CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

March 6, 2001

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, March 6, 2001, 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 Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor George Puil (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Ulli S. Watkiss, City Clerk Tarja Tuominen, Meeting Coordinator

PRAYER

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

PRESENTATION

Councillor Don Lee provided a presentation on Drug-related Strategies in Portland, Oregon. He recently visited Portland as a member of a study tour composed of City staff, representatives from the Vancouver Police Department, Vancouver Richmond Health Board, Chinatown Merchants Association, Community Alliance, and The Vancouver Sun and SingTao newspapers. The purpose of the study tour was to further the City's understanding on how the City of Portland manages its inner city drug problem.

Following the presentation, Councillor Lee; Wendy Au, Community Project Manager; Don MacPherson, Drug Policy Coordinator; George Hui, Social Planner; Sergeant Ken Frail, Vancouver Police Department; and Jill Davidson, Senior Housing Planner; responded to questions on the City of Portland's various enforcement and drug treatment services, including Good Neighbour Agreements, drug free zones , drug courts, and alcohol and drug free housing sites.

MOVED by Cllr Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,

THAT the presentation on the City of Portland, Oregon's drug-related strategies be received for information.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

"IN CAMERA" MEETING

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

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 paragraphs:

(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the Council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the city.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ITEMS ARISING FROM THE "IN CAMERA" MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2001

· Council made appointments to the following Committees. Names of those appointed can be obtained from the City Clerk's Office:

Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee
Family Court/Youth Justice Committee
Fire & Rescue Services Advisory Committee
First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel
Gastown Historic Area Planning Commission
Public Art Committee
Sidewalk Task Force
Urban Design Panel
Vancouver Athletic Commission
Vancouver City Planning Commission
Vancouver Civic Theatres Board
Vancouver Heritage Commission
Vancouver Heritage Foundation Board

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

1. Regular Council (City Services and Budgets) - February 15, 2001

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick,

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Regular Council (Planning and Environment) - February 15, 2001

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Regular Council (Transportation and Traffic) - February 20, 2001

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick,

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Regular Council - February 20, 2001

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

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. Regular Council (City Services and Budgets) - February 22, 2001

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick,

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

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

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

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

CITY MANAGER'S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

1. Technical Rescue Service Contracts

February 2, 2001 File: 1203/RTS: 1148

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,

THAT Council authorize the General Manager of Fire and Rescue Services to enter into contracts, with other public and private entities, such as universities, industries, and other businesses, on a full cost for services basis, to provide Confined Space Technical Rescue Services with terms and conditions approved by the Director of Legal Services.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Lease Terms for the Lookout Shelter at 2088 Yukon Street

February 9, 2001 File: 5104/RTS: 1876

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,

THAT Council approve the ground lease of the site at 5^th and Yukon, legally described as LOT C, BLK. 11, DISTRICT LOT 302, PLAN ____, to the Lookout Emergency Aid Society as per the Standard Charge Terms registered in the Land Title Office under ST941002, with the following specific terms and conditions:

1) a term of 60 years;
2) a total prepaid lease rent of $686,250;

3) lease commencement date within 180 days after Council approval, or such later date as may be approved by the City Manager;
4) Such further and other terms as are acceptable to the Director of theHousing Centre and the Director of Legal Services. No legal obligation shall arise or be created until execution of the lease to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Award of Consulting Contract: False Creek Pedestrian and

Cyclist Crossings Study
February 20, 2001 File: 1805/8200/RTS: 1906

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,
A. THAT the contract for undertaking of the False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study be awarded to Delcan Corporation, at an estimated fee of $70,000, including GST and disbursements, from the Streets Basic Capital Account.

B. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to enter into a Professional Services Agreement contract with Delcan Corporation in consultation with the Director of Legal Services.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Replacement of Obsolete Microcomputers and

Request for Proposal PS01007 Award of Contract
February 27, 2001 File: 1805/RTS: 1867

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,

A. THAT Council approves the replacement of approximately 400 obsolete microcomputers and related components at an estimated cost of $760,000, to be funded from the Information Technology Long-Term Financing Plan;

B. THAT Council approves the award of contract for Request for Proposal PS01007 to Microserve, whose proposal was the lowest bid for the supply of 300 microcomputers at a total capital cost of $417,216 plus taxes.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Louis opposed)

5. Panhandling By-law

February 22, 2001 File: 113/RTS: 1938

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,

A. THAT the Panhandling By-law be repealed.

B. THAT a by-law amending the Street and Traffic By-law by adding provisions to control the obstructive solicitation for donations (the "By-law") be enacted.

C. THAT the Director of Legal Services be requested to bring forward the By-law for enactment.

- CARRIED

(Councillor McCormick opposed to Recommendation A)
(Councillors Bass, Louis and McCormick opposed to Recommendations B and C)

CITY MANAGER'S POLICY REPORTS

1. Sign By-law Amendment - International Village (88 West Pender Street)

February 8, 2001 File: 113/RTS: 1899

MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,

THAT the application by Henderson Development Ltd. to amend the Sign By-law for International Village "A" (88 West Pender Street) to delete the requirement that certain signs be three-dimensional be referred to a Public Hearing, together with:

(i) draft Sign By-law amendments generally as contained in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated February 8, 2001; and

(ii) the recommendation of the Director of Current Planning to approve.

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

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Administrative CD-1 Text Amendments

February 16, 2001 File: 5303/5305/5306/RTS: 1894

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,

THAT the Director of Current Planning be instructed to make application to amend CD-1 By-law No. 7337 for 4066 Macdonald Street/2785 Alamein Avenue and CD-1 By-law No. 8193 for 55-67 East Hastings Street to correct errors generally in accordance with Appendix A of Policy Report dated February 16, 2001, and that the application be referred to a Public Hearing;

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

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. CD-1 Text Amendment: 3602-3660 Vanness Avenue (Collingwood Village)

February 19, 2001 File: 5308/RTS: 1893

MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,

THAT the application by Concert Properties Ltd., to amend CD-1 By-law No. 7204 for 3602-3660 Vanness Avenue (Collingwood Village) to allow changes to the housing mix and the form of development, be referred to a Public Hearing, together with:

(i) plans received September 14, 2000;

(ii) draft CD-1 By-law amendments, generally as contained in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated February 19, 2001;

(iii) draft amendments to the Joyce/Vanness CD-1 Guidelines, generally as contained in Appendix B of the Policy Report dated February 19, 2001; and

(iv) the recommendation of the Director of Current Planning to approve, subject to conditions contained in Appendix C of the Policy Report dated February 19, 2001;

FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary CD-1 By-law for consideration at Public Hearing.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

OTHER REPORTS

I. Report to Council
Vancouver Heritage Commission

February 13, 2001 File: 3105-1/RTS: 1907

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,

THAT Vancouver City Council approve funding up to $481.50 to send up to three Vancouver Heritage Commissioners to "Implementing Heritage Conservation Standards", a workshop taking place at Simon Fraser University - Harbour Centre in February 2001; source of funding to be the Local Conference Budget, overseen by the City Clerk.

- 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. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis,

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

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

BY-LAWS

1. A By-law to amend By-law No. 6066 being the Vehicles for Hire By-law (Driver instructors - home offices) By-law No. 8303

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,

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. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,

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

2. A By-law to amend the Street Name By-law, being By-law No. 4054 (Milross Avenue) By-law No. 8304

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick,

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. McCormick,

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

3. A By-law to assess certain real property in 2001 for the purpose of defraying the costs of maintenance of the Trounce Alley and Blood Alley Square Local Improvement Project (2000 Maintenance Costs) By-law No. 8305

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,

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. McCormick,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,

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

4. A By-law to assess certain real property in the year 2001 for the purpose of

defraying the costs and charges with respect to two collective parking projects
(2000 Maintenance Costs) By-law No. 8306

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,

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. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,

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

5. A By-law to assess certain real property in the year 2001 for the purpose

of defraying the costs of maintenance of decorative lighting pertaining to the
Granville Street Decorative Tree Lighting Local Improvement Project
(2000 Maintenance Costs) By-law No. 8307

MOVED by Cllr. Bass,
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis,

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. Bass,
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis,

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

6. A By-law to amend the Parking Meter By-law, being By-law No. 2952

(New Meter Rates) By-law No. 8308

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,

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

- CARRIED

(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)

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. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,

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

(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)

7. A By-law to amend By-law No. 2849, being the Street and Traffic

By-law, and to Repeal By-law No. 7885, being the Panhandling By-law
(Obstruction in the Course of Solicitation) By-law No. 8309

MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,

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

- CARRIED

(Councillors Bass, Louis and McCormick opposed)

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. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,

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

(Councillors Bass, Louis and McCormick opposed)

MOTIONS

B. Motions on Notice

1. Financial Audit and Review of TransLink File: 5561

At the Council meeting of February 20, 2001, Councillor Bass submitted the following Notice of Motion which was recognized by the Chair:

MOVED by Cllr. Bass,
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis,

WHEREAS TransLink has proposed a $7 million cut to its 2001 budget, with the majority of the cutbacks - 70 per cent - to public transit and the balance to road building and maintenance;

AND WHEREAS these public transit cuts will result in a reduction in bus services (of 3.3 per cent) to citizens in Vancouver and throughout the region;

AND WHEREAS a public transit user who makes 16 one-zone, round-trips per month is now paying an additional $96 annually following last June's fare increase;

AND WHEREAS TransLink will spend over $60 million on ticket vending machines and electronic fare boxes, and their provisional 2001 budget will see a $21.7 million increase in debt servicing costs;

AND WHEREAS TransLink is considering the abandonment of all funding of operations and maintenance of SkyTrain's new Millennium line;

AND WHEREAS following the failure of the vehicle levy, TransLink is now projecting a 2001 budget deficit of $34 million;

AND WHEREAS the emission of greenhouse gases from vehicles is causing an extreme environmental crisis and thus it is a regional transit authority's prime responsibility to favour public transit;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Vancouver City Council, under Section 7 of the GVTA Act, ask the BC Minister Responsible for Transit to request the Auditor General of British Columbia to undertake a full and complete financial audit and review of TransLink.

- referred

Also before Council was a letter dated February 26, 2001 from Bill Harper, CUPE, requesting to speak on this matter. Council agreed to refer consideration of the motion to the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of Thursday, March 8, 2001 to hear speakers.

2. Cuts to Transit Services by TransLink File: 5561

At the Council meeting immediately following the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of February 15, 2001, Cllr. Louis gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the following motion. However, the motion was inadvertently omitted from the agenda and was therefore submitted for consideration.

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bass,

WHEREAS City of Vancouver transportation plans and policy statements endorse the principle that more and better public transportation services are needed in the City and the region for social, environmental and transportation purposes;

AND WHEREAS the average peak period 'wait time' or service frequency that transit users experience in the Greater Vancouver region is already one of the worst of any major Canadian metropolitan area;

AND WHEREAS officials of TransLink have publicly stated an intention to cut bus services in the region as a result of an anticipated funding shortfall;

AND WHEREAS transit users throughout the region were promised more - not less -services when TransLink implemented its June, 2000 across-the-board transit fare increase;

AND WHEREAS transit fare were increased with the understanding that services would be improved;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver strongly oppose any cuts to existing transit services in the City, and the region at large.

- referred

Also before Council was a letter, dated March 5, 2001, from the BC Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students, requesting to speak on Motion B.2. Council agreed to refer consideration of the matter to the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of Thursday, March 8, 2001 to hear speakers.

NOTICE OF MOTION

The following Notice of Motion was submitted by Cllr. Bass and recognized by the Chair:

Car-Free Day, April 19 and Earth Day, April 22, 2001 File: 4201

WHEREAS our Livable Region Strategic Plan has, as its four objectives:

- Protect the Green Zone
- Build complete communities
- Achieve a compact metropolitan region
- Increase transportation choices;

AND WHEREAS the future climate of the planet depends upon Vancouver rapidly moving from the automobile as our major means of urban travel;

AND WHEREAS Vancouver needs to invite commuters to try alternative means of transportation;

AND WHEREAS promoting walking, cycling, and non-motorized transit is promoting a fit and healthy community;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver (including communication to Parks Board and the Vancouver School Board), will find feasible means to invite the people of Vancouver to celebrate Car-Free Day on Thursday, April 19, and Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, and will register Vancouver as one of the cities participating internationally in the celebration of these two days.

- Notice

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Earthquake Preparedness File: 3603

Cllr. McCormick requested staff provide a report on the recent earthquake and an update on the status of the City's emergency preparedness initiatives.

The City Manager advised staff are preparing a Report Reference for a forthcoming Council meeting.

2. Leave of Absence - Councillor Clarke File: 1254

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

THAT Cllr. Clarke be granted Leave of Absence for March 27, 2001.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Civic Reception File: 1052

Cllr. Kennedy advised of a reception the Vancouver City Planning Commission was holding to honour retired members. She also enquired about the status of the City's Civic Reception which is held to honour members of civic agencies, boards, and committees.

The City Manager agreed to provide the requested information.

4. Parking Fees for Special Events File: 5653

Cllr. Clarke advised of receiving complaints of Impark parking lots posting a particular fee for a specific special event but the machine issuing a receipt for another fee. She requested staff to provide a report on amending the appropriate by-law to make certain fees posted by a parking lot are the ones which are levied.

The City Manager so agreed.

5. Child Prostitution File: 3504

Cllr. Louis referenced recent reports of an 11-year girl smuggled from Portland, Oregon, abused and put on the street to work as a prostitute in Vancouver. He requested the Police Board, through the Mayor as Chair, to provide a report on what can be done to eliminate the use of children being put to work on the City's streets.

The Mayor so agreed.

Cllr. Kennedy advised of a recent motion forwarded by the Prostitution Offender Group to the Police Board to agree to never mention the phrase "kiddie stroll" again.

The Council recessed at 5:50 p.m., and reconvened
"In Camera" in the Mayor's Office.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver