Agenda Index City of Vancouver

CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
COURT OF REVISION

June 12, 2001

PRESENT:

Deputy Mayor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Gordon Price (Leave of Absence)

CITY CLERK'S
OFFICE:

Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator
Nancy Largent, Meeting Coordinator

MOVED by Councillor Daniel Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

THAT this Council resolve itself into a Court of Revision for the purpose of hearing complaints against the proposed assessments or the accuracy of frontage measurements, or any other complaint which persons interested may desire to make and which is by law cognizable by the Court, Deputy Mayor Kennedy in the Chair.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COURT OF REVISION

LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS

Projects by Petition: Court No. 601
June 12, 2001

Projects by Initiative: Court No. 602
June 12, 2001

Before Council was a report from the Collector of Taxes dated June 12, 2001, with respect to Local Improvement Court of Revision Numbers 601 and 602.

COURT NO. 601 - PROJECTS BY PETITION

The Collector of Taxes certified that the projects in the report dated June 12, 2001 have been requested by the majority of the assessed owners by means of a sufficiently signed petition.

In a late report dated June 12, 2001, the Collector of Taxes noted that based on a request by an owner regarding Project 46, an inspection by the BC Assessment Authority determined that 6692 Laburnum Street, assessed as one property, should be assessed as two, that the count of owners has been amended to reflect the change, and that the petitioner has submitted one more valid signature. The report also noted that one additional valid signature has been received in favour of Project 62 and that the project listed as Item 073 should read Item 081.

COURT NO. 602 - PROJECTS BY INITIATIVE

In the report from the Collector of Taxes dated June 12, 2001, it was noted that Projects 6, 18, 19, 22, 25, 31, 46, 47, 48, 56, and 58 were objected to by at least one-half the owners of the properties who represent at least more than one half of the total value of all the properties on the projects. Therefore, these projects were defeated. In addition, it was noted Projects 3 and 28 have been withdrawn.

In two late reports dated June 12, 2001, the Collector of Taxes noted that Projects 2, 8, and 10 are also recommended to be withdrawn, and that one additional signature to accept Project 35 had been received.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT the report of the Special Assessment Roll for Court Nos. 601 and 602, submitted by the Collector of Taxes, dated June 12, 2001, be approved, with the corrections and changes noted herein.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COURT OF REVISION

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COUNCIL

ADOPT REPORT OF COURT OF REVISION

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

City Manager's Administrative Report
Local Improvements Subsequent Procedure
May 22, 2001

Prior to considering the recommendation in the Administrative Report dated May 22, 2001, the following delegations were heard and actions taken as follows:

COURT NO. 601 - PROJECTS BY PETITION

Project No. 601/21

Juliana Chan registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/23

Rocco Canosa registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Daniel Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/32

Stephanie Rhone registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/33

Bob Higgins registered support for the project, but requested the road be widened to a minimum of 32 ft. to allow enough room for cars to get by parked cars.

David Desrochers, Streets Design Engineer, provided rationale for the standard 8.5 metre residential road width, which allows for parking on both sides of the street plus enough room for one car to get by.

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Sullivan

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/38

A. Linda Neumueller registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/41

Miranda Wong registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/42

Grant Bunker and Ken Wong registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/44

Eliseo Laurino registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/46

Peter MacDonald spoke in opposition to the project and requested that 14 ft. wide lane paving be considered, rather than 20 ft. This would help preserve green space. Mr. MacDonald also expressed concern that lane width options were not made clear to some residents and inquired if trees in the lane would be preserved.

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, confirmed the trees would be retained and trimmed.

Grant Woff, Streets Design, suggested a new petition could be issued for lane paving at a 14 ft. width. Council discussion ensued on the lack of representation from the 14 residents who voted in support of the project.

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Puil

CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed)

Project No. 601/49

Veronica Gaylie spoke against the project and noted paving the lane would increase traffic and noise.

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, advised an additional vote against the project had been received and therefore recommended a reballot.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/56

Robert Muscroft registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/58

Rob Preite registered support for the project and My Nguyen registered opposition, but neither spoke.

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, advised an additional vote against the project had been received and the new total was still one more than required.

MOVED by Councillor Daniel Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Puil

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/60

Sarah MacKenzie spoke against the project for health, safety, environmental, and financial reasons, and submitted a petition with six signatures of residents opposed to the project.

David Desrochers, Streets Design Engineer, noted that alternative paving designs and asphalt is currently being investigated by the Engineering Department.

Edgar Kendall spoke in favour of the project.

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, noted the counter petition indicates one vote originally in favour of the project was now withdrawn. Accordingly, the petition had insufficient signatures to pass. Ms. Norris recommended a reballot.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/62

Brenda Harrigan registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/65

Kuo Hum registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/81

The Chair noted that project number 73 at the end of the report should read project number 81. Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, advised that two supporting signatures had been withdrawn. Accordingly, this petition has insufficient signatures to pass. Ms. Norris recommended a reballot.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COURT NO. 602 - PROJECTS BY INITIATIVE

Project No. 602/01

Carlos Da Costa registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 601/07

Khatchik Zarifian spoke in opposition to the project, and noted payments were unreasonably high to justify installing curbs for just one block.

Council members noted that in this case, the majority of four (three) owners required to defeat the project is not fair.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 602/15

Scott Folk registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 602/35

Binesari Prasad and Karoly Banath spoke in opposition to the project, and requested clarification of the City's share of the costs and the tender process.

Engineering staff advised that under the Local Improvement By-law, costs for improvements in higher zoned areas are paid largely by property owners, and that comparison of City asphalt work confirmed it is competitive with the private sector.

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, noted that one late objection had been received, bringing the total objections up to 10; 35 are required. Ms. Norris also noted special relief is available for higher zoned areas, based on number of suites rented out.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 602/36

Shirley Simpson spoke in support of the project, and noted that paved lanes are safer and easier to use for seniors and those physically challenged.

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 602/37

Alan Dyson registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 602/38

Carlos Da Costa registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 602/39

Elisabeth Gerdenits spoke in opposition to the project, and expressed concern that paved lanes promote speeding and the lack of drainage may cause flooding.

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 602/45

Carlos Da Costa registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 602/48

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, noted that this project has been defeated.

Thomas Williams spoke in opposition to any type of sidewalk being installed, including gravel.

A Council member suggested Mr. Williams write the Engineering Department with his request.

Project No. 602/56

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, noted that this project has been defeated.

Christina Boskovich spoke in opposition to any type of sidewalk being installed, including gravel.

A Council member suggested Ms. Boskovich write the Engineering Department with her request.

Project No. 602/59

Bruce Beyman registered in opposition to the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 602/64

Nicholas Galanopoulos spoke in opposition to the project, noting a new sidewalk is not needed because the existing sidewalk is in good condition.

Grant Woff, Streets Design, confirmed this project was initiated because portions of the sidewalk are in bad condition and others are old but serviceable. Staff felt it was a good candidate for replacement of the entire block.

Council members inquired whether it was viable to repair only the damaged or unserviceable sections of the sidewalk. Mr. Woff confirmed sidewalk repairs would be possible under the Engineering maintenance budget.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

THAT this project be withdrawn and that the Engineering Department repair deficient portions of the sidewalk as part of the Engineering maintenance budget.

LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick, Puil, and Sullivan opposed)

Council then considered the Administrative Report dated May 22, 2001.

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Council Daniel Lee

THAT the Recommendations of the General Manager of Engineering Services, as contained in the Administrative Report dated May 22, 2001, and quoted below, be approved, taking into account the specific actions taken this day:

A. THAT the projects "By Petition" in Court #601 be approved.

B. THAT projects by "Initiative Principle" in Court #602 be approved except for the defeated items and Special Items #3, #8 and #28 as explained in the Administrative Report dated May 22, 2001.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Special Council adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

* * * * *

cr010612.htm

Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver