CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

APRIL 30, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, April 30, 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 Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Tim Louis Councillor Sandy McCormick *Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil *Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Lynne Kennedy
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Marg Coulson, Deputy 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 Deputy City Clerk.

"IN CAMERA" MEETING

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor 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;

(h) litigation or potential litigation affecting the city;

(i) the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ITEMS ARISING FROM THE "IN CAMERA" MEETING OF APRIL 23, 2002

· Council made appointments to the Family Court/Youth Justice Committee. Names of those appointed can be obtained from the City Clerk's Office.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

1. Regular Council (City Services and Budgets) - April 11, 2002

MOVED by Councillor Puil
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Regular Council (Planning and Environment) - April 11, 2002

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Puil

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Regular Council - April 23, 2002

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Puil

THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

REPORT REFERENCE

1. Lower Mainland Municipal Association Drug Strategy (File: 4113)

Councillor Jim Stangier, President, Lower Mainland Municipal Association (LMMA); and Councillor Bob Fearnley , representing the LMMA Drug and Crime Prevention Committee; gave a presentation on LMMA's Regional Action Plan to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol and drug misuse.

MOVED by Councillor Louis

THAT Vancouver City Council endorse LMMA's Regional Action Plan to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol and drug misuse.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. 2002 Operating Budget - Interim Report (File: 1605)

At the April 11, 2002, Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting, Council concluded the hearing of speakers on the reports noted below and completed consideration of the Administrative Report dated March 28, 2002, entitled "2002 Operating Budget - Interim Report".

Due to time constraints, decision on the following items was referred to this meeting:

(a) Administrative Report dated April 2, 2002, entitled 2002 Operating Budget: Public Consultation Process;

(b) Administrative Report dated April 2, 2002, entitled Impacts of the Provincial Budget on the City of Vancouver and attaching the following:

(i) Extract from the Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning & Environment meeting of January 24, 2002, regarding Meeting on Provincial Government Cuts to Services and Programs;

(ii) Two Motions on Notice regarding (1) Provincial Cuts to Income and Hardship Assistance; and (2) Provincial Government's Closure of the Residential Tenancy Office;

(iii) Extract from the Regular Council meeting of February 19, 2002, regarding Province of British Columbia - Cycling Network Program;

(iv) Motion on Notice on Provincial Downloading to Municipalities

(c) Extract from Regular Council meeting of March 26, 2002 regarding Motion on Notice on Increasing Public Input and Involvement in City Budgets

Also before Council this day was a memorandum, dated April 29, 2002, from Judy Rogers, City Manager, entitled "Update on Impacts of the Provincial Budget on the City of Vancouver" which provided further information on a number of issues, such as Non-Market operations, Legal Services Society, childcare, Freedom of Information & Privacy Act, and proposed Safety Standards Act and Regulations.

(a) 2002 Operating Budget: Public Consultation Process

April 2, 2002 (File: 1605)

MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT the Administrative Report, dated April 2, 2002, entitled "2002 Operating Budget: Public Consultation Process", be received for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(b) Impacts of the Provincial Budget on the City of Vancouver

April 2, 2002 (File: 1263)

MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT the Administrative Report, dated April 2, 2002, entitled "Impacts of the Provincial Budget on the City of Vancouver" be received for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Attached to the Administrative Report, dated April 2, 2002, entitled "Impacts of the Provincial Budget on the City of Vancouver" were the following on which decision had been postponed pending the receipt of the Administrative Report.

(i) Meeting on Provincial Government Cuts to Services and Programs

(File: 1263)

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

WHEREAS, the provincial government is responsible for the delivery of programs and services including healthcare, justice, child protection, housing, human rights protection, alcohol and drug treatment, and environmental protection that are essential to the safety and well-being of all Vancouver residents;

AND WHEREAS, anticipated cuts to many of those services by the provincial government could seriously jeopardize the safety and well-being of Vancouver residents;

AND WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver could find itself in a position of funding replacement services and programs for those previously provided by the province;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Vancouver City Council seek an immediate meeting with Premier Gordon Campbell and the provincial cabinet to determine the implications of provincial service and program cuts to the citizens of Vancouver.

Amended

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the resolve of the motion be amended by striking the words: "seek an immediate meeting with Premier Gordon Campbell and the provincial cabinet"and inserting the following: "request on-going information from the provincial government".

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)
(Councillors Price and Sullivan absent for the vote)

MOTION AS AMENDED

WHEREAS, the provincial government is responsible for the delivery of programs and services including healthcare, justice, child protection, housing, human rights protection, alcohol and drug treatment, and environmental protection that are essential to the safety and well-being of all Vancouver residents;

AND WHEREAS, anticipated cuts to many of those services by the provincial government could seriously jeopardize the safety and well-being of Vancouver residents;

AND WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver could find itself in a position of funding replacement services and programs for those previously provided by the province;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Vancouver City Council request on-going information from the provincial government to determine the implications of provincial service and program cuts to the citizens of Vancouver.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

(ii) Provincial Cuts to Income and Hardship Assistance (File: 1263)

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

WHEREAS, the provincial government recently announced that income or hardship assistance will be denied to thousands of people in British Columbia who are in dire financial need;

AND WHEREAS, people in dire financial need include refugee claimants, many youths between 19-and 21-years-of-age, people convicted of welfare fraud, and people who have been on income assistance for more than two years during the last five years;

AND WHEREAS, many of the people who will be denied income or hardship assistance live in Vancouver;

AND WHEREAS, people who will be denied income or hardship assistance have no where to turn except to charities and/or the streets;

AND WHEREAS, the proposed provincial government cuts to income or hardship assistance will:

- cause great suffering and hardship to people affected, and
- increase the number of people who have to beg and sleep on Vancouver'sstreets;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Vancouver City Council demand the provincial government cancel its plans to deny income and hardship assistance to people in dire need.

Postponed

POSTPONEMENT MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT consideration of the motion on provincial cuts to income and hardship assistance be postponed indefinitely.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)
(Councillors Price and Sullivan absent for the vote)

Provincial Government's Closure of the Residential Tenancy Office (File: 1263)

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

WHEREAS, the provincial government has announced the closure of the Vancouver Residential Tenancy Office as of March 31, 2002;

AND WHEREAS, according to the 1996 Census, close to 60 percent of Vancouver's citizens are tenants who rent their homes;

AND WHEREAS, according to the 1996 Census, 85 percent of West End residents, where the Residential Tenancy Office is located, are tenants - the largest concentration of tenants in the province;

AND WHEREAS, the closure of the Vancouver Residential Tenancy Office will negatively impact access to essential services for all Vancouver tenants and landlords as they will now have to travel to Burnaby for dispute resolution services and to get information about their rights and responsibilities;

AND WHEREAS, traveling to Burnaby will present a real obstacle for many tenants due to lack of capacity, financial resources, and inability to take protracted time off work and will result in more tenants becoming vulnerable to illegal rent increases and evictions, potentially adding to the risk of homelessness;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver City Council write tothe Honourable Rich Coleman, Solicitor General and responsible for Residential Tenancy, expressing grave concern about the negative impacts on tenants and landlords of the closing of the Vancouver Residential Tenancy Office, and urging the province to keep this office open.

Postponed

POSTPONEMENT MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT consideration of the motion on the provincial government's closure of the Residential Tenancy Office be postponed indefinitely.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)
(Councillors Price and Sullivan absent for the vote)

(iii) Province of British Columbia - Cycling Network Program

December 3, 2001 (File: 5553/3062-1)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick

THAT consideration of the report of the Bicycle Advisory Committee, dated December 3, 2001, on the Province of British Columbia - Cycling Network Program, be postponed indefinitely.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

(iv) Provincial Downloading to Municipalities (File: 1263)

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

WHEREAS, on February 7, 2002 the provincial government announced it was raising Medical Service Plan (MSP) premiums by 50 per cent effective May 1, 2002;

AND WHEREAS, according to a March 1, 2002 Vancouver Sun article, the provincial government's decision to increase MSP premiums will cost the City of Vancouver at least $1.3 million;

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

AND WHEREAS, the BC Liberals' downloading of provincial healthcare system costs will force the City of Vancouver to adopt some combination of either raising taxes or cutting services to offset these dramatic and unforeseen expenditures;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Council write to the Honourable Colin Hansen, Health Services Minister, objecting to the dramatic increase in the Medical Service Plan premiums, and urging the province to reverse this harmful decision.

Postponed

POSTPONEMENT MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT consideration of the motion on the provincial downloading to municipalities be postponed indefinitely.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)
(Councillors Price and Sullivan absent for the vote)

(c) Increasing Public Input and Involvement in City Budgets (File: 1263)

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 toimplement 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 for approving the 2002 Operating Budget.

Not put

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT the resolve in the Motion be amended as follows:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver create additional public involvement opportunities during the budget-preparation process by creating a speakers bureau comprised of senior staff and council members who will address community groups and interested individuals about budget issues.
(Italics denote amendment)

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

MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT the Motion be received for information and that Council take no action.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)

CITY MANAGER'S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

1. 2002 Operating Budget - Final Estimates

April 26, 2002 (File: 1605)

MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT Council adopt the final 2002 Operating Budget revenue and expenditure estimates with a property tax increase of 4.0% as outlined in the Administrative Report, dated April 26, 2002, entitled "2002 Operating Budget - Final Estimates", by approving the budget resolution attached as Appendix 2 to the Report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Annual Speed Hump Installation Program, 2002

April 10, 2002 (File: 5757)

MOVED by Councillor Louis

A. THAT speed humps be installed on the local, residential streets specified in the Administrative Report, dated April 10, 2002, entitled "Annual Speed Hump Installation Program, 2002" subject to approval from a resident survey, with funding of $270,000 provided from funds remaining following the completion of the 2000 and 2001 Speed Hump Programs (Order Group CA1EA51C01 & CA2EA5IC01 ).

B. THAT commencing in 2003, the Traffic Operating Budget be increased by $5,000, subject to review as part of the 2003 Operating Budget.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

3. Approval of 2002 Special Events

April 16, 2002 (File: 4201)

MOVED by Councillor Louis

A. THAT the Special Events in Appendix A of the Administrative Report, dated April 16, 2002, entitled "Approval of 2002 Special Events" be approved, subject to staff working out acceptable arrangements with the event organizers.

B. THAT the Pacific Boulevard route for the Pacific Northwest Shrine Association's Parades on June 25th & 26th be approved, as agreed to in principle in the 2000 Special Events report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Price and Sullivan absent for the vote)

4. Bike Box Pilot Project for Main and Union

April 23, 2002 (File: 5553)

MOVED by Councillor Louis

A. THAT a pilot "bike box" be installed on the westbound approach of Main St. and Union St., as detailed in the Administrative Report, dated April 23, 2002, entitled "Bike Box Pilot Project for Main and Union".

B. THAT funding of $10,000 be provided for the implementation of this pilot project, from the 2002 Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account Group SCA2E-UNAP (Bicycle Network).

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

5. Annual Report From Citizens' Advisory Committee to Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services

April 24, 2002 (File: 3153)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick

THAT the Administrative Report, dated April 24, 2002, entitled "Annual Report From Citizens' Advisory Committee to Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services" be received for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. Vancouver Heritage Foundation - 2001 Annual Report

April 10, 2002 (File: 5054)

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT the Vancouver Heritage Foundation 2001 Annual Report be received for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7. Update on Recent Regional Transportation Data

April 15, 2002 (File: 5560-0/5562)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick

THAT the Administrative Report, dated April 15, 2002, entitled "Update on Recent Regional Transportation Data, be received for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)

OTHER REPORTS

I. Report from Vancouver City Planning Commission

April 9, 2002 (File: 3107-1)

Cl. 1: Vancouver City Planning Commission 2001 Annual Report
Cl. 2: Vancouver City Planning Commission 2002 Workplan

MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT the Vancouver City Planning Commission 2001 Annual Report and 2002 Workplan 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 McCormick

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOTIONS

A. Administrative Motions

1. 2002 Operating Budget Resolution (File: 1605)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

THAT WHEREAS, the Vancouver Charter, Section 219 requires that the Director of Finance submit to Council each year the detailed estimates of revenues and expenditures of the City for the year;

AND WHEREAS the Vancouver Charter, Section 372 requires that Council adopt the estimates of revenues and expenditures for the City as soon thereafter as possible;

AND WHEREAS Council has reviewed the development of the estimates in reports submitted by the Director of Finance on December 11, 2001, and April 9, 2002 and approved measures to bring the estimates into balance, including approval of a 4.0% general purposes property tax increase;

AND WHEREAS the total estimated expenditures of the City to pay all debts and obligations of the City falling due in the year 2002, exclusive of the amounts required for school, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, British Columbia Assessment Authority and Municipal Finance Authority purposes and not otherwise provide for, as amended by Council, amount to $667,226,400;

AND WHEREAS the total estimated expenditures as aforesaid is the sum of the appropriation requests of all departments and boards properly supported by detailed analysis of those expenditures and listings of the salaried staff;

AND WHEREAS the total estimated revenue of the City for 2002 from sources other than real property taxes, as amended by Council, amounts to $276,908,400;

AND WHEREAS the amount of the General Purposes Tax Levy so required is $390,318,000;

THEREFORE be is resolved that the said estimates, both as to totals and individual items pertaining thereto, of the Director of Finance as so amended by Council be and the same are hereby adopted by Council.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

B. Motions on Notice

1. Provincial Changes to Income Assistance and Disability Benefits (File: 1263)

At the Council meeting of April 23, 2002, Councillor Louis submitted the following Notice of Motion which was recognized by the Chair:

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

WHEREAS, the government of British Columbia has tabled Bill 26 Employment and Assistance Act and Bill 27 Employment and Assistance For Person's with Disabilities, radically changing eligibility requirements for British Columbians needing income assistance and disability benefits;

AND WHEREAS, the proposed changes in Bills 26 and 27 will mean as many as 25,000 British Columbians will no longer be eligible for disability benefits;

AND WHEREAS, Bills 26 and 27 were tabled in the BC legislature without any study or broad public input;

AND WHEREAS, the changes to disability benefits narrowly define mental illness, excluding mental-health disabilities such as clinical depression and anxiety disorders, which will dangerously destabilize the lives of thousands of people with mental illness;

AND WHEREAS, following the significant reduction in social-housing units funded by the provincial government, the changes in eligibility requirements will result in a dramatic increase in homelessness on Vancouver streets;

AND WHEREAS, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities states that for Vancouver "any strategy for further reductions in the crime rate needs to also take into consideration the income levels of residents";

AND WHEREAS, the earnings exemption has now been eliminated, forbidding recipients from seeking part-time work, and hurting community economic development, such as the Vancouver Agreement-supported United We Can bottle depot in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government's attack on the most vulnerable in our society will pose significant barriers to those trying to escape addiction;

AND WHEREAS, increased crime, homelessness, and substance misuse will place significantly greater stress on city services, and will negatively effect Vancouver's livability and health;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver ask the government of British Columbia to not enact Bill 26 - Employment and Assistance Act and Bill 27 -Employment and Assistance For Person's with Disabilities.

Referred

The Chair noted the receipt of correspondence, dated April 29, 2002, requesting to speak. Council agreed to refer consideration of the Motion on Notice to a future Standing Committee meeting to hear from speakers.

2. Opposing the Provincial Referendum on Treaty Negotiations (File: 3139)

At the Council meeting of April 23, 2002, Councillor Bass submitted the following Notice of Motion which was recognized by the Chair:

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver, through its delegation to the Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee (LMTAC) plays an active role in providing input on treaty negotiations between the governments of Canada, British Columbia, and BC's First Nations;

AND WHEREAS, the GVRD in their statement of principles regarding BC treaty negotiations, recognizes aboriginal rights as articulated in Section 35 of the Constitution Act;

AND WHEREAS, Vancouver has a larger aboriginal population than any other area in British Columbia;

AND WHEREAS, the British Columbian government has called a referendum to gain public input on the principles guiding treaty negotiations with First Nations in BC

AND WHEREAS, prominent Canadian pollster Angus Reid described the BC treaty referendum as "one of the most amateurish, one- sided attempts to gauge the public will that I have seen in my professional career";

AND WHEREAS, First Nations and other groups across BC have condemned the referendum process as flawed, immoral, divisive, and, being a vote of the majority on the rights of a minority group;

AND WHEREAS, the best way to resolve treaties with BC First Nations is through good faith negotiations at a government- to- government level within the already establishedtreaty process;

AND WHEREAS, citizen participation in the referendum provides no real opportunity for public input into negotiations, and only serves to validate this flawed and divisive referendum process;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver reject the BC government's referendum on aboriginal treaties, and encourage the citizens of Vancouver to actively boycott the vote, and protest the referendum process.

Postponed

POSTPONEMENT MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED BY Councillor Puil

THAT consideration of the motion on opposing the provincial referendum on treaty negotiations be postponed indefinitely.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)
(Councillor Price absent for the vote)

3. Protect Public Health Care (File: 4101)

At the Council meeting of April 23, 2002, Councillor Bass submitted the following Notice of Motion which was recognized by the Chair:

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

WHEREAS, universal access to health care is an economic and social asset;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government announced dramatic changes in the delivery of healthcare which will limit access to health services and negatively affect the population of the city of Vancouver;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government's proposed changes in health care could lead to radical privatization of healthcare services;

AND WHEREAS, once privatization is introduced into the system, international trade agreements will likely limit the provincial governments' ability to set healthcare policy;

AND WHEREAS, the changes to health care were conducted with no broad publicconsultation;

AND WHEREAS, municipal councils across British Columbia - including the councils of the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, Burnaby, Hope, Port Coquitlam, Williams Lake and Terrace - are considering resolutions on opposing cuts to health services;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver:

(A) call on the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and the provincial government to conduct broad, public consultations prior to going ahead with any of the proposed privatization of services, hospital closures and health service cuts;

(B) obtain comprehensive social and economic impact studies to assess the effect that the proposed healthcare changes would have on Vancouver residents; and

(C) request the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to examine the implications of free trade agreements on our public healthcare policies and operations.

Referred

The Chair advised the receipt of correspondence, dated April 26, 2002, requesting to speak. Council agreed to refer consideration of the Motion on Notice to a future Standing Committee meeting to hear from speakers.

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Unification of McBride Park (File: 5753/4151)

Councillor Louis referred to a petition signed by a number of residents in support of unifying McBride Park currently bisected by Waterloo Street between 4^th and 5^th Avenues. He requested the Deputy City Clerk to receive the petition.

2. Leave of Absence - Councillor Kennedy (File: 1254)

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

THAT Councillor Kennedy be granted Leave of Absence for the morning and early afternoon of May 2, 2002.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Raves in Licensed Areas (File: 2601)

Councillor Sullivan referred to Council's approval last year to allow the Plaza of Nations to hold raves, with staff monitoring. He asked staff to provide an update memo, with acoustical readings, and information on whether there is an advantage to allow additional raves in licensed areas, which can be monitored, rather than being pushed underground.

The City Manager agreed to the request.

4. Motorcycle Noise Concerns (File: 3755)

Councillor Price advised of a letter referring to a coordinated effort by ICBC , the Police and BC Coalition of Motorcyclists to respond to motorcycle noise concerns, particularly in the West End.

The Mayor accepted the letter on behalf of the Police Board and agreed to bring the matter to the Police Board's attention.

5. Status of Police Recruitment (File: 1376)

Councillor Clarke requested information on the status of Police Department recruitment and any implications to funding of trainees, due to funding cutbacks at the Justice Institute.

The City Manager advised staff are preparing a report for mid-May.

6. Retention of Service Bays at Gasoline Stations (File: 5302)

Councillor Clarke referred to a recent letter received from Imperial Oil requesting a review of Council's policy to retain service bays at gasoline stations. She requested staff to prepare a memo providing the status of the policy.

The City Manager agreed to the request.

7. Security (File: 1001)

Councillor Louis enquired on the status of his request to the City Manager to provide information on why former Councillor Rankin was barred from entering City Hall on July 26, 2001.

The City Manager agreed to follow up.

8. Leave of Absence - Councillor Daniel Lee (File: 1254)

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT Councillor Daniel Lee be granted Leave of Absence for May 2, 2002.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver