Agenda Index City of Vancouver


REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS

FEBRUARY 7, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, February 7, 2002, at 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Vice-Chair
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
*Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Mayor Philip Owen (Leave of Absence)
Councillor George Puil, Chair (Leave of
Absence - Sick Leave)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator

*denotes presence for a portion of the meeting

RECOMMENDATION

1. Corner Bulges Near Major Projects Downtown (File 5757)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 23, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval for the construction of sixteen downtown pedestrian bulges to take advantage of the timing of road construction near major development projects.

Lon LaClaire, provided a brief overview of the report which proposed pedestrian and bus bulges at Downtown, Coal Harbour, False Creek North and False Creek East (City Gate) locations. Mr. LaClaire also acknowledged the work done by developers in accommodatingthe proposed street designs.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT corner bulges be constructed at sixteen downtown locations with funding of $150,000 to be included as part of the 2002 Streets Basic Capital Budget (A-4A2 -Geometric Improvements) as outlined in the Administrative Report dated January 23, 2002, entitled " Corner Bulges Near Major Projects Downtown".

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price not present for the vote)

2. Pantages Theatre (144 East Hastings) - Heritage Revitalization Agreement and City Financial Support (File 5051)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 23, 2002, in which the Director of Current Planning, in consultation with the Directors of Social Planning, Cultural Affairs and the Carnegie Centre recommended approval in principle of a Heritage Revitalization Agreement for the former Pantages Theatre. The report also reviewed opportunities the theatre presents for revitalization of the Downtown Eastside area and recommended that the City agree to assist financially with short term repair and improvement costs. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of recommendations A, B and C and submitted item D for consideration.

Jeannette Hlavach, Heritage Planner, provided an overview of the report and responded to questions related to the proposed Good Neighbour and Community Use Agreement with the Pantages Preservation Society, clarified the status of the interior of the building, and the bonusing formula used to support heritage restoration projects.

Dana Barnaby, Co-President, Pantages Preservation Society, spoke in support of the recommendations and provided an overview of the background and mandate of the society who wish to restore and reopen the theatre to bring arts and a showcase venue to the area. This has proven to be a key catalyst to revitalization in other cities. Mr. Barnaby also pointed out that along with providing movies and live performances, the society intends to work with the community in providing educational uses during the day and community uses through Carnegie Centre in the evening. The parking issue would be addressed by having a shuttle service and secured parking available to patrons.

On behalf of the Carnegie Community Association, Muggs Sigurgeirson, Vice-President, spoke in favour of the proposed grant but expressed concerns regarding community access and the potential impact of the theatre on local residents who use that part of the street. Ms. Sigurgeirson requested more community process including local businesses and residents.

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council endorse in principle the use of a Heritage Revitalization Agreement to assist in the rehabilitation of the "B" listed former Pantages Theatre at 144 East Hastings Street, with the following terms:

B. THAT Council approve a capital grant of up to $43,300, to the Pantages Preservation Society to assist with immediate conservation, security and cleaning of the Pantages Theatre; funding to be provided from the Downtown Eastside Revitalization capital funds approved in the 2000-2002 Capital Plan;

C. THAT Council authorize staff to enter into a Good Neighbour and Community Use Agreement with the Pantages Preservation Society, satisfactory to the Directors of Legal Services, Chief Constable and General Manager of Community Services to include hours of operation, community employment opportunities and targets, community access to the facility at nominal rates, the number of pre-paid hours of use for Carnegie Community Centre, and conditions for the release of the grant identified in "B";

D. THAT Council direct staff to report back on additional collaborations between the Pantages Preservation Society and the Carnegie CommunityCentre to ensure ongoing community programming.

amended

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT Recommendation C be amended by adding the word "annual" before the words "pre-paid hours".

CARRIED
(Councillors Kennedy, Daniel Lee and Don Lee opposed)
(Councillor Price not present for the vote)

The amendment having carried, Councillor Kennedy's motion, as amended, was put and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (Councillor Price not present for the vote).

3. Impact of the Noise By-law Amendment on Park Board Operations (File 3755)

Following the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets on July 12, 2001, Council approved the following:

A. THAT the Noise By-law be amended to prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers throughout the City of Vancouver, within 50 metres of any residential premises, except for the appropriate use during October through January, when the vast majority of leaves are in need of collecting: and

B. THAT staff report back on the effects of other noise producing machines including weed eaters and lawn mowers.

Accordingly, the Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 25, 2002, in which the General Manager, Board of Parks and Recreation outlined the consequences of the Noise By-law amendments on Park Board operations, and described the resulting alternate equipment and operating procedures required to deal with leaf and debris removal.

The City Manager noted in the report that Park Board staff have analyzed the impact of the Noise By-law amendments on their operations, and that the BC Nursery and Trades Association have asked for modifications to the policy due to the financial consequences on private landscape companies. The City Manager commented that continued technological changes are reducing noise and air pollution associated with leaf blower equipment and that because of the economic impacts of a total ban, Council may wish to consider reviewing this issue in mid-2003, prior to implementing a full ban.

Piet Rutgers, Director of Planning and Operations, Board of Parks and Recreation, provided an overview of the report and responded to questions related to the labour savings resulting from the use of leaf blowers for leaf and debris removal. Mr. Rutgers confirmed costs associated with the Noise By-law amendments, which could result in decreased golf course revenue, a reduction in standard of maintenance or higher operating costs, a mixture of service reductions, and the need for acquisition of less noisy equipment or manual substitution of work previously carried out with gas powered leaf blowers. He also expressed support for the City Manager's Consideration Item C which instructs staff to report back in July 2003 on new technology available and the economic impacts of total ban implementation.

Nick Losito, Director of Environmental Health/CCFL, responded to questions and referred to his memorandum dated February 6, 2002 which expressed support for staff monitoring the introduction of quieter leaf blowers during 2003, with a report back in late 2003 to allow Council the option of amending or halting the introduction of a total ban. This would provide industry with an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to, and achievement of, lower noise levels and better emission controls. Mr. Losito also expressed concern about the Park Board's recommendation that an outright exemption be given to golf courses.

Howard Norman, Supervisor of Golf Operations, Board of Parks and Recreation, reported on the January, 2002 Institute of National Golf Course Management Conference he attended along with golf course owners and superintendents from across North America, England and Sweden. Mr. Norman noted it was identified all attendees use gas powered leaf blowers for golf course maintenance. Mr. Norman also confirmed dealing with leaves in a wet climate requires more work and strain than in a dry climate.

The following generally spoke in support of the Noise By-law amendments approved by Council on July 12, 2001, and made comments regarding the proposed budget increase and golf course exemption:

Roy Silverson, Right to Quiet Society

The following is a summary of comments made by the foregoing speakers:

· opposition expressed regarding approval of an exception for the Park Board; it would set a precedent and private and commercial landscapers would all want the same;
· other cities have not had a problem with enforcement which is demonstrated in the internet document by Citizens for a Quieter Sacramento entitled "CQS Rebuttal to the CLCA Position on Leaf Blowers" (on file);
· manual landscaping is effective because leaves and debris need to be collected and removed, not spread around or blown onto the street;
· there are companies that offer manual landscaping at competitive prices;
· sound travels over golf courses especially during the early time of the day;
· manual landscaping would create employment;
· suggested that golf courses be considered for exemption from a total ban because they are well away from residential areas; however the 50 metre residential buffer for golf course maintenance should still apply;
· recommended that in addition to noise levels and emission standards, "tonal impact" be included in the 2003 report back;
· recommended that altering the 50 metre residential buffer requirement not be considered;
· recommended that in light of the rapidly coming season, the amendments be enacted forthwith, followed by published public and industry notification.

The following commented on the leaf blower issue in general and requested modifications to the July 12, 2001 Noise By-law amendments approved by Council:

Jane Stock, BC Landscape and Nursery Association
Dave Ohori

Jim Clifford, Echo Power Equipment Canada
Louis Murgg, Forever Green Landscaping

Comments by the foregoing speakers included the following:

· BC Landscape and Nursery Association (BCLNA) represents nearly 600 horticultural companies, most of which are using cleaner, low noise blowers; however, there are still too many occasions of loud blower noise which erodes good intentions;
· requested either modification or rescinding the total ban, which would severely diminish a constructive process of change that is gaining speed;
· need a constructive process for long term resolution of this complex issue; a realistic strategic plan which holds all stakeholders accountable for implementation and includes methods for enforcement and measuring success;
· stakeholders include service providers, equipment manufacturers and dealers, Park Board, School Board, property managers and city residents; working with stakeholders would provide significant opportunities to develop solutions where all stakeholders win;
· small landscape companies will become uncompetitive, forcing them to work in other municipalities or not abide by the rules;
· old noisy blowers are being replaced with new quieter models; this happens through attrition, and most manufacturers offer trade-ins as part of their commitment to upgrading; manufacturing companies have been proactive and are committed to safety and environmentally sound equipment;
· need more time for education of retailers and the landscape community, e.g. one-on-one and group seminars and hands-on training on the use of power blowers;
· new technology allows Vancouver to keep its parks clean and show its best for the Olympic bid;
· requested that if the total ban is not rescinded, then modify with a restriction of 65 decibels.

Council agreed to hold a leaf blower demonstration after the meeting, on the lawn on the north side of City Hall.

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT, due to time constraints, decision on the recommendations contained in Administrative Report dated January 25, 2002 entitled "Impact of the Noise By-law Amendment on Park Board Operations" be referred to the Regular Council meeting on February 19, 2002, as Unfinished Business.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee adjourned at 12:25 p.m.

- - - - -

CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS

FEBRUARY 7, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, February 7, 2002 at 12:25 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.

PRESENT:

Deputy Mayor Sullivan
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price

ABSENT:

Mayor Philip Owen (Leave of Absence)
Councillor George Puil (Leave of
Absence - Sick Leave)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Price

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Sullivan in the chair.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
February 7, 2002

Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:

Clauses 1 and 3

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 and 3 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 2

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Block 17 - Canton Alley/Guangzhou Alley (File 5527)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

THAT decision on the memorandum dated February 6, 2002 entitled "Block 17 -Canton Alley/Guangzhou Alley" be referred to the Council meeting following the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment on February 7, 2002, to provide an opportunity for further consideration.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 12:42 p.m.

* * * * *

cs020207.htm

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