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CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
October 31, 2000
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, October 31, 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 SullivanCITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Judy Rogers, City ManagerCITY CLERK'S
OFFICE: Ulli Watkiss, City Clerk
Jan Gibson, Director of Meeting and Election Services
PRAYER
The proceedings in the Council Chamber were opened with a prayer read by the City Clerk.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
1. Regular Council - October 17, 2000
MOVED by Cllr. McCormick
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis
THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on October 17, 2000, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Cllr. Daniel Lee absent for the vote)
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole with Mayor Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Cllr. Daniel Lee absent for the vote)
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Federation of Canadian Municipalities- Municipal Leaders' Statement on Climate Change
MOVED by Cllr. Puil
WHEREAS 1990 to 1999 was the warmest decade of the millennium;WHEREAS a global reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) is necessary to slow climate change and reduce the risks to human health, the physical environment, economy and quality of life;
WHEREAS the 1998 ice storm cost the City of Montreal $116 million, Baie Comeau more than $2.5 million and the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton $6.32 million, while the Red River flood cost Winnipeg $32.3 million;
WHEREAS these weather-related expenses are creating an additional financial burden for municipalities at a time when responsibilities are increasing as a result of devolution;
WHEREAS reducing greenhouse gases makes good economic sense. New and improved infrastructure, energy efficiency, building retrofits, water conservation, more effective wastewater treatment and distribution, renewable energy technologies, waste reduction, better fleet management, etc. reduce municipal operating costs and help maintain community services, while having a positive impact on the environment;
WHEREAS industrialized countries, realizing initial commitments were inadequate to protect the Earth's climate system, agreed in December 1997 to the Kyoto Protocol which, if ratified, commits Canada to reducing greenhouse gas emissions six percent below 1990 levels between 2008 - 2012;
WHEREAS in November, national governments will meet in The Hague, Netherlands to negotiate terms and conditions for ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. It is critical that Canada has the support it needs to conclude negotiations;
BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT mayors and municipal leaders responsible for the well-being of communities across Canada urge federal and provincial/territorial governments to make climate protection a priority; andTHAT the City of Vancouver in the Province of British Columbia endorse this MUNICIPAL LEADERS' RESOLUTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.
AMENDMENT MOVED by Cllr. Bass:
THAT the words after "BE IT RESOLVED" be deleted and substituted with the following:THAT the Mayors and municipal leaders of communities across Canada encourage federal, provincial, and municipal governments to:
1) Reduce Canada's domestic pollution directly, rather than gaining reduction credits from other countries;
2) Take specific actions domestically to reduce greenhouse emissions
a. federal funding to support transit
b. update energy efficiency standards for vehicles, appliances, machinery, and buildings;3) Create national and provincial standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that come from the production of natural gas, oil coal, and electricity.
-amended
Members of Council requested that clauses 1,2 and 3 be voted on separately.
CLAUSE 1 PUT:
1) Reduce Canada's domestic pollution directly, rather than gaining reduction credits from other countries;
-LOST
(Cllrs. Bass and Louis in favour)
CLAUSE 2 PUT:
2) Take specific actions domestically to reduce greenhouse emissions
a. federal funding to support transit
b. update energy efficiency standards for vehicles, appliances, machinery, and buildings;
-CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CLAUSE 3 PUT:
3) Create national and provincial standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that come from the production of natural gas, oil coal, and electricity.
-CARRIED
(Mayor Owen and Cllr. Puil opposed)
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT:
THAT Council approve the Municipal Leaders' Resolution on Climate Change, as follows:WHEREAS 1990 to 1999 was the warmest decade of the millennium;
WHEREAS a global reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) is necessary to slow climate change and reduce the risks to human health, the physical environment, economy and quality of life;
WHEREAS the 1998 ice storm cost the City of Montreal $116 million, Baie Comeau more than $2.5 million and the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton $6.32 million, while the Red River flood cost Winnipeg $32.3 million;
WHEREAS these weather-related expenses are creating an additional financial burden for municipalities at a time when responsibilities are increasing as a result of devolution;
WHEREAS reducing greenhouse gases makes good economic sense. New and improved infrastructure, energy efficiency, building retrofits, water conservation, more effective wastewater treatment and distribution, renewable energy technologies, waste reduction, better fleet management, etc. reduce municipal operating costs and help maintain community services, while having a positive impact on the environment;
WHEREAS industrialized countries, realizing initial commitments were inadequate to protect the Earth's climate system, agreed in December 1997 to the Kyoto Protocol which, if ratified, commits Canada to reducing greenhouse gas emissions six percent below 1990 levels between 2008 - 2012;
WHEREAS in November, national governments will meet in The Hague, Netherlands to negotiate terms and conditions for ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. It is critical that Canada has the support it needs to conclude negotiations;
BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT the Mayors and municipal leaders of communities across Canada encourage federal, provincial, and municipal governments to:1) Take specific actions domestically to reduce greenhouse emissions
a. federal funding to support transit
b. update energy efficiency standards for vehicles, appliances, machinery, and buildings;2) Create national and provincial standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that come from the production of natural gas, oil coal, and electricity.
-CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITY MANAGER'S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1. Submissions to the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel (by Translink)
MOVED by Cllr. Louis
A. THAT Council endorse TransLink's recommendations to the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel and that the Mayor write a letter to the Review Panel informing it of the City's support.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Council agreed that the letter to Translink also encourage Translink to recommend that the Review Panel address the following issues:
a. the use of the term "one time" in Recommendation # 4;
b. the use of the term "without undue interference" in Recommendation # 5;
c. the issue of discontinuance including the need to advertise and the valuation to be placed on the line to be discontinued;
d. the need for federal funding support for rapid bus infrastructure.2. Re-appointment of External Auditors
MOVED by Cllr. Puil
A. THAT the accounting firm of KPMG LLP (KPMG) be confirmed as the City's External Auditors for the fiscal year 2000 as required under Section 23(1) of the Vancouver Charter in accordance with the terms of engagement as set out in the attached letter from KPMG dated September 5, 2000.
B. THAT the audit fee of $128, 173 (exclusive of GST) proposed in the attached letter dated September 5, 2000, be approved.
C. THAT the appointment of the accounting firm KPMG as the City's External Auditors be extended for a period of two years to cover the fiscal years 2001 and 2002.
D. THAT the fees for the 2001 and 2002 audit be set at the fee for the 2000 audit adjusted annually for the change in the Vancouver CPI.
-CARRIED
(Cllrs. Bass and Louis opposed)3. 2000 Debenture Program
MOVED by Cllr. Puil
A. THAT the City proceed to market a City of Vancouver debenture issue of up to $80 million.
B. THAT the Director of Finance be empowered to act and instruct the City's Fiscal Agent to proceed with the issue, after consultation with the Mayor, the Chair of the City Services and Budgets Committee, and the City Manager, or a majority of them, and to set the rate, price, and other terms on which the debentures will be marketed.
-CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. New Position: Manager, Information Technology Security
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke
THAT Council approve a Regular Full Time exempt position of Manager, Information Technology Security, subject to classification by the General Manger of Human Resources, with funding to be provided from the 2001 Operating Budget.
-CARRIED
(Cllr. Louis opposed)5. The Renovation of the Central Residence - 42 E. Cordova St.
It was noted that the reference in the report to "42 E. Hastings St." was incorrect and should be changed to "42 E. Cordova St."
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy
A. THAT Council approve, subject to report back on the results of a feasibility study and detailed renovation program, the Memorandum of Understanding attached as Appendix B, dated February 16, 2000, between the City and BC Housing that sets out the terms for the renovation of the Central Residence whereby BC Housing would fund the renovations in return for the City agreeing to operate the building until 2030 with rents to be set at the shelter component of welfare or, if that is not feasible, on a non-profit basis.
B.THAT Council approve retaining the firm of Chernoff Thompson Architects to undertake the evaluation of renovation options for the Central Residence at a cost of $40,000 plus GST with funding to be provided by BC Housing.
-CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. SAP 4.6C Upgrade
MOVED: Cllr. Clarke
A. THAT Council accept the best value bid from Omnilogic Systems Group to provide the contracted services to assist the City's SAP Business Support team with the upgrade of the SAP system from version 3.11 to version 4.6C, at a cost of $936,900 (exclusive of GST) subject to a contract satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services.
B. THAT Council approve $370,100 to meet the bid price of the recommended contractor, Omnilogic Systems Group, and for project contingency toensure successful completion of the City's first major upgrade to SAP. This funding is in addition to the $500,000 previously approved by Council. The source of funding will be the Information Technology Long Term Financing Plan.
-CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Cllr. Louis opposed)POLICY REPORTS
1. Revised Arrangements for the Pacific Racing Association for the Racetrack at Hastings Park
MOVED by Cllr. Puil
THAT this matter be postponed to a future City Services and Budget Committee meeting to hear from delegations.
-CARRIED
(Cllrs. Bass, Louis and Sullivan opposed)
2. Miscellaneous Text Amendments: Zoning and Development By-law, Official Development Plan By-laws, Parking By-law, Sign By-law, Zoning and Development Fee By-law and Design Guidelines
MOVED by Cllr. Louis
A. THAT the Director of Current Planning be instructed to make application to amend the Zoning and Development By-law (including various CD-1 By-laws), Official Development Plan By-laws, and the Sign By-law, for miscellaneous amendments generally in accordance with Appendices A and B, and that the application be referred to Public Hearing;
THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary by-laws for consideration at the Public Hearing; and
B. THAT miscellaneous amendments to the Zoning and Development Fee
By-law, Parking By-law and various Guidelines be approved, generally in accordance with Appendices C and D; and
FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to bring forward the necessary by-laws for enactment.
-CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Text Amendment - Zoning and Development Fee By-law [RS-7S]
MOVED by Cllr. Louis
THAT if the application of the Director of Current Planning to create an RS-7S District Schedule and rename areas from RS-1A or RS-2 is approved at Public Hearing, the Zoning and Development Fee By-law No. 5585 be amended to reference RS-7S generally in accordance with Appendix A; andFURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to bring forward the necessary by-law at the time of enactment.
-CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Liquor Store Sunday Openings
Paul Teichroeb advised that the references to "1655 Davie Street" in the second last and last paragraphs on page 2 of the report dated October 30, 2000 should be deleted andreplaced with "1191 Robson Street" in the two occurrences in the second last paragraph, and "1716 Robson Street" in the last paragraph on page 2.
MOVED by Cllr. Louis
THAT Council inform the Provincial Government and Liquor Distribution Branch of its vigorous opposition to Sunday openings of any liquor distribution outlets operated by the provincial government located within the City of Vancouver.
-LOST
(Councillors Bass, Don Lee, Louis and Sullivan in favour)
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy
THAT General Manager of Community Services submits this report for Information.
- 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. Sullivan
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY-LAWS
1. A By-law to amend By-law No. 5574, being a By-law which amended the Zoning and Development By-law by rezoning an area to BC Place/Expo District (BCPED)
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy
SECONDED by Cllr. Daniel Lee
THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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. Daniel Lee
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
MOTIONS
1. Refund to Taxpayers for Services Not Provided During the Civic Workers' Strike
At the Council meeting held on October 17, Councillor Bass gave notice of the following motion.
MOVED by Cllr. Bass
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis
WHEREAS the citizens and businesses of Vancouver have paid for the municipal services they receive through their municipal taxes;AND WHEREAS the cost of services not being provided during the strike amount to approximately $152 million annually; these services include Parks and Recreation, Community Centres, Engineering, Sanitation and Recycling, Community Services and Public Library Services;
AND WHEREAS the $152 million divided by 366 days amounts to approximately $415,301 worth of services not provided each day that the strike continues;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver
1. Calculate the value of services not provided during the duration of the civic workers labour dispute; and
2. Credit each taxpayer and taxpaying organization with their proportionate share (based on their 2000 tax contribution) of the value of the services not provided during the municipal strike and that this amount be indicated as a credit towards their first municipal tax bill issued after the settlement of the current labour dispute.
-lost
AMENDMENT MOVED by Cllr. Louis
SECONDED by Cllr. Bass
THAT the words "value of services not provided" be deleted and the words "savings realized" in clauses 1 and 2.
- LOST
(Cllrs. Bass and Louis in favour)
MAIN MOTION PUT:
WHEREAS the citizens and businesses of Vancouver have paid for the municipal services they receive through their municipal taxes;AND WHEREAS the cost of services not being provided during the strike amount to approximately $152 million annually; these services include Parks and Recreation, Community Centres, Engineering, Sanitation and Recycling, Community Services and Public Library Services;
AND WHEREAS the $152 million divided by 366 days amounts to approximately $415,301 worth of services not provided each day that the strike continues;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver
1. Calculate the value of services not provided during the duration of the civic workers labour dispute; and
2. Credit each taxpayer and taxpaying organization with their proportionateshare (based on their 2000 tax contribution) of the value of the services not provided during the municipal strike and that this amount be indicated as a credit towards their first municipal tax bill issued after the settlement of the current labour dispute.
- LOST
(Cllrs. Bass and Louis in favour)MOVED by Cllr. Price:
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy
That the City Manager report back to Council on costs incurred, savings made, and net financial consequences of the strike, with particular respect to impacts on property tax & solid-waste utility charges in order to give a financial accounting to the taxpayers.
- CARRIED
(Cllrs. Louis and Sullivan opposed)
2. CPR Spraying of Roundup Pesticide on Arbutus Corridor
At the Council meeting held on October 17, Councillor Bass gave notice of the following motion:
MOVED by Cllr. Bass
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis
WHEREAS on Oct. 4, 2000 the Canadian Pacific Railway posted notices of intent to spray the pesticide Roundup on CPR property along the Arbutus Corridor;AND WHEREAS up to 1998 the CPR employed steam treatment, mechanical cutting and other non-pesticide vegetation control methods along the Corridor;
AND WHEREAS the active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, has been recognized as being potentially harmful to the environment and ecology of areas adjacent to Roundup applications;
AND WHEREAS questions have been raised about a link between glyphosate and adverse effects on human health;
AND WHEREAS the Arbutus Corridor is adjacent to at least one pre-school, one day care, two community gardens, one elementary school, one high school and is widely used by cyclists and pedestrians;
AND WHEREAS when the CPR sprayed Roundup on Oct. 6, 2000, citizens living and working near the Corridor met with CPR officials to express concerns about the spraying of Roundup and negotiated an agreement whereby the CPR refrained from spraying adjacent to community gardens, a pre-school and a daycare between Burrard and Broadway;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver ask the CPR to refrain from using pesticides on the Arbutus Corridor and instead resume non-pesticide vegetation control practices.
-carried
REFERRAL moved by Cllr. Clarke
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy
THAT this motion be referred to Nick Losito, Director of Environmental Health and Dr. Blatherwick, Medical Officer of Health for a report.
- LOST
(Cllrs. Clarke, Don Lee and Kennedy in favour)
MOTION PUT
WHEREAS on Oct. 4, 2000 the Canadian Pacific Railway posted notices of intent to spray the pesticide Roundup on CPR property along the Arbutus Corridor;AND WHEREAS up to 1998 the CPR employed steam treatment, mechanical cutting and other non-pesticide vegetation control methods along the Corridor;
AND WHEREAS the active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, has been recognized as being potentially harmful to the environment and ecology of areas adjacent to Roundup applications;
AND WHEREAS questions have been raised about a link between glyphosate and adverse effects on human health;
AND WHEREAS the Arbutus Corridor is adjacent to at least one pre-school, one day care, two community gardens, one elementary school, one high school and is widely used by cyclists and pedestrians;
AND WHEREAS when the CPR sprayed Roundup on Oct. 6, 2000, citizens living and working near the Corridor met with CPR officials to express concerns about the spraying of Roundup and negotiated an agreement whereby the CPR refrained from spraying adjacent to community gardens, a pre-school and a daycare between Burrard andBroadway;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver ask the CPR to refrain from using pesticides on the Arbutus Corridor and instead resume non-pesticide vegetation control practices.
-CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Global Warming
Councillor Price referred to an item from the Internet which referred to the recent storm in Britain and Europe and the cost of the damage. Climate change was to blame and it is anticipated that the number and severity of storms will increase as global warming continues to take place.2. Road on Lost Lagoon
Councillor Kennedy asked if the road being constructed on the northeast side of Lost Lagoon would be permanent. Piet Rutgers, Parks and Recreation, advised that the road was temporary in nature to allow for access by construction vehicles, and that the shape of Lost Lagoon would return to its original state on completion. He further indicated that a biofiltration marsh would also be built in the Lagoon to take the runoff from the causeway.3. Community March on Kingsway, between Fraser and Knight Streets
Councillor Don Lee referred to the recent successful march by the community against prostitution and drug use. A small group protested against the march and police were cooperative.4. Public Process for Grand Casino Relocation
Councillor Bass questioned the need for a formal public hearing for the Grand Casino relocation to satisfy BC Lottery Corporation's requirements. Jeff Brooks, Director of Social Planning responded that the public hearing referred to in the BC Lottery Corporation's guidelines applies only to the relocation of a casino from one municipality to another municipality and not within a municipality. Judy Rogers, City Manager confirmed that the Administration had met with BC Lotteries, and that the City has met its obligations to BC Lotteries and to the applicant and that no further public hearing is required in respect of this application.The Council adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
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