB's since 1997;

WHEREAS, the Government of Ontario will not allow the PCB's to be processed at the Kirkland Lake, Ont. facility to which the PCB's were initially destined;

WHEREAS Federal Environment Minister David Anderson is currently negotiating with U.S. authorities to find another destination for the PCB's.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Vancouver City Council is opposed to any PCB's being offloaded in Vancouver from the Wan He.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Sidewalk Impediments - Sandwich Boards File: 5808/RTS: 1419

Councillor Price noted that some stores on the south side of Davie Street are competing with each other for space on the sidewalk for their sandwich boards, which is creating a very hazardous condition. He believed this situation has to be enforced and requested a report back on regulations needed to address this matter.

The Council so agreed.

2. Leaves of Absence File: 1254

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

THAT Councillor McCormick be granted Leave of Absence from April 27 to May 3, 2000.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,

THAT Councillor Clarke be granted Leave of Absence from April 20 - 26, 2000.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Bus Impact Task Force Public Meeting File: 3150

Councillor McCormick, liaison to the Bus Impact Task Force, advised that a Public Meeting will be held on April 15, 2000, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. to gather input on the impact of buses and commercial motor coaches in Vancouver.

The Council adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver