Regular Council Minutes - March 26, 2002

CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 26, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, March 26, 2002, 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:

Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager

CITY CLERK'S
OFFICE:

Syd Baxter, City Clerk
Tarja Tuominen, 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 Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor 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 toparagraph:

(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
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

ITEMS ARISING FROM THE "IN CAMERA" MEETING OF MARCH 12, 2002

· Council made appointments to the First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel. Names of those appointed can be obtained from the City Clerk's Office.

· Council appointed Greg Merchant to the position of City Treasurer.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

1. Regular Council (Transportation and Traffic) - March 5, 2002

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Kennedy

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

2. Regular Council (City Services and Budgets) - March 7, 2002

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

3. Regular Council (Planning and Environment) - March 7, 2002

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

4. Regular Council - March 12, 2002

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

5. Regular Council (City Services and Budgets) - March 14, 2002

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. Regular Council (Planning and Environment) - March 14, 2002

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7. Special Council (Public Hearing) - March 14, 2002

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study - Final Report

February 14, 2002 (File: 5553/5702)

At its meeting on March 14, 2002, the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets heard speakers on the Administrative Report, dated February 14, 2002 entitled "False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study - Final Report". Council referred consideration and decision on the Report to the March 26 Regular Council meeting.

Also before Council was a memorandum, dated March 26, 2002, from the General Manager of Engineering Services, responding to questions asked by Council at the Standing Committee meeting on demand forecasting across False Creek and capital cost estimates of the major crossing options.

MOVED by Councillor Puil

A. THAT Council receive for information the "False Creek Pedestrian and Cycling Crossings Study" dated November 2001 and the "Burrard Bridge Heritage Study" dated December 2001.

B. THAT Council support the following overall long term strategy for making improvements to the pedestrian and cycling environments across False Creek:

· Improve the safety and capacity of pedestrian and cycling routes along the three bridge corridors (Burrard, Granville and Cambie)
· Identify and include street, bridge end, and Seawall connections as part of any proposed improvements to the bridges
· Favour solutions that optimize usage, safety, quality of trip, cost, and minimize negative impacts on traffic, heritage, urban design and neighbourhoods
· Support and encourage a role for water-borne transportation to serve the diverse travel needs
· Undertake major improvements to the pedestrian and cycling environment on the deck or upper level of the Burrard Bridge first, Granville corridor second, and Cambie third with a report back to Council for confirmation of these priorities after completion of the work on the Burrard Bridge
· That staff review options to undertake more modest pedestrian and cycling improvements to the deck level of the Granville Bridge prior to undertaking any major improvement to the Granville corridor

C. THAT Council approve the Terms of Reference, as outlined in Appendix C of the Administrative Report, dated February 14, 2002, entitled "False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study - Final Report", for undertaking further detailed design development of providing additional sidewalk capacity for pedestrians and cyclists through either outward extensions of the sidewalks or alternative design solutions at the deck or upper level of the Burrard Bridge that is consistent with the transportation capacity, safety, and heritage principles as outlined in the Administrative Report and Terms of Reference;

AND THAT staff report back on a recommended consultant team and source of funds for Council approval.

D. THAT staff include a submission to the 2003-2005 Capital Plan for improvements to the Burrard Bridge pedestrian and cycling environment, including the redesign of the Burrard/Pacific/Hornby intersections, as a supplement to the existing funding.

Carried

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT Recommendation B be amended to strike out the words "long term"after the word "overall".

LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, Price, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor McCormick

THAT Recommendation B be amended to strike out the words "after completion of the work on the Burrard Bridge" after the word "priorities" in the fifth bullet.

LOST
(Councillors Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, Puil, Sullivan, and the Mayor opposed)

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT Recommendation D be amended to strike out the words "Burrard Bridge" before the word "pedestrian" and substitute the word "Vancouver".

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

The motions to amend having lost, Councillor Puil's motion was put:

A. THAT Council receive for information the "False Creek Pedestrian and Cycling Crossings Study" dated November 2001 and the "Burrard Bridge Heritage Study" dated December 2001.

B. THAT Council support the following overall long term strategy for making improvements to the pedestrian and cycling environments across False Creek:

· Improve the safety and capacity of pedestrian and cycling routes along the three bridge corridors (Burrard, Granville and Cambie)
· Identify and include street, bridge end, and Seawall connections as part of any proposed improvements to the bridges
· Favour solutions that optimize usage, safety, quality of trip, cost, and minimize negative impacts on traffic, heritage, urban design andneighbourhoods
· Support and encourage a role for water-borne transportation to serve the diverse travel needs
· Undertake major improvements to the pedestrian and cycling environment on the deck or upper level of the Burrard Bridge first, Granville corridor second, and Cambie third with a report back to Council for confirmation of these priorities after completion of the work on the Burrard Bridge
· That staff review options to undertake more modest pedestrian and cycling improvements to the deck level of the Granville Bridge prior to undertaking any major improvement to the Granville corridor.

AND THAT staff report back on a recommended consultant team and source of funds for Council approval.

CARRIED
(Councillor McCormick opposed to B)
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to C)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick

E. THAT staff do the necessary work to advance Option Granville (G1) to the 2003-2005 Capital Plan process for consideration.

CARRIED
(Councillor Puil and the Mayor opposed)

MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT staff report back within 6 months with a plan to put clearly designated bicycle lanes on all bridges .

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

MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT staff report back within 6 months with a plan to eliminate the double crossing faced by pedestrians and cyclists at Burrard and Pacific.

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

CITY MANAGER'S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

1. Local Improvement Reballots from December 4, 2001, Court of Revision

March 11, 2002 (File: 5804-12)

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee

A. THAT Court #604, Item #026, be approved for lane pavement to the grass edge on the south side of the lane (approximately 18 inches off the fence) on the lane south of 2nd Avenue from Macdonald Street to 166.86 feet east.

B. THAT Court #604, Item #031, not be approved for lane pavement on the lane south of 29th Avenue from Fleming Street to the east property line of the lane east of Fleming Street projected and the lane east of Fleming Street from the lane south of 29th Avenue to 31st Avenue.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Form of Development: 1077 West Cordova Street

March 12, 2002 (File: 2604)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick

THAT the form of development for the CD-1 zoned site known as 201 Burrard Street (1077 West Cordova Street being the application address) be approved generally as illustrated in the Development Application Number DE406001, prepared by James Cheng Architects Inc. and stamped "Received, Community Services, Development Services February 6, 2002", 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

3. Sale of Residential Lot: 546 Prior Street

March 12, 2002 (File: 5102)

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT Council accept the Offer to Purchase City-owned Lot F, Block 107, District Lot 196, Plan LMP45879 from Mate Construction Ltd. in the amount of $125,500, under the terms and conditions contained in the City's "Offer to Purchase" tender form, proceeds to be credited to the Property Endowment Fund.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. 2002 Cultural Grants: Operating and Project Grant Allocations

March 12, 2002 (File: 2051)

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT Council approve 77 Operating Grants amounting to $1,278,500 and 24 Project Grants amounting to $79,100, as listed in Appendix A of the Administrative Report, dated March 12, 2002 entitled "2002 Cultural Grants: Operating and Project Grant Allocations", for a total of $1,357,600, including one conditional grant as noted. Source of funds to be the 2002 Cultural Grants budget.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY

5. 2002 Community Services Grants Allocations

March 12, 2002 (File: 2151)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick

A. THAT Council approve 87 Community Services Grants totalling $2,871,096, as listed in Appendix A of the Administrative Report, dated March 12, 2002, entitled "2002 Community Services Grants Allocations", including conditions on the grants, where noted in Appendix C of the Administrative Report; source of funding is the 2002 Community Services Grants budget.

B. THAT Council approve the following process for responding to changes in Provincial funding or policies that may affect City grant recipients:
1) staff will monitor the effects of Provincial funding and service delivery changes, particularly as they relate to the services and programs delivered by the agencies that are receiving these Community Services Grants, and;
2) if necessary, grants to affected groups may be subject to further review at any time throughout the year, and;
3) staff will bring forward to Council recommendations for any changes to grant funding, including reallocations of funding, that are needed as a result of the Provincial changes;
4) THAT all Community Services Grant recipients be advised that their grant may be subject to further review and possible amendment during this year.

C. THAT should Council approve a grant for Nisha, Nisha be exempted from the City policy regarding staff on Boards for a period of one year.

D. THAT Council approve a rent subsidy grant of $34,755 to the B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities, and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly.

E. THAT Council approve a rent subsidy grant of $8,880 to Central City Mission for the Dugout, and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly.

F. THAT Council approve a rent subsidy grant of $5,685 to End Legislated Poverty and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly.

G. THAT Council approve a rent subsidy grant of $15,500 to Family Services -Street Youth Program and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly.

Carried

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT Council approve a grant of $20,000 to PACE.

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

The amendment having lost, Councillor McCormick's motion was put and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY.

6. Business License Hearing Panel for April 25, 2002

March 14, 2002 (File: 2711-1)

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

THAT Council delegate the holding of a business license hearing presently scheduled for April 25, 2002 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. to a panel of three Council Members, pursuant to Section 277.1 of the Vancouver Charter, as follows:

The business license hearing pursuant to Section 275 of the Vancouver Charter regarding an application to Council by the Chief License Inspector for the year 2002 business license by Oslaida Valero dba The Friend's House Restaurant at 343 East Hastings Street and the power to make a Council decision in relation to that hearing be delegated to:

Councillor Sandy McCormick, Chair
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sam Sullivan

Should any of the above Members of Council be unable to attend the

hearing, the hearing and the power to make a Council decision in relation to the hearing be delegated to the remaining two Councillors and alternate Councillor Daniel Lee.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7. 777 Homer Street - Class `E' Stadium/Concert Hall

The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts (Formerly Ford Theatre)
March 18, 2002 (File: 2616-7)

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy

THAT Council approve the application by Four Brothers Entertainment Co., for a Class `E' Stadium/Concert Hall liquor license at The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, 777 Homer Street, subject to:

The license matching the terms and conditions of the previous Class `E' liquor license (No. 168783), including, but not limited to, the hours of operation, seating capacity and licensed serving areas.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8. Approval of 2002-2003 Business Improvement Area (BIA) Budgets

March 18, 2002 (File: 8300)

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT Council approve the BIA Business Promotion Schemes and Budgets for the 2002-2003 year listed below and instruct staff to bring forward the appropriate rating by-laws:

BIA LEVY

Downtown $1,800,000
Robson 316,731
Kerrisdale 235,000
Mount Pleasant 160,000
Gastown 304,000
Davie Village 74,379
South Granville 305,150
Yaletown 188,000
Chinatown 108,900
Commercial Drive 110,250
Marpole 100,841
Strathcona Area 250,000
Collingwood 92,000
Hastings North 250,000
Kitsilano Fourth Avenue 100,000

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

9. Authority to Attend Conference in Miami Beach, Florida

March 19, 2002 (File: 1254)

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

THAT Council authorize Councillor Gordon Price to attend "The Congress for New Urbanism", June 13-16, 2002 in Miami Beach, Florida, at an estimated cost of $3,661.00 Cdn.

Carried

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Louis

THAT the airfare for the conference be for economy class.

LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

The amendment having lost, Councillor Sullivan's motion was put and CARRIED with Councillor Louis opposed and Councillor Price absent for the vote.

10. Business License Hearing Panel for April 9, 2002

March 20, 2002 (File: 2711-1)

MOVED by Councillor Louis

THAT Council delegate the holding of a business license hearing presently scheduled for April 9, 2002 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to a panel of three Council Members, pursuant to Section 277.1 of the Vancouver Charter, as follows:

The business license hearing pursuant to Section 275 of the Vancouver Charter regarding an application to Council by the Chief License Inspector for the year 2002 business license by Dara Ali Abdollah dba Media Grocery at 784 East Hastings Streetand the power to make a Council decision in relation to that hearing be delegated to:

Councillor George Puil, Chair
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Fred Bass

Should any of the above Members of Council be unable to attend the

hearing, the hearing and the power to make a Council decision in relation to the hearing be delegated to the remaining two Councillors and alternate Councillor Gordon Price.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

OTHER REPORTS

I. Report of Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities

March 5, 2002 (File: 3055-1)

Cl. 1: 2001 Annual Report

MOVED by Councillor Louis

THAT the 2001 Annual Report of the Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities be received for information.

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 Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Sullivan

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

BY-LAWS

1. A By-law to amend Zoning and Development By-law No. 3575 (1128 West Hastings Street - Pinnacle Hotel) (By-law No. 8439)

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Price

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Kennedy and McCormick excused from voting)

2. A By-law to amend Sign By-law No. 6510 (1128 West Hastings Street - Pinnacle Hotel) (By-law No. 8440)

MOVED by Councillor Daniel Lee
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor Daniel Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Price

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor excused from voting)

3. A By-law to amend By-law No. 8006 to increase the South Granville Business Improvement Area funding ceiling for the balance of the current term (By-law No. 8441)

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

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 Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. A By-law to assess real property to defray 2001 maintenance costs for the Trounce Alley and Blood Alley Square Local Improvement Project (By-law No. 8442)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Kennedy

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. A By-law to assess real property to defray 2001 costs for the Fraser Street Collective Parking Project and Hastings Street Collective Parking Project (By-law No. 8443)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Kennedy

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. A By-law to assess real property to defray 2001 maintenance costs for the Granville Street Decorative Tree Lighting Local Improvement Project (By-law No. 8444)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Kennedy

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7. A By-law to amend Sign By-law No. 6510 (601 West 10^th Avenue - BC Cancer Research Centre) (By-law No. 8445)

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Kennedy, Louis, McCormick, Puil and the Mayor excused from voting)

8. A By-law to authorize Council entering into a Heritage Revitalization Agreement with the Owner of Heritage Property (626 West Pender Street) (By-law No. 8446)

MOVED by Councillor Daniel Lee
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor Daniel Lee
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy and Price excused from voting)

9. A By-law to amend Parking Meter By-law No. 2952 to increase parking meter rates

(By-law No. 8447)

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10. A By-law to designate heritage property, and to amend By-law No. 4837, being the Heritage By-law (1196 Granville Street) (By-law No. 8448)

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Kennedy

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Bass, Louis, McCormick and Puil excused from voting)

11. A By-law to amend Noise Control By-law No. 6555 (Regulation of Leaf Blowers)

(By-law No. 8449)

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

12. A By-law to Average Land Assessments for 2002 (By-law No. 8450)

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor 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 Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor Daniel Lee

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOTIONS

A. Administrative Motions

1. Approval of Form of Development: 1128 West Hastings Street (File: 2606)

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT the form of development for the CD-1 zoned site known as 1128 West Hastings Street be approved generally as approved by the Director of Planning for DE 401550 (issued September 15, 1997) and amended by DE 403325 (issued July 23, 1998) and DE 404214 (issued December 7, 1999) and plans generally as illustrated in Development Application No. DE 406105 prepared by Eng Wright Bruckner Partners Architects, and stamped "Received, City of Vancouver Planning Department, August 16, 2001", provided that the Director of Planning may approve design changes which would not adversely affect either the development character and livability of this site or adjacent properties.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

B. Motions on Notice

1. Road Races (File: 5762)

At the Council meeting of March 12, 2002, Councillor McCormick submitted the following Notice of Motion, which was recognized by the Chair.

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

THAT WHEREAS irresponsible driving such as road races is taking a horrific toll on the young people of Vancouver; and

WHEREAS the Vancouver Police Department is responsible for enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Act; and

WHEREAS long-term solutions for issues involving youth include education as well as enforcement; and

WHEREAS a youth-led process to address this issue can be implemented through Vancouver School Board Student Councils and Vancouver Park Board Community Centre Youth Councils;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City approach the Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Park Board, and I.C.B.C. to work cooperatively to develop a youth-led process to improve education and responsible driving for youth.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Reduce Lethal Auto Speeding by Reintroducing Photo Radar in Vancouver (Files: 3705/5762)

At the Council meeting of March 12, 2002, Councillor Bass submitted a Notice of Motion, which was recognized by the Chair. The following motion reflects amendments accepted by the Mover.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

WHEREAS, in recent weeks, Vancouver residents have suffered a number of automobile crashes on city streets due to racing drivers, causing deaths, injuries and property damage;

AND WHEREAS, Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Detective Scott Driemel stated on March 8, 2002, that photo radar deters speeding drivers and reduces the incidence of speed-related crashes;

AND WHEREAS on June 28, 2001, the BC Attorney General ended photo radar enforcement in Vancouver and across the province;

AND WHEREAS, during the period photo radar was in use, the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) observed a four-fold reduction in the frequency of excessive speeding at photo radar sites;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City Manager report back on legal and administrative changes that would be necessary to permit the Vancouver Police Department to adopt photo radar on the streets of Vancouver, and explore other methods of speed detection to save lives, prevent injury and safeguard property.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Puil absent for the vote)

3. Increasing Public Input and Involvement in City Budgets (File: 1605)

At the Council meeting of March 12, 2002, Councillor Bass submitted the following Notice of Motion, which was recognized by the Chair:

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

WHEREAS, budget projections indicate that City Council will be faced with the choices of approving a significant tax increase to maintain current civic service levels, drawing down reserve funds, or finding ways of extensively cutting city services and programs;

AND WHEREAS, the City faces these difficult choices in developing the 2002 Operating Budget due to the BC government's

(a) cutting the provincial funding of programs and services essential to the City of Vancouver; and
(b) increasing provincial taxes and user fees paid to the province by the City of Vancouver;

AND WHEREAS, the total projected impact of these and other budgetary pressures will result in a funding shortfall of up to $20 million in the 2002 Operating Budget;

AND WHEREAS, on December 11, 2001, City Council instructed the City Manager to implement a public consultation initiative related to the service level and taxation choices required to balance the 2002 Operating Budget.

AND WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver has published City Choices 2002, an information flyer on the 2002 Operating Budget, and is undertaking an information poll to survey the public on some of the budgetary choices facing city council;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver create additional public involvement opportunities during this budget-preparation process by:

(a) creating a speakers bureau comprised of senior staff and Council members who will address community groups and interested individuals about budget issues; and
(b) holding several special City Council sessions throughout the city to hear representations from the public on the budget prior to the April 30 deadline forapproving the 2002 Operating Budget.

Referred

REFERRAL MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT consideration of the Motion be referred to the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of April 11, 2002.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)

4. Provincial Downloading to Municipalities: Sales Tax Increase (File: 1263)

At the Council meeting of March 12, 2002, Councillor Louis submitted a Notice of Motion, which was recognized by the Chair. The following motion reflects amendments accepted by the Mover.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

WHEREAS, on February 19, 2002 the provincial government announced it was raising the provincial sales tax by 0.5 per cent effective February 20, 2002;

AND WHEREAS, the BC Liberals campaigned in the last provincial election on providing local governments with the tools and resources to better plan and manage local services;

AND WHEREAS, the BC Liberals' tax increase will force the city to adopt some combination of either raising taxes or cutting services to offset dramatic and unforeseen expenditures;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Council write to the Honourable Gary Collins, Minister of Finance and the Honourable George Abbott, Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services, asking that the City of Vancouver be given an exemption from paying the additional 0.5 per cent sales tax.

CARRIED
(The Mayor opposed)

5. Vancouver City Council Support for National Harm Reduction Pilot Project (File: 4113)

At the Council meeting of March 12, 2002, Councillor Louis submitted the following Notice of Motion, which was recognized by the Chair.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

WHEREAS, on May 15, 2001, City Council:

(a) adopted the revised Framework for Action: A Four Pillar Approach to Drug Problems in Vancouver as the basis for the City's continuing effort to work with the provincial and federal governments and the community to address the issue of substance misuse in Vancouver.

(b) asked that an implementation plan be drafted with defined goals aimed at specific outcomes, including reduced drug-induced deaths, reduced drug-induced morbidity and reduced drug-related crime (that includes: lowering drug-related deaths, reducing the occurrence of HIV in IV-drug-users, and lowering the frequency of drug-related robberies);

AND WHEREAS, according to the revised Framework for Action, the number of illicit drug deaths in Vancouver averaged 147 per year from 1994 to 2000;

AND WHEREAS, the third goal of the revised Framework for Action states that the City should work towards addressing the drug-related health crisis in Vancouver by reducing harm to communities and individuals;

AND WHEREAS, the revised Framework for Action notes that harm reduction is a pragmatic approach that focuses on decreasing the negative consequences of drug use for communities and individuals. Moreover, it recognizes that abstinence-based approaches are limited in dealing with a street-entrenched open drug scene;

AND WHEREAS, according to a December 2000 McIntyre and Mustel poll commissioned by the City of Vancouver, over 70 per cent of Vancouver residents surveyed supported establishing a task force to consider the feasibility of a scientific medical project to develop safe drug consumption facilities in Vancouver and in other appropriate areas in the country in order to reduce health risks and minimize open drug scenes, such as we have in the Downtown Eastside;

AND WHEREAS, according to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, drug abuse is a major problem in many Canadian municipalities, and in some communities, more than 70 per cent of all local crime can be traced to substance misuse;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, City Council support Mayor Philip Owen and other Federation of Canadian Municipalities Big City Mayor Caucus members' efforts to initiate a multi-city pilot program in partnership with Health Canada to carry out scientific trials of supervised safe drug consumption facilities.

Referred

Also before Council was correspondence dated March 25, 2002, from the Collingwood Community Policing Centre requesting to speak on the Motion.

The Chair advised consideration of the Motion will be referred to a future Standing Committee meeting to hear speakers.

NOTICES OF MOTION

1. Maintain Public Control of BC Hydro (File: 1263)

The following Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor Louis and recognized by the Chair:

WHEREAS, BC Hydro is a crown corporation owned and developed for the benefit of all British Columbians;

AND WHEREAS, BC Hydro contributed $904 million to the provincial government in 2001 enabling the funding of medical care, education and other government services;

AND WHEREAS, all sectors of the BC economy benefit from the third-lowest power rates in North America delivered from clean, reliable sources;

AND WHEREAS, BC Hydro employs British Columbians to deliver power to the people of the province;

AND WHEREAS, deregulation and privatization will result in price increases estimated by the provincial government's Energy Task Review Committee to be in the 30 to 80 per cent range;

AND WHEREAS, the Joint Industry Electricity Steering Committee recognizes that the"electric power customers and the BC economy are being well served with reliable power at regulated, predictable rates" and "BC Hydro is returning substantial benefits to the province";

AND WHEREAS, BC Hydro's integrated systems and services are critical to the utility's ability to provide reliable power at affordable pricing that does not discriminate against any customers;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, in order to preserve the valuable public asset of BC Hydro, the City of Vancouver urge the province to retain BC Hydro as a complete entity within a regulated pricing structure.

Notice

2. Preserve British Columbia's Universal Public Auto Insurance (File: 1263)

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

WHEREAS, the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) was founded in 1973 following the Wooten Royal Commission that investigated shoddy practices of private insurance companies;

AND WHEREAS, ICBC is mandated to provide fair rating which does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, marital status, or community of residency;

AND WHEREAS, ICBC provides more than 6,000 direct jobs and many more in support industries such as independent brokers, autobody shops and others;

AND WHEREAS, while 90 per cent of all motorists in British Columbia carry valid insurance, in other jurisdictions, such as Ontario, the incidence of uninsured motorists is as high as 25 per cent, according to 1998 statistics compiled by the Ontario Provincial Police;

AND WHEREAS, ICBC contributes $60 million annually to road safety initiatives - 30 times more than all Ontario private insurance providers;

AND WHEREAS, safer roads make our communities better and more secure places to live;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, that the City of Vancouver ask the Ministerresponsible for ICBC and the Premier of British Columbia to preserve the provincial universal public auto insurance system.

Notice

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Status of Reserve Police Funding (File: 1376)

Councillor Don Lee enquired on the status of provincial funding of the Police Reserve program.
He understood the Reserve Constable position may be eliminated, and if so, enquired whether it would be possible for the City to approach the Provincial Government and ask for the Reserve Constables to work in the neighbourhood Community Safety centres.

The Deputy City Manager agreed to provide the information.

2. Changes to Provincial Liquor Regulations (File: 2611-1)

Councillor Kennedy provided an update on the status of proposed changes to provincial liquor regulations. She advised no changes have been implemented; the rules regarding liquor service in restaurants have not changed. Local governments will be consulted prior to implementation. The Minister has requested a meeting with the UBCM.

3. Wett Bar Nightclub (File: 2611)

Councillor Clarke requested staff follow-up on a number of complaints received on the operation of the Wett Bar Nightclub. Councillor Louis advised he shared the concerns and enquired whether the matter would be referred to a business license hearing as soon as possible.

The Deputy City Manager agreed to follow-up on the matter.

4. Health Care Cuts (File: 4101)

Councillor Clarke requested staff provide an information memorandum on the proposed cuts in residential programs and services for the mentally handicapped. Councillor Louis requested the memorandum also include information on proposed cuts to homemaker and long term care services.

The Deputy City Manager agreed to provide the information.

5. List of Emergency Shelters/Low Cost Meals (File: 4659)

Councillor McCormick advised of a list of emergency shelters and low cost meals prepared by the Waterfront Police Centre. She requested the City Clerk distribute the list to staff and the BIA Coordinator.

6. Gaming Concerns (File: 2633)

At Councillor Louis' request, the Mayor provided an update on his recent meeting with the Solicitor General/Minister Responsible for Gaming to discuss the City's concerns with the implementation of Bill 6-2002. The Mayor advised he has asked staff to provide a report to Council on issues raised during his discussion with the Minister.

The Council recessed at 4:55 p.m., and
reconvened "In Camera" in the Mayor's Office.

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